Ginza, Tokyo
Front Perspective
REI FLagship Store
Ginza, Japan. 1:34 p.m. Upon entering the REI Flagship store, the shopper is submerged in a virtual field of green grass. A ramp summons him up into the heart of the building, twisting and turning around the narrow interior. He is intrigued by a group of ballet dancers coming past him down the ramp, seemingly out of place. Turning the corner, he glimpses a room, empty but for a mirrored wall. Soon realizing it is a dance studio, the shopper is surprised. More dancers immediately enter the room from an interior chamber and begin their dance practice. He continues up the ramp, finding the first REI retail space, the shoe department. After much deliberation, the man decides on a pair of hiking boots. Although hiking boots were all he came to buy, the shopper is fascinated by the uniquely-programmed towers, and continues. The next turn of the ramp lead directly around the middle, engulfed building. Offering a great view of the surrounding Ginza, the glass tunnel also allowed him a glimpse into the middle building, a confectionary. He made his way through the building, encountering several REI merchandise platforms, as well as dance classes. The man soon realizes that the large glass chasm passing through one of the towers morphs into the pinnacle, a spacious glass showroom containing REI’s newest items and prototypes. After looking around and enjoying the view, he makes his way back down to the street in his new hiking boots.