Have you ever had a moment where you almost tripped, or almost dropped your phone, and thought, “Whew, that was close!”? In Japan, we call these moments “Hiyari-Hatto.” Hiyari means feeling a cold chill, and Hatto means being startled. Together, they describe those “near-miss” moments where something bad almost happened, but you got lucky. Generally,…
Unlocking the Secrets of Kamakura: What’s in a Name? ⛩️ When traveling through Japan, looking beyond the beautiful shrines and temples can reveal a deeper layer of history. Understanding the origins of place names—known as chimei—is a fantastic way to upgrade your travel experience and gain a profound insight into the Japanese soul. Today, let’s…
Is anger actually serving you? Most of us treat anger like a tool, but it’s actually a trap. It doesn’t create anything meaningful for your life. What happens if you just… stop? Even if it’s just for 24 hours. If you decide today is a “No Anger Day,” you will realize something immediately: You have…
You close your eyes for a momentand take a slow, deep breath. Simply focus on your body,which keeps breathing with a kind heart. You notice this body,changing moment by moment. No past.No future.Only now—this moment. This realizationis the way to happiness.
Be proud of yourself. Your words are still growing, and that is a beautiful thing. But have you ever wondered—why do we learn languages? What is “Kotoba”? In this world, English is a common language, while Japanese and others are local languages. In Japan, the word for language is “Kotoba.” If you look at the…
You may wonder why I feel Kamakura is the right place for our meeting. The reason is simple. Kamakura is a place where time feels gentle. Even if you haven’t seen a friend for a long time, you’ll soon realize that you don’t feel the years you’ve been apart.Old conversations return naturally, and new ones…
To lovely young travelers,Please don’t be a VIP.You don’t need to be clever or special.You are already a chosen explorer. Please honor your dignity as a representative of your country. When you visit another place, remember that your actions reflect the people you come from. You already have the power to change the world. Be…
Expectation is troublesome. It looks like hope, but before we notice, it begins to bind the heart. Expectation easily becomes a restraint on action. The stronger the wish of “I want this to happen,” the more we fear failure, and the harder it becomes to move. Expectation is also addictive. We place our hearts in…