A Japanese Wanderer, Tsukubu — Tasting the Poetic Beauty of Japan and Beyond

Have you caught a cold this winter? I caught a cold yesterday. I hadn’t had a cold for many, many years, which I was proud of. I’ve been thinking about why I caught a cold. Maybe it was because I had a meeting with a supervisor I don’t like, or perhaps I caught it from someone on the train. After coming home, I felt a sore throat, followed by sluggishness all over my body. I went to bed after taking a Chinese medicine called Kakkontou . I hope to fully recover by resting all day today.

  Do you like saunas? Saunas have become very popular in Japan recently. However, most of them are designed for men. Why are there so few saunas for women? Come to think of it, there are many services in Japan that cater specifically to women. For example, some restaurants offer special courses called Lady’s Course exclusively for women. There are also yoga classes for women only, and even train compartments reserved for women. In the past, movie theaters had Ladies’ Day , offering discounted tickets for women. However, this service was discontinued due to concerns about gender discrimination. Perhaps now, through the issue of limited sauna options, women can understand how men feel about gender-exclusive services.

  Since I heard that collagen is good for maintaining health, I add one stick of it to my miso soup every day. The collagen I use is gelatin made for cooking desserts. One package contains six sticks, each with 5g of gelatin. I can’t tell whether it works or not, but I continue using it because it’s affordable. This product is a bestseller on Amazon. According to reviews, many people use it as a health supplement rather than for making desserts. It seems there are many health-conscious people like me in Japan. Are there also people in other countries who dare to drink gelatin for health, even though it’s originally meant for making desserts?

There is a seasoning I love called "Aji no Haha," which means "Mother of Flavorful Cooking." This fermented seasoning is made only from rice, rice malt, and salt. It adds a natural sweetness to dishes. The company that produces this seasoning is Ajinoichi Jozo, located in Sayama, Saitama. I continue to cook meals without sugar but still enjoy a pleasant sweetness thanks to this seasoning. For me, it is like a nurturing mother, enhancing the joy of good meals.

  Have you ever eaten dried potatoes? I bought some at a supermarket near the station and was really surprised by how delicious they were—tender and sweet. Of course, I knew about dried potatoes and had eaten them several times before, but I never realized they were this good. I wondered why they felt so refreshing and satisfying this time. Then, I realized it was because I had been avoiding sweets for my health. In short, I was craving something sweet! Dried potatoes aren’t sweets; they’re vegetables. That means I can enjoy them without feeling guilty, and that makes me really happy.

  Do you know the flower called ranunculus ? The other day, I bought one at a flower shop near my room. I had known about it before, but I had always imagined it as a kind of wildflower. When I saw it in the shop, I was surprised by how big and gorgeous it was. I checked the name on the label and was astonished to find out that it was a ranunculus ! I had never realized that ranunculus could be such an elegant flower. Now, it is blooming in my room. It gives me nothing less than spellbinding energy.

  There is a strong cold wave in Japan right now. I can't wait for spring! On cold days, I feel pain all over my body. It's very important for me to keep my body warm. However, the other day, I had two cakes at a café and then took a walk in the park. That night, I felt pain all over my body and couldn't sleep well. Sweets make our bodies cold. Reflecting on this, I decided to have ginger instead of sweets. Now, I put ginger into my miso soup every time. After having it, I feel warm. Ginger is better than sweets in winter, but... I still want to have cake! 

  Do you read tarot cards? I read them every morning. I always draw two cards: one from the Major Arcana and one from the Minor Arcana. I enjoy reading these two cards together. Today, I was really surprised by the cards I drew: one was the Death card, and the other was the Five of Cups . At first glance, these two cards seem frightening. However, according to what I’ve learned, the Death card represents the end of something. We can understand what is ending by looking at the accompanying Minor Arcana card. Today's Minor Arcana card was the Five of Cups , which signifies pessimism and regret. This combination suggests that my negative thoughts will soon come to an end. The Death card may seem scary, but it’s not truly frightening at all.

  I am a miso soup lover. I enjoy it with every meal. For me, the quality of the miso itself matters more than the ingredients in the soup. That’s because real miso is alive—it supports the good bacteria in our gut, keeping us healthy and active. True miso is made using traditional methods, with local soybeans and domestic salt. I often order my miso online from a company in my hometown called Kitaya . The Chinese characters for “Kitaya” mean “a place full of joy.” And every time I enjoy a bowl of miso soup made with their miso, I feel joy spreading through my body.

