Welcome to the English section of my blog.
Here, I share quiet stories from my life in Akita, Japan — seasonal gardening, traditional sweets, and the rituals of everyday life.
These articles are written for English-speaking readers who enjoy slow living, nature, and cultural depth.
Thank you for visiting.
Japanese Seasonal Life Negi Koji: A Fermented Green Onion Seasoning for Winter Wellness
Discover the health benefits and versatile uses of Negi Koji—a simple fermented condiment made with green onions and rice koji. Perfect for winter dishes like hot pot, oden, and miso soup.
Japanese Seasonal Life Harvesting Astringent Persimmons and the Quiet Struggle of Coexistence with Bears
A personal reflection on harvesting persimmons at my family home, the challenges of wildlife coexistence, and the bittersweet tradition of making dried persimmons in bear-prone regions.
Japanese Seasonal Life From Garden to Pantry: Garlic, Onions, and the Quiet Joy of Fermentation
A seasonal journal from a quiet home garden: garlic and onions thriving, fermented into natural seasonings like garlic koji and onion koji. Includes simple recipes and winter vegetable updates.
Politics & Structure The Illusion of Fair Taxation in Japan: Why Transparency Is the Missing Piece
Japan’s tax burden keeps rising, yet public benefits continue to shrink. This article exposes the opaque budget structure that makes consumption tax hikes inevitable—and transparency elusive.
Politics & Structure “There’s No Budget” — Rethinking National Spending Through Everyday Numbers
When governments say “there’s no budget,” what are they really hiding? This article uses AI to break down Japan’s 2025 national budget into relatable terms, revealing the quiet politics of spending priorities and the unseen architecture of public finance.
Politics & Structure Asking AI: What Does Japan’s ¥81.2 Billion Contribution Really Mean?
A Japanese citizen reflects on political disengagement and how a simple question to Microsoft’s AI Copilot opened the door to understanding Japan’s ¥81.2 billion contribution to the Gates Foundation and global vaccine aid.
Wasabi Oil Project Wasabi Rooting Journal — An Experiment in Moss, Water, and Quiet Growth
Discover how transplanted wasabi thrives in a natural mountain stream. This journal explores wasabi cultivation through moss, water, and seasonal observation—ideal for gardeners, herbal enthusiasts, and those interested in Japanese wasabi farming.
Wasabi Oil Project Wasabi Transplant Journal — Continuing the Experiment of Rooting Life by the Water
A seasonal journal of transplanting wasabi seedlings to a quiet mountain stream in Akita, inspired by a dream to make homemade wasabi oil. A gentle experiment in nature, family, and rural life.
Wasabi Oil Project 🌿 Searching for Wasabi — A Quiet Experiment Begins in My Family Garden
A quiet experiment begins in a Japanese family garden: searching for true wasabi, observing its scent and shape, and planning a transplant to a mountain stream.
Gentle Days In the Presence of Tea: A Reflection on Simplicity and Self
A quiet journey through seasonal tea gatherings, reflections on Sen no Rikyu, and the timeless space where self returns through simplicity and presence.