Tokyo’s fashion stores slowly reopen

Ginza area Tokyo 468x351 Tokyos fashion stores slowly reopen

According to local and international media, Tokyo‘s fashion business is gradually getting back to usual.

After the earthquake hit Japan on March 11, many brands including Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Cartier acted to bring some of their executive staff back to their home countries and closed local boutiques.

News outlets including WWD and Racked now confirm that on March 22, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, and Forever 21 reopened their doors in the capital.
continued Tokyos fashion stores slowly reopen

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Shangri-La stops taking bookings in Tokyo

entrance Shangri La Hotel Tokyo 468x295 Shangri La stops taking bookings in Tokyo

The Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyosaid Monday it would not accept any new bookings “until further notice”, citing the city’s uncertain power supply following Japan’s massive earthquake and tsunami.

The hotel said it hoped to resume normal operations as soon as possible but the decision highlighted problems the tourism industry will be forced to confront as Japan recovers from the deadly March 11 twin disasters.

“Following the natural disasters in Japan on 11 March 2011 and the resulting logistical difficulties and hazards, Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo will not be accepting any new guests until further notice,” the statement said.
continued Shangri La stops taking bookings in Tokyo

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Virgin Atlantic offers helicopter transfers in Tokyo

Virgin Atlantic helicopter Japan 468x330 Virgin Atlantic offers helicopter transfers in Tokyo

Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline to lay on a complimentary helicopter transfer for its Upper Class passengers between Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and the center of the city.

Around 75 km to the east of Tokyo, Narita is infamous for its remoteness and poor links to the heart of the metropolis.

New bus and train links have reduced the time required to make the transfer to under an hour, but Virgin has realized there would be solid demand for a faster and more efficient method of beating the traffic.
continued Virgin Atlantic offers helicopter transfers in Tokyo

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Japan’s young generation closes ‘luxury wallet’

Louis Vuitton store Ginza 468x304 Japans young generation closes luxury wallet

According to a Women’s Wear Daily report, young Japanese shoppers are less impressed by designer brands and more value-driven than their parents.

The consulting firm McKinsey & Co. already reported last July that “almost 30 percent of shoppers under 30 in Japan named price as the most important factor they consider when shopping, compared to just 21 percent for those over age 50″.

As a result of its economic collapse, Japan’s per-head spending has radically declined — a trend that will continue — with the luxury market being particularly affected, having shrunk by 23 percent between 2006 and 2010.
continued Japans young generation closes luxury wallet

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Smart ForTwo chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Chocolate Smart Q Pot 468x257 Smart ForTwo chocolate for Valentines Day

Mercedes Benz on Wednesday unveiled a chocolate-themed version of its Smart car in Tokyo, just a couple of weeks before Valentine’s Day.

In Japan, there’s a tradition which says that women have to buy chocolate for men on this occasion.

Designed by designer Tadaaki Wakamutsu of Japanese luxury jeweler/chocolatier Q-Pot, the unique Smart city car features a special chocolate-themed paint scheme.
continued Smart ForTwo chocolate for Valentines Day

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Franck Muller Luxury iPhone 4 Case

franck muller iPhone Cases 468x394 Franck Muller Luxury iPhone 4 Case

Swiss luxury watch maker Franck Muller has designed a special case for the iPhone, which is now available for pre-order in Japan for a whopping $1,270.

The cases will be sold as a limited edition, with Japanese iPhone provider SoftBank offering a total of 6 different models that will be produced 500 times each.
continued Franck Muller Luxury iPhone 4 Case

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