Introduction
For 20 years, I have lived in Tokyo as an editor, dedicating my life to words. I have fought with my pen, polishing sentences until they shine.
However, the skills we honed so desperately are now being replaced by AI. When I watch my younger colleagues effortlessly using knowledge gained from AI, I sometimes feel like a samurai of the Meiji Restoration, stripped of his sword and left behind by a new era.
My Reality
I am 52 years old, a survivor of Japan’s “Lost Generation” (the Employment Ice Age). Living with my husband—whom I met later in life—we navigate the rough waves of Tokyo every day. We face the care of our parents who are over 80, stagnant wages, and a vague anxiety about the future. The historic weakness of the yen means overseas travel is a dream we must put on hold for now.
My Salvation
But what anchors my drifting soul is a quiet drink, whether in my local neighborhood or on a short trip. Even in a small alleyway near home, or during a brief overnight getaway, there are encounters that warm the heart.
About This Site
I started this site to steer my anxious heart, even just a little, toward happiness. Here, I will write about the true face of Japan—hidden gems not found in guidebooks, and places that can heal a weary soul.
If you visit Japan and choose to walk the path I have walked, there would be no greater joy for me.
