Last month, we had a rare snow day here in Chigasaki. I lived in Maui for nearly 30 years, so experiencing a snow day still feels very special to me. The coastal area of Kanagawa Prefecture, where I now live, is known for its warm and mild climate. When I realized that I had moved from a Maui-like place in Japan to the real Maui all those years ago, the thought struck me with a smile.

Overlooking Eboshi-Iwa and O'oshima Island in the distance from Chigasaki Beach, Kanagawa, Japan "A Little Seaside Gem Only One Hour from Tokyo" Japan is experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom. When I moved to Maui nearly 30 years ago, Japan was not yet acknowledged as a global travel destination, so the current situation here still feels astonishing to me. Many visitors come here for gourmet food, shopping, anime and games, fashion, and that unique blend of futuristic technology and old...

Light, shadow and the quietness — the moment of healing Hi All, The past month didn’t unfold the way I planned. Just as I was preparing to reopen my photography business, an unfortunate fall left me with a broken wrist. I ended up hospitalized, underwent surgery, and spent weeks in recovery. General anesthesia hit me hard — the brain fog lingered for weeks. I couldn’t hold a camera, or even chopsticks. Because the injury was on my dominant hand, I couldn’t write, tie my hair, dress, or even...