Have you heard of a daruma before? No? You’re in luck (literally)!
These lucky charms are an important part of Japanese society, and today we’re going to the birthplace of the Daruma — the Shorinzan Darumaji Temple in Takasaki, Japan. Let’s check it out!
Fair warning: this is one of the biggest souvenir hauls I’ve had this year 
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One of my favorite parts of Japanese culture is their art of gift giving – there’s even a special word for it! Omiyage is a souvenir that’s specifically gifted to friends, family, and coworkers. However, it’s not just any regular souvenir from the tourist shop – omiyage has to be individually wrapped (usually in cute packaging) to make it easy to share. The first time I received an omiyage present was when my freelance clients, a small start-up from Japan, bought me “cat tongue” cookies” from Hokkaido.
The other reason why I love Japanese souvenirs so much is that they vary by region!
That’s right: if you visit a souvenir shop in Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Hokkaido, you’ll find souvenirs that can only be bought in that area – sort of like limited edition goodies.
If you want to find out more about the best Japanese souvenirs to buy, check out my omiyage haul and let me know which was your favorite! ♡ Continue reading
Japan is known for their cute and quirky animal cafes: there are cat cafes, dog cafes, rabbit cafes, and even hedgehog cafes. But did you ever think about an owl cafe? There are a few in Tokyo, but today I’ll be focusing on the Akiba Fukurou Owl Cafe! Continue reading
Hey hey! I’m back from Japan and can’t wait to tell you all the fun, weird, and wonderful things that surprised me while I was there – from tiny rooms to trench coats, delicious souvenirs and cute mascots – check it out here! Continue reading
It’s officially less than a month before my trip to Japan, and as you can probably tell, I’m super excited– there’s so much to do, eat, and see!
Find out what’s at the top of my “to do” list in today’s post.
