Travel stories, unexpected encounters and the crafts that make Japan worth going back for.

Every piece in the shop started somewhere.

Here is where I write about the travel, the people, and the crafts behind it and how to take care of them.

Sourcing diaries from regular trips. Warm encounters with collectors and makers. And the beautiful landscapes.

Deep dives into the traditions I keep returning to: urushi lacquerware, kokeshi, chawan, haori…. And the quiet details that make Japanese craft worth seeking out

Stories from my journal

A vibrant scene at the Tenjin-san antique market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, featuring colorful vintage silk kimonos with floral patterns hanging in the foreground, with the large stone torii gate and market stalls blurred in the background.

Hannah 28/07/2026 Hannah 28/07/2026

Three objects for your Japanese meditation corner, and why each one matters

Every temple I visit in Japan has the same quality of quiet, and it starts with three things: scent, sound, and a presence that holds the space. Here is how to bring that same intention home, starting with a single kōro and the concept of ma.