TRAVEL LOG Summer 2026 Vol. 1 - TOKYO 🇯🇵

A WEEK IN TOKYO

This month, I got to spend a week in Tokyo with my mom and my brother, and honestly, it was one of those trips that gave me so much creative energy. We walked everywhere, ate the best convenience store snacks, explored fabric markets, saw the coolest cars, and took in so much fashion inspiration just from watching the city move.

Tokyo felt cozy, chaotic, detailed, stylish, and calm all at the same time. Everywhere I looked, there was something inspiring — a zipper color, a tiny truck, a perfectly layered outfit, a vending machine drink, or just the way people carried themselves.

Day One

FABRIC MARKETS, CONVENIENCE STORE SNACKS, AND SO MUCH WALKING

Our first day in Japan started with tonsss of walking. Like, thousands and thousands of steps. But that’s honestly the best way to see a city like Tokyo because every corner has something going on.

We stopped at 7-Eleven and other convenience stores around the city, and the food was way too good. I get why people talk about Japanese convenience stores so much now. Everything felt easy, cute, and actually delicious.

We also explored fabric markets for spring/summer inspo, and I was obsessed. The colors, textures, trims, and details were so good. The variety of zippers alone had me thinking. Maybe that’s a little clue for what we’re dropping next.

THE DETAILS WERE EVERYTHING

One thing that stood out immediately was how much care goes into everything. The garments, the packaging, the food, the stores, the streets — everything made by Japanese designers and makers felt so high quality.

The fashion culture there is so forward without feeling like people are trying too hard. Everyone has their own thing going on. Clean silhouettes, cool layers, strong accessories, and pieces that just fit right.

We were rocking Marieloulou, of course, but I was definitely observing. Tokyo reminded me that comfort and quality can still look super intentional, which is exactly what I want Marieloulou to keep growing into.

We also saw so many cool cars. Classic cars, tiny toy-looking trucks, and cabs that looked like they teleported straight from the 90s. Everything being right-side drive still felt so unusual to me, but it made the city feel even more different in the best way.

Later in the afternoon, we rested in the coziest bookstore that served unlimited tea and snacks. After walking so much, it felt like the perfect little reset. Tokyo has this way of being super fast and super peaceful at the same time, and that bookstore was definitely the peaceful part.

Day Two

SETAGAYA, LUCKY CATS, AND VENDING MACHINE DRINKS

On our second day, we went to a temple in Setagaya, a smaller town known for bringing prosperity. The whole temple and town had so many cat-themed items and figures, and it was honestly so cute.

It felt calm and special, like one of those places where you naturally slow down. I loved seeing all the little details and traditions, especially because they were so different from anything I usually see at home.

After that, we grabbed snacks and drinks from one of the many, many, many outdoor vending machines. I’m serious, they need to bring outdoor vending machines to Texas. It was so convenient, especially when you’re walking all day and just want a cold drink without making it a whole stop.

JDM CARS AND TOKYO AT NIGHT

Later that evening, we got to explore Japanese car culture, and this was definitely one of the coolest parts of the trip. We rode in an iconic JDM car, went to a few car meets, and drove past some Tokyo landmarks at night.

The energy was unreal. The cars, the lights, the city, the people — it felt straight out of a movie. My brother loved this part too, so it was really fun getting to experience it together.

After all of that, we finally called it a day. Tokyo will have you exhausted, inspired, and already wanting to go back at the same time.