When people talk about Japan, they often mention tiny apartments, compact cars and neatly packed bento boxes. What they forget is that the same philosophy of compact perfection also applies to drinks. Exhibit A in today’s picture, a very serious three year aged umeshu in a bottle that is almost the same size as my apple.

In most countries, this amount of alcohol would be called a sample or a tasting. In Japan, it is a fully legitimate product with barcode, brand story and great pride. It is just… small. One elegant sip, maybe two if you are disciplined, and that is it. A complete experience in a tiny cup.

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Last week I confessed my tiny, harmless, definitely‑not‑a‑problem addiction to buying cat-themed things in Japan.

Admitting it is the first step, right?

So this week, while feeling very proud of myself for not having purchased any new cat items, mostly because I’m not even in Japan anymore, I decided to be productive and organize my photo files. And that’s when this popped up.

Every country has its own version of “things you casually stumble upon that make you question whether you’re still on the same planet.” In Japan? That thing is the tanuki.

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If you’ve spent more than five minutes with me, you know two things:

1. I lived in Japan for quite a while.

2. I will buy literally anything if it has a cat on it.

Japan, of course, turned this harmless preference into a full‑blown lifestyle hazard.

Walking around Tokyo or any Japanese town basically meant being ambushed, lovingly, relentlessly, by felines. They appeared on stationery, on chopsticks, on tea cups, on train passes, on socks, on umbrellas (yes, I owned that umbrella), and of course on an infinite array of snacks. I had long stopped pretending I had any “restraint.” I didn’t. If it purred, pawed, waved, meowed, or even vaguely suggested a whisker… it was coming home with me.

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If you’ve ever wandered through Kamakura, or better yet, hopped on the charming Enoden line, you know this coastal region is full of surprises. Temples tucked into hillsides, hydrangeas blooming along railway tracks, and little details that make you stop and smile. Today’s photo is one of those details: four tiny metal birds perched on a rail, dressed head-to-tail in bright red knitwear.

Yes, you read that right: knitwear for birds.

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If you’re looking for something that feels like a hidden gem, Ōfuna is your spot. It’s the kind of place most travelers breeze past on the train, but that’s exactly why you should stop. Imagine stepping off the platform and discovering a giant, serene Kannon statue perched on a hillside, watching over the city like a guardian of peace.

It’s unexpected, impressive, and a little magical, especially when you realize she’s been there since 1960, built as a symbol of hope after the war. Ōfuna isn’t flashy, but that’s its charm: it’s real, local, and full of surprises.

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Today I wanted to write about one of my favorite quirks of Japanese culture: mascots, or as they’re called in Japan, yuru-chara (literally “loose characters”). These adorable figures aren’t just for kids, they’re everywhere, and they’re serious business!

Take a look at today’s photo I took at work in Tokyo years ago:

• A black mascot shaped like a bowl of noodles, complete with a wooden lid hat, because food deserves personality too!

• And my favorite, an onigiri (rice ball) dressed as a samurai warrior. Yes, in Japan, even rice balls can be heroic!

What’s amazing is how these mascots are used for everything:

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As I’m posting this a few days into the new year, I’m wondering how you spent Your New Year’s Eve. Did you keep any traditions or create new ones? My New Year’s Eve definitely changed from when I was growing up, I went from a solid Flemish “Oudejaarsavond” to a Japanese influenced Ōmisoka.

Back home, the evening always started with bread, cheese, and wine, a cozy Flemish tradition that feels like the perfect way to close the year. These days, though, my celebrations have taken on a Japanese flavor. After that familiar start, we switch to Ōmisoka customs, and the centerpiece is Toshikoshi soba, the “year-crossing noodles.”

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Today’s treat is yokan 羊羹, a classic Japanese confection that’s as elegant as it is satisfying. This smooth, sweet block of red bean paste has been around for centuries, originally introduced from China and perfected in Japan during the Edo period. Traditionally made with azuki beans, sugar, and agar, yokan became a staple in tea ceremonies because of its refined simplicity and long shelf life, perfect for pairing with a warm cup of tea.

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