Week 37 - reflecting on simple pleasures in Tokyo

Edited BY


G P Kennedy


Ian & Minako – Tokyo, Japan


Changing lifestyle and importance of community



2020 has been a year of adapting to changing circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Normally we like change but we prefer it to be for positive reasons. 


 We've both moved around a lot over the years never feeling that any place is our “forever home” but this 4th year here in a Tokyo suburb maybe we've felt more settled than ever. It's a place that we still feel safe and comfortable in. This is despite the natural disasters that could occur in Japan like earthquakes and tsunamis.



A year of living simply


Our lives are not especially complicated but this year has been quieter than usual.


There have naturally been fewer cultural events happening but still enough for us to wish we could get out and see more.


We've got used to shrugging our shoulders and accepting that we just have to miss out for now, as if we are sheltering from the storm. 


 We would like to have traveled more, not just within Japan but we may have visited family in California or Merseyside or both this year. We have to be patient, maybe next year, or the year after. Organizing travel is complicated though so let's enjoy the simplicity of staying local.



 We have baked our own bread for many years and recently started experimenting with rice flour instead of wheat in bread, cookies, pancakes, etc. and it's great.


This year we've made more of our own food from scratch - bread, miso, sour plums, jams, vegan butter, and more all using good organic produce as much as possible. 


 We experimented a lot with different ingredients and increased our repertoire of veganized dishes. We also now have a more regular exercise regime and are feeling the benefits of that: a quiet, basic, simple life whilst adapting to ever-changing times. What will next year bring?


Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and an amazing New Year. 


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