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January 15, 2008
Posted at 03:30PM

Helen in Japan

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Helena De Natalio handbags Helena De Natalio handbags Helena De Natalio handbags
Just got back from Japan and am currently in New York at the ENK Accessories Circuit show presenting my spring and summer collection, but more on NYC in my next entry.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! With Nate at Nikko Shrine

Japan was fantastic. We went for my brother’s wedding and stayed for 2 weeks traveling around the country on the Shinkansen (the famous bullet train). We went to Nikko, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. Thankfully, my new Japanese sister-in-law took us all around, translated menus and helped us get on the right trains at the right time. It could not have been more different than traveling in South America. It was so safe and efficient it felt like a glimpse into the future. The fashion, especially in Tokyo, just blew my mind! 

I love Tokyo! It’s huge, and I got lost trying to find the boutique district and ended up in Prada. The man bags are what stood out the most. I knew Tokyo was known for being extremely fashion-forward but seeing guys with real man bags blew my mind.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Quote: The fish market in Tokyo was awesome... I love sushi and was so excited to eat a lot of it in Japan.

 

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Tokyo fish market
The Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo was awesome. I love sushi but all that fish at 5am was a lot to stomach. I love sushi and was so excited to eat a lot of it in Japan. Oddly enough, my favorite sushi ended up being the one-dollar conveyor belt sushi, which does not have the best reputation.

 

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Piles of sake at Nikko From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan!

There is so much more I could write about Japan. The shrines, architecture and bath houses were all so impressive and unlike anything I have seen while traveling in South America or Europe.

But that’s enough for now, I have to pack my bags and get back to San Francisco.

- Helen Hoppock of Helena De Natalio

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! 3 famous monkeys at Nikko shrine