About Kurashi

A stone guardian dog at a shrine, covered in snow — A shrine near my home in Tokyo

Hi, I live in Tokyo.

Kurashi (暮らし) means everyday life in Japanese. This site is where I share Japanese things I like, from traditional pottery to the cute stuff Japan is famous for.

What I like

I love animals that are cute, but a little strange.

Marmots look like tiny old men. Pigeons have surprisingly sharp eyes if you look closely. And cats sometimes act just like people, or make the weirdest faces. Cute is nice. Cute with a bit of personality is better.

A marmot with its mouth open, looking like a grumpy old man — A marmot. Yes, an old man.

A pigeon walking on a snowy gravel path — A pigeon with a sharp look

An orange cat with its mouth open, making a funny face — A cat, mid-complaint

I also love Japanese pottery, kawaii culture, and anime. Lately I've been into Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

For travel in Japan, my favorite place is Onomichi.

A view of the sea and hills in Onomichi on a sunny day — Onomichi

A normal day

When I need a break, I walk to a small shrine near my home. It always feels like a reset for my mind. I also love visiting cafés in old kura storehouse buildings.

A stone lantern with snow on its roof at a shrine — A snowy day

A large tree wrapped with a sacred rope at a shrine, with snow around it — A sacred tree

About this site

Simple. No clutter, easy to find your way.
Easy to read on your phone.
Made by someone who lives in Japan.
Honest. If I use something, I say so. If I haven't tried it, I say that too.

Thanks for stopping by.