This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
Over nearly 30 years in Tokyo, Tatsubuchi has worked across every stage of fashion editorial production, from planning and styling to casting models and staff. In recent years, she has also been involved in fashion direction for brands. Reflecting on that experience, she shares her thoughts on what makes the city so compelling.
"What stands out to me as a fashion director is just how diverse Tokyo's fashion landscape is. High-end boutiques are scattered across districts such as Ginza, Omotesando, and Roppongi, while the city is also home to distinctive homegrown brands like Comme des Garçons, Sacai, Auralee, and Visvim. And then there are areas like Harajuku, which continue to nurture a street culture all their own."
But that is not all. The city's vintage shops have also been quietly drawing the attention of fashion insiders from abroad.
Many of these shops are known for their deep reserves of 1990s luxury pieces, often in remarkably good condition—enough to draw some visitors to Tokyo specifically in search of them, Tatsubuchi says. She points to Japan's strong luxury market during that decade, along with a cultural tendency to take good care of clothing. Some of the shops, she adds, remain largely under the radar, with little visibility on social media.
When showing visitors from abroad around Tokyo, Tatsubuchi keeps one guiding principle in mind.
"Tokyo is a city where contrasts coexist—modern high-rises and centuries-old temples, contemporary art and crafts shaped by artisans' hands, the glow of neon lights in the city, and the moonlight you see on Mount Takao. That's why I always make a point of showing visitors both sides. When I describe this as Tokyo's 'contrasting beauty,' they really respond to it. The city will no doubt continue to evolve, but I hope the old and beautiful things are preserved. Once they're gone, you can't recreate them," Tatsubuchi says.
Having spent much of her career traveling abroad, how does Tatsubuchi see Tokyo?
"Tokyo is safe, clean, and convenient—it's a city where you can live with peace of mind," Tatsubuchi says. "I think it's also very well suited to longer stays. I have two favorite views. One is the scene you see crossing Rainbow Bridge on the way back from Haneda Airport. When Tokyo Tower comes into view straight ahead, I feel a wave of relief—like I've truly come home. The other is the night view from the New York Grill on the top floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku. Looking out over the countless lights of this vast city, I'm reminded that there's no need to get hung up on the small things."
In March 2025, Tatsubuchi published a book reflecting on her career. The project began as diary-like posts shared on social media, which struck a chord with readers and eventually led to its publication as a book.
Tatsubuchi says that while her love of magazines and fashion initially drew her to the field, she was also attracted by the fact that it offered a working environment not defined by gender. The book, she explains, weaves together her own experiences with the stories of many women she has encountered through her career. Advancing gender equality in society, she adds, also requires a shift in awareness among women themselves. By capturing the atmosphere of workplaces where women grapple with uncertainty and gradually find their own footing, she hopes the book can help prompt that kind of change.
Having long observed the diversity and vitality of Tokyo's fashion scene, Tatsubuchi now hopes to move beyond simply tracking trends and to explore them more deeply through her writing as an essayist.
In her view, the global spread of fast fashion is eroding the individuality of cities, and she hopes Tokyo will continue to offer a rich diversity of fashion.
