Context: I'm a publisher, & editor at SM Works and Yotok Press. I've founded a brand studio called Silent Wall 6 years ago. I've worked for A24, Stussy, and Visvim, to name a few. I've also run a distribution label, New Distribution House, for publishers for the last 12 years. The Gourmand, Marfa Journal, Sneeze, and Office Magazine were among our clients. I've been fortunate enough to work with clients across the globe. Throughout the years, I've managed several Japanese clients. At that moment, I told myself (my then-partner encouraged me) that I needed to fly to Tokyo to see what was up!

Fast forward to 6 years, I've discovered a slew of hard-to-find bookstores. Some of them can't be found online or on social media present. They just don't care! I love that. However, contemporary bookstores like T-Sites and Komiyama are in popular neighborhoods (Nakameguro, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Jinbocho). I knew them through work before I had even set foot in Tokyo. However, I've discovered Jimbocho, an entire neighborhood dedicated to books. The Jimbocho subway station wallpaper is an ode to books. I've come across 39 locations that are worth visiting in IRL. I've discovered Japanese photographer's work, from Keizo Kitajima to Kishin Shinoyama. Whether it's photography, fashion from the 70s, or erotica SM culture, I found many cultural artifacts.

SKWAT KAMEARI ART CENTRE

I align heavily with their taste selection. Komiyama's five-floor story building is dedicated primarily to Japanese fashion photography and contemporary art. Each floor is dedicated to a specific set of subject matter. Entry's first floor is a hero space focusing on Comme des Garcons Posters, Invitation, lookbooks, mailers, and every other major fashion house's coffee table book releases. Highly curated on the established fashion books and magazines. Between the 1st and 2nd mid-floors, there is a beautiful curated wall of original artworks from Yasumasa Yonehara. On the 2nd floor, it is fully desiccated to photography. At the same time, a KEIZO KITAJIMA EXHIBITION 'NEW YORK' showcasing his body of work.

Typically, you can't take photos to avoid disrupting other guests' experiences to browse and read peacefully. Since the cleck was kind to me since I bought books. Coming out of this space, I felt inspired by their curation. It is a higher-end price with reason—at least 11,000 yen per book unless on sale. I gained more insight and developed a better taste than scrolling Tumblr or Instagram.

Vibe: witty, cool, though-full, vintage, and cool-kid