Koto's Japan

Now in Japan · Spring

Now in Japan · Summer

Now in Japan · Autumn

Now in Japan · Winter

The stories behind Japanese things — and where to get them.

Cherry blossoms, Hinamatsuri dolls and the first fresh tea of the year.

Tanabata wishes, summer festivals, fireworks and ice-cold matcha.

Red maple leaves, moon viewing and warm, roasty hojicha.

New Year traditions, Setsubun beans and a warming bowl of tea.

What's in season All articles

In season now: Spring

In season now: Summer

In season now: Autumn

In season now: Winter

Koto kneeling beside a red-carpeted display of hina dolls with the emperor and empress on top, paper lanterns, and pink, white and green hishi-mochi
seasonal

Hinamatsuri: Japan's Doll Festival and the Meaning of Hina Dolls

Every March 3, families in Japan display tiers of elegant dolls and wish for their daughters' health and happiness. Here's what Hinamatsuri means, who each doll is, and what people eat.
Koto resting her chin in her hands at a table with leaf-wrapped sakura mochi, cherry-blossom cookies and a cup of pink sakura tea
snacks

Sakura Season Treats: 12 Cherry Blossom Flavors to Try at Home

From sakura mochi to salted blossom tea, here are 12 pink treats Japan enjoys every spring — what they taste like, where they come from, and how to try them at home.
Koto and three friends in kimono laughing and sharing rice balls and bento boxes on a blue picnic sheet under full-bloom cherry trees
seasonal

Hanami Guide: How Japanese People Celebrate Cherry Blossoms

Picnics under pink trees, lantern-lit night viewing and a nationwide blossom forecast. Here's what hanami is, when to go, the etiquette, and how to join in.
Koto laughing as she throws roasted soybeans from a wooden box at a cartoon red oni running out of the door into the snow
seasonal

Setsubun: Why Japanese People Throw Beans at Demons Every February

Every early February, families in Japan throw roasted soybeans and shout "Demons out, luck in!" Here's what Setsubun means, how it's celebrated, and how to try it at home.
Koto, our guide, waving in a sage-green kimono

Hi, I'm Koto!

I explain why Japanese people do what they do — tea, festivals, food and crafts — with simple illustrations. Then I show you authentic things you can try at home, from shops that ship worldwide.

Latest articles

Koto kneeling beside a red-carpeted display of hina dolls with the emperor and empress on top, paper lanterns, and pink, white and green hishi-mochi
seasonal

Hinamatsuri: Japan's Doll Festival and the Meaning of Hina Dolls

Every March 3, families in Japan display tiers of elegant dolls and wish for their daughters' health and happiness. Here's what Hinamatsuri means, who each doll is, and what people eat.
Koto smiling as she opens a red patterned gift box full of rice crackers, wrapped sweets and a tea packet
snacks

Japanese Snack Boxes Compared: What's Inside and Which to Pick

Bokksu, Sakuraco or TokyoTreat? A simple guide to what each Japanese snack box focuses on, who it suits, and what to check before you subscribe.
Koto presenting a row of six glass cups of Japanese tea in different colors, from pale green to reddish brown
tea

Japanese Tea Types Explained: Sencha, Gyokuro, Hojicha & More

A simple map of Japanese green teas — how each one is grown and made, what it tastes like, and how to brew it — so you know exactly which tea to buy next.
Koto resting her chin in her hands at a table with leaf-wrapped sakura mochi, cherry-blossom cookies and a cup of pink sakura tea
snacks

Sakura Season Treats: 12 Cherry Blossom Flavors to Try at Home

From sakura mochi to salted blossom tea, here are 12 pink treats Japan enjoys every spring — what they taste like, where they come from, and how to try them at home.
Koto in a sage-green kimono kneeling in a quiet tea room, reaching out with both hands to receive a tea bowl from a host
experiences

Tea Ceremony Experiences in Kyoto & Tokyo: What to Expect

Thinking of joining a Japanese tea ceremony on your trip? Here's what happens step by step, how to behave as a guest, what to wear, and how to choose a good experience.
Koto and three friends in kimono laughing and sharing rice balls and bento boxes on a blue picnic sheet under full-bloom cherry trees
seasonal

Hanami Guide: How Japanese People Celebrate Cherry Blossoms

Picnics under pink trees, lantern-lit night viewing and a nationwide blossom forecast. Here's what hanami is, when to go, the etiquette, and how to join in.

Japan through the year

Spring Cherry blossoms, Hinamatsuri dolls and the first fresh tea of the year. Summer Tanabata wishes, summer festivals, fireworks and ice-cold matcha. Autumn Red maple leaves, moon viewing and warm, roasty hojicha. Winter New Year traditions, Setsubun beans and a warming bowl of tea.