Meow 'n' Fuji

Homemade Anko Recipe: Easy Japanese Red Bean Paste ― Better Than Store-Bought

A homemade anko recipe for first-timers — just azuki beans and sugar, no special skills needed. Plus how to use it the Nagoya way: ogura toast, anpan, and more.

2026.04.17

Recipes

Inuyama Castle Japan: Day trip from Nagoya

The oldest surviving wooden castle in Japan, just 30 minutes from Nagoya. A complete local guide to Inuyama Castle — access, tickets, highlights, and a recommended walking route through the castle town.

2026.04.14

Travel

Interval walking a.k.a. Japanese walking method

An honest account from a reluctant exerciser of building a walking habit — and how the Japanese interval walking method (3 min fast, 3 min slow) made it actually stick.

2026.04.12

Life

Only Now -Matcha Seasonal Sweets in Japan

In Japan, convenience store shelves change color every few weeks with the seasons. Sakura pink, then strawberry, then matcha green. Reflections from a local on ichigo ichie — and matcha donuts.

2026.04.05

Life

Yamazaki River Hanami: Nagoya’s Finest Cherry Blossom Walk

Yamazaki River is one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan — 550 trees lining 2.5km along the river, just minutes from central Nagoya. A photo walk with a local.

2026.04.03

Travel

I’m actually pretty proud to be an introvert.

Did you know that in Japan we call ChatGPT “Chappy” (チャッピー)?I was talking with Chappy about extrovert/introvert today.Ok...

2026.03.28

Thoughts