This year, I’ve been hearing from many gardeners that they harvested far more baby potatoes than usual. Whenever I find potatoes this size, I always make one of my favorite Brazilian family recipes: Pickled Baby Potatoes. It’s a simple recipe that has been part of our family for many years. D

Every year, I grow loofah vines in the Kuma Café garden. This year, they have just started climbing along the fence near the entrance. They are still small for now, but before long, long green loofahs will be hanging there for visitors to see. These photos are from a previous season, and I’m

When I first planned the Kuma Café garden, I wanted it to be only green, white and purple. Of course, it didn’t quite work out. My beloved peonies, for example, don’t come in purple. 😄 Still, I managed to bring a lot of purple into the garden. Do you like purple? 💜 #KumaCafe #Cottag

One of the best gardening tips I learned after moving to rural Japan was using rice husks (Momigara) as mulch. They help keep the soil cool in summer, reduce watering, suppress weeds, and gradually improve the soil as they break down. Simple, natural, sustainable—and one of the easiest ways t

#クリエイター成長ラボ If you’re looking for a destination beyond Tokyo, Tokamachi in Niigata is one of Japan’s hidden gems. Explore the breathtaking Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, walk through the magical Bijin Bayashi forest, soak in the famous Matsunoyama Onsen, discover cozy cafés, and admire the beautiful

When I started my cottage garden, most of the plants were still tiny. These flowers gave color and life to the garden while the roses and shrubs were growing. 1. Shasta Daisy – easy to grow and loved by pollinators. 2. French Lavender – beautiful foliage and fragrance. 3. Trailing Gypsophila –

🌹 Meet Christiana Four years ago, she arrived as a tiny bare-root rose. Today, she has become one of the highlights of my garden. What makes Christiana special? ✨ Strong fragrance with fresh lemon notes ✨ Repeat flowering throughout the season ✨ Excellent disease resistance ✨ Large 8 cm

In 2022 this was just an empty piece of land. No flowers. No roses. No garden. Just mud, weeds and a dream. I started with a few pots, a few plants and a lot of patience. Four years later, my cottage garden is slowly becoming the place I imagined. Gardening has taught me that beaut

In 2023, I opened Kuma Café in rural Niigata, Japan. This building was abandoned and needed a complete renovation. Here are a few photos of the transformation. Sometimes big dreams start with old buildings. ☕🏡🌹 E colocaria algumas hashtags: #JapanLife #Kominka #CafeDesign