- This week I am SO excited to welcome the lovely Justine Fahd from Upon a Fold to the TDF guest blog!  Justine has a serious paper-addiction, so it is not surprising she's also a huge fan of all things Japanese!  This week Justine will take us through highlights of her recent trip to Japan... be warned, you'll be itching for a plane ticket by Friday! (I am already!) - Lucy x

Some of the amazing treasures at Oedo Antique Market - wooden dolls, printing materials and so many prints and scrolls!

Hi! My name is Justine and I have a little online paper shop and blog called Upon A Fold. Paper makes me happy, yes it does! And well, it seems sharing all my paper finds makes other people happy too. So that’s what I do on a daily basis and it’s seriously loads of fun.

Much of my focus is on Japan, simply because paper is truly celebrated there and very much a part of everyday life. Thankfully Japan is only a 10 hour flight away from my home in Sydney and on a recent visit to Tokyo I discovered a few interesting facts, like…

- 7 hours is not nearly enough time to discover a 9 level paper shop,
- There is no such thing as too many paper shops, no siree!
- 2 weeks is nowhere near enough time to discover all the paper shops in Tokyo, and be warned paper lovers, I left my heart in Tokyo and so might you!

When Lucy asked me to be a guest blogger on this gorgeous blog, I thought it would be a great opportunity to relive some good experiences and to share with you some of my favourite Japanese things – from products to take pleasure in, design to desire and places to pay a visit to next time you’re there, starting with this wonderful outdoor antique market called Oedo.

Oedo Antique Market in the Tokyo by Tokyo guidebook

I learnt about these markets from a little guidebook called Tokyo by Tokyo. Momoko Tsuruya a travel writer and Tokyoite, had it as one of her ‘must visit’ places in Tokyo. And I’m so glad she did, because there was no better way to start our Sunday exploring, than this. I love a good market!

The Oedo Antique Market takes place on the first and third Sunday of each month in the beautiful leafy courtyard of the Tokyo International Forum. It started in 2003 and has now become the largest open-air antique markets in Japan, with around 250 stalls.

There is so much to be found here from traditional Japanese pieces like vintage Kimonos and wooden dolls to retro toys, antique tools, rare books, prints and scrolls, fabrics, furniture and more.

These markets offer a glimpse into the way the Japanese lived and the things they collected from the Edo period through the Meiji period, to the present day. This is a great place to pick up some authentic Japanese souvenirs and rare antique pieces.

Next up I’ll show you a great place to visit to indulge the designer in you! And if you would like to discover some amazing paper shops in Tokyo just visit my blog. There you will find many Tokyo and paper posts with lots of pics and lovely links too.

Back soon! x

Vintage glassware, tools and kitchenware - oh my!