Find in Ginza; "special usual times"

GINZA SIX EDITORS

Fashion, jewelry & watch, lifestyle, beauty, foods…
Unique editors who are familiar with each genre GINZA SIX aimlessly
We spell way of enjoying that we found on foot.

Kosuke Kawakami

GINZA SIX EDITORS Vol.58

We "usually" like since childhood. Such as athletic meet and excursion liked "particularly", but oneself included, and it was hard for it to be in atmosphere that everybody was restless. It does not change even if we become adult. We love usual times to spend at own pace plainly very much and are thankful. Because we live a life without routine called FREE LANCE, we may feel so even more.

Well, it is Ginza. No, it is special town eminent in the world Japan's most. Though it dazzles, we are not doing restlessly. It is usual times that this town is special. It is town changing usual times in particular. We can realize it now when it is the newest and we visit spot like Ginza, GINZA SIX. GINZA SIX has "special usual times" to like me a lot.

At first what visited "Tabio Japan" of 4F. It is specialty store of socks which are high quality made in Japan. Anyway, socks here vomit, and they have good feeling. Do not just despise with socks. It is said, "we understand the value of man if we look at step", but it is not story only for shoes. It is spoiled with socks of three pairs of 1,000 yen even if we wear high-quality shoes so much. In the first place quality of socks entering between foot is important to know true good high quality shoes.

What came to look for long Hawes (knee-high socks) to use many in coming season, but caught eye in rich lineup "silk X cotton bannaronguhozu" (2,200 yen). As for these socks knit by machine that Japan has only several, the top uses thick cotton pile than instep at high-quality silk, foot bottom. There, so to speak, seems to be no that we feel fatigue on foot all day thanks to business socks and sport socks noiitokodoride, foot bottom with cushion characteristics.

Originally that we used various socks habitually since we knew Tabio with sport socks, but there was such a "hidden-ball play." Cotton and wool which are all comfortable, socks using silk are the 2,000 yen level from the 1,000 yen level. We think that it is not at all too luxurious purchase if we think of spending usual times pleasantly.

We are glad that even man can stroll around B1 beauty floor of GINZA SIX without resistance. Speaking of cosmetic corner of department store, counters of cosmetics maker form a line, and heat for the beauty and various flavor mingle women, and there is atmosphere of "boy prohibition", but is another thing with it at all. The whole floor can afford and can look for "beauty" for uncle.

My having dropped in this time "John Masters Organics select." We were worried about shampoo and conditioner of organic brand born in this NY since we used with amenity of overseas hotel. We wash, and feeling is good, and hair is settled down. Easy flavor derived from nature remains in impression.

After lineup having abundant shampoo and conditioners, but receiving "scalp diagnosis" for approximately three minutes (free) which you choose. The most suitable product understands that we check state of pore and scalp immediately.

In the case of me, scalp selects shampoo "L&R shampoo N" of normal type (2,400 yen) concerning normalcy. L&R is lavender and rosemary. Even subtle flavor is healed. Conditioner slightly luxuriously "R & A hair mask" (4,400 yen). As we do not like hair conditioner, we seem to be effective in gathering up hair which often opens with a rustle. But it is the plump flavor to have liked. Flavor of Rose and apricot is refined without being too sweet. You should invest in quality of hair and flavor simply because it is uncle. Because it is "usually" enriched from several thousand yen and can escape from smell of uncle, it is story that we are thankful for. We purchase "rippukamu" (1,500 yen) incidentally for coming season to dry. Not only hair but also lips aim at being glossy.

Finally, to foods floor of B2. Oh, we arrive at objective "L'Abeille" while heart is shaken for a certain temptation again. Specialty store where honey of the world is even on here. To tell the truth, we love honey. Originally, looking for fellow of yoghurt which it eats like staple food, it is opportunity that we came to try various honey. Whenever various parts of Japan, all the countries of the world go on a trip, we check various honey and, besides, order by mail order. In that way we looked for "ideal honey" for years, but such a trouble does not seem to be necessary anymore. Professional keeps in carefully selected shitamajirikkenashinooishiihachimitsuga if we visit this "L'Abeille".

