I visited Japan for the first time exactly a year ago to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend who turned 80 on February 27, 2024. The experience opened up a whole new world to me, and I returned both culturally and personally enriched, with newfound Japanese friends, unforgettable experiences, and a deep love for this extraordinary country.
I wrote a series of exclusive blog posts on Thursd.com that I named Japan, My Love: 7 Reasons I Fell in Love With Japan. In this series, I will highlight some of the most striking aspects of my journey. We’ve decided to release them weekly, much like a Netflix series, throughout the spring. If you love Japan or are simply intrigued by its beauty and culture, I invite you to join me on this spring blogging journey.
Chapter 1: Japanese People
My first trip to Japan was personal. I traveled there to celebrate a milestone birthday for my friend, Toshi Akutsu, who turned 80 at the end of February 2024. Toshi is an exceptional man, kind, friendly, and endlessly curious. A true legend in his neighborhood of Meguro, Tokyo. He celebrated his birthday in a beautiful restaurant with a private room, surrounded by a small group of close friends: Mrs. Noriko Sudoh, a kimono specialist with an exquisite collection of antique kimonos; Yui Kanan, a cosplay artist, and her manager, Matt Nakamura; and myself, a floral designer from Amsterdam.
Toshi and I first connected as pen pals during the pandemic, exchanging gifts when travel was impossible. I sent him Delft blue vases, European Christmas gifts, souvenirs, and Dutch waffles, while he sent me stunning obi ties for my floral arrangements, ikebana art calendars, and other exquisite examples of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Through Toshi, I met Kazuyo Asayama, a well-known figure in the floral industry. She once owned a gift and flower shop called Cadeautje, Dutch for 'small gift', and had traveled to the Netherlands hundreds of times for business. I was astonished by our unexpected connections; Kazuyo had worked with David Austin Roses, Alexandra Farms, and Interplant Roses, all companies I collaborate with as well. It truly is a small world! Kazuyo and I became close friends, and she will be visiting me in Amsterdam this April for a week.
Reserved People?
Before my trip, some friends warned me that Japanese people might be reserved or distant. I found the opposite to be true. I was embraced with warmth, kindness, and generosity at every turn. The Japanese are some of the most polite, thoughtful, and loving people I have ever met. Gift-giving is one of my favorite traditions, and in Japan, I found a deep appreciation for this cultural practice.
I also met Junko, a wonderful woman from northern Japan who had been following me on Instagram. She invited me to visit Mito, a historic garden famous for its plum blossoms, just an hour and a half north of Tokyo by train. You will read all about this in my next chapter. Junko and I instantly connected over our shared love for garden roses—she has traveled across Europe visiting the most beautiful rose gardens. I introduced her to Kazuyo, and they too became friends, now meeting regularly in Kyoto, where Junko has recently moved.
Making Connections
Even before arriving in Japan, my connections to its people continued to grow. During the IFTF trade fair in the Netherlands, I met Akiko, a Japanese representative from the Tokyo flower auction. She kindly arranged a guided tour for me and a meeting with Ken Kunieda, the son of Wabara’s founder Keiji Kunieda, an iconic breeder of garden roses. I have long admired Wabara roses for their exquisite shapes, colors, and textures, and it was a joy to meet the people behind these extraordinary blooms.
Another treasured connection is my teacher, Atsushi Taniguchi, a master florist and a floral artist who continues to inspire me. Through him, I met Mary, a colleague who gave me a tour of the Tokyo flower market (watch out for chapter 3!) and even gifted me a stunning textile flower bag featuring an 18th-century French pattern. My longtime friend from Amsterdam, Eori Wakakuwa, a cinematographer working in fashion, also shared invaluable recommendations for my trip, many of which I will reveal in Chapter 7!
I hope you enjoy following along on this journey as much as I enjoyed experiencing it!
PS: Happy birthday, dearest Toshi!,
With love and appreciation,
Katya
Read next: Chapter 2: Japanese Blossom Trees (coming March 6).
All images courtesy of Katya Hutter Floral Design. In the header, it's me with kimono specialist Noriko.
