Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles, Author at Team Japanese

11 Hello Kitty Gift Ideas that are Just Too Cute

Collection of Hello Kitty-themed items—perfect hello kitty gift ideas—including mugs, a water bottle, headphones, a notebook, Monopoly game, plush pouch, keychain, and a travel tumbler on a pink background.

Hello Kitty is one of Japan’s best loved and most famous exports, and for good reason! Her sweet, cosy aesthetic and timeless appeal have been spreading kawaii charm for years, and she’s popular with kids and adults too in Japan. If you have a friend or family member who’s a Sanrio fan, here are my … Read more

9 Best Hello Kitty Room Decor Finds for Fans of All Ages

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

Six Hello Kitty-themed items—lamp, blanket on chair, pillow, mirror, tray, and a pink polka dot chair—are arranged on a light pink background, perfect for adding adorable Hello Kitty room decor to any space.

Hello Kitty is one of Japan’s most iconic characters, loved for her cute, comforting style and timeless appeal! If you’re looking to create a space that feels cosy, playful, and full of personality, Hello Kitty room decor is an easy way to bring that look together. From soft furnishings to lighting, there are plenty of … Read more

Japanese National Holidays 2026: Dates and Traditions

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

Two women in colorful kimonos walk through a pathway lined with bright orange torii gates.

There are 16 national holidays in Japan each year. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, it’s essential to know the dates of the Japanese national holidays to avoid disruption to your plans! Here are all the Japanese public holidays in 2026: Date Name (English) Name (Japanese) January 1 New Year’s Day 元日 (Ganjitsu) Second … Read more

January in Japan: Festivals, Traditions and Seasonal Highlights

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

Crowd of people walking and standing in front of a large traditional Japanese shrine on a sunny day, celebrating New Year's Day with the first shrine visit (hatsumode) in Japan in January. The path is lined with colorful Japanese decorations, including daruma dolls and a maneki-neko.

Japan in January is full of fresh starts, fun traditions and frosty scenery! January is one of the most important times of the year for Japanese culture, with an array of nationwide and local celebrations to bring in the New Year. Whether you’re planning a winter trip or just want to enjoy a little Japanese … Read more

Best Black Friday Deals for Learning Japanese (2025)

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

People walking in a shopping mall in Japan with lots of sale and discount signs showing.

Black Friday week is the best time of year to snap up some deals, and the same applies with Japanese language resources! Here are some of the best Black Friday deals I’ve found on my favourite products for learning Japanese: JapanesePod101 JapanesePod101 is my top recommended resource to learn Japanese online. They have a GIANT … Read more

9 Inspiring Japanese Philosophy Books For A Simpler, Happier Life

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

Eight books on Japanese philosophy, culture and lifestyle are arranged in two rows on a woven surface; titles include themes like Zen, ikigai, wabi sabi, tea, and mindfulness.

There’s something special about the calm, thoughtful wisdom that runs through Japanese culture. No wonder so many people feel drawn to Japanese philosophy. And the wonderful thing is that so many Japanese concepts are easy to apply to everyday life, even in the west. You don’t have to become a monk or give away all … Read more

9 Charming Japanese Books About Cats to Curl Up With

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

Eight book covers of Japanese books about cats including "If Cats Disappeared from the World," "The Travelling Cat Chronicles," and "We'll Prescribe You a Cat," arranged in a grid.

I can’t explain why, but for some reason there is a pretty big overlap between people who love Japan and people who love cats! Yes, I include myself in that number 😻 Luckily for us, there’s a huge amount of Japanese books about cats available in English translation right now. Cats have long been a … Read more

10 Japanese Books To Read That Will Transport You To Japan

by Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles

Eight Japanese books to read are arranged in two rows, each with distinct, colorful cover designs and titles visible, highlighting the rich world of Japanese literature.

Japanese literature has a special way of pulling you right into the rhythms of everyday life. What people eat, how they spend their free time… all the little details that make the culture feel alive. I’ve always been a big reader, and I became fascinated with Japan long before moving there, thanks to books like … Read more