Winter is actually my favorite season in Japan. Though I love the changing leaves, once you get past typhoon season in October and pollen season in November, winter feels like a breath of fresh air. Winter brings evenings spent under…
This Fall, we spent lots of time traveling around Mashiko. It’s famous for its Pottery Fair, which is held twice a year. Plus, it has a variety of delightful hidden cafes and delicious local restaurants. And Mashiko coffee is even…
In August 2024, I visited the Ojamajo Doremi 25th Anniversary Pop-up in Harajuku. I’ve been a fan since I first saw the anime air on 4KidsTV back in the day. So, when I heard there was going to be an…
It’s no secret that matcha’s popularity has been growing at breakneck speed. The desire for matcha in 2025 has skyrocketed, causing shortages in Japan and around the world. But why are people suddenly so interested in the earthy, whole-leaf tea?…
When Ramón’s family visited in March 2025, we took a trip to the Ancōra Stationery Store in Tokyo. Located in Ginza, this dedicated pen and ink store delivered on every aspect of high-end stationery. But you don’t have to break…
Eating vegan and gluten-free can be a challenge anywhere you go, but we found some delicious gluten-free options during our visit to Osaka. In March this year, some of Ramón’s family visited from California. We had a great time exploring…
I’ve lived in Japan for almost 4 years total now, and one thing that still surprises me is the heat. Growing up in California, we never had humid weather. Constant droughts were the norm in the desert-rich Golden State. The…
In December 2024, I took the JLPT N1 test. And failed. But it taught me an important lesson: how and what to study. Though I passed N2 a few years ago, I wanted to benchmark my Japanese by taking the next…