Japan Adventures: A Designer's Perspective

Summary

Recently, our designer, José, embarked on an exciting trip, trading the familiar silhouette of the Seattle skyline for the dazzling and bustling streets of Tokyo, Japan. What started as a birthday getaway quickly evolved into a deep dive into Japan’s carry culture, offering fresh insights on how people move through their day, one bag and egg sandwich at a time. José returned not just with souvenirs, but with pages of observations. His notes, “Musings on Japan Carry Culture,” offer a peek into the bags, brands, and behaviors shaping how Tokyo-ites move through their day, and how that sparks ideas for future TB designs. Notes From the Train: Musings on Japan’s Carry Culture One thing was immediately clear: people in Tokyo carry with intention. Most folks spend the bulk of their day away from home, which means their bags have to do a lot of work: holding essentials, being comfortable enough for long days, and not taking up too much space on crowded trains. Here are some trends I noticed: Slim backpacks are a common choice, especially ones with a more structured profile that didn’t protrude too much—likely due to train etiquette. Briefcase-style bags were a go-to for many Japanese businessmen, often versatile enough to be carried by hand or worn as a backpack à la The Trinity. Crossbody bags and slings were everywhere. These ranged from small, essentials-only styles to medium-sized bags big enough to hold a laptop and daily gear. Across all styles, bags seemed to prioritize efficiency, easy access, and compactness. I’m glad I had my Bantam with me. It fit right in—small, light, and easy to swing around when I needed something. A Designer’s Eye While exploring shops in Harajuku and Shibuya with a fellow bag designer, we visited shops filled with everything from rare vintage pieces to experimental new designs. During this trip, I ran into a few interesting brands I had never heard of: AS20V - They had some interesting-looking bags with outdoor aesthetics. They reminded me...