The Superior Labor Part III: Kurashiki

 

 

And the final part of our adventures in Okayama: we visited Kurashiki to see their shop. The last time we came, TSL had not yet opened their shop, but had secured the location and were undergoing renovations. How lovely to see all that hard work with my own eyes!

 

They took us first to see their smaller location, also in Kurashiki, that specializes in menswear, accessories and a selection of TSL items.

 

 

And then we wandered through the historic Kurashiki neighbourhoods to their TSL Kurashiki and Traveler’s Notebook shop, stopping for lunch and to say hello to some swans on the way.

 

Kurashiki is beautiful and its streets are lined with old-style shops and houses, so pristine and well-maintained. Delicious udon!

 

 

And then we arrived! Beautiful and pristine and surprisingly colourful—this season’s canvas bags are a rainbow pop. Also, how fun to see shop kids in action, from the other side.

 

 

And upstairs: their Traveler’s Notebook section, along with various stationery bits.

 

 

The best souvenirs are the ones that you can use. I have my share of good luck guardians that sit on my shelf and admire the view of the chaos, but the souvenirs of our travels that join us on the journey, that are tools that we carry in our hands, these are the best ones. I already have a couple of Traveler’s Notebooks, but I couldn’t resist getting another one to celebrate friendship, to commemorate our trip to Japan, our trip to Okayama to see TSL, and just to remember this season of life. Another one will sit in our museum in the shop, to act as maybe a bit of travel inspiration for people who come to visit us.

 

TSL doesn’t do these customizations on the spot, but I believe you can get it sent back to you in Tokyo, or if you’re staying around Okayama for a while, you can put your order in early and pick it up before you leave. I placed my order at the counter, and the team sent it back to Nap Village where Makoto-San and Yoshimi-San sent it back to Toronto along with other TSL goods, where it is now waiting for me. I can’t wait to hold it in my hand!

 

Because such is the magic of these pieces, the leather or the paper or the things that we can hold and touch and feel. We couldn’t live without our screens, but maybe also, we wouldn’t want to live without a few physical items to belong to us and to be used.