Kamakura with Kat

This blog was never meant to be mostly stationery and letter writing. While I’m doing more (but still not enough) I don’t blog about it enough. So this is my first attempt to remedy this, my future post will be out of order and at random as I archive my escapades. I want to start with my day out with Kat of The Craft Bureau. This was our second outing and was just much fun as the first.

Kat travelled to Kamakura and I took her around. I took her to see the local sites as well as my favourite places including Kotori and Tuzuru, unfortunately Yohira was closed! We started at Hase with a trip the Kamakura Diabutsu or big Buddha (大仏), the second largest bronze Buddha in Japan. This was one of the highlights of my first trip to Japan 4 years ago.  200¥ for entry is an absolute bargain in my option and we were lucky that it was rather quiet as was Kamakura in general.

I must admit we got sidetracked in the shops, with it being quieter on the streets this was easily done. I noticed a few nice little places which I hadn't noticed before. The time we spent shopping mean that we had to give a miss Hachiman-gū (八幡宮) the biggest shrine in Kamakura. Oh well it gives us an excuse to go again. We did make it to Hase Dera 長谷寺 where the majority of these pictures are taken.

We shopped in my favourite places, Kotori, Tuzuru and Shatoh. I will post a separate post on my purchases. It was so nice to take someone else around for a change, rather than the other way round. It made me appreciate that area I live it and how lucky I am. I learnt more about Hase Dera this trip which I won't write here I'll keep that for my Traveler's Notebook. I'll let you enjoy the pretty pictures but for information on Kamakura and places to check out the Japan Guide is good.

 

Song Be Cafe Kamakura

I write about favourite stationery haunts but now it's time I mentioned somewhere different. I'm trying to get into the habit of archiving my discoveries and using my camera more specially while in Japan. I can't remember exactly when or how I discovered Song Be but it's a firm favourite.

Song Be describes itself (if Google translate can be trusted) as having a rustic old Asian furniture and with the warmth of wood and cloth. This is certainly true the interior has a strong Vietnamese theme as does the menu but along with some Thai dishes and, of course Japanese food.

The first time I went I was feeling a bit adventurous and tried something new; their Zenzai. I didn't like it but it's good to try something new every now and then. Song Be is tucked away but I located right next to the tracks of the JR Kamakura station. It's usually pretty quiet in the day and is a great place to relax and get a few letters written. I suspect it's probably busier during the evening.

There are selection of books, toy and knick knacks as well as local postcard, jewellery and other handmade wares available. There is lots information on local events and stores with lots of cute business cards and flyers as you enter I always take a few for my TN or my letters. Song Be is one my fav places whatever the weather to hang out in that isn't too far from home.

Kotori コトリ

Thank God for Google when I decided that a trip to Kamakura was called for I decided to check if I could find anywhere worth going apart from Tuzuru. This is how I found Kotori in Omachi walking distance from Kamakura station (in the opposite direction of Tuzuru), down a quiet little street which I will be making a frequent visits to in the future.

I checked their online shop before I went in person, but I hadn't anticipated finding much by what I'd seen on the site. But happily I was very much mistaken, Kotori had much more to offer than in store. One good thing is they sell Kotori branded stuff not just the usual Midori, Mindwave, Orange Airlines, MT, etc. Of the Kotori items I only bought their stationery themed postcard. I love this little shop and their logo is so cute pencil perched birds.

@rehanu Giveaway

So I recently reached 1000 followers on Instagram, which was a very big deal for me. I decided to do the usual giveaway. I decided against a 'kawaii give-away' despite being in Japan and having easy access to all things kawaii. Mainly because I hate kawaii (sorry kawaii fans) and also there are many kawaii giveaway on IG. So I opted for traditional Japanese stationery, which was more my taste and the kinda give away I would want to enter myself. My eventual winner was @mandyloudarling.

So here is what I included, I bought a few bits from Yohira a store I mentioned before and the washi paper and doll mobile is from 'Shatoh' the paper shop in Kamakura where I buy all my washi sheets. I went for a slightly autumnal theme and am I going to add a few other bits and pieces before I send them off. 

Hand printed leaf card, washi paper sheets, paper geisha mobile, fumiko (envelope incense), blotting paper and paper face mask.  

Total haul 

writing paper from Yohira

 Paper doll mobile from Shatoh

 文香（ふみこう）Fumiko 

 Hand printed card

Blotting paper and citrus face mask 

Stationery Stash #1

My stationery supplies has grown this month due to some great finds! Pen pal goodies and storage for my washi tape and papery bits.

My stationery love is well documented on my IG account and I have previously talked about Yohira. But in the last month I have been to Tabiya in Tokyo and Turuzu more locally in Kamakura. Both have added to my stationery stash and taken away from my bank account.  However it's all good as I have taken on a few new pen pals. I will have to watch my spending as it's becoming a bit of an addiction. 

Both stocked a lot of popular brands such as Traveller's Notebook, Moleskine, MT, MARK's etc. but was nice to find a mix of foreign and Japanese brands Tabi-ya  at least in . I would definitely go back to Tabi-ya if I'm in Tokyo but think Tuzuru will be enough to feed my stationery appetite. I also did the usually rounds at Yurindo, Loft and Olmypia last month. Olympia and Summer sale but I was too eager to use the stuff and didn't take any pics.  

 Yurindo hual from earlier in the month.

 Testing out new uni ball pens on molskine postal notebook

Yohira and Tuzuru goodies 

 Tabi-ya shop card

 Part of my loot from Tabi-ya

Getting ready for 2014, I LOVE this pocket calendar. Can't wait to use it.

Travel labels

 Not much from Tuzuru but still cute

Satisfying my 'to do list' fixation