Senkiya and Sunshine To You Atelier and Shop

Hello Lovely Sandwiches!

How are you? It's getting warmer in Tokyo. The ume are starting to blossom and are so pretty. Springtime is so beautiful here, but at the same time it scares me that we are creeping closer to Tokyo's awfully hot Summer.

Do you remember my friend Sachiko-chan? (I first met her a few days before the big earthquake when I helped her with her workshop. )  Sachiko-chan (Sunshine To You) has had a beautiful little atelier and shop in Saitama for over three years now which sadly will close this weekend because she will move to Hayama . Yesterday I finally went to visit. ギリギリ！

Sunshine To You will be open this Saturday and Sunday, with a little closing party on Sunday from 12pm and you are all invited. Sachiko-chan will also be doing a live performance on her saxophone! If you have a chance, please visit her on her last day in Saitama. She would love to see you.















While Sachiko-chan and I were chatting away, neighbouring architect Nao-san, bought over a box of mikan to share with us! He was wearing woolen socks and outdoor slippers which was extra cute. 









'Sunshine To You' is located in the same renovated house as Senkiya.



Senkiya's owner, Hideyuki-san (pictured right), cleverly renovated his family home to turn it into a cafe / zakka / gallery / bookstore and small shop.



This is what Sunshine To You looked like previously before Hideyuki-san worked his magic.



Hideyuki-san's renovation includes lots of beautiful Showa era glass which I absolutely adore.







There is a real community feel here, with Nao-san's wife, Ryoko-san, working as the chef at Senkiya cafe. I just love her and her beautiful smile.



Also on the same block is a cute little gallery and Otama, a handmade accessory studio (pictured above).



The afternoon visit was filled with sounds of traditional Japanese sliding doors, rattling glass windowpanes, laughter, and my favourite, sounds of Sachiko-chan calling out to 'Ryo-chaaaan' like family.

If you're in Tokyo, please go and visit these lovely and talented people. If you're lucky you can catch the bread man, or the bagel man, or even the massage tent. Access details here.

Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo

食堂ミタケ・オアシン

Pho, Rice paper rolls, curry, donburi, pizza, coffee and sweets. Add a super cute retro and pop style interior and you have 食堂ミタケ・オアシン (Mitake Oashin) cafe in Yutenji. A little bit asian, a little bit western and just the right amount hippy, this is one cosy little cafe to relax away the afternoon. Have fun spotting adorable nostalgic retro items like a crochet fan cover, a baby pink ukulele with folk embroidery strap, and for those with impressive Japanese, you can read some retro poi manga. For those who love granny square blankets this place is basically heaven for you. Mismatched retro tea cup and saucer sets are all the rage here too.





Getting there:
Take my favourite train line, the Toyoko line to Yutenji and pop out at the Higashi (east) exit. Turn down the street on your right - and follow the street alongside train tracks about 3 minutes until you hit a small t-intersection, and there you will find 食堂ミタケ・オアシン cafe. (Map here - Japanese only)

Enjoy!

(There are more cute cafes like this in my Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide Zine)

Love Love
ハローサンドウィッチ

Sasazuka

Hello Sandwiches.

I just got back from a mamachari ride around a nearby neighbourhood called Sasazuka. It's filled with buzzy little shōtengai with obaachans selling fresh yasai and other dinner essentials. I really like it there. I think I'll try and do my shopping there sometimes. It's just a short bike ride from my apartment and it's such a lovely experience buying from the little street shops.








Bike riding is the best way to spend an afternoon! I had breakfast here with Amy, and then a warm cosy chai here with Ortolan (where I desperately want to work - if only they were in Tokyo!), and then topped of the afternoon with such a lovely bike ride.

I am going to try this cafe out tomorrow. Oh it's a hard life!

Hope you had a happy day too.

Love Love
Sandwich
xoxo

Clipper Cafe

Today my friend Elo and I went to Clipper Cafe. And we loved it!

It's not often that I get so excited about things in Sydney anymore...I'm always dreaming about more exciting things in Tokyo. But Clipper cafe changed that! If you are in Sydney and in need of a cafe, don't look any further than Clipper Cafe in Glebe. 

Clipper Cafe has an uber cool vibe, super friendly staff, cheap and cheerful prices and delicious food and coffee! What more could you possibly want? 

In fact Clipper Cafe reminded me of a super cute cafe I went to in Taipei last year which was tucked away in a little back alley with minimal sinage and oversized windows. Some other favourite cafes are Casual Poet Coffee Shop in Singapore, Cinq cafe in Tokyo, Kate Coffee in Tokyo and Zozoi Cafe in Tokyo.

For more information about Clipper Cafe cafe please visit Lee Tran Lam's super review and TwoThousand's review. Though do note that TwoThousand have got the opening hours muddled.

Clipper Cafe is opened 7 days a week from 6am-6pm. Easy to remember right!?

Clipper Cafe, 16 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, Sydney.

Enjoy lovelies! I might see you there?

Love Love

Hello Sandwich

xxx