Junko writes...
I was recently commissioned to reveal local trend secrets from her native Japan, as part of Wallpaper*'s Fab 40 issue. My insider knowledge included sportswear by Naoki Takizawa, a trendy agricultural magazine (yes, they do exist), and the latest fads in vegetable cakes. You can read all about it here>
Talking of Japan, I recently spent my holidays sampling the best the country has to offer during the autumn and winter months. And visiting those places was a hundred times better than just writing about them!
Here are my holiday highlights:
Kyoto
The Screen Hotel is a delightful design hotel to stay in. All 13 rooms are designed by different designers, and I stayed in room 102 designed by Akihiko Shimada. The room even comes with cool bespoke cushions called Takara-zukushi, which means an assortment of Japanese lucky symbols.
The hotel's design is definitely something to talk about but the best thing was the small army of the young, friendly and helpful (and super good-looking if this is important) staff. A place to stay in Kyoto for design and comfort conscious travellers.
http://www.the-screen.jp/en/index.html
Toba, Mie Prefecture
Since its opening in 2008, The Earth's popularity has been growing so rapidly in Japan that I had to reserve a room six months in advance. It was worth the effort; the small and beautiful hot spring inn was a perfect place to unwind. All 16 rooms are designed with a well-executed combination of modern and traditional Japanese methods by Ishii Architect Associates, and each comes with a private outdoor onsen to admire the incredible view of Pacific Ocean. If this is not enough, the hotel also has an observatory for an uninterrupted view of the sea and star gazing at night.
http://www.the-earth.in/
Mount Aso, Kyushu
Kai Aso sits on a vantage point from where guests can admire the live volcano of the Aso mountain range. No architectural feature is compromised by the superb location, and the building and interiors of the hotel conjure up images of Frank Lloyd Wright's modernist houses. Each suite is free-standing and is dotted within the hotel's landscaped garden. A Tokyo-based design office, age, has successfully created the ideal place to relax after a day of sightseeing around Mount Aso. The service and the food are also outstanding.
http://www.kairesort.jp/aso/index.php
NB: All photographs were taken by Ken Edwards - thanks Ken!
To explore more of his work, visit http://kenedwards.org.uk/image/
