W
I have to say WOW!! What a wonderful place to be if you enjoy being visually stimulated and have a desire to soak up details, sounds, smells and don't mind being in constant close proximity to lots and lots of people.
We arrived into Narita Airport outside of Tokyo and quickly headed by bullet train to Kyoto, a small but exciting town full of temples, shopping and Geisha's.
We stayed at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto, which was recently featured in Hospitality Design Magazine. The hotel is gorgeous, the restaurants and bar are well designed and all areas featured numerous unique design details, requiring both time and sometimes a keen eye to really get it. I especially loved the 'library' room off the bar which features walls stacked full of magazines and books (see photo above).
We arrived into Narita Airport outside of Tokyo and quickly headed by bullet train to Kyoto, a small but exciting town full of temples, shopping and Geisha's.
We stayed at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto, which was recently featured in Hospitality Design Magazine. The hotel is gorgeous, the restaurants and bar are well designed and all areas featured numerous unique design details, requiring both time and sometimes a keen eye to really get it. I especially loved the 'library' room off the bar which features walls stacked full of magazines and books (see photo above).
Photos: Top left to right: bullet train, Louis Vitton-Tokyo, Middle: interesting chandelier in shopping mall, Japanese Restaurant-Hyatt/Tokyo
Bottom left to right: Private dining room, Lobby Restaurant, Sushi Bar/Hyatt Kyoto
As one imagines of Asian cultures, organic materials are plentiful and are utilized with great skill in local design; these materials definitely add to the charm and mysticism of the culture. After only a couple visits to temples you begin to appreciate and understand the inspiration behind Asian design in general.
Photos: top left to right:on temple grounds Buda statue in green vegetation, stone pagoda
in natural setting, peering through the trees at the bridge over lily pond
bottom left to right: large rock which was split to allow the road to pass through-full of gold,
brown and red, 100 year old bonsai, waterfall on temple ground
Around town: top left to right: design found at the entrance to a store,
in natural setting, peering through the trees at the bridge over lily pond
bottom left to right: large rock which was split to allow the road to pass through-full of gold,
brown and red, 100 year old bonsai, waterfall on temple ground
Around town: top left to right: design found at the entrance to a store,sake barrels/each with a unique label, center: restaurant sign
bottom left to right: paper lantern at temple, fabric panels, origami
bottom left to right: paper lantern at temple, fabric panels, origami
Probably the most exciting portion of the trip was spotting Geisha's. It was an experience like something from Hollywood and the paparazzi. At approximately 6 to 7:00pm all the Geishas leave their homes made up and ready to start working, some leave in groups by taxi to unknown locations others walk to private rooms at restaurants where they entertain their awaiting clients. It became obvious when one was on the move as photographers and tourists were literally chasing them down the streets.
Seeing Geisha's up close was truly spectacular, there is something mesmerizing about them as well as very curious. Only after studying the Geisha photos can one see all the intricacy and layering in wearing a kimono; also of significance are the ornaments and up sweeping hair do's.
In an out of the way place, I found a store that carried new and vintage kimonos and obi's and purchased one for a fair price. As luck would have it, I also found the wonderful paper and wood umbrellas. I now have all on display in my home and they are breathtaking pieces of art and design as well as a wonderful reminder of our trip.
My mind continues to race from all the inspirations and ideas formed while traveling and I hope you find some inspiration from the collages I've shared with you. Remember to always bring your camera and sketchbook with you when you are out and about, you never know what might strike up an idea for later!
www.kellciadesigns.googlepages.com/home
Seeing Geisha's up close was truly spectacular, there is something mesmerizing about them as well as very curious. Only after studying the Geisha photos can one see all the intricacy and layering in wearing a kimono; also of significance are the ornaments and up sweeping hair do's.
In an out of the way place, I found a store that carried new and vintage kimonos and obi's and purchased one for a fair price. As luck would have it, I also found the wonderful paper and wood umbrellas. I now have all on display in my home and they are breathtaking pieces of art and design as well as a wonderful reminder of our trip.
My mind continues to race from all the inspirations and ideas formed while traveling and I hope you find some inspiration from the collages I've shared with you. Remember to always bring your camera and sketchbook with you when you are out and about, you never know what might strike up an idea for later!
www.kellciadesigns.googlepages.com/home
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