Today, I’d like to take a little break from cooking and talk about something else I’ve been enjoying this year: Japanese books! I know this isn’t my usual food- and recipe-related topic, but I thought I’d share the Japanese books I’ve read so far in 2026. If you enjoy Japanese literature, or if you’re simply looking for something new to read, I hope you might find something interesting here. I’ve read variety a of books this year. Some are newer Japanese novels, some are awar

"Morning Ikou (モーニング行こう)!"—or, "Let’s go get Morning!" Growing up in Nagoya and Aichi, this was the phrase I expected to hear from my family almost every weekend morning. In Nagoya, "going for Morning" doesn't just mean eating breakfast. It means heading to a cozy, retro kissaten (classic Japanese coffee shop) to slow down, connect, and enjoy a beloved local ritual. When I was a child, the "Morning Set" was delightfully simple. You simply ordered a drink from the menu, and wh