Letters from Hio

A gentle journey through Japan's heart and healing.

  • Sei 誠

    This article was inspired by an important friend of mine and I just admire the way he loves. Love is not possession. Or it depends on how we choose to love. Silent love reminds me of the era of samurai, when they were willingy to sacrifice their lives, their youth to something bigger than themselves: Read more

  • kizuna 絆 – Hio in Tokyo

    Dear friends,Gotta say this is not a normal article to analyze Japan. This is an article to analyze me – Hio, and my story in Japan or a Hio in Tokyo story. Let’s start! Well, they say life begins at 30, or 25 or even younger. But for me, it truly began at 33, with Read more

  • the gray zone of melancholy

    Not a “Dear friends” as usual, I will only talk about the hate that Joe Alwyn has to suffer from the Golden Globe because he is no longer someone’s muse. In the popular imagination, the “tortured artist” is a figure perpetually shrouded in gloom. The so called “tortured artist” must suffer so that he or Read more

  • the fleeting bloom

    Dear friends, Long time no see! How have you been?I’ve been busy, with everything. I guess. Today I decided to take a break to rearrange my thoughts and try to rest a little. I’m in separation with Mr Saito again. It’s a good decision for both of us and sometimes we need a break from Read more

  • the quiet despair

    Dear friends,As I keep digging into the depth of my soul and my existence. There is an almost aching beauty in the Japanese concept of Hansei (反省). It is simply meant “self-reflection” or “introspection,” but such direct words fail to capture its true weight and the real beauty. Hansei is not just an intellectual exercise. Read more

  • late bloomer

    Dear friends,How have you been?My apologise for disappearing for 2 months. Lately, my life has been so hectic, but mostly good, thanks God 😀Things that happened to me lately:– Mr Saito and I went back together and we decided to start our own business. It’s promising, I can guarantee. – I found a job and Read more

  • The quiet echo of time in Sabi 寂

    Dear friends, How is life? In Japanese cultural aesthetics, sabi 寂 is the quiet beauty found in the aged, the old, the faded and the solitary. Sabi carries a hint of sadness and serenity—the awareness of things passing. But it’s definitely a philosophy of profound relief: the comfort found in accepting that inevitable decay. My Read more

  • trip to kyoto-my so called homeland

    Dear friends, I decided to take a break from job hunt then go on another solo trip. I went back to Kyoto, where I call my homeland 😀 Just take a look at the photos and enjoy the peaceful serene moment with me. I have more photos but let’s save it for part 2 when Read more

  • my tiny love story

    Dear friends, This is not a casual article. Today I will post some parts of my book, or my story, the one I’ve been writing for 8 years and still I just can’t finish it. Mr Saito is always my muse since I met him 2 years ago. And strangely he matches my Hiro. I’m Read more

  • the hermit

    Dear friends, How have you been? I’m still struggling with the job hunt like many adults. Quite a life. But I still dream of a day when I could withdraw from Tokyo and move to a quiet small town, maybe a beach town? I’m still figuring out if I should post the articles I want Read more