Hello from Japan
Practical guides to Japan for curious people abroad — travel prep, food and snacks, culture and crafts, and learning the language.
Latest articles
-
4 Japanese Architectural Ideas You Can Actually Bring Into Your Home
You don't need to renovate to borrow from Japanese architecture. Four elements — light, thresholds, flooring, and low furniture — and real ways to try each one.
-
What to Pack for Japan in Winter (and What You Can Skip)
Japan's winter isn't as brutal as people expect in most regions — except where it really is. A region-by-region packing guide for first-time winter visitors.
-
Japanese Skincare Basics: The 4 Products Worth Starting With
J-beauty has a reputation for 10-step routines, but you only need four products to understand why it's different. What to buy, and why the order matters.
-
A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Yarn (and Why the Patterns Are Different)
The Japanese yarn brands knitters and crocheters already love without realizing it's Japanese — plus why Japanese patterns don't require reading Japanese at all.
-
How to Learn Hiragana in a Week (Realistically)
A week-long plan to actually read hiragana, using mnemonics, spaced repetition, and 15 minutes a day — not months of half-hearted flashcards.
-
15 Japanese-Inspired Gifts You Can Actually Buy on Amazon
A gift guide organized by who it's for and what it costs — matcha kits, stationery, snacks, and kitchen tools, all ordered from Amazon.
-
A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Kitchen Knives
Why Japanese knives cut differently, which one to buy first, and how to keep it sharp without ruining it.
-
How to Start a Japanese Tea Ceremony Practice at Home
You don't need years of training to enjoy matcha the traditional way. Here's the minimal kit and method for a simple home tea practice.