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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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.

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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.

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