Holiday Cheer

Issue
27

Yo! Records - A New Branch of Yo! Magazine

We are excited to announce “Yo! Records”, an independent record label based in Los Angeles. Our goal is to release music from up-and-coming Asian American artists and celebrate our unique community. 

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Starting Your Own Family Mochitsuki

A family mochitsuki can be a great way to bring the family together for the holidays and it's easier than you think.

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Holiday Tastes and Traditions

What food do you need to have to complete your holiday season? Three millennial women share the the meals and recipes that have become new traditions in their families - two recipes included!

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What’s in an Osechi?

An entire arrangement of traditional Japanese foods, and yet most of us don't know where it came from or what the foods represent.

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How to reduce stress during the holidays

During the holidays, it’s important to take time for yourself and to allow the nervous system to reset. Here are some of my tips to help you relax and find a little “Me” time.

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Have You Been to a Traditional Mochitsuki?

Traditional mochitsuki is a long-time tradition of the Yasukochi Family. Here's a family members perspective of the annual event.

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Winter Themed Cocktails

Cocktails to sip next to a fire pit

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4 Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas

Brianna (@brimoreecofriendly) is here with 4 easy and sustainable ways to wrap your presents this holiday season!

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To Santa or not to Santa, that is the question

To Santa or not to Santa, that is the question. More than ever, it takes a lot of effort and maneuvering on the parents’ part to keep this magic alive. Some will say that the fight is worth it, others will argue it’s time to stop lying to our kids—because yes, that is what it takes sometimes to keep it going. Lying.

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What to get your friends’ kids

The magic sweet spot for friends’ kids gifting is it has to be useful enough for the parent to appreciate it, but still fun for the kid (because you want to be the cool one), and also something kind of off the mainstream path so the parent hasn’t gotten it for them yet. Oh and obviously not super expensive because dude, you’re just the weird auntie/uncle still, and no need to invest in that kind of relationship.

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Our Latest Articles

Traveling for "Free"

By
Kent Marume
I
March 16, 2024

Learn how I only spent around $1,250 this year on two roundtrip international flights, 10 nights in Japan, and three nights in Amsterdam. 

A Student's Guide to Organizing a Day of Remembrance

By
Alicia Tan
I
March 6, 2024

If you’ve ever been interested in organizing a Day of Remembrance ceremony for your community, here is a beginner-friendly guide from newbie Alicia Tan who successfully participated in the organization of two this year.

Studio Ghibli’s Mundane Masterpiece

By
Alicia Tan
I
January 18, 2024

If there’s one thing Studio Ghibli is known for, it’s their ability to create amazing fantasy worlds. So why is it that my favorite Studio Ghibli film takes place in our own mundane world?

“The Boy and the Heron” Prepares Studio Ghibli Fans to Say Goodbye

By
Alicia Tan
I
January 18, 2024

Although “The Boy and the Heron” encapsulates a profound message about physical loss, it also feels like a love letter to Studio Ghibli fans.

To my younger self: A semester into college, here’s what I know!

By
Alicia Tan
I
January 18, 2024

I just finished my first semester of college, and since college was always the one big milestone you were looking forward to, I’m here to let you know that things aren’t exactly how we expected them to be. Fear not, though, I’m here to quell all your worries and let you know how our first semester went.

Yo! This is Who I Am: Kevin Charles Keizuchi of The Shinsei Movement

By
Kevin Charles Keizuchi
I
January 18, 2024

If information is power, then shouldn’t we all strive for all the people in our community to feel powerful? 

Finding Home Everywhere

By
Meili Britton
I
January 12, 2024

As the daughter of a U.S. diplomat, I’ve never lived in any country longer than four years, my entire family packing up our lives and transplanting ourselves into a new culture any time my father’s job called for it. After years of trying to find home, I now balance many cultures and practices into a unique and ever-changing identity in search of peace and community.

Survive This Winter The Japanese Way!

By
Nicole Sato
I
December 19, 2023

How to survive winter, Japanese style

Okaeri 2023: A Beautiful and Transformative Conference

By
Jasmine Kono-Song
I
December 18, 2023

I was honored to be part of such a large gathering of queer and trans Nikkei. My feelings of shame were replaced with pride, as I heard Japanese Americans of different sexualities, genders, and generations share their stories.

Meet Lisa Aihara, Illustrator of “One Musubi For Me: Counting Things Japanese”

By
Nicole Oshima
I
December 10, 2023

We sat down with Lisa and her daughter Millie to let you in on who Lisa Aihara really is, and talk about her new book, "One Musubi For Me: Counting Things Japanese."

