I don’t know how many times I’ve said “Nice to meet you.” Since plunging six years ago, with no experience, into my dream job—magazine writer—I’ve worked on my own as a freelancer, affiliated with no company or team. That means I’ve had many, many opportunities to introduce myself, whether to people I’m interviewing or people I work with. Hundreds and hundreds of “Hi! It’s nice to meet you!” And, yet, I’m still not used to it. I’m still nervous every time I say those words. But the worlds that open up from meeting new people, from new encounters, always end up more interesting than one could have imagined. It can even be exhilarating. “Nice to meet you”—a great little phrase, I think, as I prepare to introduce myself to three newcomers today at GINZA SIX.

I head first to Pasand by ne Quittez pas on the fourth floor, one of the new stores which opened at the end of February, around the time GINZA SIX began major renovations and celebrated its fourth anniversary. The store grew out of the articles encountered around the world by Mami Jin, who has made travel her life’s work. It’s a branded lifestyle shop curated by the fashion brand ne Quittez pas, which features handmade Indian dailywear. As suggested by the name “pasand,” which in Hindi means to like, the store has all sorts of “Likes” on display, such as the unforgettable landscapes, light, colors, and sounds of a foreign country, not only through fashion but also items encountered in everyday life, such as interior goods and art. It’s a way to experience a world of exotic flavor in the middle of Ginza.

Made in India, the clothing of ne Quittez pas exhibit all the wonders of handicrafts such as weaving, knitting and embroidery. One technique on display is gold foil stamping, whereby gold is hammered into thin leaves and crafted into delicate patterns. Gold leaf for the Gold Flower Panel Dress (24,200 yen; all prices listed before tax) is formed into an arabesque, and I’m told achieving this level of detail over an entire surface can only be accomplished by exceptional artisanship. The cool, mint-colored Indian cotton with the glittery sparkle of gold is a real pick-me-up!

There’s so much here I’m interested in! I go back and forth but decide to try on this cute dress, the Silk Stripe Crossover Gown (41,600 yen). Made from silk, the dress is soft and light, but offers an unusual warmth. Even worn alone, it wards off the chill. Flaring out below the chest, it creates the pleasing impression of long legs. Wearing it feels easy-breezy; at the same time, one looks entirely put together, a sublime balance. It’s a crossover, so you can wear it open like a gown. All is well, even if unexpected guests pay a visit—simply throw this on over your pajamas.

The store also offers an assortment of fashion accessories and merchandise, including bead-embroidered party bags—the handles look just like bracelets, adorable!—and vividly colored jewelry boxes. These original kung fu shoes (6,000 yen) made from Indian silk sari fabric are comfortable, light, stress-free room shoes. They’re so easy to carry they’d make ideal shoes to bring to studio shoots.

Appointed with a plush blue carpet, the corner on the right-hand side of the store is set aside for UPALA, the jewelry brand. Inspired by the gorgeous jewelry worn by India’s Queen Maharani, the brand’s modern redesigns incorporate natural stones and 18 carat yellow gold. Each piece is handcrafted by Indian jewelry artisans. Blue quartz, pink tourmaline, amethyst, peridot—these beautiful and colorful natural gemstones, each with its own shimmer and character, enrich the spirit simply by entering one’s field of vision.

I try on various bracelets and rings I see and like, one after another. Oh, my hand is attended to by wondrous articles! The Moonstone ring (242,000 yen), with its magnificent presence, and the Eternity ring (99,000 yen), a linked circlet of natural bezel-set stones of differing shapes, enchant and warm my heart. The GemStone bracelet (5,000 yen) would unquestionably make a delightful gift for any jewelry lover.

As I gaze at my hand in wonder and delight, I note the roughness of the skin—more conspicuous than I had imagined. In response to the worry thus prompted also for my facial skin, I head to AXXZIA, a new store on the first belowground floor that opened in March. An Asian skincare brand, the store at GINZA SIX is the brand’s first directly managed outlet.

AXXZIA is renowned for AXXZIA Beauty Eyes, its exclusive eye care series. Based on the concept of salon eye care at home, the luxurious Beauty Eyes Essence Sheet Premium (8,580 yen), packed with beauty lotion, is as moist as a pear. The ultra-thin sheet, which uses the down of raw cotton seeds, sticks firmly around your eyes. It doesn’t drip or run while you have it on. Amazing!

