Dr. Andreas Moerke has been Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf Japan since 2007 and lives in Tokyo. He has a degree in Japanese language and culture, holds a PhD in business economics, speaks excellent Japanese and is well versed in the cultural differences between Japanese and Germans. Shopping is not exactly one of his hobbies, yet he is happy to share with us which Tokyo shops he enjoys visiting from time to time.
What would be your idea of a perfect shopping day in Tokyo?
I only go shopping when there is a need – even though I’m responsible for EuroShop at Messe Düsseldorf Japan. But if I go shopping at all, then I do so over the weekend, which always starts with a sleep-in and a nice long breakfast. Then I go to an art gallery or a museum, followed by one of the new Tokyo shopping centres with their amazing interior designs (they could potentially be candidates for the next EuroShop //JAPANSHOP Shop Design Award!). I also stop at a Dean & Deluca for something for my evening meal, or at Maison Kayser to pick up a nice loaf of German bread. At some stage I might have lunch at one of the many good restaurants you can find in Japanese shopping centres.
What’s your favourite shop in Tokyo at the moment and why?
The stationary shop Itoya in the Ginza district. It has twelve floors packed with Japanese and international stationery, wonderful paper and great writing utensils. It also has a café with a nice view of the Ginza district.
What do you buy online, and what do you buy in a high street shop?
Online: books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, electrical equipment and spares (such as printer inks). High street shops: food and clothing.
Source: Messe Düsseldorf