Nikkei Community Activities Directory

By
Kyle Okazaki
I
December 7, 2023

Looking for activities to do in Nikkei Communities? Check out our directory now!

Introducing the Latest Major Initiative from Yo! - the Yo! Accelerator

By
Craig Ishii
I
November 29, 2023

Introducing Yo! Accelerator - uniting and empowering builders and creators, driving innovation and lasting community impact.

Japanese Nonfluency

By
Kyle Okazaki
I
November 15, 2023

Coming to terms with knowing Spanish better than Japanese was embarrassing yet indicative of the uniqueness of Japanese American culture.

Dear Tatami

By
Nicole Sato
I
November 15, 2023

My love letter to the best flooring in the world. But it's also so much more.

"Blue Eye Samurai" creators hope viewers can appreciate Japanese culture in Netflix’s newest adult animated series

By
Nicole Oshima
I
November 8, 2023

The series, which premiered on Netflix on November 3rd and stars PEN15's Maya Erskine, is the story of a mixed-race, female sword master’s revenge set in Edo-period Japan.

Ghibli's Oppenheimer

By
Kyle Okazaki
I
October 30, 2023

Ghibli's "The Wind Rises" explores themes similar to that of Nolan's "Oppenheimer" that have influenced by engineering career.

Our Legacy: How I Created a Family Photo Archive

By
Justin Kawaguchi
I
October 27, 2023

So you’re looking to process that box of old photos in the back of your baachan’s closet? You’ve come to the right place.

My Intersectional Identity

By
Alicia Tan
I
October 21, 2023

Starting university and exploring student organizations prompted me to ask myself some questions about who I am. How do I piece together the parts of my identity?

What It's Like Traveling To Japan on Zipair, JAL's All New LCC

By
Nicole Sato
I
October 17, 2023

Have you been on Zipair? Here are the knows to survive the new Japanese LCC!

Using a Weekly Planner to Record My Kids' Funny Antics

By
Lisa Aihara
I
October 15, 2023

Using a weekly planner to catch all the moments I don't want to forget about my kids

Dina’s Guide to Surviving Graduate School Applications

By
Dina Furumoto
I
October 13, 2023

Graduate school can be a daunting journey filled with imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but it can also be an exciting next step that can open many new doors and opportunities. To help ease the burden, here are a few tips that I’d like to share to those considering graduate school.

A visit to the archives (Learning from our AAPI Leaders)

By
Eo Hanabusa
I
October 9, 2023

Are you feeling reflective and wistful now that Autumn is here? Archiving your memories can empower you and your community.

What To Eat on a Hot Day: Japanese Food Edition

By
Nicole Sato
I
September 18, 2023

Tired of somen? Try these Japanese summer dishes out!

"George the JA" in Netflix's "Beef"

By
Kyle Okazaki
I
September 13, 2023

George from the Netflix show BEEF serves as a reminder of my privilege as a Japanese American.

A Love Letter to Spam Musubi

By
Lisa Aihara
I
September 13, 2023

What's your perfect Spam Musubi?

Summer's End | radiYO! September 2023 Playlists

By
Nicole Oshima
I
September 8, 2023

Celebrate the end of summer with playlists made by some of our favorite tastemakers.

Three Reasons Why Queer Obon Just ~Makes Sense~

By
Mariko Rooks
I
September 8, 2023

This past June, Okaeri LA hosted the first ever Queer Obon (we think), or a festival designed to bring LGBTQ+ people together in community for this important Buddhist holiday.

Kioku: A Japanese American Magazine of Joy, Artistry, and Remembrance

By
Katey Terumi Laubscher
I
September 7, 2023

In July 2022, I attended my first ever pilgrimage at Heart Mountain Interpretive Center in Wyoming. I knew that I wanted to harness our community’s artistry as a method for sharing stories, and thus Kioku Magazine was born.

When Cancer Wasn't My Main Problem

By
Nicole Sato
I
August 22, 2023

When I got cancer, I thought that would be my biggest problem. I was very wrong.

Culture is my Climate Change Survival Guide

By
Eo Hanabusa
I
August 13, 2023

How can culture empower my climate change survival? A reflection on seasonality, disasters, and a handwritten letter.

Thinking about Japanese baby names? Start here.

By
Lisa Aihara
I
August 4, 2023

I've been the go-to Japanese baby name friend. If you're wondering where to start, here's a crash course.

Knights, Horses, Pirates, and Pokemon - Yeah They Were All At Camp This Year

By
Craig Ishii
I
July 12, 2023

Yo! Camp 2023 was one for the ages. Read on.