It fits right around your eyes, covering the area from the upper eyelid to the triangle of your cheeks. Among other conditions, it effectively treats dullness around the eyes and puffy eyelids. With everyone wearing masks now, your eyes make even more of an impression—giving them the best possible care is a wise choice. My excitement builds as I consider the prospects.

There’s also Mate For Eyes (18,480 yen), a dual-function cosmetic device for eye care. It gives off low-frequency waves to help lotion penetrate deeply into your skin’s stratum corneum, as well as radio waves that gently warm your mimic muscles. Use the device above your mask to give the area around your eyes the dose of beauty nutrients they need.

In fact, my skin does get nice and warm when the radio waves are applied to my hand. And the pen shape makes it easy to carry around, which is convenient. It’s suitable for use over your entire face, not just around your eyes—from your mouth and face lines to around your smile lines. If you have just one beauty device at home, this makes for an excellent choice.

The store also has a consultation counter where you can benefit from well-considered advice on eye care or skincare concerns.

I’m told at the counter about a new product, Liquid Lucent 3D (5,280 yen), which transforms from a liquid to a powder the moment it’s applied to your skin. That means no oiliness or stickiness, and no need to powder over it, either. The powder doesn’t congeal in the way powder foundations sometimes can, which means it won’t stick to your mask. I’ve basically been going without foundation because I loathe makeup sticking to my mask, but this could well restore some of my former beauty routines.

My last stop today is Cocolo Kitchen KYOTO on the second belowground floor, a Kyoto-based organic nuts and granola specialist that opened in February. To tell the truth—not that I’ve been fabulating!—my standard gift for people is nuts. You can keep them at room temperature. They last forever. They’re not heavy. And people find their texture and crunch satisfying, even those who really like to chew on things. Plus, these particular nuts are organically grown and combine Kyoto flavors for a unique and extensive menu of options.

Yatsuhashi Nuts, with its cinnamon aroma, Match Nuts, made with highest-grade organic matcha from Uji, Shiromiso Nuts, made with additive-free shiromiso from Kokonoe Miso, and Coffee Nuts, made with coffee beans from Ogawa Coffee, a favorite I drink regularly—they fill your mouth with the flavor of Kyoto.

The most popular is Hararyokaku Kuroshichimi Nuts (1,290 yen). The spice proprietor Hararyokaku, located in Kyoto’s Gion district, has been in business for three centuries.

I buy a box, which I plan to eat leisurely at home, but which I end up eating in no time before finishing an article. The pungently pleasant spiciness is addicting; I can’t stop. Incidentally, when I travel away from Tokyo on assignment, I’ll often forget to buy local gifts to take back to people. So, if it’s Kyoto, I decide to procure my gifts here.

If you’re a less adventurous eater, rest assured. And no need to give in to corona, either—they offer samples at the store in pouches with one nut each. I should add, certain flavors are available only at the Tokyo store, including curry-flavored nuts made in partnership with Nair’s Restaurant, a venerable Indian establishment in Ginza, right in GINZA SIX’s backyard. These, on the other hand, would be good to gift to friends in Kyoto.

I check out the original granola as well. Chai Special (1,190 yen), the naturally sweet Premium Maple (1,290 yen), and Classic Cocoa (1,190 yen), which would be good on ice cream as well—there’s a lot here to tickle one’s fancy.

I’d love to buy and bring all of them home….but today I opt for Kyoto Yuzu Miso (1,190 yen) and Spicy Salt (1,190 yen). “Spicy Salt is delicious with cream cheese,” says a staff member. “It has a great salty flavor—try sprinkling it on salad or carpaccio!”

The idea makes me smile. The perfect time spent at home. Putting on a cute dress, moisturizing my eyes with an eye mask, and filling my mouth with delicious nuts. Making the acquaintance of wonderful things can give a nice boost after returning home. I’ve exchanged my “Nice to meet you” now many times at GINZA SIX, and my world is broader and richer for it. That’s really exhilarating.

Text: Mariko Uramoto　Photos: Kaoru Yamada　Edit: Yuka Okada(81)