What does silence really mean? From the sounds of the forest to John Cage's 4′33″, I explore how learning to listen changed my relationship with silence.

Why are there so many empty houses in Japan? From akiya and inherited belongings to shūkatsu and traditional homes, I look at what happens when a house reaches the end of its life.

We wanted to try van life in Japan, so we rented a tiny kei camper and set off from Tokyo. Here’s what we discovered about 車中泊, roadside stations, RV parks and camping in the Japanese summer.

I visited Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest in Nagano just after completing my Forest Therapy Guide course. Known as the birthplace of shinrin-yoku, this ancient Kiso hinoki forest taught me a lot about forest bathing — including how to capture the komorebi.

I miss Japanese toilets already. From washlets and heated seats to clean, free public toilets, Japan has turned something completely ordinary into a surprisingly pleasant experience.

We spent three days at Motosu Lake trying to see Mount Fuji in the summer. From a glimpse through the clouds to a 4 am sunrise, this is what finally happened.

A Japanese word led me down a linguistic rabbit hole, and back to my own ever-growing pile of unread books. Why do we buy books we aren't ready to read yet?

縁の下の力持ち means someone who quietly supports others behind the scenes. For me, it perfectly describes the often invisible work of orchestra stage managers.

photo by Vincent Callot

“The departing bird does not muddy the water behind it.” A Japanese proverb about leaving gracefully, taking responsibility and not leaving a mess for others.

In Japanese, アットホーム means more than simply “at home.” A story about Japanese homes, home parties, hospitality and creating a welcoming space for learning.

What happens when work is taken away from someone who finds meaning in being useful? A story about madogiwazoku, work and the connection with ikigai.

Ikigai can be big or small, serious or casual. For me, noticing the small things that made each day meaningful became part of my path to recovery.