Let alone Japan, kind has abundant honey collected by Italy, France, Greece, Hungary, ten countries including New Zealand, too. Acacia, orange, lemon, apple, side, coffee, chestnut, cherry…We are glad of suite and coping one which is not sticky for visitor like me whom lineup that there is more than 85 kinds requests selfishly saying "that is all this" by tasting possibility.

By the way, my recommendation that is amateur honey commentator is honey of Sicily product. Viscosity is high, and taste is unique, too. The flavor is very gorgeous and can only feel features of each flower. We save to spoon and are taste that we want to just experience. We get domestic new rice "new honey" which does not become "Wakayama mandarin orange 250 g" (3,300 yen) this time. Fresh taste that bitterness that we did slightly such as grapefruit is individual in sweetness. It seems to be delicious even if we spread on bread even if we mix with yoghurt. With honey of "L'Abeille", the everyday eating habits seem to become fun.

Finally it is not shopping, but let's introduce service to want you to inflect by all means in GINZA SIX toward the car group like me. Valet Parking (and we enroll in GINZA SIX APP member within one hour before the day advance reservations system.that parking lot of general visitor usually became B4, but exclusive corner was prepared for by B2 "We drop off" car quickly if we use paid 2,000 yen) and do and can go directly to shopping. It is most suitable for such a case when we want to do shopping a little though we do not have the time. By service such as luxury hotel, we can taste slightly luxurious feeling.

Is dressed up, and is fired up, and to GINZA SIX! Of course there is it, too. But it cannot be said that with that alone we thoroughly enjoyed all. We relax shoulder and enjoy aimlessly. Still he/she "usually" does "in particular". It was 1st when we felt depth of breast of GINZA SIX.

Text: Kosuke Kawakami Photos: Sachiko Horasawa Edit: Yuka Okada

I’ve liked everyday things ever since I was a kid. It’s not that I didn’t like “special” things like school events—sports day and field trips—but I’ve never really liked how everyone, myself included, would get restless and jittery. I disliked that atmosphere. I feel the same even now, as an adult. I love the everyday, when I can spend my time at the pace I prefer; I appreciate being able to do that. I work freelance, so my days don’t have a set routine, which may be why I feel this so strongly.

So, here I am in Ginza. A special place in Japan and one of the world’s special places. It glitters, but it’s not restless. It’s special, but it’s also everyday. It’s a district that transforms the everyday into the special. You really perceive this visiting GINZA SIX, the newest, distinctively Ginza spot in Ginza. GINZA SIX is full of the special everyday things I love.

Today, I first visit Tabio Japan GINZA SIX on the fourth floor, a specialist boutique for high-quality socks made in Japan. These socks, simply put, are comfortable. Don’t laugh and say they’re just socks! It’s been said you can judge the quality of a man by his feet, and it’s not just about shoes. No matter how much your shoes cost, if you’re wearing 3-for-1,000 yen socks, you’re not in the running. One can’t really know the value of luxury shoes if the quality of the socks you wear falls short.

I came looking for knee-high socks, which I’ll wear a lot this coming season. Out of the extensive lineup, what caught my eye was the Cotton/Silk Banner Socks (2,200 yen). These socks are knitted with machines rarely found in Japan. From the instep to the top is high-grade silk, while the sole features thick cotton pile. They take the best parts of business socks and athletic socks. The cushioned sole makes me feel I could walk the entire day in them without getting tired.

My first experience with Tabio was with athletic socks. I’ve worn various Tabio socks since then, so I can’t believe these gems were hiding in plain sight. Tabio’s socks are made from cotton, wool, and silk. They all feel great on your skin. Prices range from 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen—not excessively luxurious, to my mind, if you consider the everyday comfort they provide.

The Beauty Floor on the first belowground floor of GINZA SIX, I’m happy to say, is a place where men, too, can wander comfortably. With all the cosmetics counters, overheated enthusiasm of women seeking beauty products, and the swirl of intermingling scents, the cosmetics areas in department stores can feel forbidding to men. It’s totally different here. The floor as a whole is very relaxed, freeing you to seek out beauty, as it were, as a middle-aged man.

