OMG Japan! : Aoyama & Omotesando

We didn't spent much time in Aoyama and Omotesando which was an absolute shame because this is THE spot in Tokyo for upscale shopping. Street after street of designer boutiques most of which are housed in 'designer' architecture. Most of these luxury brands are stand alone flagship stores in Aoyama and Omotesando and hence they commission world renowned architects to design their buildings.

Aoyama, although just next to Omotesando seems more calm. The streets are not as wide and the boutiques are slightly scaled down compared to Omotesando. But it boasts big brands from D&G to Marni.

- Chloe



- This building, designed by Herzog & De Meuron for...



- ...Prada



- World renowned Japanese fashion label, Comme des Garçons's flagship store.

Omotesando on the other hand is the 5th Avenue of Tokyo. High end boutiques, again housed in gorgeous architecture. Omotesando is famous for it's Elm tree-lined avenue which practically gives it its character. But the one thing I noticed was how well-dressed the people who walk along this area are. They probably prim and prop and pimp themselves from head to toe, making sure that no hair is out of place. And when I say well-dressed, I. MEAN. WELL-DRESSED.

- Omotesando's Elm tree-lined pavement.



- Let's start with Chanel.



- Then, Italian shoemaker, Tod's



- Tod's is housed in this 7 storey criss-crossing cube by Japanese architect, Toyo Ito.



- Louis Vuitton



- The elegantly minimalistic facade of Dior



- H&M has it's own free standing building!



- Lol. In the pictures above, only H&M was located in Harajuku. The rest were in Omotesando. Both places are just next to each other.

I absolutely love this area. The amazing architecture, the boutiques, the people, the tree-lined street. It was just such a chic place. It feels so rich and luxurious. Its one of those places where a rich man might decide to drop a few grand on a dress for his wife or a person in his/her mid 20s may have saved enough money to finally get that LV bag and maybe even a pair of shoes to go with it. Or maybe someone's having a bad day and just wants to piss off some money and in return, attain some form of consolation and satisfaction from a new garment. Or it could be the weekly shopping spree a group of people embark on without fail.

It's just such an awesome place to be.....but not for your wallet.


Stay tuned for more.