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As a Japanese native living in the U.S., I have always carried pride in where I come from. At the same time, I have carried a quiet concern. In recent years, overtourism has placed visible pressure on places that were never meant to be consumed. Each time I see news of damage, vandalism, or disrespect toward historic sites, I feel a deep ache—not only for the places themselves, but for the time and reverence they hold. Travel is not the problem.  Travel is one of the most bea

Kyoto’s Plum Season at Kitano Tenmangu Kyoto in February is still winter.The air is cold, the shadows are long, and mornings carry an almost startling quiet.At this time of year, the city feels less like a destination and more like a place where winter has been left intact. And yet, Kyoto offers a sign that appears only in this season—a quiet beginning that arrives long before the famous cherry blossoms. It is the plum blossom. Plum Blossoms Do Not Rush the Arrival of Spring

Setsubun, Mibu Kyogen, and a Land That Quietly Straightens One’s Posture Here in Ohio, a record-breaking cold wave and heavy snowfall have settled in.Outside my window, a white silence stretches across the landscape, as though the pulse of life has briefly paused. In the midst of this extreme winter, my thoughts turn to a Japanese seasonal custom: Setsubun.Held in early February, around the time when the traditional calendar marks the arrival of Risshun , the beginning of spr

The year 2026 has entered its third week, and the world is once again moving at a dizzying pace. Yet, according to the Japanese calendar, this is not yet the time for "action." With approximately ten days left until "Setsubun" on February 3rd—a pivotal juncture akin to a New Year's Eve, marking the division of seasons—we are now in the deepest quietude of winter. The "Philosopher’s Path" in Kyoto, covered in a blanket of snow Though I currently find myself away from Japan, I’

A perfected recovery method named Tradition As the celebrations of the year’s end fade, global business resumes its full velocity. Celebration brings connection and joy, yet quietly accumulates excess load upon the body—particularly the inner organs. In Japan, there exists a custom practiced for over a millennium: eating rice porridge with seven wild herbs on January seventh. Beyond a seasonal ritual, it can be reinterpreted today as a highly refined recovery protocol shaped

Image Credit: NASA (Lunar surface images sourced from the NASA public archive) January 3, 2026. Shortly after the dawn of the new year, a full moon known as the "Wolf Moon" rose in the sky. This pure light must have illuminated the night for everyone, no matter where in the world they were standing at that very moment. Bathed in the glow of this full moon, we have taken a new step forward. Today, I would like to talk about the "emotional distance"—beautiful and subtle—that J

A traditional greeting for the Japanese Year of the Horse. May 2026 bring you boundless energy and good fortune. The curtain has risen on 2026 Just last week, we completed our rituals of "purification," clearing our minds and spaces to prepare for what lies ahead. Now, breaking the crisp winter silence, comes a powerful, rhythmic beat—the heartbeat of the Horse . Among the twelve zodiac signs, the Horse is the one that most vibrantly embodies vitality, momentum, and freedom.

As the final days of December drift by, a quiet transformation begins in Japan. It is not marked by loud celebrations or bright neon lights, but by the scent of fresh straw, the sound of sweeping brooms, and a collective breath taken in the crisp winter air. This is our "Season of Purity." The Sacred Broom: More Than Just Cleaning While the world calls it "year-end cleaning," in Japan, we call it O-soji . But look closer—this is not a mere chore. It is a sacred ritual. With e

Winter Solstice in Ise In Japan, the winter solstice is not a celebration. There are no countdowns, no festivities, no announcements marking the moment. Instead, it is observed quietly—as a turning point that does not ask for attention. Few places embody this sensibility more deeply than Ise. A Morning of Light at Japan’s Most Sacred Shrine Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu Ōmikami, the Shinto sun goddess. For this reason, the movement of the sun has always carried

Walk through Japan at the turn of the year and you will notice something quietly striking: at the entrances of homes, shops, and even small neighborhood businesses, clusters of pine and bamboo stand watch as if awaiting an honored guest. Nearby, braided straw ropes—shimenawa—hang with a stillness that feels almost ceremonial.To foreign eyes, these may faintly resemble Christmas trees or wreaths. The evergreen motif, the placement by the doorway, the seasonal timing—there is

The Cultural Thirst Awakened by the Film The movie Kokuho  (National Treasure), released for a limited time in New York during Thanksgiving week, generated an overwhelming response. Reviews indicating that people "understood the depth of Japanese culture for the first time" highlight the clear demand for intellectually curious travelers to access the true essence of the culture, not just superficial tourism. Yet, a film serves merely as the "entrance." Beyond it lies the prof

The Serene Stage The Transition to Stillness: Accessing the Quiet Interspace. True luxury in travel is never about ostentation. It lies in the moment when the mind stills, and the five senses are sharpened—the "Interspace of Stillness." The Serene Stage:  Parisian artistry and Kyoto's reserved beauty, perfectly harmonized on a single stand. Absolute Precision:  Flawless detail ensures zero noise, allowing the mind to achieve profound stillness. Pictured here is a serene after

The Quiet Luxury of Kyoto — Part I: Wagashi Afternoon Tea at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO In this first chapter, we invite you into the quiet “Yohaku” we discovered in Kyoto —a spacious stillness that refines the senses and lingers in memory. The Philosophy of Yohaku in Travel Is the purpose of travel always to see something new, to collect movement, or to fill time?True luxury, we believe, resides in the space we choose not to fill — the “Yohaku,”  the blank margin where the sense

The Quiet Connection Many travelers focus on vibrant autumn leaves in November. Yet, regions like Kyoto observe Hitaki-sai (The Fire Ceremony)—a quiet, yet fundamental ritual of gratitude. For Ryoga Concierge, which explores the philosophy of travel, the spirit embedded in this ceremony is profoundly meaningful. It connects directly to the core of our brand: "gratitude for blessings received" and the desire for "purification and spiritual renewal." This aligns with both the c

~The Quiet Power of the Japanese Spirit.~ Ise and Kyoto, the two great spiritual sanctuaries of Japan, each demonstrate a distinct "strength" and "wisdom" —a philosophy relevant even to modern leadership and personal ethos. This Karesansui (dry landscape garden) in the photograph symbolizes the "Kokon Yūgō" (古今融合 - Fusion of Old and New) philosophy upon which Ryōga Concierge's journey is founded. ■ Kyoto's Strength: The Quiet Refinement of Permanence Kyoto's strength, like th