This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on February 3, 2016.

IT’s an all-Japanese immersion at Art Printing Works (APW), Bangsar, with Tokyo Fashion District — Isetan The Japan Store, and it’s not just your usual Japanese products. Debuting over a dozen Japanese fashion design brands, accessories, craft and interior products and a unique culinary experience, this premium pop-up store is the first to feature exclusively Japanese brands and products. 

It marks the arrival of labels such as Akane Utsunomiya, who is known for oversized knitwear with unusual silhouettes, the nature inspired casual wear typical to eclectic label and wander, the bold and stylish men’s label yoshio kubo and the whimsical kitsch aesthetics of Muveil, just to name a few. 

Also featuring is Masaaki Honma’s mastermind Japan, a brand that mixes street styles with a touch of luxury. The pop-up store will also include bags from the mastermind Japan x Porter collaboration, which sees Honma’s iconic skull logo making an appearance. This is introduced alongside Porter’s own line of bags, many of which are popular global best-sellers. 

Designer threads aside, there is also a selection of homeware and artisan craft boxes by Ichiro and Box & Needle.

Lending a chic culinary touch to the experience is the Can Tsuma Bar. Set-up in a casual corner, the intriguing food and beverage offering ushers in a current popular trend in Japan: premium canned seafood. Among delicacies spotted are smoked garden eel, sea urchin in consommé jelly, and even blowfish! 

The pop-up store is the first in a series to come, leading to a full-fledged permanent store in the existing Lot 10 branch of Isetan. To showcase the upped quality, the giant retailer also brings its famous Japanese hospitality with a team of nadeshiko — English-speaking stylists that are on hand to offer personalised tips and help. 

The next pop-up store will take place in mid-March, with a focus on Japanese jewellery brands, interior décor and lifestyle accessories. 

Find the Tokyo Fashion District — Isetan The Japan Store at APW, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Opening hours are from 10am to 8.30pm until Feb 6, and 10am to 6pm on Feb 7. For more information, visit www.isetankl.com.my.