Last Updated on February 18, 2026
Seasonal Home Decor
In my current home, I have a display space on top of the shoe cabinet, so I decorated it. In this post, I’ll show you my Fall to Winter Home Decor Transition and how I refresh the display for the new season, for those who are interested in displays in a small corner of a Japanese home.
Effortless Beauty
I used to display various crafts my children made here. Now, I’ve changed things up and decorate the space with seasonal items I choose myself. Since my days are quite busy, I prefer decorating with dried flowers and greenery that don’t require daily care. This way, I can still enjoy a touch of nature in my home without feeling overwhelmed.
The flower vase I used this time was purchased at ACTUS Marunouchi, an interior goods store. It may sound a bit odd, but I was drawn to it because of its look, which reminds me of a slightly shriveled potato. It’s simple, yet has a textured charm that suits both Japanese and Western styles. You can also put plants in it, but even leaving it empty creates a nice atmosphere.
Plants
The plant is a vine that I bought during the Christmas season from a nearby florist. It is called Sankirai(Smilax glabra Roxburgh). I thought it was a Western plant since sellers presented it as a Christmas wreath, but I discovered that it naturally grows in Japan and other parts of Asia. When I first bought it, the berries were bright red, but over time they darkened, giving them a calm and mature look. I took apart the wreath and removed some pieces to create a small arrangement.
Quick Tip: Thorns
This plant has thorns, and its vines are stiff, so you need to handle it with care. However, its stubborn nature and the striking red accent give a strong impression to anyone who sees it. Also, it evokes the brushstrokes of Japanese calligraphy. I’m not sure what a professional flower arranger would think, but I feel that it turned out quite nicely!
Japanese Touches
Japanese TouchesHere’s something else I added. This bamboo basket is actually the container for some sweets I bought as a souvenir when I visited Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture. The sweets were delicious, and since the container was so cute, I decided to use it. Karuizawa is a popular area for vacation homes and a beautiful place, so I’ll introduce it to you someday.
You’ve arranged flowers in something other than a vase, like I did, haven’t you?
Displaying Traditional Crafts
And one more thing. This is a traditional folk toy from Fukushima Prefecture called Akabeko. The head wobbles back and forth when you tap it. It is bright red, very cute in a Japanese style, and also serves as a charm for warding off evil and protecting against illness. At that time, some of my family members weren’t feeling very well, so I put it on display.
Where to Buy Crafts
I didn’t buy this in Fukushima; I got it at a Fukushima specialty store “MIDETTE” in Nihonbashi. Various regional specialty stores from all over Japan have branches in Tokyo. They are called antenna shops. Most of these antenna shops are operated by local governments, such as prefectures and municipalities. They are established in major cities like Tokyo to promote local specialties and tourism of their respective regions.
In Nihonbashi alone, there are six shops offering a variety of local specialties, crafts, and souvenirs. Some of the shops even serve regional dishes. They are very popular spots in Tokyo, offering new discoveries for people who have never visited these regions and niche products for fans of those areas.
Red Winter Display
Red Winter DisplayAnd now, winter has arrived. I set up a small Christmas tree. I received some red ornaments that my parents no longer used and decorated the tree with plenty of them. The wooden toy in the front was also a gift from the same time. When you give it a little push, it spins around, allowing you to see all the different decorations on it.
Actually, a friend recently gave me a beautiful champagne gold ornament, so I was planning to go with a gold theme. However, I couldn’t get everything ready in time this year. I’ll look forward to trying that look next year!
Along with the tree, I displayed a nutcracker and a decorative runner; both are souvenirs from Germany given to me by my mother. They have become my go-to items for the holiday season every year. By decorating the tree with red ornaments and nutcrackers, I created a warm and cozy atmosphere that made me feel as if I were back at my parents’ house.
White and silver decorations
White and silver decorationsThis is my Christmas tree from last year. I decorated it with white and silver ornaments, along with large transparent snowflakes from a 100-yen shop. The gift box decorations were from IKEA. My favorite is the snowflake ornament. Although it has a simple design, it is as beautiful as if it were made of ice frozen on water.
What is a 100-yen shop?
A 100-yen shop is a store that offers a wide variety of items for 100 yen each (approx. $0.6 / €0.5), and it is also very popular among tourists. They are very convenient when you want to buy small items because they are affordable and the total cost is easy to calculate. Also, please note that seasonal items, such as calendars and holiday event goods, are not available year-round.
Enjoy with Your Eyes and Taste Buds
Enjoy with Your Eyes and Taste BudsThis is a Lindt advent calendar. It’s covered in cute bear illustrations and brings a little joy to my home every day leading up to Christmas.Inside, there are classic chocolates along with bear-shaped ones. Sometimes, two chocolates come out at once, which my child seemed to really enjoy.
Since I decorated the tree in red this year, I wonder if I should have bought the calendar again. However, I decided to skip it because the illustrations were exactly the same as last year.
White Dried Flowers
White Dried FlowersAfter the holidays, I packed up the decorations and transitioned to a simpler look, featuring the fluffy white dried flowers as the centerpiece. I bought these dried flowers for the fall and winter seasons. They add an extra sense of warmth that is perfect for the cold weather.
The shop is garage TOKYO, located in the Marunouchi Building (Maru-biru), which is directly connected to Tokyo Station. It’s an incredibly convenient spot to stop by while you’re in the area. The shop offers both finished flower arrangements and raw materials, so you can choose the style that best fits your needs.
The white vase next to them was purchased at ACTUS, which I mentioned earlier. I love its unique shape—it reminds me of a Baumkuchen or even a torso. Although this vase isn’t designed for water, it works beautifully as a decorative object on its own. It’s also an ideal match for my dried flowers, so the limitation hasn’t been a problem for me.
As spring approaches, there will be several Japanese seasonal events. I look forward to sharing my new decorations for those occasions with you soon!
(Just updated: Check out the related posts below)
Information
Dried Flowers
garage TOKYO
Raw materials (bundle)
– Around ¥800 (approx. $3.2 / €2.7)
Flower Vases
– ¥3,000 (approx. $19.0 / €16.2)
Access
– About 560 ft (170 m) from Tokyo Station
– ACTUS Marunouchi
Akabeko
– ¥1,000 (approx. $6.3 / €5.4)
Access
– About 1150 ft (350 m) from Kanda Station
– MIDETTE
Information and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.
