Part of the charm of using a TRAVELER’S notebook is the way users can impose their personality through customizations. The daily wear and tear add marks to the leather cover when one travels. The refill covers can be decorated with stickers, labels, and ephemera collected on a trip. Finally, you can also accessorize the exterior with trinkets, charms, and little items that express your voice and characteristics. When you meet new friends or other travelers on your trip, sharing the pages and telling the stories of the charm can be a way to form genuine connections.
We discovered this similarity in the expression of creativity with JINS Eyewear, a Japanese eyeglass company with the vision of “Magnify Life”. JINS is a household name across Japan since 2001 and has more than 700 stores worldwide. The TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA team encountered JINS at their most recent US Concept store at the heart of Venice’s art and creative culture scene in Abbot Kinney. We are honored to interview Mickey Kubota, owner and president of JINS USA Inc., who is an avid TRAVELER’S notebook user, and learn more about his story.
This spring, we would also like to invite fans to visit a TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA Pop-up at JINS Abbot Kinney store from 5/16 – 5/17.
Starting on May 6th, 2025, TRAVELER’S FACTORY Original charms, handmade by Japanese artisans, will also be available on the TRC USA Online Shop, while supplies last.
TRC USA Pop-up at JINS Abbot Kinney
TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA will host a Pop-up event at the JINS Eyewear Abbot Kinney store. At the pop-up event, you can learn about TRAVELER’S notebook and its customizable system and shop from special collections such as the ROAD TRIP and LOVE AND TRIP lineups. Enjoy picking and matching JINS eyeglasses or sunglasses to match your TRAVELER’S notebook. Visitors can also have the opportunity to get customized badges to accessorize their notebooks.
JINS Abbot Kinney
1227 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
5/16 – 5/17 from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TRAVELER’S FACTORY Original Charms
TRAVELER’S Factory Original charms feature carefully crafted, handmade accessories that embolden the personality of your TRAVELER’S notebook. We would like to introduce two unique styles of craftsmanship that complement the leather of TRAVELER’S notebook.
TRAVELER’S FACTORY Original charms will be available on www.travelerscompanyusa.com online shop starting on May 6th, 2025, while supplies last.
MIZUHIKI
Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese art of utilizing paper cords to create intricate designs and three-dimensional sculptures and models. These MIZUHIKI charms are made in Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku, a region known for this craftsmanship since ancient times.
The design of the TRAVELER’S FACTORY MIZUHIKI charm showcases the traditional “ume (plum)” knot. The plum tree has long been considered a good omen in Japanese culture. For this reason, it is often used as wrapping for wedding gifts and more. The “ume” knot has three meanings: “tightly bound,” “protection against evil,” and “good fortune.”
TRAVELER’S FACTORY Original MIZUHIKI Charm is available in red and navy colors. Pair it with your favorite TRAVELER’S notebook for a unique traditional look. You can also use it as an accessory charm for keys, pouches, or daily backpack.
YOSEGI
TRAVELER’S FACTORY YOSGEI Charms are made by Mr. Yuta Shimizu of Luthier, a studio based in Hakone that specializes in the craft of Yosegi-zaiku, a traditional Japanese marquetry technique. A combination of walnut, birch, and other wood materials is used to form a seamless checkered pattern. The dark brown color interlaced with light-colored wood creates a calming tone to the finished piece of art.
The beauty of Yosegi can be expressed by matching the dimensions of each piece of wood exactly so that the wood lines up beautifully and evenly.
TF Original YOSEGI Charms are available in natural and dark brown colors. You can insert the elastic rubber band through holes on both sides of the charm to accent your notebook. Experience the charm of the wood piece aging gracefully, along with the natural leather with use.
*TRAVELER’S FACTORY original items are normally only available at TRAVELER’S FACTORY stores in Japan. Periodically, TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA will offer these exclusive items in a limited fashion. The TF Original Charms are only available from May 6th until June 30th, while supplies last.
Seeing the World through New Lenses: An Interview with Mickey Kubota
In the world of eyewear, Mickey Kubota, the president of JINS Eyewear US, Inc., embodies the spirit of travel, exploration, and innovation. Mickey Kubota’s life journey, which spans multiple continents and cultures, illustrates the beauty of travel and how it can allow us to see the world through different lenses. Much like glasses, traveling allows us to see the world more vividly and allows us to see the beauty of different cultures. In this interview, Mickey shares with us how his TRAVELER’S notebook has become a companion to reflect on his thoughts, travels, and entrepreneurial pursuits.
From Tokyo to the World: A Life of Global Experience
Mickey Kubota’s international journey began at age 24 when he left Tokyo for work. His career has taken him across the globe. Kubota spent 11 years in Brazil, 7 years in Kentucky, followed by work opportunities in Singapore, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Russia, and the Philippines. Mickey’s extensive travel experience mirrors the spirit of TRAVELER’S notebook, which is crafted in Thailand, another country where Mickey has lived and worked.
The Power of Handwritten Thoughts
Like many TRAVELER’S notebook users, Kubota discovered TRAVELER’S notebook through Tokyo’s vibrant stationery scene. “I like stationery shops, so I always go to the big stationery stores in Tokyo,” he recalls. Mickey’s appreciation for analog writing stems from his belief that “writing by hand gives [him] something different than typing on the computer.”
Mickey started using TRAVELER’S notebook about six years ago, and since then, he has found that it has been a great companion for his global adventures. His search for the ideal notebook was driven by practical needs, though. “In the beginning, I was simply carrying some small memo pad, but most of the time they got lost or damaged. I was looking for something durable,” says Kubota. The TRAVELER’S notebook filled Mickey’s requirements for a notebook that could stand the test of time and the grueling nature of his travel-heavy job.
TRAVELER’S Notebook: A Tool for Creative Freedom
For Mickey, TRAVELER’S notebook serves a specific purpose in his work-life balance. While he relies on computers for about 95% of his work tasks, his TRAVELER’S notebook becomes essential “when you take time for yourself when you’re outside in the world.” Kubota explains that taking time away from his office or home with his TRAVELER’S notebook allows him to think deeply and intentionally about life. It’s a way to reflect and “write down [his thoughts] piece by piece.”
The Vision of JINS: Magnifying Life
At the core of JINS Eyewear lies their vision: “Magnify Life.” As Mickey explains, this philosophy extends beyond providing eyewear. Kubota explains that they “want to help people see well, but at the same time, we want to offer opportunities for people to see something they have never seen before, to develop new experiences and widen horizons.” This vision strongly resonates with the transformative power of travel. Just as a pair of glasses can sharpen our physical vision, exploring new places can broaden our perspective of the world. When we venture beyond familiar locales, each new destination acts like a unique lens, offering new insights into different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. Just as JINS helps people see the world more clearly through their eyewear, traveling with our TRAVELER’S notebooks enables us to view life through different cultural lenses.
Advice for Creative Entrepreneurs
When asked about advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and TRAVELER’S notebook users, Mickey emphasizes the importance of always being ready to capture inspiration. Kubota explains that “Most of the bright ideas or wonderful ideas do not come to our mind in our office. Those things come to our mind sometimes at the beach, at the bar, or while waiting for the next flight at the airport. Those are the times when our mind becomes [freer].” Our best ideas may not come to us at the most conventional places, and having a place to jot them down, like in a TRAVELER’S notebook when you’re out and about in the world, is an important tool to capture those thoughts.
Mickey Kubota’s journey from Tokyo to leading JINS Eyewear US exemplifies how travel and mindful reflection can shape both personal growth and business innovation. Through his TRAVELER’S notebook and global experiences, he demonstrates that the most impactful insights often come from stepping outside our comfort zones and seeing the world through different lenses. Mickey’s story reminds us that just like a pair of high-quality glasses, the right tools and experiences can help us magnify life’s most meaningful moments.
Explore Abbot Kinney with JINS and TRAVELER’S notebook
The JINS flagship store in Los Angeles is located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a mile-long road situated near the eclectic Venice Beach. Home to many shops and restaurants, Abbot Kinney boasts a variety of establishments that the JINS staff frequent. Here are a few select shops that the JINS team recommends for your trip to Abbot Kinney!
The Butcher’s Daughter: Just a few shops down from JINS lies The Butcher’s Daughter, a vegan-friendly restaurant offering contemporary American cuisine with a Californian twist. Grab an iconic avocado toast for a quintessential LA experience on Abbot Kinney.
Sweetfin Poke: Across the street from The Butcher’s Daughter is Sweetfin Poke. Bringing a slice of Hawaii to the West Coast, Sweetfin Poke offers a fresh selection of poke at reasonable prices.
Blue Bottle Coffee: One block over from JINS is Blue Bottle Coffee. Known for their single-origin coffee beans and expertly crafted coffee, Blue Bottle is a great stop for a good cup of joe on Abbot Kinney.
ALBION Garden: A crowd favorite amongst JINS staff, ALBION Garden is a Japanese skincare concept store where you can shop ALBION Garden products, book skincare face spa experiences, and indulge in their food offerings. Their Sprinkle Sushi and melon soda make for a delicious meal while you’re waiting for your glasses to be prepared at JINS.
Have a nice trip!
