After an earthquake disaster and ongoing nuclear threat, life goes on in Tokyo. Lost in transportation, traditional dance, barbecuing below the highway, pointing at plastic food, climbing tower houses, growing up with a “teddy chair” and asking the Gods for a new interior? So challenging to understand and so many reasons to love Tokyo.

Why is my packaging smiling at me? Luxury melons, say no to bags, illustrated signs, Ninja LEGO and more.

Together with our fellows from the EcoDesign Institute we visit the opening night of the Good Design Expo 2011 which showcases a top selection of this year’s Good Design Award, one of Japan’s most wanted design awards. This year’s exhibition is curated by Naoto Fukusawa and brings together more than 2000 items in the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition halls. We discover a lot of unknown brands, products, materials and learn about the Area Aid Design Project, a foundation which is launched to help the reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11th March 2011.

During our stay in Tokyo we scheduled a meeting at the EcoDesign Institute. Unfortunately, director Fumikazu Masuda is in Hong Kong during our visit but Mrs. Mie Suzuki and her colleagues explain us all we need to know. Next to the activities, methods and materials library of the institute we talk about The International Conference of Design for Sustainability (26-27 February 2011). This upcoming conference focuses on creating, proposing, and spreading the role of design and the proper value of living in a sustainable society.

The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) is housed in one of Singapore’s most colorful buildings. Here we visited the DesignSingapore Council and talked with Mrs. Wong and Mr. Khamis about Singapore’s strategies that uses design to improve capability, enhance the quality of life and drive competitiveness.

You can read more about our meeting at the PARK day-by-day weblog.

In the heart of Singapore we walk into one of the best places to find sustainable household products and fashion items. At the Simply Living Lifeshop we talk with Chris Chua who started the Simply Living Lifeshop with Barbara Cooke around one year ago. Chris tells us about the challenge of running an eco store in Singapore where “reduce reuse recycling” is not yet a widespread theme. The shop features handmade products from all over Asia and make sure you don’t miss Chris’ green terrariums.

Please do not spit, Twin Towers, One Malaysia, ramadan days, large shopping malls, even larger palm plantations and street food that looks back.

In one of Kuala Lumpur’s nicest restaurants we meet with the designer Su-Ann Wong who decided to start the Palate Palette restaurant with her partner years ago. The colorful illustrations and surprising week program, such as “bring your own pet”, demonstrate that this restaurant is more than just for eating food. Movie screenings, music nights and foreseen workshops make this place a meeting point for creative minds (no wonder Kuala Lumpur’s Green Drinks originated right here). In our search for sustainable solutions Su-Ann supports us with some great book tips and insight into the local permaculture initiatives.

During the days of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur we share a long and inspiring night with Steve McCoy, a systems thinker, great networker and co-organizer of Green Drinks in Kuala Lumpur (see the Facebook Group here). During that night we also meet with Green Drinks fellows Nisha, Lymun and Gregers. Besides discussing the “business of green” we learned about Gregers personal initiative that enables better recycling at his own tower house. He even documented his efforts online so people can learn how to set up their own recycling system in their own condominium.

Tioman Island (locally known as Gunung Daik Bercabang Tiga) is one of Malaysia’s treasures located a few hours bus drive from Singapore. This tropical jungle island is a popular destination with tropical fishes, lazy cats, coconut drinks, clean waters, beach bars and lots of time time for making new friends such as Paul and Lisa. We hope that regulated tourism will respect this charming little paradise where time seems to stand still.