Coffee Hall くぐつ草 (Kugutsusō)

Kichijoji, Musashino, Tokyo (October 17th, 2019)

Some mushy gushy 80s themed colored pencil doodles

忍野八海

hamegg and acetylene lamp 🕯️ 🍳

18”x24” acrylic and oil pastel on paper, custom “poster” commission for @/xxswaggy.coolxx of instagram!

Aim for the Top! Gunbuster Gainax 1988

Sogabo Art Gallery and Cafe

Location: Sogabo, Perry Road, Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Timestamp: 15:25 June 6, 2023

Nestled alongside the Perry Road canal, the Sogabo Art Gallery stands as one of the most charming and beloved cafes in the area. This traditional Japanese coffee house offers authentic whisked matcha lattes. Step inside to find a blend of Japanese tradition with tatami mats adorning the floors reminiscent of a traditional Japanese teahouse. With both indoor and outdoor spaces, Sogabo invites visitors to revel in the warmth and seasonal aromas of summer, spring, and autumn.

What sets this café apart is its location within an old wooden Japanese home, which now serves as a gallery, art studio, and workshop. The owner, Hisao Takezawa, collaborates with local potters to craft exquisite bowls and plates, each adorned with her elegant Japanese brushstrokes. Takezawa's creative journey began in 1984 at Shimoda City's Kusugabo. From 1997 to 1999, she honed her skills in Japanese calligraphy at the Kanazawa College of Art. Since 2000, she has operated her own atelier at the house and opens the house to the public on weekends as an art gallery where her sumi ink and painted works find a permanent home.

Immerse yourself in the rich ambiance of this traditional Japanese house turned gallery, studio, and workshop, brimming with captivating local art, pottery, and a genuine sense of traditional Japan. To enhance the experience further, Sogabo also serves seasonal local dishes, making it the perfect spot to rejuvenate yourself while exploring the streets of Shimoda.

Checkout the Pix4Japan blog for historical references, further details, and geotagged locations (link in Bio).

Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter ISO 2500 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/11 Astia Soft film simulation

小泉今日子　藤井郁弥 matching vibes

1976 Hello Kitty stamps

By: @_punkplanet_

80s showa-idol style long-sleeved dress in dusty blue with peter pan collar and navy star pattern by cuteoou, offered in one-size and custom size

taobao direct link

shopping service link

カナディアンコーヒーショップ (Canadian Coffee Shop)

Mahikizawa, Tama, Tokyo (July 23rd, 2021)

Just having a lot of fun with doodling with paint!

I went to 本むら庵 (Honmuraan), a sobaya from 1924, with Iona (who handled my camera this time) and Mia. After the meal, we went to どんぐり舎 (Dongurisha), a kissa I've been to a few times in Nishiogi, to plan a future outing and play hanafuda, like the old ladies we are (pictures of that on my Instagram post).

Outfit rundown Michiyuki: thrifted Skirt: thrifted Ingeborg Top: some offbrand top I've been wearing for 17 years Bag: thrifted Achachumu Muchacha Hat: thrifted straw beret on which I added a huge bow Sandals: Axes Femme Maitake earrings (you'll see Iona was wearing kamaboko earrings, so we matched as washoku earring sisters): Takano Kameido Tenjin brooch: charm transformed as a brooch by me Pierrot brooch: vintage Stamp cat brooch: Via Carousel Basket brooch: Design Festa Cat ring: Enchantlic Enchantilly

finally gave this little guy a proper scan : )

禁煙 par Blanche Via Flickr : OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

40-Year-Old Cafe “Pepe”

Location: Pepe, Perry Road, Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Timestamp: 15:25 June 6, 2023

Pepe, established in 1969 as a subsidiary of Daiden Shoten, an oshibori rental business (oshibori being cold or heated wet cotton hand cloths used for hand washing before eating or drinking), traces its roots back to the vision of the president's wife who manages the operations including nurturing the beautiful bougainvillea vine growing on the side of the building. The store takes its name from the owner’s favorite movie, “Pepe,” a 1960 American musical comedy film.

In the past, Shimoda thrived with a bustling economy and a vibrant geisha quarter. However, over time, the town gradually lost its former allure and now relies more heavily on local and international tourism, along with a few small businesses and the local fishing industry.

Pepe's menu boasts several popular dishes such as curry rice, spaghetti, coffee, and ice cream, among others. Remarkably, these menu items and recipes have remained unchanged for the past 54 years, a testament to the enduring popularity of this cafe.

Checkout the Pix4Japan blog for historical references, further details, and geotagged locations:

Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter ISO 3200 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/11 Classic Negative film simulation