Author Archives: Jonelle Patrick

The weird things you can buy in Japanese vending machines

One thing you can always count on is that the moment you set foot on Japanese soil, vending machines will be waiting to greet you, and the beverage of your dreams is but a few coins away. The mix of hot and cold offerings waxes and wanes with the seasons, along with the seasonal fruitContinueContinue reading “The weird things you can buy in Japanese vending machines”

J-Style Poke Bowl

A cool & satisfying summer meal you can make in minutes! When Japanese laborers arrived in Hawaii to work the cane fields a century ago, they brought chirashi sushi with them—a simple meal of rice topped with fresh-caught fish that was the ideal no-cook meal for a tropical climate. Over time, it evolved into theContinueContinue reading “J-Style Poke Bowl”

Let’s go see where that fabulous Meisen kimono silk comes from!

Chichibu Meisen-kan in Saitama Prefecture It’s no secret I’m a major fangirl when it comes to Jazz Age kimonos, and if you’ve been following Only In Japan, you’ll remember that fabulous exhibit at the Yayoi-Yumeji Museum that showcased Meisen silk kimonos with patterns influenced by modern art… kitchy Western motifs… and the sheer graphic exuberanceContinueContinue reading “Let’s go see where that fabulous Meisen kimono silk comes from!”

JUN 2024

Click on photo or link to read the feature • The Thing I Learned Today:The Mingei Movement celebrates the high art of ordinary things in all new ways From brooms to lamps to dishware, what makes Mingei art so different from all others is that every piece is useful—not merely decorative—and is made by ordinaryContinueContinue reading “JUN 2024”

The Kamogawa Food Detectives

By Hisashi Kashiwai If you loved Midnight Diner, you’ll like this book. Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: If you loved Midnight Diner as much as I did, this book is for you. By recreating special dishes remembered by his customers, a retired police detective andContinueContinue reading “The Kamogawa Food Detectives”

The Mingei Movement celebrates the high art of ordinary things

Discovering the sublime in objects that areordinary,useful,imperfect,become more beautiful when well-used,andare made by anonymous artists The first display at the Setagaya Art Museum’s “Mingei: The Beauty of Everyday Things” recreates the inaugural exhibit at the Mingeikan Folk Crafts Museum, and features some of the pieces from Soetsu Yanagi’s seminal collection that inspired the Mingei Movement.ContinueContinue reading “The Mingei Movement celebrates the high art of ordinary things”

Let’s climb a thousand stone steps to Japan’s famous Mountain Temple!

Yamadera in Yamagata Prefecture The hydrangeas are in bloom and it’s the perfect time of year to climb those thousand steps to Yamadera (literally “mountain temple”), a famed pilgrimage spot since the year 860. The view that will reward us after climbing the thousand stone steps to the top is pretty spectacular… …but it’s theContinueContinue reading “Let’s climb a thousand stone steps to Japan’s famous Mountain Temple!”

Come for the art island, stay for the tea garden

Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu, Shikoku You came, you saw, you appreciated all the art on Naoshima. But the memory that will stick with you from Takamatsu—the city you thought of as merely the jumping-off place for the art island ferry—is that perfect afternoon stroll through Ritsurin Koen. This huge and stunning tea garden was builtContinueContinue reading “Come for the art island, stay for the tea garden”

Failed rock gardens of Japan

Venerable Zen temple rock gardens are one of the iconic must-sees of Japan. No matter when you come, it’s always rock season, and they’re never, ever, covered in scaffolding. Plus, rock gardens look good even if you never weed, feed, or prune them. The most famous not-failed rock garden in Japan: Ryoanji in Kyoto. YouContinueContinue reading “Failed rock gardens of Japan”

How do they make all those mind-boggling Nuno textiles?

Reiko Sudo gives us the inside scoop on shrinking glue, disappearing paper & more! Reiko Sudo isn’t just one of the most innovative fabric designers in history, she’s a warm and delightful person whose enthusiasm for her art overflows to welcome anyone who loves textiles into her circle. It’s impossible to walk into the NunoContinueContinue reading “How do they make all those mind-boggling Nuno textiles?”

Did you win the Mar-Apr Book Giveaway?

If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Before the Coffee Gets Cold! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like a paperback). If I didn’tContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Mar-Apr Book Giveaway?”

APR 2024

Click on photo or link to read the feature • Beyond Tokyo:Let’s stay in a traditional Japanese farmhouse in the countryside! Rural farm life is alive and well in the beautiful Japanese countryside, and if you’ve ever dreamed of staying in one of those curvy-beamed, straw-plastered, traditional farmhouses, well, now you can!…read more • Why,ContinueContinue reading “APR 2024”

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

By Toshikazu Kawaguchi Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: The idea behind these charming connected short stories is a clever one, each one playing out in a way that is uniquely Japanese. The reasons each of these characters longs to go back and relive a momentContinueContinue reading “Before the Coffee Gets Cold”

Why do so many top Japanese restaurants refuse Michelin stars?

If you were as riveted by “The Bear” as I was, you have an idea what a restaurant is willing to go through for even a single shiny star. When the Michelin Guide came to Tokyo for the first time in 2008, they planned to honor a number of restaurants with multiple star ratings, soContinueContinue reading “Why do so many top Japanese restaurants refuse Michelin stars?”

Let’s stay in a traditional farmhouse in the Japanese countryside!

