I had been captivated by Japan, perhaps since the early 2000’s when Bill Murray and Scarlette Johanson brought the delights of Tokyo to my attention via Lost In Translation. This was shortly followed by developing a curiosity in Japanese street style whilst studying Fashion Promotion and Illustration at university. Then as my interest in interiors started to develop, so did my interest in Japan’s calming and simplistic style, quite the contrast to the chaotic Japan I had first been presented with. Their juxtaposition of cultures was enchanting, but equally overwhelming and despite it being top of my holiday list for some time and being comfortable holidaying alone, when it came to Japan, I was waiting to meet someone, so I could enter and guide my way through what seemed like a bewildering other world with someone else's support. But then I thought fuck it, stop waiting, just go and it was the best solo holiday I could have hoped for.

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Key Characters:

Billie - A holiday fling

Locations:

Yogi Park, Tokyo

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3034_002.html

Cat Street

https://www.japanvisitor.com/tokyo-area-guides/catstreettokyo

Opening Ceremony

https://www.openingceremony.com/en-gb/

City Shop

http://cityshop.tokyo/

Shibuya Crossing

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/tokyo/attractions/shibuya-crossing/a/poi-sig/396831/356817

Fushimi Inari-taisha (Red Pillar Temple)

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

https://www.insidekyoto.com/arashiyama-bamboo-grove

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html

Kyoto Onsen

https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyotos-best-onsen-hot-spring-baths

Naoshima Island

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5475.html

Dans Le Noir

https://london.danslenoir.com/unusual-restaurant-in-london.html

Benesse House

https://benesse-artsite.jp/en/stay/benessehouse/

The Park Hyatt Plaza - The New York Bar

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/japan/park-hyatt-tokyo/tyoph

Kaikaya By The Sea

http://www.kaikaya.com/

Oath

https://www.residentadvisor.net/club.aspx?id=16967

Mori Digital Museum

https://borderless.teamlab.art/

Cultural References:

Yayoi Kusama

http://yayoi-kusama.jp/e/information/

Entertainment References:

Lost In Translation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Translation_(film)

Normal People

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_People

Greta Thunberg School Strike

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_Thunberg

Gwen Steffani - Harajuka Girls

https://open.spotify.com/album/3Lqn8M0QxPLIPRJ4nUKTGN?highlight=spotify:track:3L7P7HZVQ3wxzKoUyxaC9H

Lost In Tokyo

https://lostin.com/products/lost-in-tokyo

Katy Perry Roar

https://open.spotify.com/album/2bELFHKEF8yIDHMelNab2p

Pulp Common People

https://open.spotify.com/album/3ly9T2L4pqTZijFgQssd3x?highlight=spotify:track:2fXKyAyPrEa24c6PJyqznF

Snow Informer

https://open.spotify.com/track/2LjiPAQOVazT8sRyXL3XRs

Queen Don’t Stop Me Now

https://open.spotify.com/track/3lrNq7iGL5r3KS93YiKAbC

Pulp Fiction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fiction

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth