Reflections on 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 

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 