Huge thank yous go out to the super cool bloggers writing about TokyoMade! Thank you for supporting independent design and creation in Japan.

Cafe Cartolina was inspired by Honmonoya's gorgeous recycled kimono pieces.

B.S.E.T.C bags recently featured in the Cuteable Finds.

La Carmina met up with Bla Bla Hospital and Zoestyles.

The Toco Junk Monsters also invaded Toys r Evil.

Katie Eats Cake hearts TokyoMade :)

ありがとう　！！

How the weather can make a difference in this city! It had been grey and rainy for a few days which seemed like forever but waking up this morning to brilliant blue skies and a warm breeze has made Tokyo all sparkling again!

We thought we would share some cute commercials to celebrate lush Spring goodness!

I think it would be fair to say that the number of follow-worthy blogs in Japan are on the increase. When I arrived in Tokyo five years ago I latched onto bloggers words with vigor, their opinions were sort after and I craved the real-Tokyo-world experiences that they offered up. Problem was, in the beginning of my search I was at a loss to find many blogs that offered a whole lot more than quirky pictures of convenience store food, my own blog even fit into that category.

Thankfully, with the rise of Japan-related social networking sites such as Japan Soc, hot blogs and interesting posts are never hard to find.

J-Bloggers is a fairly new space where some long term residents have collaborated on a project to give a street level look at Japan related topics.

The Japan Blog List is also a great hub to visit if you are in search of a growing list of Japan-related blogs.

Well go on! Update your google reader with some juicy Japan-based blogs

The June give away on Tokyo Made is a set of three TiFdyL original, hand illustrated post cards as well as 10 (!) different hand illustrated badges created by TiFdyL. Share them with your friends or keep them all for yourself!

To win simply tell us what you like most about the design, art and creation you see coming out of Japan. Leave your comment on this post, as many times as you like (but each time with a different answer of course), and we will choose a random winner at the end of the month. The winner will be announced at the beginning of July so you have all month to comment!

Gambatte!!

Check out TiFdyL's website.

Lots of new (atarashii) goodies are in stock on Tokyo Made.

Toco Junk Monsters

Tiny Azure

B.S.E.T.C Bags

Land Roval Designs

Exciting times! Congratulations to the TM designerss mentioned in today's "Fashions straight outta Tokyo" feature in The Japan Times.

The article, written by Paul McInnes, gives props to "emerging fashion label Nana + Seven" as well as "Chieko Hata's Honmonoya label".

Check out the full article here.

Rainy season is upon us. That means towels on heads should you forget your clear umbrella and funky rain boots everywhere.

Sharing the love while dodging big rain drops!

Photo by MoominSean

Titillating tattoo shop in Himeji, Japan.

Speaking of tattoos...check out this flickr set of divine skin art - Tattoo in Japan.

This one is so kawaii!!!

Cool Vending Machines in Japan. Other favorites of ours = ice cream vending machines and pocky vending machines.

Green is blue but violet and purple are murasaki? Japanese color chart.

Looking forward to the rainbows after the storms!

What is Wagara?

Seimani, always a popular character at the Tokyo Design Festa events, has just released two new t-shirts to celebrate Summer in Japan with a contemporary look at traditional patterns.

Wagara is the Japanese word given to traditional patterns. These two new tees, Wagara Asanoha and Wagara Design show off the repetitive geometric patterns commonly used in traditional Japanese design.

The Wagara Asanoha features a repetitive pattern of the hemp flower, a common motif in traditonal Japanese design.

Hand printed onto heavy duty, white cotton each shirt is uniquely stamped with the Seimani signature style.

Seimani t-shirts use black or indigo ink printed on American Apparel bodies.

Grab your piece of Tokyo street style!

Printed in Tokyo, Japan.

Guy Perryman, a supporter and lover of independent art and design here in Tokyo recently interviewed super smooth, low brow illustration master Eshimasa.

Check out the interview on Guy's radio show, Tokyo Expresso.

Check out Eshimasa's work here.