Hi, I’m Nori. はじめまして。

I’m a Japanese woman born and raised in high-rise Tokyo who has called America home for the last two decades. My story is of bridging two worlds, navigating cultural identities, and finding beauty in the spaces between.
At 19, I left Japan feeling jaded and disconnected from my culture. Modern Japanese society, with its mass media influence and conformist pace, had lost its sparkle for me. The loss of my mother to cancer years earlier, combined with Tokyo’s impersonal hustle, left me craving wilderness and inspiration. So I flew across the Pacific, thinking I could leave everything behind….
Life had other plans. After completing an engineering degree and some odd jobs as a lost immigrant, motherhood found me. As I created my cross-cultural family, the ‘everything’ I thought I’d left behind began bubbling to the surface. What started as an identity crisis—questioning my sanity and innate character—revealed itself as something more profound and unexpected: ancestral and cultural shadows and blind spots seeking to come out to the light. It didn’t feel great at all at the time, but I can see now that it is actually a beautiful blessing.
A few months ago, I finally embraced my Japanese identity and began exploring the origins of these blind spots. Surprise, surprise. They stemmed not just from my direct ancestral lineage, but also from collective cultural traumas among Japanese people woven through modern history of wars and comeback. It seems that this is a common theme among us modern humans today regardless of which ancestral lineage one comes from. I also began to communicate with my deceased ancestors to seek some guidance. I’ve always been somewhat familiar with the concept of the unseen world and beings, so communicating with my dead mom and grandma was pretty natural to me (some of you might think I’m nuts). Reading “Take Back the Magic” by Perdita Finn helped me realize that my ancestors—whose black sheep had abandoned her family and country—had some messages for me. This inner work very unexpectedly sprouted a renewed sense of pride, respect, and deep love for Japan in me. Perhaps this is what healing might feel like…well, what do I know, I am just another human on a journey.
I’ve decided that I will become the best Japanese person I can be. This journey has opened my eyes and heart to so much beauty and goodness that Japan, her land, and culture have to offer that I was blind to. Growing up in my little colorless bubble in Tokyo, I rarely ventured outside my hometown to discover Japan’s rich history, myths, traditions, and untold stories.
So here I am. This is why I created Japan Ramble—a space to share my discoveries about my amazing motherland, Japan. Through this blog, I explore Japanese traditions, cultural identity, and ancestral wisdom through personal reflections, both profound and sometimes silly as I navigate the rambling path between past and present, East and West. Future visions include detailed travel guides, Japanese language courses, and merchandise featuring my Japanese art. Please feel free to share your requests for specific topics or offerings. I would be overjoyed to create value for you through my work here.
When I’m not writing, you might find me chasing my toddler, homeschooling my big kid, or simply walking in the wild forest outside my door, contemplating the beautiful complexity of cultural identity.
Join me as I ramble through Japan’s stories, one blog post at a time. I’m beyond grateful you’re here, reading my story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

P.S. I’d love to stay connected through my Nori Letter, a periodic newsletter where we can keep in touch—and perhaps you’ll write back sometimes. Sign up below to join this journey with me.
かんぱい！(Cheers!)