As is usually the case, Tokyo in October is a very hectic place to be for design lovers. With the Designer's Week, Designers Block, and Swedish Style events happening pretty much the same week, not to mention various other smaller events, like Design UK, you know you're going to be busy trying to catch as much as you can.

Aoyama tends to be where most of the action takes place, especially for Designers Block-related events, and this year offered quite a few fun exhibitions and installations throughout the area. From the festival atmosphere of the Parking 246 area, to the various showcases and parties taking place in various shops and galleries, it was a lot to take in. You have to wonder if it wouldn't be better to have these events spread out throughout the year, to give you a better chance of really taking in most of what is on offer. With a typhoon taking away a whole day, it left very little time to even come close to seeing everything, and the constant walking took its toll.

But still, how can you really complain about being able to see in person all the amazing designs that you usually only see featured in magazines or select shops, and sometimes even getting to meet the creators behind them. Here's hoping that next year brings the same level of fun and excitement to the proceedings (and let's cross our fingers for some nicer weather).

Of everything that took place during the festivities, one of the most fun experiences was surely a small interactive sound installation at the Swedish embassy that was on display during one of the numerous parties. You could create loops of voice (or sound) recordings, and then try to get them to sync up with the three other recorder/speakers.

Omotesando continues its drive to be at the center of the growing number of collaborations between famous brand names (Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior) and architects (Jun Aoki, Herzog & Meuron, SANAA) with the addition of the Ito Toyo-designed flagship store for the Tod's brand. Still under construction, it's already become a must-see attraction on the strip. The interior remains a mystery, but based on the exterior, we're in for a treat.

A recent article in the Asian edition of Newsweek magazine takes a look at a few emerging Japanese architects, including the likes of Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (SANAA), Shigeru Ban, Jun Aoki, Kengo Kuma and Waro Kishi. It seems that they form the base of a new generation currently experiencing a growing following abroad - quite a few are involved in various projects outside Japan.

We first got a taste of the AU Design Project with the launch last year of the beautiful Infobar mobile phones. After teasing us with plenty of potential follow-ups, it's recently been announced that the prototype designed by Australian designer Marc Newson, the Talby, will be launched before the end of the year. Since most of the mobile phone companies can't really compete on technology alone anymore (they all pretty much offer similar options), it's nice to see that stylishness is now being pushed so much.

The Infobar was designed by Naoto Fukasawa, who is also behind the Plusminuszero brand of design-friendly goods (bankrolled by toymaker Takara). Outside of ordering directly from their website, you can buy their products from the showcase store in the Nihonbashi Coredo shopping complex. Last month saw the opening of a second store, this time in Aoyama.

Even traditional board games are getting modern design makeovers. To commemorate the recent Monopoly World Championships that were held at Roppongi Hills, a new edition of the game was released - designed by Takashi Murakami, who is very much associated with the look and feel of the area, with his multiple mascots and merchandise.

One of the must-stops on any design tour of Tokyo is the Ginza Graphic Gallery, which offers monthly exhibitions that usually cover Japanese designers (but this is not a set rule, as the recent Barnbrook Design show demonstrated). The current show takes a look at the works of Kashiwa Sato, who has produced a vast array of works, from product design and corporate identities to film and architectural projects. Along with the exhibition, the GGG is producing a new book in their excellent design monograph series. There is absolutely no reason to miss these monthly shows, especially since there are no entrance fees.

One of the most eagerly awaited design events of the year has to be SOUND X VISION 2004, coming to Tokyo (after a short tour of other Japanese cities) in early December. Brought to you by Gas, it will feature visual and sound installations from over twenty artists, including Cornelius, Groovisions, and Ukawa Naohiro. A DVD package to go with the event was also recently released. It will also be taking place at the Laforet Museum.

If you follow design, and love to travel, then you're probably no stranger to Paper Sky magazine. An addition to the Paper Sky experience was launched earlier this year in the form of a bookstore - heavy on the travel literature, but also very design friendly - and cafe called Book & Cafe 246. The stylish cafe was produced by the same people behind Planet 3rd (in Shibuya and Koenji), to give you an idea of what to expect. Situated in Aoyama, the closest station is Aoyama 1-chome on the Ginza, Oedo and Hanzomon lines.