Ever wondered why Japanese feels so hard for Western language speakers, and why English feels just as tricky for Japanese speakers? After 30 years of studying Japanese (and speaking five Western languages), I can tell you: learning those other languages was a walk in the park compared to Japanese. This one is a whole different mountain.

Western languages thrive on rules. Learn them, apply them, and you’re good. Japanese? It’s a language of context and nuance, where meaning shifts depending on who you’re talking to, what the situation is, and even what’s left unsaid. It’s less like following a map and more like feeling your way through a forest at night without a torch.

Read more by clicking on the link.

If you’re looking for a winter destination that feels like stepping into a living postcard, Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a must-see. Known as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Kenrokuen is a masterpiece of landscape design, blending elegance and harmony in every detail. Visiting in winter adds a special layer of beauty that few travelers experience.

One of the most iconic sights in Kenrokuen during winter is the yukitsuri, the graceful bamboo supports that protect the garden’s pine trees from heavy snow. These conical structures, radiating from the tree trunks like delicate spokes, are both practical and poetic. They prevent branches from breaking under the weight of snow, but they also create a stunning visual symbol of Japanese ingenuity and seasonal care. Seeing these supports against a backdrop of snow feels like witnessing a centuries-old tradition come alive.

Read more by clicking on the link.

When the crisp air of autumn turns into the chill of winter, Japan greets the season with one of its most nostalgic aromas: roasted chestnuts, or kuri-yaki. Walk through a shopping street or near a train station, and you’ll catch that sweet, earthy scent drifting from small stalls. It’s a smell that says, “Winter is here.”

Chestnuts have a long history in Japan, dating back over a thousand years. Originally a staple food, they were cultivated as early as the Jomon period and later became a seasonal delicacy. Today, they’re not just roasted, they’re transformed into some of the most delightful desserts and dishes of the season.

Click below for more!

When I lived in Kita-Kamakura, one of my favorite weekend escapes was hitting the trails that wind through the hills and temples of Kamakura. There’s something special about trail running here, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the sudden hush as you enter a cedar grove, and the occasional glimpse of a temple roof peeking through the trees.

Read more by clicking on the link.

I’m sure you know that the emojis we use every day came from Japan. The first emoji set was created in the late 1990s by Shigetaka Kurita for NTT DoCoMo’s mobile platform. These tiny pictograms were designed to make communication faster and more expressive, and they sparked a global phenomenon. But Japan didn’t stop at colorful icons. Long before smartphones, Japanese users were already masters of text-based emoji, known as kaomoji 顔文字.

Read more by clicking on the link.

I have to start by saying this: I’m not paid for this, just a honey fan sharing a happy find.

Honey has always been special to me. My parents were beekeepers, so it’s more than something you drizzle on toast, it’s part of my family story. Funny thing: I got stung plenty of times running around in our garden as a kid, but never when I was helping my parents tend to the bees.

Read more by clicking on the link.

Happy Friday! Today, let’s take a moment to appreciate something you might walk past every day without a second thought: マンホール蓋 Manhōru Futa, Japanese manhole covers.

When I first moved to Japan, I was constantly amazed by the little details that make everyday life feel special. One of the most unexpected delights? The manhole covers. I remember walking through a quiet neighborhood and suddenly noticing a beautifully painted lid featuring cherry blossoms and a local castle. It stopped me in my tracks. I had no idea that something so utilitarian could be so… artistic.

Read more by clicking on the link.

Happy Halloween! Whether you're dressing up, indulging in spooky sweets, or just enjoying the festive vibes, October 31st is a day for fun, and in Japan, Halloween has taken on a life of its own.

When I first experienced Halloween in Japan, I was struck by how different it felt from the Western version I grew up with and I now see in my California town. Instead of carving pumpkins and door-to-door trick-or-treating, the holiday here is more about costumes, creativity, and community. Adults and teens take to the streets in elaborate outfits, turning places like Shibuya into a living cosplay runway. From anime characters to horror icons, the range of costumes is as imaginative as it is impressive.

Read more by clicking on the link.