Bridging Japan and New York through Words and Culture
Is Whole Foods Really Expensive? Maybe Not. Whole Foods often gets the reputation of being pricey, but that might not be the full story. Recently, I’ve been seeing an acupuncturist who also gives me valuable lifestyle and nutrition advice. She’s a highly sought-after practitioner who has even been featured in Forbes. According to her, vegetables…
Vipassana Meditation: My 10-Day Silent Retreat Experience Vipassana meditation is a traditional Buddhist practice that cultivates inner peace and insight. In the winter of 2022, I attended a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat in Massachusetts. That year had been difficult—family conflicts left me feeling broken and lost. I decided it was time to face myself, and…
Steinway Hall in New York: From Historic Salon to Modern Piano Showcase In the heart of Manhattan’s Midtown lies Steinway Hall, home to the world’s most coveted pianos. For over a century, Steinway has symbolized both musical excellence and New York’s cultural elite. Once a Rococo-style salon near Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall has transformed into…
Repair Your Patagonia Down Jacket in New York and Wear It Longer Patagonia is known for being durable, lightweight, and stylish, making it popular not only among outdoor enthusiasts but also city dwellers in winter. In this article, I’ll share how you can repair your Patagonia down jacket in New York and why this practice…
Is Piano Adventures Too Slow? A Look at This Popular American Piano Method The American piano method “Piano Adventures” is sometimes criticized for being “too slow.” Some piano teachers even feel that progress takes longer compared to other books. But is that really true? And why are we in such a hurry? In this article,…
Urgent Care and Insurance: What You Should Know About Rapid Tests Visiting urgent care centers in the U.S. can sometimes lead to unexpected bills—especially when it comes to COVID-19 rapid tests. Recently, I experienced this firsthand. After testing positive for COVID, I went to a nearby urgent care for a rapid test, only to discover…
Fitbit Inspire 3 Review: Why It’s My Top Recommendation Recently, I finally purchased a Fitbit Inspire 3, and to my surprise, I can confidently say—it’s worth recommending. Buy it on Amazon Previously, I had written a skeptical article questioning: “Do we really need smartwatches like Apple Watch or Fitbit?” But the new Fitbit Inspire 3,…
Éclair Bakery NYC: A French Pastry Gem in Midtown East While walking through Midtown East in Manhattan, I stumbled upon a charming French café — Éclair Bakery. Sometimes after a long day, all you want is something sweet to recharge. That’s how I discovered this spot, and I have to say: the tiramisu here was…
7 Best Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods for Busy Days Trader Joe’s is full of frozen food gems that make life easier when you’re too busy to cook from scratch. Some of them are surprisingly delicious and can be ready in minutes with just an oven or microwave. Here are 7 of my top picks you…
Apple Picking Near NYC: Why Pennings Orchard Is Perfect for Families If you’re looking for a fun fall activity just outside New York City, apple picking is the way to go. Freshly picked apples taste amazing, and upstate New York is one of the best places to experience it. Today, I’ll introduce Pennings Orchard, a…