Letting go sounds simple, but what does it really mean? From a piano that held personal meaning to my experience with mindfulness, I explore letting go, acceptance and the art of letting things be.

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.

In Japan, fireworks mean summer. I finally experienced a Japanese fireworks festival from the beach — 20,000 fireworks, bentō, trains and a perfect summer night.

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?

May 5 is Kodomo no Hi, Children’s Day in Japan. Discover the story behind koinobori, Tango no Sekku and the Five Seasonal Festivals of Japan.

八 and ハ look almost identical, but they are not the same character. Discover their surprising connection and how brush writing can help you see the difference.

Learn Japanese through the story of Punch the monkey. Discover words for empathy, support, guidance, growing up and the difficult art of letting go.

Why is brown “tea color” in Japanese? From 茶色 and blue traffic lights to poetic names inspired by nature, discover how Japanese colors can change the way we see the world.

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

In Japanese, snow doesn’t “snow”—it falls. Discover 雪 (yuki), 降る (furu), and some wonderfully expressive Japanese words for the sounds and textures of snow.

Osechi ryōri is Japanese New Year food filled with symbolism. I make my own version in Rotterdam, adapting family traditions, ingredients and flavours for a new generation.

December 31 is Ōmisoka, the last day of the year in Japan. From deep cleaning and toshikoshi soba to temple bells and New Year’s greetings, this is how I remember celebrating it.

Christmas looks quite different in Japan. From KFC and strawberry shortcake to romantic Christmas Eve traditions, here’s how Christmas became a Japanese winter celebration.

What does -yoku mean? From sunbathing and onsen to forest bathing, discover the Japanese words built around 浴 and the idea of immersion behind Nihongo-yoku.

“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.

Giving up your seat sounds simple, but it can become surprisingly awkward. A small lesson in Japanese thoughtfulness, dignity and omoiyari.

In Japanese, you don't always need a full sentence to communicate. A conversation with my teenage son shows how much meaning can fit into just a few words.

What does ハイキュー (Haikyū) actually mean? A look at the creative Japanese kanji names for volleyball, baseball, basketball, soccer and more.

In Japan, losing your job can be described in very different ways. Explore リストラ (risutora), 解雇 (kaiko) and 首切り (kubikiri), and the different tones behind each word.

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.