On this visit, I drop into John Masters Organics Select, the boutique of an organics brand from New York. A hotel I stayed at overseas provided the brand’s shampoo and conditioner as amenities, and I’ve been interested ever since. The wash feels great, with a relaxing effect on my hair. They also leave a gentle, natural scent.

There’s an extensive lineup of shampoos and conditioners. I can’t decide which to choose, so I seek out a free scalp diagnosis, which takes about three minutes. Having your pores and scalp examined helps immediately identify which product is optimal for you.

In my case, I have a normal scalp, so I get a shampoo in the normal range, the L&R Shampoo N (2,400 yen). L&R stands for lavender and rosemary. The faint scent alone is soothing. The conditioner is the somewhat luxurious R&A Hair Mask (4,400 yen). I don’t like hairspray, so my hair tends to get a little bushy; this conditioner helps keep it under control. What grabs my attention, though, is the well-rounded scent: the rose and apricot are refined, without being too sweet. I’ve always felt middle-aged men should invest in hair quality and scent. For just several thousands of yen, it’s an interest that enriches everyday life and helps send middle-aged mustiness packing, something to be thankful for. I also buy Lip Calm (1,500 yen)—with winter approaching, the air grows dry. So I’m shooting not only for shiny hair but lustrous lips.

Finally, I go to the Food Floor on the second belowground floor. I’m find myself tempted here, there, everywhere, but I arrive at my intended destination: L’abeille, a specialty store for honey from around the world. In all honesty, I love honey. I originally wanted simply a good partner for yogurt, which I eat like a staple. In trying all sorts of honey, I came to love honey generally. Whenever I travel in Japan or anywhere overseas, I check out the honey. I also buy it online. I’ve looked through the years for the ideal honey, but it appear I could have avoided the ordeal. At L’abeille, I’ve found an assortment of pure, delicious honey rigorously selected by honey professionals.

L’abeille offers many types of honey from a total of 10 countries. Japan, of course, but also Italy, France, Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, and others. The lineup has over 85 varieties, including acacia, orange, lemon, apple, buckwheat, coffee, chestnut, and cherry. All are available to be sampled. I tend to want to have my way and taste this and that, so I’m delighted by the sweet but not overbearing customer service.

Incidentally, my recommendation, as an amateur honey critic, is a honey made in Sicily. It’s highly viscous, with a unique texture and a florid flavor. You sense the characteristics of the different flowers. Scoop up a spoonful—it’s so delicious you’ll want to lick the spoon. This time, I buy Wakayama Mikan 250 g (3,300 yen), a “new honey” made in Japan (the “new” indicating the latest extraction, in the same way new rice is the most recent crop). The sweetness is tinged with a faintly bitter grapefruit flavor for a unique and fresh taste. I bet it’d be delicious mixed with yogurt and spread on bread. The honey at L’abeille will undoubtedly make your everyday meals that much more enjoyable.

Finally, while it’s not something to buy, I want to tell you about a GINZA SIX service you might like to use if you’re like me and prefer traveling by car. The normal parking lot for customers is on the fourth belowground floor, but there’s also a valet parking service in a dedicated area on the second belowground floor. (First, sign up to become a GINZA SIX APP member, then make a reservation no later than one hour before that day; the charge is 2,000 yen.) If you do use the service, you can just leave your car and go directly inside to shop. If you want to shop but don’t have much time, the service is perfect. It feels like you’re at a nice hotel, so you get to enjoy a little luxury as well.

Get decked out, pump yourself up, and go to GINZA SIX! Of course, that’s fine too, but you don’t necessarily experience everything doing that. Loosen up a bit, wander around, and enjoy. Even then, it’s something that will make your everyday something special. Today was day for getting a sense for the depth of GINZA SIX.

Text: Kosuke Kawakami Photos: Sachiko Horasawa　Edit: Yuka Okada

Kosuke Kawakami

Editor and writer. Born in 1971. Joined Bungeishunju, a publisher, in 1993. After working in the editorial departments for Shukan Bunshun, CREA, and Title, he participated in 2003 in the inaugural issue of GQ JAPAN. Began freelance career in 2006. Writes and edits magazines, books and websites in fields ranging, broadly, from interviews to fashion, watches, cars, and agriculture; also involved in advertising production. His books include Richard Mille: Professional Conceptor.

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