Hiroko Yoda
@hirokoyoda.bsky.social
Tokyo based author of Eight Million Ways to Happiness. Certified kimono fitter. 着物着付け師範 https://linktr.ee/hirokoyoda
I wrote about a favorite magazine from my childhood in my book: My Birthday. It was packed with what I call "cute mysticism" and had amazing covers. Now, the magazine is back in the spotlight again, with an exhibition and book coming out about its artwork. blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/judging-a-...
Judging a Magazine by its Cover
A magazine I wrote about in my book is back in the spotlight
blog.hirokoyoda.com
I'm on Australia's ABC Radio! I spoke to @natashamitchell.bsky.social about Japan’s unique approach to blending secular and sacred, and how it can help you navigate complicated times. It was recorded at the 2026 Melbourne Writers Festival; now you can listen here! www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
8 Million Ways to Happiness with Hiroko Yoda — what we can all learn about life, love, and loss from Japan’s flexible spirituality - ABC listen
When writer Hiroko Yoda's mother died, she found herself unmoored. They'd argued a fair bit over the years — as daughters and their mothers can — some things were unresolved. So now what? She found he...
abc.net.au
Thanks to Christopher Harding for interviewing me on his newsletter! www.chrishardingjapan.com/p/eight-mill...
Eight Million Ways to Happiness
Hiroko Yoda and Japanese Approaches to Life
chrishardingjapan.com
One of the big issues in discussing Japanese spirituality is that nearly all of the key words get lost in translation. Even the most fundamental concepts do not map neatly on to one another. “Religion” is one. “God” is another. “Worship,” yet another. blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/translatin...
Translating Identity
The difficulties of discussing Japanese spirituality in English
blog.hirokoyoda.com
I have been fascinated by how faith plays such a role in the discussions of what it means to be American. Japan is wrestling with the question too, but in a much different way. I thought comparing and contrasting the two situations might be illuminating. www.noahpinion.blog/p/what-defin...
What defines Japan's national identity?
A guest post by Hiroko Yoda.
noahpinion.blog
Some real food for thought in this essay by @hirokoyoda.bsky.social on the different ways in which the US and Japan are grappling with what it means to be American or Japanese: www.noahpinion.blog/p/what-defin...
What defines Japan's national identity?
A guest post by Hiroko Yoda.
noahpinion.blog
I just got back from my first ever book tour in Australia where I met many other writers and readers. I learned a lot from the experience. Here are some thoughts. blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/letter-fro...
Letter from Australia
What it means to send stories into the world
blog.hirokoyoda.com
Australia-based friends! @hirokoyoda.bsky.social is a featured guest of the Sydney Writers Festival. I am so proud that her solo book talk has already sold out, but you can still get tix for her panel about applying traditional wisdom to help solve modern problems: www.swf.org.au/program/fest...
Wisdom of the Ages
swf.org.au
Japanese? Gaikokujin? What’s it all mean, asks @hirokoyoda.bsky.social blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/japanese-f...
Japanese, from Elsewhere
What does “being Japanese” really mean?
blog.hirokoyoda.com
@dkthomp.bsky.social and @ryanburge.bsky.social argue that Americans are increasingly "picking and choosing" spiritual beliefs, to their detriment. But @hirokoyoda.bsky.social's new book offers a powerful counterpoint: Japan. blog.pureinventionbook.com/p/disorganiz...
Disorganized Religion
How Japanese spirituality sheds light on American faith
blog.pureinventionbook.com
Derek Thompson@dkthomp.bsky.social · 4mo agoI'm on @tricyclemag.bsky.social talking about Japan's "radically inclusive" spiritual traditions, which make room for everyone and everything. Gift link here: tricycle.org/article/shug...
Mediums and Mountain Ascetics
Following her mother’s death, a writer turns to Japan’s spiritual traditions to find healing and connection.
tricycle.org
It’s cherry blossom season in Tokyo, and I wanted to share my thoughts. blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/sakura-sak...
