Afternoon Interlude at Alain Ducasse Beige, Tokyo

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Beige, the Alain Ducasse restaurant in the top floor of the Chanel building in Ginza is where I spent most of yesterday afternoon. I’ve never enjoyed a Michelin star restaurant before and prefer to supply a link the Beige website for professional photographs. Those showcase the room, menu options and philosophy behind the food better than anything I can do with a phone. Continue reading →

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Fashion Duds

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Though it wasn’t on the trip “To Do List” I was open to being tempted by Tokyo fashion. I’ve bought beloved and timeless clothing in Japan that is still going strong more than a decade later. However, on some previous trips I didn’t have room in a single carry-on suitcase for purchases. This time I do. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year from Tokyo: Welcome 2018

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Today I picked up my order of Osechi-ryori, boxes of celebratory New Year’s foods. These are freighted with auspicious symbolism and beautifully packaged inside boxes called jūbako. Continue reading →

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Reviewing My Progress in Sogetsu Ikebana

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Levels one and two of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana are devoted to basics, basics, basics. Everything depends on the basics. One set of branches with one set of flowers and variations of three primary lines (Shin, Soe and Hikae) placed in different positions and slanted to different degrees. Over and over and over. Sometimes in round flat containers (Moribana) and other times in tall slender containers (Nageire). You might think of it in the same way as endless etudes for the same 88 keys of a piano. Continue reading →

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Thoughts on Food & Love on Christmas Day

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Christmas, in my view, is more intimate than other occasions on the calendar. At least it is in the Pacific Northwest where I have experienced the majority of my Christmas celebrations. Inside the home trees, lights, fires and candles glow. Rich aromas permeate the air. Whether it rains or snows, the blackened windows reflect the backs of those seated and envelope the space. Everything feels closer.

More so at Christmas than at any other festive time, in my mind food is linked to love Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve in Yokohama and Tokyo

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Last weekend I hopped the train to Yokohama—about an hour out of Tokyo—to join friends for the Christmas Market in a former warehouse district now  converted to event and boutique space. On Christmas Eve Sunday I’d been invited back for Christmas lunch Japanese style in their home. Continue reading →

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Getting into the Spirit

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Twenty-two minutes before the Solstice sunset I was seated on the 41st floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku with a glass of champagne. Looking west through semi-sheer blinds diffusing the view, a large orange ball hung over the Japan Alps. Suffused by haze the orb seemed to expand as it sank toward the peaks gilding everything with shades of orange, turning the blue skies to dust and dun. Continue reading →

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Sogetsu Level One Book One Complete!

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Completion Stamps for Level One Sogetsu School Curriculum

Check! I have now completed Level One of Book One in my Sogetsu Ikebana course. I started the first two lessons of Level Two on Tuesday, and will persist in my attempt to complete Level Two before leaving Japan. Continue reading →

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Touring Asakusa in Kimono with Friends

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Two friends from Toyohashi (near Nagoya) visited me on the weekend. They wanted to have lunch, then dress in rented kimonos to wander around Asakusa and visit Sensoji Temple. After that, they wanted to view the illuminations at Skytree Town. Continue reading →

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Finishing up with Autumn

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Winter is settling into Tokyo. But not that many days ago Jingugaien, the ginkgo avenue with its four rows of 146 trees on both sides of the street, was a splendid sight. Continue reading →

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