やさしい畑と旬を楽しむ手作りの暮らし

A Hidden Swan Lake in Japan :An Unforgettable Winter Morning at Hyoko Lake 🦢

In the cold winter of Niigata, Japan, thousands of swans descend on Hyoko Lake at dawn, creating a breathtaking and dreamlike scene. It’s a peaceful, awe-inspiring world you have to see to believe.

2026.01.25

Notes from My Life in Japan 

A Very Japanese December：What December Is Really Like in Japan

Discover how Japanese people spend December—from Christmas celebrations to traditional New Year’s Eve. Learn about seasonal foods, customs, and year-end rituals in Japan.

2025.12.01

Notes from My Life in Japan 

The Secret Words Hidden in a Japanese Hanging Scroll

Uncover the hidden beauty and poetic messages in Japanese hanging scrolls (kakejiku). Learn how calligraphy transforms a tea room into a world of seasonal elegance and quiet hospitality.

2025.10.13

Notes from My Life in Japan 

What’s Inside Your Lunch Box? — A Peek into Japan’s Bento Culture

Discover Japan’s bento culture — from cute character lunches for kids to homemade meals filled with care. Learn how making bento became a part of family life and how it compares to lunch boxes around the world.

2025.10.12

Notes from My Life in Japan 

Why Lost Wallets Return to Their Owners in Japan

In Japan, lost wallets often find their way back to their owners. Discover why — through the Japanese sense of honesty, empathy, and unseen cultural values that shape everyday life.

2025.10.08

Notes from My Life in Japan 

🍎 Apple Crumble Memories from England

Every autumn, tart ruby-red apples bring back memories of England — and the apple crumble recipe inspired by my homestay days that still warms my heart.

2025.10.07

Notes from My Life in Japan 

ミョウガ：香りを楽しむレシピ

秋に香る茗荷をたっぷり使ったレシピを紹介。炊き込みご飯、酢の物、鶏肉の味噌炒めなど香り高く、心まで整う楽しみ方。

2025.10.06

畑のある暮らし秋の食材

Autumn Blossoms in My Vegetable Garden

A quiet autumn day in my vegetable garden, where cosmos flowers bloom beside the vegetables. Butterflies and bees dance in the cool breeze — a small paradise that heals the heart.

2025.10.05

Notes from My Life in Japan 

How Tea Ceremony Found Me

A personal story of how I, a Japanese home cook, fell in love with the tea ceremony — from a chance encounter with a French friend to finding new meaning in my own culture.

2025.10.04

Notes from My Life in Japan 

Where Rainbows Meet Memories

Gathering with old friends, we shared memories and found comfort in the gentle rainbows and iridescent skies—a reminder of hope and lasting connection.

2025.10.03

Notes from My Life in Japan 