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.
A Note to Readers: Specific names and locations of the izakaya are kept private out of respect for the establishments. Please feel free to search online using the hints in the stories!
by Buncho (the Japanese name for Java Sparrow; written with the kanji characters for “text” (文) and “bird” (鳥))