TW Digest

September 24, 2026

Hello everyone,

Today we’re revisiting Happy Victims, an instantly iconic photo essay by the celebrated photographer Kyoichi Tsuzuki. It chronicles the living spaces of some of Tokyo’s most fervid fashion obsessives, juxtaposing their cramped apartments with their sprawling collections of their favorite designer’s creations.

This week’s newsletter also includes: the Hatoya Hotel, a glittering, crumbling altar to Showa-era glamor, sumptuously photographed; an interview with Hajime Sorayama, the artist who singularly shaped our “sexy robot” fantasies; where to find a baby-pink pagoda surrounded by cherry blossoms.

— Callie Beusman, Editorial Director

Revisiting our favorite stories from the past year:

Happy Victims depicts ordinary Tokyoites with extraordinary collections of revered fashion designers, colorfully draped over every nook and cranny of their cramped apartments.

According to photographer Kyoichi Tsuzuki, some of the subjects were hesitant to be featured, fearing that the world would judge them for being frivolous, and some hid their faces in the photos. “But at the same time, they couldn’t bear the thought of someone else appearing in the magazine as the collector of their favorite brand.”

The stories, trends, events, etc. on our minds

☆ You can’t see a photo of Hatoya Hotel without wondering, “Where is that?” I was initially introduced by Lisa Knight, our resident star photographer. So I asked her to write about why she loves it so much: a luxurious liminal space overflowing with Showa-era charm.

☆ The Weeknd came to Japan this week; if, like me, you were treated to a deluge of Instagram stories of the concert, you will have noticed a glistening, 40-foot-tall, nude robot statue on stage. This is a custom piece by Hajime Sorayama, whom we profiled earlier this year — the artist who singlehandedly made the “sexy robot” archetype into an ubiquitous visual language.

☆ Tohru Dance is one of the few content creators who seems genuinely happy — a 59-year-old salaryman who has accrued a massive following thanks to his charming, low-budget videos of himself dancing.

☆ Six beautiful, secluded temples throughout Kyoto and Nara prefectures that are known for their profusion of seasonal flowers. My favorite is in Nara: a baby-pink pagoda that emerges from a cloud of cherry blossoms in the spring.

Places to bookmark and things to do, as recommended by the TW staff

After a grueling, two-day post-holiday work week, you may be in need of relaxation this weekend. Christian, our staff sauna enthusiast, recommends Niwa no Yu in Toshimaen, which includes “a traditional Finnish-style sauna that looks like you've been teleported inside a European cottage” AND “a Roman-inspired steam sauna where you can larp as an ancient philosopher,” PLUS an indoor-outdoor mixed-gender area with a pool, dry sauna, natural spring bath and a jacuzzi.

For those who want to get out of the city: Lisa recommends the spider lily festival in Saitama, an annual event that occurs when over 5 million spider lilies in Kinchakuda Manjushage Park reach peak bloom, carpeting the forest floor in vibrant red.

Wakaba’s recommendation is Hotel Dankoen, a “super-traditional ryokan” in Ito, which is only about an hour and a half from Tokyo. “The town has lots of little local izakaya, and also the cutest kissaten called Wakaba (namesake!), which has some of the best soft serve I’ve had in Japan.”

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