Marie Kondo is a global celebrity at this point, with her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Cleaning, a worldwide sensation, and her sweet, gentle persona a pleasure to watch. When I heard that she had published an introspective non-fiction book, I knew I needed to read it for myself. So Letter from Japan ended up on my library requests and in my hands a lot sooner than I thought possible, and I am not wasting that by holding off on reading it.

“This book represents the guiding principles by which I lead my life every day. They also define, at least for me, the values that flow through the arts, rituals and sensibilities of Japan.” Though she’s known for “tidying up” and “sparking joy,” there’s more to Marie Kondo than her love of mess. Across book tours and international conferences, it became clear that her audience, while interested in how to keep their lives tidy, was also keen to learn about Kondo herself and the culture that is intrinsic to her tidying method. In Letter from Japan, Kondo responds to the myriad questions she received about her inspirations by examining the Japanese customs she grew up with—minute details of tea ceremonies, the art of taking care of gardens, and the power of passing seasons—with her trademark gentle wisdom. But this isn’t only a response to her audience’s fervent desire to get to know the woman behind the show; it’s a manifesto for her three children, a documentation of the foundational elements of their culture that is essential to their understanding of the world around them. With subtle and lyrical prose, Kondo embarks on her most personal and affirming book yet, holding onto the customs that not only spark joy but also preserve them for future generations.

I can struggle with being immersed in non-fiction, but that certainly isn’t the case with Letter from Japan. The historical references, cultural significance, and general personal meaningfulness of every part of this book have touched my soul, and I feel healed reading it. I feel the joy she feels when she sees the sakura, or when she sees something that is kawaii, and all the other moments that make this book so memorable and heart-warming. The writing style is so personal and comforting, like she is speaking to a friend, and it makes it all the more impactful when you consider this is for family. There is so much thought and love put into this, and it really shows in the final product. Even saying the word product feels wrong in this instance, it feels like a long, reflective letter that I want to read again and again. It is beautifully worded, with vivid imagery and emotion throughout. I don’t often feel this strongly about non-fiction, so you know it is a fantastic read when I do.

Letter from Japan feels more like a love letter than a book. It is a text that marvels over culture, customs, practices, symbolism, meaning, and history. It addresses the past, present, and future, giving equal respect to all and teaching the importance of each with care and detail. If you are someone who wants to shift your mindset away from the rat race, the arduous pressure of daily life, and open yourself up to a slower, more meaningful way of life, I highly recommend that you pick up Letter from Japan so you can see the comparison for yourself. Slow living and meaningful practices are not new sentiments or ideals, but I feel they are especially relevant for so many of us right now. Finding something to better our everyday lives is so important, not only for grounding ourselves and keeping ourselves sane, but to give us a fresh perspective we can consider and ruminate on.

Letter from Japan has been such a pleasant surprise for me, and I am so thankful and lucky to have found it at this point in my life. I know so many will love this read, and I implore you all to give it a go in 2026.