Blog – Happy Donabe Life

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Spring Jubako Moments🌸 Handcrafted paulownia

Spring Jubako Moments🌸

Handcrafted paulownia wood jubako by Naiki Mokkosho—lightweight, beautifully made, and designed for sharing. Perfect for picnic bento, seasonal gatherings, or bringing a sense of occasion to everyday meals.

Explore more via Gifu Collection 2026 link in BIO🔗

Naoko on KCRW’s Good Food with Evan Kleiman! Na

Naoko on KCRW’s Good Food with Evan Kleiman!

Naoko @mrsdonabe is back on the latest episode of @kcrwgoodfood with @kcrwevan ! In the interview, she shares her journey with donabe since she moved to LA 25 years ago, and also talks about her new cookbook, Simply Donabe—including some of the recipes and her approach to everyday donabe cooking. Thank you so much, Evan and KCRW!

You can listen to the full interview from @kcrwgoodfood website link. Happy Donabe Life!

One of the most charming experiences in Hida Takay

One of the most charming experiences in Hida Takayama is the morning market, known as asaichi.

Farmers and artisans gather early in the day to sell seasonal vegetables, homemade foods, and handmade crafts. Walking through the market feels like stepping into everyday life in the region.

During her visit, @mrsdonabe was wandering through the market when something immediately caught her eye — a table filled with beautifully hand-carved wooden spoons and tools. The natural colors of the wood, the elegant shapes, and the warmth of the craftsmanship instantly stood out.

The maker was Kaneko-san of Shizendou. Meeting him there and seeing his work in person left a strong impression. Each piece reflects the beauty of the Hida forests and the quiet dedication of a single artisan.

Today, we are lucky to introduce Kaneko-san’s work in the United States for the first time as part of our Gifu Collection 2026. Link in BIO 🔗

@gogifu_japan

New Oribe-Kushime pieces by Fudoh-Gama have joined

New Oribe-Kushime pieces by Fudoh-Gama have joined our GIFU Collection.

Naoko has long appreciated the character of Oribe pottery for its rich color and organic texture. Each piece in the Kushime series feature its signature hand-carved, comb-textured “kushime” lines, individually shaved by hand before firing. This is a perfect example of Mino-yaki pottery traditions designed for everyday use at the table.

Explore the full Oribe line and more from our 2026 GIFU Collection - Link in Bio🔗

TOIRO’s Premium Selection: Fresh 2025 harvest of

TOIRO is currently filled with the most stunning i

TOIRO is currently filled with the most stunning items from our 2026 GIFU Collection! Come visit us in our shop and explore online, too. The full collection is available for your perusal through our online shop - Link in bio🔗

Happy Donabe Life!

As part of the Gifu Collection 2026, we’re inclu

As part of the Gifu Collection 2026, we’re including a special gift from Iwadaira Tea Farm — their single-steep tea — with any purchase of Gifu items during the fair, while supplies last.

Iwadaira Tea Farm is a small, family-run tea farm in Yaotsu, Gifu, surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. For three generations, the family has been cultivating tea in this peaceful environment, growing green tea and wild herbal teas without the use of pesticides.

During her recent visit to Gifu, @mrsdonabe traveled deep into the mountains to meet the family. They welcomed her with such warm omotenashi — serving many different teas along with homemade hoshigaki (dried persimmons) and apple chips. It was a truly special experience in a place where nature and daily life feel closely connected.

Explore Gifu Collection 2026 in our website - Link in BIO 🔗

@gogifu_japan

Naoko Featured Front Page in @ottawacitizen Ottawa

Naoko Featured Front Page in @ottawacitizen Ottawa Citizen’s Food Section!

Naoko and her new cookbook, Simply Donabe, were featured in the Ottawa Citizen, a major Canadian newspaper, in an article by Laura Brehaut. The story shares her perspective on donabe as more than cookware, but part of everyday life—something that brings a sense of connection, whether cooking for yourself or for others. It also touches on her journey of starting TOIRO and her hope to make Japanese home cooking more approachable. Read the full article, linked in our website’s news page. Happy Donabe Life!

We are excited to introduce the TOIRO x Taski Prem

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