Back in Japan again! 💖 We took this trip to get inspired and create content for our Anime III collection, and  this one felt extra special. Every little thing sparked something in us. The food, the streets, the temples… even the tiniest details had us thinking of new designs.

Come along for the ride and see how the trip unfolded!

DAY 1 

First stop? Sensoji Temple! We walked through Nakamise Street, took in the glow of the lanterns, and found a quiet moment by the koi pond. The way the water reflected the temple lights made us think of our Moon Spirit Necklace. Calm, balanced, and a little bit magical. 

Then we found Takagi Shrine, a tiny spot dedicated to onigiri. It reminded us of Spirited Away when Haku gives Chihiro an onigiri. Such a simple but powerful moment of comfort. That’s exactly what inspired our Onigiri Necklace. A little reminder of warmth, resilience, and home. 🍙💛

We ended the day with a quick stop at Maruetsu Petit for a convenience store bento. And of course, KFC Nishi-Shinjuku because Japan’s fast food just hits different. 😆🍗

DAY 2

We started the morning with coffee at Starbucks Shibuya Scramble (for obvious reasons). Just sat and watched the city rush past. ☕🚶‍♀️

Harajuku was next. The colours, the bold fashion, the cute snacks. Everything about it gave us inspo for our Kiki Bow Charm. 🎀 Then we stopped by Capy Village (yes, capybaras!) and Havikoro Toy Radio Kaikan Store, which felt like stepping into a mix of Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Arrietty.

Ended the day at a cosy cafe called Kissaten Seven, and it felt like we were stepping into a Ghibli oasis!. The slow-brewed coffee and peaceful vibe felt straight out of Totoro, Whisper of the Heart, or Spirited Away. Just like our jewellery, made to be worn along slow coffee dates ☕

DAY 3 

This was a surprise… we ran into full-bloom cherry blossoms! 🌸😭 So of course we had to stop and take photos, especially since we had the Sailor Moon Locket with us.

Made a quick stop at Uniqlo Ginza (because it’s literally the best, just like our jewellery 😉) before heading to Hakuhinkan Toy Park to shop for our capsule toys for our Anime launch event! Then we saw the NTV Big Clock by Hayao Miyazaki. Such a nostalgic moment. Felt like stepping right into a Ghibli movie.

DAY 4 

We headed to Nagoya next and had to visit Kiyosu Castle for the iconic red bridge! We spent so much time here creating content and it was such a lovely walk back to the city. After all that walking, we found the cosiest little spot, Kodama Cafe.

This was honestly such an amazing experience! We had to book 6 months in advance so I was really excited for it - and it definitely didn’t disappoint! The Ghibli vibes were SO immaculate 🍵✨We shot so much content here for all of the pieces that after this we ended up just heading back to our hotel to prepare for another big day the next day at Ghibli Park!

DAY 5 

This was the day we had been waiting for… GHIBLI PARK! 😭💖

I was SO looking forward to this, so we dedicated a FULL day because I knew we needed to get every single detail! Every tiny detail, every corner. It was like stepping into a Ghibli world. And of course we had to visit Valley of Witches to complete the final before and after for our Merry-Go-Round Necklace. A tribute to nostalgia, adventure, and imagination. 🎠

DAY 6 

We're matcha girlies so we couldn't help but take a detour at Uji, the town of matcha. 🍵💚 Stopped by Nakamura Tokichi Byodo-in for some of the best matcha we’ve ever had. If you love matcha, this place is a must.

Then we explored Byodo-In Temple. The balance and harmony of the design reminded us of our Avatar Elements Charms. Kyoto just has this timeless beauty that never gets old!

DAY 7

One of the best parts of the trip? Renting bikes in Kyoto! 🚴‍♀️💨

We rode through the city, grabbed handmade onigiri at Gochisou Yakimusubi Onimaru, and caught the early plum blossoms at Jōnan-gū Shrine. The delicate flowers gave us so many ideas for upcoming pieces. 🌸

Stopped for coffee at Le Labo Cafe Kyoto and it got us thinking about the beauty of thoughtful curation. Just like how we design our jewellery 😉. Then we visited the Miffy Cafe Kyoto (so cute!) and wrapped up with traditional sweets at Gion Komori. Finished the trip at Arashiyama Itsukichaya, taking in the peaceful river views and enjoyed their amazing omakase. Such a perfect, quiet ending to an inspiring trip. 

This trip gave us so much to bring back home. From Tokyo’s energy to Kyoto’s quiet charm, every little moment shaped our Anime III Collection. Each piece tells a story of adventure, culture, and creativity - we’re so glad to have been able to capture each story in the place they were inspired by!