Sakura, sakura
Cherries are more than trees. They're living poems.
blog.hirokoyoda.com
Spring has come to Tokyo! Join @hirokoyoda.bsky.social under the Sakura for a look at why cherry blossoms make us happy: www.instagram.com/reel/DWGUjqZ...
Australian friends! I've been invited to the 2026 Melbourne Writer Festival, and this is one of my events! I will talk about my book with journalist Natasha Mitchell, host of ABC Radio National's Big Ideas. The talk is 10:30am, May 10th. The link to register is: mwf.com.au/program/hiro...
I will admit that I have been avoiding Asakusa as a tourist trap, but @hirokoyoda.bsky.social uses “kimono chaos” to explain that radical inclusiveness of all comers has long been an Asakusa tradition. blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/kimono-cha...
Kimono Chaos
Tourists transforming tradition on the streets of Tokyo
blog.hirokoyoda.com
Some people disparage Asakusa as touristy. But over the last few years, I’ve come to see it differently. blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/kimono-chaos
Kimono Chaos
Tourists transforming tradition on the streets of Tokyo
blog.hirokoyoda.com
Spiritual connects to culture in modern Japan - even in a Godzilla poster - so many wonderful insights from talented author Hiroko Yoda on Seek-Sustainable-Japan @hirokoyoda.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/r-jmZ...
Japan Views of Spirituality Mixed into Modern Life - Author Hiroko Yoda
YouTube video by Seek Sustainable Japan | JJWalsh
youtube.com
I just went on @jjwalsh.bsky.social ‘s Seek Sustainable Japan podcast. I talk about how I wrote my book, and how to interpret Japanese spiritual tradition. Please check it out! www.youtube.com/live/59NtOYh...
Personal stories of Japan's Cultural Connections to KAMI Gods | interview with Hiroko Yoda
YouTube video by Seek Sustainable Japan | JJWalsh
youtube.com
I can recommend this new book - an exploration of Japanese spirituality by @hirokoyoda.bsky.social that’s unusually aimed at the general reader. It’s an excellent introduction to how the Japanese view religion and what it looks like in Japan.
Agreed (and not just because @hirokoyoda.bsky.social and I translated Dorohedoro!)
io9@io9.com · 5mo agoIf You Love 'Chainsaw Man,' You Should Read 'Dorohedoro' and 'Dai Dark' Immediately
I absolutely loved this book by @hirokoyoda.bsky.social. If you are interested in Japanese spiritual practices, Japanese culture, Japan, or how to improve your life, you should definitely read it. I'm extremely grateful that Hiroko so generously shared her knowledge and her own personal journey.
"I always struggled to recommend a book to others who asked me for a recommendation on the topic [of Japanese spiritality]. Now I know the answer." The Japan Society UK reviews @hirokoyoda.bsky.social: www.japansociety.org.uk/review?revie...
Really nice review of my book from the Japan Society in UK. Link: www.japansociety.org.uk/review?revie...
In Japan, when volcanoes erupt, you run. On Hawaii's Big Island, volcanoes are akin to a spectator sport. So I learned last month, when Mount Kiluaea erupted in front of my eyes, bringing me face to face with the Goddess of Fire! blog.hirokoyoda.com/p/meeting-th...
Meeting the Goddess of Fire
An unexpected surprise on a trip to Hawaii
blog.hirokoyoda.com
Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan. “Hiroko awakens readers to the idea of a traditional spiritual flexibility that seamlessly coexists with the modern secular world…” [bookshop.org]
Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan
Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan
bookshop.org
Happy 2026! 📚🎆 Here are some great reads to kickstart the new year: @carolinejames1.bsky.social @hirokoyoda.bsky.social @eowynivey.bsky.social @christiebarlow.bsky.social @harpercollins.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @boldwoodbooks.bsky.social @bookouture.bsky.social
Spotted your book in the wild in Auckland, NewZealand @hirokoyoda.bsky.social! Very much front and centre of the shop
Tomorrow, January 19th, @hirokoyoda.bsky.social will be giving a reading from her newly released survey of the Japanese spiritual landscape, “Eight Million Ways to Happiness,” with moderator @chaykak.bsky.social at Lost City in Washington DC. Join us!
