Each month, Voyageuses highlights a "Creative Traveler" inspired by crafts or cultures from here and elsewhere.

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"Let me tell you about my Tokyo, after having lived there for seven years. This city shaped my appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship, values I hold dear and that are at the heart of AALUNA’s identity. I hope these few addresses will inspire you to lose yourself, too, in the vibrant silence of this one-of-a-kind city.

These are some of my favorite places, a glimpse into the Tokyo of omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality. Because Tokyo is a city defined by precision and service, I’ve included a few specific times to help you experience this uniquely Japanese sense of care and attention. These are the moments when certain places truly come alive: the impeccable welcome in department stores, the lunchtime crowds flowing through the streets, or the office workers emerging from izakayas in the evening, slightly tipsy and finally able to relax."

10:00 AM — Itoya, Ginza
An institution for lovers of stationery and design. Arrive at opening time and you’ll see the staff bowing to welcome customers, a beautiful introduction to Japanese hospitality.

12:00 PM — Mariage Frères, Ginza
A refined spot for a peaceful lunch away from the bustle of the district. Through its large windows, you can watch Ginza’s elegant and sophisticated crowd hurrying through their lunch break.

2:00 PM — Spiral, Omotesando
Head upstairs in this iconic destination for art, design and architecture. Expect beautifully curated stationery, books and objects. A true delight.

3:30 PM — Beams or United Arrows
Temples of Japanese fashion. These brands are renowned for their impeccable quality: exceptional fabrics, flawless construction and perfectly tailored cuts, combining contemporary trends with Japan’s signature understated elegance.

5:30 PM — Sunset in Harajuku
Make your way to the Starbucks terrace on the fifth floor of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the city to watch the sun go down.

7:30 PM — Osaka Kitchen, Kagurazaka
Sit at the counter on the ground floor and watch the chef prepare your meal right in front of you. Be sure to book ahead—Osaka Kitchen is not the kind of place you stumble into at the last minute. Afterwards, wander through the surrounding streets and observe salarymen, office ladies and their managers emerging from izakayas, slightly intoxicated and enjoying one of the few moments when they allow themselves to truly unwind.

A department store not to miss: Isetan Shinjuku
I have a particular fondness for the ground floor of the men's building, which offers a wonderful selection of leather accessories. Visit either at opening or closing time to witness the ritual of staff greeting and bidding farewell to customers.

In Daikanyama / Nakameguro

T-Site Tsutaya
A magnificent bookstore spread across two buildings and two floors, with an exceptionally curated selection of books and magazines.

Ivy Place
A much-loved café and restaurant. Arrive early, as waiting times can be long.

This is only a tiny glimpse of Tokyo. There is a more traditional Tokyo, a gastronomic Tokyo, an eccentric Tokyo—there is even a biker Tokyo. This sprawling metropolis is an endless source of wonder and admiration."