There’s absolutely no reason to sell someone on a trip to Japan. Whether it be Osaka, Kyoto or Tokyo, people nowadays are bound to say that one of the Asian countries they definitely want to visit is Japan. And I couldn’t agree more, too! Japan truly has lots to offer. 

“Fushimi-Inari Shrine in Kyoto”

“Authentic Japanese Ramen. A MUST TRY!”

What makes Japan amazing is that centuries of their culture and heritage are still present today even if they are considered pioneers in technological advancements.  Japan houses a unique, cultivated history inside a modern, technological area. As you go around their cities, you would see an extravagant Shinto shrine in the middle of a metropolitan city or a vast bamboo forest just outside a train station. This makes this country not only a wonderful go-to destination for all types of travelers, but also a haven of expression for many different individuals – and even businesses.

“A Shinto Shrine in the middle of the city”

“At the Arashiyama Bamboo forest in Kyoto”

One brand that has embodied the Japanese culture when it comes to fashion is Calypso.ph. They are an online brand specializing in quality bracelets that are stylish and hip. Recently, Calypso.ph has successfully captured the Japanese style through their newly launched New Era bracelet collection. 

New Era is a five-piece bracelet collection that symbolizes a style where old Japanese heritage and culture meets the modern world. Just like Japan itself, the collection boasts of timeless pieces that would never go out of style. This collection shows the traditional-urban Japan of today. 

Last August 8, 2017, I was able to visit Osaka and Kyoto, Japan together with my mom and sister. We went to a number of tourist spots in those cities, including some that were the inspiration behind the Calypso pieces.  

“Family Photo at Osaka’s Namba River”

To start off, let’s take a look at the Japanese train system. Japan boasts of a very advanced train system. It is nowhere near to what we have in the Philippines (unfortunately), so travelers really enjoy going around different places with ease. We used their train system in getting to and across cities. The Calypso Kamikaze is inspired by Japan’s train system as the train system is like the wind, whisking passengers around. The bracelet itself has the symbolic icon for the wind and has a style that is not like any other.

 

“The Calypso Kamikaze”

“Intricate Rails and a Japanese train station”

“My mom smiling as she is impressed by Japan’s train system”

We then visited the heart of Osaka, Namba Dotonbori. It houses the famous “Glico Man” sign and is a hub known for shopping districts and food stalls. It is here where one has to try a bowl of authentic ramen and a serving of takoyaki. The Calypso Kaizen embodies Namba as it a place of continuous improvement while never losing its identity. The symbolic icon in Kaizen depicts the Namba’s intricate streets. 

“The Calypso Kaizen”

“Namba, Dotonbori”

“The Famous Glico Man Sign at Namba”

“Promise me no promises..”

“Alley walks where the shops are located”

“Namba City lights. Dotonbori is also a great place to visit at night because of their night light and night life. It’s booming with endless activities!”

The Fushimi Inari shrine is an important Shinto shrine found in Kyoto, which is the inspiration for the Calypso Shinto. This place is an unending path of thousands of orange torii gates that leads towards a mountain peak. This intriguing shrine was dedicated to the god of rice and sake by the Hata clan in the 8th century for agricultural prosperity. Japanese characters are also engraved in in the shrine’s torii poles, and such was the inspiration for the Calypso Haiku, a piece that has Japanese letters engraved. 

“The Calypso Shinto”

“The Calypso Haiku”

“The Calypso Haiku and Kamikaze”

“Fushimi-inari Shrine: A Shinto Shrine in Kyoto”

“Mom wearing the traditional Kimono in Kyoto”

“Upon entering the shrine, a bamboo well would be available for guests to wash their hands. Some people drink the water here too.” 

“Myself wearing the traditional yukata”

“The writings in the poles inspired calypso’s Haiku”

Lastly, the Arashiyama Bamboo forest which can found in Kyoto also served as one of the inspiration for Calypso’s Garuda, which is bold and striking. The Japanese have a long history with bamboo in myths and legends, metaphorically linking a man’s strength with this plant. The forest boasts of long and slender bamboo trees that cover the entire area. It is very difficult to see bamboo forests in their natural state that grow thick and line the path like they do here.

“The Calypso Garuda”

“Lost at the bamboo forest”

“Go around the Bamboo forest via Human Carriage”

“Arashiyama Bamboo Forest”

 

The New Era collection from Calypso.ph is interesting in its conceptualization, with the inspiration behind these pieces equally interesting and quite gorgeous. However, it is more interesting to note that this bracelet quintet was born out of the makers’ passion for the creativity of a country, believing that Japan and everything that it stands for is not just beautiful, it is timeless.

“Lantern Lights in the City Shrine”

“Gaon District. Japan’s Famous Geisha District”