Senkiya and Sunshine To You Atelier and Shop

Hello Lovely Sandwiches!

How are you? It's getting warmer in Tokyo. The ume are starting to blossom and are so pretty. Springtime is so beautiful here, but at the same time it scares me that we are creeping closer to Tokyo's awfully hot Summer.

Do you remember my friend Sachiko-chan? (I first met her a few days before the big earthquake when I helped her with her workshop. )  Sachiko-chan (Sunshine To You) has had a beautiful little atelier and shop in Saitama for over three years now which sadly will close this weekend because she will move to Hayama . Yesterday I finally went to visit. ギリギリ！

Sunshine To You will be open this Saturday and Sunday, with a little closing party on Sunday from 12pm and you are all invited. Sachiko-chan will also be doing a live performance on her saxophone! If you have a chance, please visit her on her last day in Saitama. She would love to see you.















While Sachiko-chan and I were chatting away, neighbouring architect Nao-san, bought over a box of mikan to share with us! He was wearing woolen socks and outdoor slippers which was extra cute. 









'Sunshine To You' is located in the same renovated house as Senkiya.



Senkiya's owner, Hideyuki-san (pictured right), cleverly renovated his family home to turn it into a cafe / zakka / gallery / bookstore and small shop.



This is what Sunshine To You looked like previously before Hideyuki-san worked his magic.



Hideyuki-san's renovation includes lots of beautiful Showa era glass which I absolutely adore.







There is a real community feel here, with Nao-san's wife, Ryoko-san, working as the chef at Senkiya cafe. I just love her and her beautiful smile.



Also on the same block is a cute little gallery and Otama, a handmade accessory studio (pictured above).



The afternoon visit was filled with sounds of traditional Japanese sliding doors, rattling glass windowpanes, laughter, and my favourite, sounds of Sachiko-chan calling out to 'Ryo-chaaaan' like family.

If you're in Tokyo, please go and visit these lovely and talented people. If you're lucky you can catch the bread man, or the bagel man, or even the massage tent. Access details here.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Kawaii Chika-san's Incredible Studio!

Oh My Goodness today was so inspiring!

My friend Shimizu-chan and I went to Asakusabashi to visit Higashi Chika-san's amazing shop and gallery Le Lieu but we when we arrived Chika-san asked 'Hello Sandwich-san desu ne?' and she gave us a beautiful tour of her studio!!! It's a four storey converted studio building which she shares with her super cute five-year-old daughter and two other creators. At the very top of the spiral staircase is this amazing space which I am so excited to share with you today! I hope you will enjoy this studio tour!



























Chika-san makes these beautiful umbrellas (and parasols) and stunning scarves (below).
You can also see more on Chika-san's website Coci la elle.











Chika-san's adorable daughter and the gallery shopfront.



Sometimes I find myself in situations like this where I have to pinch myself to believe that I-am-in-an-amazing-studio-in-Tokyo-and-they-are-speaking-to-me-in-Japanese-and-I-want-to-live-here-forever!

The moral to this story is that you really won't want to miss a trip to this gallery and shop if you're in Tokyo! Of course this will be in the new Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide PDF coming soon!

Thank you so much Chika-san for such a delightful day! You're such a cutie!

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

Tsutaya Daikanyama T-site

At the moment I'm renewing the Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide PDF and adding lots of cute places I've found since living in Tokyo. I hope you'll like the PDF guide when it's released within a few months. It's a lot of fun visiting new places to include in the guide. Yesterday we visited the new Tsutaya Daikanyama T-site. Oh my goodness this place is incredible!

Bookshop, Magazine shop, Stationery shop, DVD Shop, DVD and CD rental shop, Lounge Cafe, Starbucks, Family Mart, Cute camera shop, Electronic bike shop...It's such a lovely place to spend an afternoon.




In this section customers can listen to any rental CD before borrowing! Some customers had bought their Starbucks coffees from the cafe downstairs and were relaxing with delightful views at the listening stations.



There is a fancy lounge (coffee is ¥900!) where customers can read books and enjoy a sandwich and a glass of wine. Naturally, on a Sunday this place was packed with a long line up to get a seat. On the plus side, while you wait in line customers can browse the menu on ipads which are given to each customer.




Continuing on the ipad theme, when you're in the DVD rental section you can search for your DVD on many ipads located amongst the shelves. Once you type in your DVD of choice you are taken to a screen which precisely locates the exact location of the DVD. Very convenient. Very Japanese. I made a Tsutaya rental card and got four rental DVDs for ¥1000.The great thing is, if you select to return the DVDs by post you receive a small velcro + zipper postage paid pack to simply pop the DVDs in when you're done. And it's free to return them by post. Amazing!



The outside space, even in winter, is enjoyable. But I can't help but think how lovely it will be to dine at one of the restaurants with outdoor seating sections when the weather warms up.






If you bring your cute little puppy you can tie him/her up at mini puppy stations. Adorable no?



If you're in Tokyo and have a spare afternoon, do pop on into the new Tsutaya Daikanyama T-site for a relaxing afternoon.


Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo