CONVERSATION WITH RHYME IN TOKYO
After a decade in Japan, RHYME has cultivated a unique creative identity that bridges Eastern and Western cultures through poetry, music, and storytelling. Drawing on her musical background and deep engagement with Tokyo’s cultural DNA—ranging from the sacred, shamanic movements of Noh theater to the city’s underground experimental scenes—she invites audiences into her world.
Her refined yet approachable aesthetic resonates through the narratives she shares, offering a sensory journey that connects people from the ground up. As a local creative and global tastemaker, RHYME continues to redefine cultural fusion in her Tokyo sanctuary.
THE FOUNDATION
NAME:
Rhyme Goldstar (middle name from my Christmas birthday)
CURRENT LOCATION:
Tokyo, Japan
WHERE HAVE YOU SPENT MEANINGFUL TIME?
I was born in Australia, but have spent my whole life in Asia - starting in China, Indonesia, and finally, Japan. I bought myself a passport at a ripe young age, and have been traveling ever since.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a music creator, stage performer, pioneer in places of poetry. Naturally, I have become a special agent for those who want to explore Japan as uniquely as I have.
OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT SPARKS YOUR CURIOSITY?
I love rollercoasters. I read a lot of books on the human spirit, coaching mentalities, and, of course, the color purple.
TOKYO
CITY NOTES
A personal take on the place you call home—or know best
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CITY TO SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER BEEN?
My city invites you to wander down dark, uncertain alleys and lose yourself—because it’s in the void that you’re meant to be. This place will find you, but if you need a tether, just call my name.
WHAT MAKES IT FEEL MEANINGFUL TO YOU, EITHER NOW OR OVER TIME?
Time is the greatest Rhyme I ever learned and if you truly want to master the neon, time will make everything more meaningful.
WHAT THREE WORDS CAPTURE ITS ESSENCE?
Magnetism, speed, details.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT, AND WHY?
I think May. It’s warm enough, least amount of rain (what can I say I am a 晴れ女) and the spring produces the best vegetables.
RHYTHM AND RITUAL
Your daily path through the city
HOW DO YOU START YOUR MORNINGS?
I am a ritual juice kinda gal. Sunshine Juice would be my optimal cold press and kick to start the day after some zen.
A FAVORITE PLACE FOR A MID-DAY BREAK—COFFEE, LUNCH, OR SOMETHING SLOWER?
The Nuts Exchange. Pro-tip: Japan and veganism are still far from friends but it is a wave catching on. I truly believe the scene is way too soy and dairy inundated. Being Australian and a coffee snob, I was used to a good cup with homemade nut milk. But, Tokyo didn’t understand me. I envisioned a space that would welcome the coffee conscious, the purists and the hungover, locals and travelers alike—and just like that, The Nuts Exchange was born. We’re a zero-waste restaurant with a 100% down-to-earth ethos. Each day, we produce homemade Macadamia nut milk and you can enjoy Toriba coffee, egg McMuffins (vegan patty, yuba, & pumpkin paste), and lots of cookie goodness. Trust me, I have persuaded a full-blown Argentinian, so trust and get your order in.
DESIGN & INSPIRATION
Places, people, and details that reflect the spirit of the city
A FAVORITE STORE, BOUTIQUE, OR CONCEPT SPACE:
Solakzade Concept: icon. I had the pleasure of sipping sake with Tatsuya and his brothers during a shopping excursion for clients—an experience in itself. You don’t browse; instead, the staff curates pieces for you until you find the one you love. It’s strictly by appointment. Every item feels like a dream: deadstock treasures, one-of-a-kind gems, custom fits spanning from the 1800s to the early 2000s. From sunglasses and frames to jewelry and beyond—they truly have it all. Wow, it needs to be experienced first-hand to properly convey.
A SPACE THAT INSPIRES YOU WITH ITS DESIGN:
I love the tea room of Edition Hotel Tokyo
A LOCAL ARTIST, CHEF, DESIGNER, OR BRAND YOU THINK THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:
My massage therapist, Misaki, my chiropractor, Soichiro, and my physical therapist, Koki. DM me for their contact.
FINAL IMPRESSIONS
Places, people, and details that reflect the spirit of the city
BEST VIEW IN THE CITY:
45th floor. No exceptions.
MOST ICONIC LOCAL FLAVOR:
The flavor of surprise wrapped in a shiso leaf topped with grated Kuzu peel and ume-boshi on the side.
ONE LOCAL EXPERIENCE EVERYONE SHOULD TRY AT LEAST ONCE:
Drinking sake beneath the cherry trees.