Author: Savannah Walker

A plate of sakura jelly wagashi.

Jelly Wagashi in Japan: Everything You Need to Know

Jelly wagashi brings a touch of elegance to Japan’s confectionery traditions. This dish offers a light and cooling alternative to denser sweets like mochi or festival pastries. Crafted from agar, a seaweed-based gelling agent, these translucent delights capture subtle flavors of fruit, tea, or seasonal blossoms.

A senior woman, potentially from Osaka, Japan, enjoying a cup of tea.

Osaka Japan Now Has a Collective for Senior Women!

In Osaka, Japan, women are redefining aging. They plan to create a shared home where senior women can live together and support each other. Rather than move into care facilities or depend on family, they aim for a community-style house with shared chores, worries, and joys.

An assortment of brightly colored vegetables from the Kamakura Farmers' Market.

The Kamakura Farmers’ Market: Why Should You Check It Out?

Kamakura, the historic coastal city south of Tokyo, draws visitors for its ancient temples, giant Buddha, and seaside paths. But a secret hidden gym that only locals and savvy travelers also head to is the Kamakura Farmers’ Market, known as Renbai, for a taste of everyday life amid its fresh produce and warm farmer chats. 

A bento featuring cherry blossoms.

Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Food: The Ultimate Guide!

Cherry blossoms brighten Japan’s spring landscape with their delicate pink hues, and they also find their way into kitchens across the country, where cooks transform these fleeting petals into flavorful ingredients for both sweet and savory dishes. 

A painting depicting one of the first hanami. Title: "Viewing Cherry Blossoms in Ueno" by Hishikawa Moronobu.

Cherry Blossom Petals and the First Hanami “Pictures”

Cherry blossom petals and hanami feel timeless, but this spring tradition has a clear story. The first hanami “pictures” were not phone photos. They were written records, poems, and paintings made over 1,200 years ago at the imperial courts in Japan.

A person, presumably a sakuramori touching cherry blossoms.

Sakuramori: Who Are The Cherry Blossom Guardians?

Cherry blossom trees, also known as sakura, hold a special place in Japan. People called sakuramori protect and care for these trees. Sakuramori means “cherry blossom guardians” in Japanese. They work hard to keep old trees healthy and plant new ones. Their efforts ensure everyone can enjoy the pink blooms each spring, keeping them healthy and people happy. 

A row of colorful Japanese handkerchiefs folded in a triangle.

Handkerchief in Japan: Why Is It So Important?

In Japan, carrying a handkerchief is more than a practical habit. It is part of everyday etiquette, quiet self-care, and even a little bit of fashion. Instead of being an old-fashioned item forgotten at the back of a drawer, the handkerchief in Japan is a daily essential that shows thoughtfulness, cleanliness, and personal style.

Chains of Japanese origami trains. They come in all colors and are known as "renzuru".

Japanese Crane Origami: The Magic of Renzuru

In Japan, a simple paper crane carries deep meaning as a symbol of peace, healing, and hope. But take that one crane and connect hundreds into a flowing chain, and you create renzuru, linked origami cranes that transform a single fold into a breathtaking arrangement of color and hope. 

Yumi Matsutoya in a futuristic outfit. She is a Japanese music icon.

Yumi Matsutoya’s New Album: Japanese Music Meets AI Magic

This project boldly mixes her current voice with AI-generated vocals from her 1970s debut era, creating what she calls a “third voice” that bridges past and present. For fans of Japanese music who love emotional depth and cutting-edge creativity, this album feels like a wormhole straight into Yuming’s timeless world.​

A yellow steam train from Shizuoka.

Steam Train in Shizuoka: Riding the Oigawa Railway

For travelers who love history, beautiful views, and cozy retro vibes, this steam train is one of Shizuoka’s most charming treasures, with some of the best views. If you want to know more about this train, keep reading below!

A black Nambu Tekki kettle.

Nambu Tekki: Morioka’s Amazing Iron Craft

In the historic city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, a craft with over 400 years of history continues to captivate with its rustic beauty and practical charm. Nambu tekki, or Nambu cast iron, refers to traditional ironware, such as teapots, kettles, and decorative pieces, that embody the spirit of Tohoku craftsmanship.