  After work, I went to a glasses shop in Ginza because I discovered that my glasses were broken. One of the screws had fallen out from the temple of my glasses. It was my first time experiencing this kind of problem with my glasses. The glasses I wear are from a brand called 999.9 , pronounced "Four Nines" . I own two pairs from this brand—one since 2013 and the other since 2007. Although both are quite old, my love for them remains as strong as ever. At the shop, they repaired my glasses quickly and free of charge. On top of that, they provided excellent maintenance, including replacing the nose pads with new ones and polishing the lenses. I felt grateful—not only to the shop for their wonderful service but also to my glasses and my eyes, which have served me so well all these years. By the way, while I was waiting for my glasses to be repaired, I browsed some new frames. I found a pair I really liked, but they were quite expensive. So, I decided to cherish my two pairs and...

  I always brush my teeth with salt. You might think that’s funny, but since I started using salt to brush my teeth, the stained discoloration has disappeared. I frequently drink coffee or green tea, so my teeth tend to stain. In the past, I sometimes went to the dentist for teeth cleaning and stain removal, but the cost kept getting higher. I heard that baking soda was good for removing stains, so I tried it, but there was little noticeable effect. I decided to stop focusing on stain removal and instead concentrate on keeping my teeth healthy. That’s when I started using salt for teeth purification. Curiously, the stains on my teeth started to disappear! The salt I use is made by a Japanese company called “Umi no Sei.” They specifically create it for cleaning teeth. The salt comes in a small jar, and you use the attached spoon to apply it to your toothbrush. What’s even better is that the salt is very affordable. I always buy it on Amazon. Having teeth without stains gives me conf...

I went for a walk in Americayama Park. There weren’t any roses in bloom because all the rose bushes had been pruned back for spring. However, an unexpected fantasy welcomed me. The park was decorated with blue-colored illuminations. A cool, dreamy atmosphere, but it felt freezing. There were no other pedestrians besides me. Due to the bitterly cold wind, I soon headed home. Honestly, I longed more for the warmth of home than the cold beauty outside.

  What do you think about tarot reading? In Japan, you can find many tarot reading shops, especially in Yokohama’s Chinatown. I enjoy doing tarot readings by myself. There are countless methods for reading tarot cards, but my approach is very simple. First, I separate the tarot deck into two groups: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. Next, I draw one card from each group. Finally, I interpret the meaning of the two cards together. Today, I drew The World from the Major Arcana and The Four of Cups from the Minor Arcana. The Four of Cups is unique because it is the only Cups card that features flowers inside one of the cups. This card reminds us not to overlook the beauty in life —it encourages us to find joy in small moments. Today, I will focus on discovering and appreciating the small happiness in my day!

  Recently, TUFTI the Priestess by Vadim Zeland has been gaining popularity in Japan. Many YouTubers are explaining the book's methods on their channels. I have been a fan of Vadim Zeland's books since before this one was published. When I found out about his new book, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to read it. Reading it was truly exciting—I felt like I was experiencing real-life entertainment. We have the power to change reality. There is no greater form of entertainment than that. What's more, I am the main character, the writer, and the director of my own life. I always carry this book with me, and at night, I keep it by my bedside. Though it’s already crumpled from use, it continues to inspire me every day.

Do you know dates? I sometimes eat them. There is an online shop that imports dates from Iran, and I always buy them there. The shop, called "Perusha Trade," is run by a Persian person. I always buy them in 1-kilogram packs, which are quite large. Dates are sweet and rich in dietary fiber. When I traveled to Egypt, I saw many dates scattered along the sides of the road. I also remember seeing many date trees standing tall against the sky. There are no date trees in Japan, but we can still enjoy eating dates. After all, we are living in such a blessed era—let's pray for world peace.

Do you think roses with a fantastic aroma give you a luxurious feeling? In Shizuoka, there is a rose garden that cultivates only the most fragrant roses— Masuda Rose Garden . I first learned about it at a flower shop I often visit. This shop specializes in rare roses that are hard to find elsewhere, such as WABARA , a delicate and beautifully refined Japanese rose. A small sign caught my eye: "From Masuda Rose Garden—They cultivate only roses with fine aroma." I decided to buy one—a vibrant yellow rose. I thought bringing it into my room would brighten my heart, even in this chilly weather. Now, it has bloomed beautifully, filling the air with a delicate, fruity fragrance. My heart feels warm and happy, though my body is still freezing.

