A quick housekeeping post, and some bits and bobs from Japan and my worldwide travels…

I’ve been busy preparing some new projects this year, which I am excited to share with you soon! To start, I’ll be in Mexico in April on a food journalism trip — Puerto Vallarta, Puebla, and Mexico City. Get ready for coverage of Mexican witchcraft (brujeria) and sugar skulls… Add me on Instagram @lacarmina to see these upcoming witchy adventures!

I’ve also been busy with travel writing assignments, mostly about Japan. This photo by Said Karlsson illustrates the feeling when National Geographic magazine publishes you — and the royalties from your last book are in!

My latest Nat Geo writing highlights 10 spectacular experiences you can have in Japan, from shopping for Harajuku fashion to sleeping in a Buddhist temple, and soaking under the stars at an onsen. Read my National Geographic Japan travel article here. I also did a primer on 11 things to know before traveling to Japan for Fodor’s Travel.

If you’re here for my Japan content, I’ve got you. Read on for a peek inside the Miffy Storehouse Bakery Cafe in Kawagoe, which is only about 40 minutes by express train from Ikebukuro, and well worth a day trip.

On that front — I’ll be back in Japan for Halloween! I confirmed a work trip and will be hitting up my favorite spots in Tokyo and other cities… once again, stay tuned for more details.

You can keep up with my travel/work updates (as well as throwbacks, such as to my red haired modeling days at Luisaviaroma in Italy) on Instagram @lacarmina. 

And now, for an overload of cute Japanese pop culture… On my last trip, I had to make a pilgrimage to the Miffy Storehouse Bakery and Cafe in Kawagoe, Tokyo. (Watch my IG reel about my visit.)

Kawagoe is a quiet, old-school neighborhood about 30-45 min by train from Tokyo. Amidst the artisan kimono and craft stores, you’ll find a cafe and boutique dedicated to the cute, minimalist Dutch bunny.

Miffy is from the Netherlands, but she’s big in Japan for obvious reasons. How wonderful is this giant Miffy statue at the entrance?

At Miffy Storehouse Bakery, you can have coffee drinks and fresh baked goods shaped like the cute bunny, and shop for her kawaii merch. Everything is bakery-themed, like this plush toy of Boris the Bear as a chef.

The baked goods are fresh and scrumptious. I particularly liked the savory ones, such as a square curry-filled bread. (Watch my Instagram video to see what I had here!)

Is it cannibalism if Miffy drinks a Miffy latte?

Miffy Storehouse in Kawagoe is a terrific spot for picking up omiyage or souvenirs / gifts for friends back home.

Next door, you can browse Miffy themed merchandise of all kinds. I had to drop some yen here, as she’s my favorite character.

The bunny was created by Utrecht’s Dick Bruna in the 1950s. (Remember when I visited his Netherlands studio and the Miffy Dutch museum?)

If you can’t make it to Kawagoe, there’s also a Miffy store in Tokyo Station’s “Character Street” (see info and photos here).

For footage of the Miffy Kawagoe bakery and shop, see my IG reel @lacarmina. You can also see me rocking the Baggu x Miffy new bag collection in this video.

Try to visit Kawagoe on the 8th, 18th or 28th of every month — as these are the dates for “Kimono Day.” You’ll see people wearing gorgeous kimonos, strolling in the historic streets and visiting shrines.

I had the best time wandering around Kawagoe’s many Shinto shrines, and appreciating the kimono fashions everywhere.

These days, Miffy / Mercis has many Japanese collaborations — like this accessories line I spotted in Sunshine City Ikebukuro.

I’ll leave you with some final Jpop culture snaps. When I arrived at Narita Airport, I was greeted by Nintendo characters holding signs! (Helloooo, Luigi…)

Super Mario and friends are as popular as ever. No wonder they serve as tourism ambassadors, welcoming visitors to NRT airport.

As I rode down the escalators to customs and baggage claim, I got to enjoy these murals of Nintendo princesses and Boo shy ghosts. (Or Teresa, as she’s called in the Land of the Rising Sun.)

Hatsune Miku is another symbol of Japan — here she is in an airport promo video about things to do in different regions of the country.

Of course, you’ll find big-eyed, round and funky mascots all over Tokyo (even at Espace pachinko parlor).

Kirby is another fan favorite. I spotted these character goods and foods at a convenience store.

I stopped by the Diver City Hello Kitty Store (in Odaiba). In addition to selling cute goods, it has a dessert, donuts and ice cream parlor themed after the Sanrio character and friends. Couldn’t resist getting a cute cone with a Kitty waffle.

For an edgier and more eccentric take on kawaii, look for Sebastian Masuda’s 6% Doki Doki in Harajuku. Yukiro and I stopped by the temporary Kawaii Monster Cafe popup, which featured psychedelic pastel fashion and a monstrous cake.

Mandarake is the go-to shop for collectors of anime, manga, and collectibles. It has various locations, including this one in Nakano Broadway with a torii gate entrance.

I’m especially drawn to vintage Japanese characters like these (you can find rare and offbeat anything at Mandarake).

I leave you with the Floating Buddha of Ikebukuro. No matter how many times I return to Japan, there’s always something new and eccentric to enjoy.

Can’t wait to be back in fall 2025 to capture more Tokyo travel tales for you — including Halloween Goth and drag queen events! If you have any suggestions for weird / alternative places in Japan to check out, please let me know in the comments.

I’ve also been having fun revisiting past travels/photos, which I post regularly on Instagram @lacarmina. Here’s a red carpet moment at Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Niterói, the UFO-like museum designed by Oscar Niemeyer near Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Another dazzling architectural delight: El Palauet hotel in Barcelona, Spain.

In this ever-Collapsing era, isn’t it tempting to run away to a remote tropical island? Here’s a happy memory from Cebu and Lapu Lapu in the Philippines.

You can find all my past country / city travel guides on my Destination page (I’ve been to over 70 countries, so there are tons of tips from around the world).

Finally — if you dig my Goth fashion (like this dress I wore in Morocco), don’t forget I’m selling pretty much everything I own on @lacarmina Depop!

Take a browse and let me know if I can send you anything. Can do discounts and exact shipping worldwide. Google “La Carmina Depop” for my listings or visit this link to see what I have available, and please reach out. Email me: gothiccarmina attt gmail dotcomm