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In February this year, I visited the Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano with my husband and our friends. We did a “bullet tour” road trip, checking out the park in a scant day. We were lucky to see the monkeys…
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Hobonichi Techo. As an artist and planner (aka worrier), keeping track of my daily and weekly tasks is both a joy and a necessity. And one of my favorite things…
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…