I lived in Japan for six years.

Before moving to Tokyo, I had visited the country several times as a tourist. Looking back, I realize how many things I misunderstood back then. Living in Japan changed the way I saw it completely.

Even after leaving, I still find myself learning something new about Japanese culture. The longer I reflect on those years, the more I realize that many of the things that define everyday life in Japan are easy to miss when you're only passing through.

Here are some of the things I didn't fully notice until I lived there.

"I want to draw with sincere feelings, just like you."

The book about personal transformation I'd like to recommend is The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.

This is a story about a boy who is magically transformed and travels across Sweden on the back of a white goose, slowly learning compassion, friendship, and love for the world around him.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a book about a desire most of us have felt at least once: the wish to return to the past.