Our family was able to watch and admire the first "Gozan no Okuribi" (Mountain Bonfire) in Kyoto Matsugasaki after being away for 5 years.

Japanese people believe that during the Bon Festival, the spirits of our departed loved ones visit our ancestral homes. The lightin...

Today is Mother's Day. I got a lot of presents from my three sons. I'm very happy to experience this as a mother, and at the same time, to express my gratitude as a daughter to my own mother in Kyoto. She had been hospitalized because of Takayasu disease, but fortunate...

Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon 21) struck the Japanese cities of Kobe, Osaka and my home town Kyoto on Tuesday, 4 September. My parents’ house also suffered a power outage. I was very worried because I could not get in touch with my parents until my mother was able to charge he...

Many friends sent weather updates via social media. There was a steady downpour of rain since yesterday in the Kyoto area as well, even until now. The Takano River is near my parent's house and it might wash out the building. Kamo River seems to overflow more than I ha...

At the Christmas Fair of the Parent Support Group of my two younger sons'  international school, Asobi and I offered Houji-cha and Kyo-gashi(means sweets that are made in Kyoto). I used organic materials as much as possible. We also roasted Japanese green tea with the...

Seeing another return of birthday and thinking of my past life as I think I've passed my halfway point already (for a long time now?), I indeed feel it is the nature of the mountains and rivers just near my parents' house that has shaped my sentiments, my tastes and my...

Chances helped so I had an honor to go and press-cover Fashion Cantata 2014. This fashion show has its aim to promote Kyoto's Fashion Design attempting to mix and harmonize the beauty of both Japan and the West. Its unique collaboration and outstanding guests sweep thr...