Yokomura Eco-Lodge in Yamanashi Prefecture Japan isn’t all neon lights, tea ceremonies and vending machines—rural farm life is alive and well in the beautiful Japanese countryside, and if you’ve ever dreamed of staying in one of those curvy-beamed, straw-plastered, traditional farmhouses, well, now you can! Yokomura Eco-Lodge was restored by the owners of Kasamatsu FarmsContinueContinue reading “Let’s stay in a traditional farmhouse in the Japanese countryside!”

MAR 2024

Click on photo or link to read the feature • Seasonal Secret:Let’s hike through the heirloom cherry blossom preserve! The best kept cherry blossom secret in Tokyo is a fabulous preserve where seventy-two types of heirloom cherry trees grow wild. Unlike the crowded beauty spots in the city, you can walk for miles without encounteringContinueContinue reading “MAR 2024”

She’s So Cosmo Cocktail/Mocktail

Red Shiso Cosmopolitan Cocktail, with or without a kick! Whether you’re flinging caution to the wind or keeping dry, give your favorite classic cocktail a distinctly Japanese kick with the taste of tart and tangy red shiso instead of cranberry! She’s So Cosmo Cocktail Makes 1 drink 1 shot vodka 1 shot Grand Marnier 1ContinueContinue reading “She’s So Cosmo Cocktail/Mocktail”

Let’s hike through the heirloom cherry tree preserve!

The Tama Forest Science Garden is the best kept cherry blossom secret in Tokyo—it’s a fabulous preserve where seventy-two types of heirloom cherry trees grow wild. And unlike the crowded beauty spots in the city, you can walk for miles without encountering another soul! This horticulture park was established to preserve and research ancient varietalsContinueContinue reading “Let’s hike through the heirloom cherry tree preserve!”

How to plan the best Japan trip EVER

Japan is the hottest travel ticket in the world right now. Here are my personal Japan travel tips & tricks, the places I take my friends when they come to town, and the inside scoop on what once-a-year festivals and events might be happening while you’re there! If you know someone who’s planning a JapanContinueContinue reading “How to plan the best Japan trip EVER”

Did you win the Jan-Feb Book Giveaway?

If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Make It Japanese! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like the hardcover). If I didn’t pull yourContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Jan-Feb Book Giveaway?”

JAN-FEB 2024

Click on photo or link to read the feature • The Thing I Learned Today:All about Nihonga: A master reveals the secrets behind Japan’s ancient form of painting If there’s an incredibly difficult way of making something and it takes a lifetime to master, you can be sure Japan has perfected it. That is especiallyContinueContinue reading “JAN-FEB 2024”

Did you win the Nov-Dec Book Giveaway?

If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of The Last Yakuza! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like the paperback). If I didn’t pull yourContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Nov-Dec Book Giveaway?”

What the heckin’ heck is THIS?

First, let’s answer last month’s question and find out what the heckin’ heck was THAT? Answer: A mold for making penguin rice balls with a special punch to make the features from nori dried seaweed sheets The latest lunch cuteness for the bento arms race! • So now let’s ponder…what the heckin’ heck is THIS?ContinueContinue reading “What the heckin’ heck is THIS?”

Bite-Sized Mont Blancs

These may not strike you as a typical Japanese dessert, but if you’ve been to Japan, you know that not a single bakery fails to have their own version of this cold weather classic. The combination of a buttery, crunchy base with fluffy whipped cream and sweet—but not too sweet—chestnut puree makes this an enduringContinueContinue reading “Bite-Sized Mont Blancs”

Make It Japanese: Simple Recipes for Everyone

By Rie McClenny & Sanae Lemoine Authenticity of recipes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEase of instructions: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Recipe appeal : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: An excellent Japanese cookbook for people living outside Japan, especially if you’re a novice at Japanese cooking. We all want to eat healthy and delicious food—especially after the holidays—and deciding to eat more Japanese cuisine isContinueContinue reading “Make It Japanese: Simple Recipes for Everyone”

Zao Onsen in winter: Hot springs, snow monsters and more!

Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture Zao Onsen is a perfect example of what makes Japan so extra—there are plenty of places in the world you can ski through a forest of snowy trees… but where else can you do it chased by snow monsters… and stay at an inn that’s been in business for fourContinueContinue reading “Zao Onsen in winter: Hot springs, snow monsters and more!”

Flavors I do not want to try

Nevermind the challenging everyday aspects of Japanese cuisine—try these squid guts and cod testicles!—it’s the western-style foods in all-the-no flavors that I want to run away from, screaming… Category 1: Things that should not be vegetable flavored Pancakes should never be a vehicle for spinach • Tomatoes and carrots should not be allowed anywhere nearContinueContinue reading “Flavors I do not want to try”

All about nihonga: A master reveals the secrets behind Japan’s ancient form of painting

Ancient painting technique, new energy: Allan West never stops showing the world what nihonga can be If there’s an incredibly difficult way of making something and it takes a lifetime to master, you can be sure Japan has perfected it. That is especially true of nihonga, the vanishing art of painting with pigments ground fromContinueContinue reading “All about nihonga: A master reveals the secrets behind Japan’s ancient form of painting”

NOV-DEC 2023

Click on photo or link to read the feature • Why, Japan, Why?Santa gets a Japanese makeover It’s no secret that Japan is known for coming up with some, er, interesting interpretations of Xmas traditions, but none are more amusing than their seasonal takes on old Saint Nick himself…read more • The Thing I LearnedContinueContinue reading “NOV-DEC 2023”