What tips can you give to peeps planning on visiting Japan soon?

Japan has so much to offer so jump on the web and do a little research before you land, it can be a bit overwhelming… with no preparation at all.

If you like Art – check out Tokyo Art Beat – they do amazing map guides that are available online and in most independent art gallery spaces for you to pick up. It is usually quite good to have one of those maps handy so you can go walking around the gallery of your interest’s neighborhoods to discover some hidden gems.

If you are into street wear and shops – superfuture has a forum and directory listings to all the shops you would die for and probably can’t find back home. And if you like Harajuku, don’t just do the main streets, you have to go down lane ways, up stair cases or down dungeons – prepare for the search if you want to find the gems! Vintage stores are also very well stocked, but sizing is often an issue if you are a little bigger than the regular Japanese person. Good luck!

For the established designers’ concept stores, it is more or less an architecture paradise, go walk around Omotesando, the whole street and neighbourhood is full of interesting buildings and interior design, it is a bit of a wet dream for any design head.

For music, it could be tricky. Japan is massive on J POP, but if you are after something alternative, go to any of the large music stores in Shibuya, you should be able to pick up a flyer to see what is happening around town. It is a bit of a lucky dip!

And finally, what are you working on now?

Right now, I am doing some freelance digital media planning jobs and I am going to assist Kane Skennar and Kasia Werstak on some photography work.

I am also building my own website for my photography portfolio and I have got some of my shoe designs made when I was in HK so I am keen to do more designs and get a couple more pairs made for friends. When time is available I would love to play with textiles and do some experimenting with garments.