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It is the Japanese Harrods.Do you have any favorite galleries in Tokyo? GG: This place is not so secret, but definitely a gem—I always go to the Sōgetsu headquarters, which was designed by Kenzō Tange and contains a beautiful stone garden by Isamu Noguchi. A trip to Tokyo is a journey to another time, both past and future.What tours and visits are you most excited for on the upcoming Insider Journey to Tokyo?GG: I am always happy to be in Tokyo.

Here, the design insider shares her favorite spots in the Japanese capital, how to tap into the hidden side of Japanese culture and style tips learned while on the road. Melissa Biggs Bradley talks with Gay Gassmann about seeing the world (and the City of Light) through an expat’s lens and how travel, her career, (and her combined passions) have intertwined at the nexus of art and collecting, design and fashion.

gay gassmann

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GG: Springtime weather in Tokyo is perfect—lovely during the day and slightly cooler in the evenings. Gay Gassmann is a communication and special art projects consultant, writer, and contributing editor for Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Vogue Arabia and Vogue Arabia Living, Architectural Digest China, Galerie, The World of Interiors and The Architect’s Newspaper.

  • Publish Date: April 01, 2025
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: House & Home - Decorating & Furnishings
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 10 x 12-4/5
  • Pages: 416
  • US Price: $75.00
  • CDN Price: $100.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4773-0

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“Red-hot passion for design is palpable on the pages of Torrey: Private Spaces: Great American Design (Rizzoli), fittingly wrapped in a sumptuous red extending across the cover, spine, and end pages.

The Japanese LOVE pink.

Are there any projects that you are working on this year that you are particularly excited about?GG: One of the great joys of what I do is always following the thread of art and artists. This debut book explores Torrey’s distinctive approach: a seamless blending of cool, clean, modern designs with opulent finishes, sumptuous materials, and a reverence for the historical and vintage.

Plus, her favorite parts of the city and the best design cities beyond Paris—including Tokyo, Kyoto, Antwerp, Marrakech, Venice and more.

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Join Melissa on an incredible worldwide journey as she introduces you to inspirational guests and transports you across the globe.

Click here to book your spot today—there are only a few left!

This is your second year of hosting AD x Indagare Insider Journeys. I just had one come out in December with PHAIDON, and I am beginning a new project as we speak. Click here to book your spot today—there are only a few left!You can follow Gay's adventures at home in Paris and around the world on Instagram @gaygassmann.

Published onFebruary 18, 2020

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I was there last spring for the LOEWE Craft Prize, which was a thrilling and wonderful moment. What are some of your top restaurant picks in Tokyo?GG: I think superstar chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa is better placed to make a recommendation, and one of his favorites is Toryu in the Minato neighborhood—a small, local Chinese place with the best dumplings in town.

There are throbbing neon lights and paper lanterns. I am just as excited to be eating shaved ice with matcha as I am to be going to the Mori Museum, where we will be lucky enough to be there for the STARS: Six Contemporary Artists from Japan to the World show, featuring Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama and Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Also, I always go to the Takashimaya Department store for gifts—and anything else! In his new monograph, he shows readers 23 projects—all private residences—from the past decade. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with artists, collectors, curators and designers. Seeing the best in contemporary craftsmanship, from ceramics to traditional basket weaving, was such a treat.

Tokyo is a bustling urban city, so I will sadly have to leave all of my fun holiday caftans at home—but I will definitely bring something pink! Again, this reinforced the importance of both the contemporary and the traditional in Japanese design.