Journal — Stories from the world of Japanese craft — makers, beauty, seasons, and the table.
5 Motifs That Capture the Spirit of Japanese Summer
Meet five Japanese summer motifs and the cool tableware that brings the season's spirit…
Spring of Meetings and Partings
Step into spring in Japan and experience a season shaped by gentle transitions, heartfelt…
Spring’s Messenger: The Colorful Palette of Early Blooms
Welcome spring with Japan’s early blooms. Discover the beauty and meaning of sakura, mimosa,…
How to Host a Hinamatsuri Tea Party
Celebrate Hinamatsuri with a charming tea party and pastel-hued tableware, festive Arita plates, and…
The Allure of Snow in Japan
Uncover how snow shapes Japanese life, culture, and crafts, from winter traditions to snow-inspired…
Otayori Winter Issue: Cozy Moments at Home
Discover the Otayori Winter Issue, a seasonal magazine filled with cozy Japanese recipes, incense…
Celebrating a Japanese New Year
Explore Japanese New Year traditions from zodiac ornaments and kagami mochi to osechi, hatsumode,…
A Calm, Quiet Ending—the End of the Year in Japan
Explore Japan’s peaceful New Year traditions, from year-end cleaning and osechi to temple visits…
Michael Pronko
7 Tips for Thoroughly Enjoying Autumn in Japan
Explore the timeless ways people in Japan celebrate the beauty of the season.
Ito Ryo
Chushu no Meigetsu: A Moonlit Japanese Celebration
Join us as we delve into the art of Chushu no Meigetsu, where every…
Celebrate Summer with a Japanese Festival Party!
Make a party extraordinary by bringing the joyful spirit of a Japanese festival, called…
Japan’s Traditional Sparklers: The Behind-the-Scenes Story
Discover the quiet beauty of Japan’s traditional sparklers, senko-hanabi, handheld fireworks.
Ito Ryo
A Modern Tokyo Family’s Life in a Traditional Japanese House
Learn how a Tokyo family transformed a 100-year-old kominka into a modern and traditional…
Ito Ryo
Accent with Red and Gold for a Bright Start to the Year
Celebrate the New Year with red and gold tableware, adding joy, elegance, and prosperity…
Autumn’s Charm: A Guide to Enjoying Japan's Red Maple Trees
Experience Japan's momiji-gari tradition as red maple leaves transform the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum…
From Offering to Delight: The Tradition of Zenzai
Set a festive table for Kagami Biraki with red accents, elegant lacquerware, and more…
Ring in the New Year with Pastels
Celebrate the New Year with pastel jubako boxes and osechi ryori for a blend…
A Fortunate Start: Soba Lunch to Welcome the New Year
Celebrate the New Year with a Japanese-style lunch with soba and bento boxes, embracing…
Sweet and Warm: A Taste of Japanese Winter
Discover four classic Japanese winter treats and savor their warm, rich flavors in the…
Winter’s Glow: The Delicate Elegance of Cold-Weather Petals
Celebrate Japan’s winter blooms, five flowers that embody resilience, bringing beauty to the year’s…
Welcome a Joyful New Year with Lucky Japanese Plants
Celebrate the New Year with Japan's cherished plant symbols. Pine, bamboo, plum, and more…
Make Your Own Luck: Creating Shimekazari with Team Musubi
Craft your own Japanese shimekazari wreath for the new year with DIY tips and…
Fall for Ginkgo: Golden Leaves and Tasty Treats
Discover the beauty of Japan's golden ginkgo trees, from their iconic fan-shaped leaves to…
Autumn's Embrace: The Warm Hues of Japan's Fall Flowers
Embrace Japanese autumn with the warm hues of osmanthus, chrysanthemums, and spider lilies, and…