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Travel Accessories
Associate Editor Miyoko Ohtake: For the past few months, I’ve been in a Japan state of mind. This December, my sister and I are heading to the archipelago of our ancestors—our father’s grandparents came from Japan to North American in the early 1900s. We’ve been busy doing what my colleague Aaron Britt has dubbed “Japlanning”: Japan-trip planning. On our itinerary thus far includes tasting beer in Sapporo, visiting relatives in Tokyo, and staying in a ryokan or two in Kyoto. Here’s what I’ve been eyeing in preparation for take off.
Design Taste
When we go out to eat, the environs are are often as much of a consideration as the food—if we just wanted to satisfy our hunger we'd eat a sandwich standing up at the kitchen counter.iD / Cutlery
Flatware gets a distinctively Dutch touch with this set of utensils by Richard Hutten for Royal VKB, which give the staid straight lines of basic silverware a playful peephole. The stainless steel set is one of the iD / Cutlery collections from designers which also include Gijs Bakker, Atelier Bow Wow, and Ineke Hans.
Strawberry Stripes Bar by Mary & Matt
Two flavors in one. A classic combo bringing to mind the taste of chocolate dipped strawberries. Inspired by Gene Davis paintings and rugby shirts.






