Back from the Land of the Expensive Everything

Outside Prada Omotesando.  Wearing Ray ban wayfarers, tailor-made suit, vintage bowtie, Landmark scarf, APC chambray shirt, Bottega moccassins.

Not exactly.  Though a can of Coke may cost you 300 yen (USD 3.00), and the exact same Miu Miu wallet may cost USD 150 more in Japan than it would in Hong Kong, I was able to come home with just as much loot as I would if I shopped at a known "affordable" shopping destination as, say, Hong Kong or Bangkok.  With this being my second visit to Tokyo, it was nice to know my way around the city and to go back to shops I enjoyed last time.  

Overpriced Miu Miu wallet, you have served me well.  (Purchased during the first Tokyo trip)

The secret was knowing what to buy in Japan.  Why get a Prada bag or a pair of Tod's loafers you can purchase anywhere else in the world?  You're in Japan, buy Japanese!  Though Y-3 was disappointingly more expensive in Japan than it is in Manila, I was pleasantly surprised to find Comme des Garcons and Issey Miyake cheaper in Japan.  On the lower end, Uniqlo and Muji were also cheapest in Japan, with Muji even accepting refunds!  

Harajuku

Harajuku was also such a blessing.  Local high-street stores sold drapey ninja tops in every conceivable configuration, at reasonable prices.  I also did a lot of thrift/vintage shopping, which was a little out of character for me, but i found some really great stuff.  I couldn't seem to get enough of it that I decided to ditch a day of temple-hopping in Kyoto for more Harajuku frolicking!

The street style scene was beyond amazing.  Their style is very individualistic and original and though it may be debatable whether most are following trends or setting their own, the spectrum of different styles is wider than any country I had visited.  I was starstruck when I saw street style photographers taking pictures of people on the street.  Here's one taking a detail photo of a guy's watch.  

Two of the photographers

It's a shame to admit, but I lingered around the shoot for a while, not-so-secretly wishing they'd take a snapshot of me!

Though I may not have the guts or photography skills, I attempted to take one street style photo.  This guy particularly fascinated me with his highly androgynous, pile-on-anything-maximalist, quirky-on-crack look.  

Detail shot of his fox shoulder scarf.  I saw him the next day in an ethereal all-white outfit, with the same fox scarf on his shoulder.  

Tokyo, I'm coming back!