  Do you read stories from other countries in their original language? Since I was a child, one of my dreams has been to read foreign books in their original language. My bookshelf is filled with books from around the world, but for a long time, I only collected them without actually reading them. Whenever I tried, I would give up after just two or three lines because there were so many unfamiliar words. Two years ago, I joined an online class that read Mary Poppins . We read one chapter at a time, twice a month, for two and a half hours. Before each class, I prepared by looking up unknown words in the dictionary, reading aloud, and checking pronunciation by listening to native YouTubers’ readings. Finally, after a year, I completed the book! Finishing my first foreign book was an incredibly happy moment for me. At first, I wasn’t particularly interested in Mary Poppins because I thought it was just a children's book. But as I read on, I discovered its rich imagination and deep me...

  Recently, I bought something I love—a linen blanket. Since getting it, I’ve been looking forward to going to bed every night. I place this linen blanket under my duvet so I can feel its soft texture directly on my neck and hands. Before owning one, I thought linen was only suitable for summer because of its cool and airy image. However, I was surprised to learn that linen also retains warmth and protects against winter’s chill. This linen blanket is made in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. I love it so much that I want to buy another one, but unfortunately, I can’t use two at the same time!

  I often pass through Ginza after leaving the office. Today, I visited a department store called Ginza Six on Ginza Street. I really like this department store because it has a big book café where we can freely read books while enjoying coffee. I was truly surprised to see a display featuring adorable cats. The artwork, titled Big Cat Bang , was created by Kenji Yanobe. It features many cats floating in the air, dressed in Apollo suits. Just looking at them made my heart flutter with excitement. I find cats to be mysterious creatures. Perhaps they really can communicate with the universe.

  Do you pay attention to pesticides? It is said that Japan uses more pesticides than many other countries. I try to avoid vegetables with pesticides as much as possible, but buying only organic vegetables is difficult. Organic food shops are still rare in Japan, and most vegetables sold in supermarkets contain pesticides. To reduce pesticide residues, I usually use seashell powder. It’s very easy to use—just dissolve the powder in water and soak the vegetables in it. After a while, the pesticide peels off and floats to the surface. This powder is proudly made in Japan—pure power from powder! However, being the world's No.1 pesticide user is nothing to be proud of.

There’s nothing more wonderful than enjoying a cup of coffee while reading a good book. In Tokyo, there are several book cafés, and I sometimes visit them to enjoy both coffee and new books. In these cafés, if you order a drink, you can read any book available in the store. This is a unique collaboration between coffee shops, like Starbucks, and bookstores, like Tsutaya. Whenever I visit, I start reading from one end of the shelf while sipping my coffee. It’s the happiest time for me. However, I feel that cafés combining books and coffee are becoming fewer. I wish I could become rich so that I could open book café collaborations all across Japan—and even around the world. 

  It hasn’t snowed in Tokyo, even though the weather forecast predicted heavy snow. When I looked up at the sky, I saw nothing but blue. This winter, there have been several forecasts warning of major snowfall, yet no snow has arrived in Tokyo. However, some regions, such as Hokkaido, Aomori, and Noto, have experienced heavy snowfall. It seems that only certain areas in Japan are facing snow-related problems. Why is that? Is there someone who can control the weather? Anyway, as of now, it still hasn’t snowed.

  I usually use organic oils to care for my skin. When removing makeup, I use jojoba oil, which is extracted using the cold-pressing method. Since it is unrefined, it retains its natural golden-yellow color. I also use it for facial massages and hair care. After bathing, I apply argan oil to nourish my skin. This oil comes from the fruit of the argan tree, which the Berber people of Morocco have been using for centuries for cooking and beauty. They call it the "Gold of Morocco." I have never been to Morocco. I have never seen an argan fruit. But I can touch the Gold of Morocco every day.

  I listed two books for sale on Mercari, a flea market app where individuals can buy and sell their belongings. I usually sell books after finishing them. Sometimes, I also buy books on Mercari, read them, and then sell them again—creating a sort of cycle for myself. When I want to read a book, I check Mercari first. If I can’t find it there or if the price is higher than I expected, I buy a new copy on Amazon and later sell it on Mercari after reading. Of course, books I want to reread multiple times stay on my bookshelf instead of being sold. Will the books I listed sell quickly? Let's see!

  I went to Yokohama Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year with my classmates from a morning Chinese class. Although we studied together nearly 20 years ago, we still keep in touch. Today, we chose a dim sum course at the Cantonese restaurant Saika Shinkan . We enjoyed a variety of dim sum made by a dim sum master from Hong Kong, including garlic chive steamed buns, xiaolongbao, and soup with medicinal herbs, all while sipping puerh tea. For dessert, we were served almond tofu, which had a wonderfully refined taste. In the past, we used to drink hot Shaoxing wine together, but today, we reminisced about old times over puerh tea instead.