Los Angeles Japanese culture exchange

Japanese Fermentation for Gut Health & Longevity
Discover the Secret Behind Japan's Traditional Wellness Foods
Presented by Active ZEN
Led by Japanese Fermentation Expert Saki Yamaguchi

🌿 Why Are So Many People Interested in Japanese Longevity?
Japan is home to some of the longest-living and healthiest populations in the world.
Many people around the world are curious about the daily habits that contribute to Japanese health, vitality, and longevity.
One important reason is Japan's rich fermentation culture.
For centuries, Japanese families have used fermented foods to create flavorful meals while supporting digestion, nutrition, and overall well-being.
In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll discover one of Japan's best-kept wellness secrets:
Koji (麹)
A traditional fermented ingredient that has been used for generations to create healthy and delicious foods.

🌸 Do Any of These Sound Familiar?
✔ You want to improve your gut health naturally
✔ You are interested in healthy aging and longevity
✔ You want more energy throughout the day
✔ You care about nutrition but don't have time for complicated diets
✔ You are curious about Japanese food and wellness practices
✔ You want sustainable habits rather than temporary health trends
If so, this workshop may be perfect for you.

🌾 What Is Koji?
Koji is often called the foundation of Japanese cuisine.
It is used to create many traditional Japanese foods, including:
✔ Miso
✔ Soy Sauce
✔ Sake
✔ Shio-Koji
✔ Amazake
For centuries, Japanese households have used koji to create naturally flavorful foods while supporting digestive health and nutrition.
Today, chefs, nutritionists, and wellness communities around the world are rediscovering its benefits.

💡 What You Will Gain
By participating in this workshop, you will:
✔ Learn the foundations of Japanese fermentation
✔ Understand how fermented foods support gut health
✔ Discover the connection between food, wellness, and longevity in Japanese culture
✔ Make your own Shio-Koji at home
✔ Learn simple ways to use Koji in everyday cooking
✔ Explore practical wellness habits you can immediately incorporate into your lifestyle
Many participants also leave feeling:
✔ Inspired to cook more at home
✔ More mindful about food choices
✔ More connected to healthy daily habits

👥 Who Is This For?
✔ People interested in gut health and digestion
✔ Wellness enthusiasts
✔ Individuals interested in healthy aging and longevity
✔ Japanese food lovers
✔ Home cooks seeking healthier ingredients
✔ Busy professionals looking for sustainable wellness habits
✔ Anyone curious about Japanese culture and traditional food wisdom
No cooking experience is required.

🌸 About the Experience
This is not a complicated cooking class.
It is a practical and beginner-friendly introduction to Japanese fermentation and wellness.
The workshop combines:
✔ Japanese cultural wisdom
✔ Fermentation education
✔ Hands-on learning
✔ Everyday wellness practices
During the session, you will:
✨ Learn the history and significance of Japanese fermentation
✨ Discover the science and benefits of Koji
✨ Make your own Shio-Koji
✨ Learn how to use it in simple everyday meals

🌿 Why Japanese Fermentation Matters Today
Many wellness trends focus on quick results.
Japanese fermentation takes a different approach.
Rather than strict diets or complicated routines, it emphasizes small daily habits that can be sustained for a lifetime.
Japanese food culture teaches balance, simplicity, and consistency.
This workshop introduces these principles in a practical and accessible way.

🌾 What You Will Make
Shio-Koji
A traditional Japanese fermented seasoning made from rice koji, salt, and water.
During the workshop, you'll create your own batch to ferment at home.
You will learn how to use it to:
✔ Marinate meat and fish
✔ Enhance vegetables
✔ Add natural umami to meals
✔ Reduce reliance on processed seasonings
✔ Create healthier home-cooked dishes
Shio-Koji is simple to make and typically ready within 5–7 days.

👩‍🍳 Instructor
Saki Yamaguchi
Gut Health Advocate | Japanese Cooking & Fermentation Expert
✔ 20+ years in the food industry
✔ 10+ years teaching experience
✔ Certified Fermentation Specialist
✔ Taught over 1,000 students
Her philosophy:
"Food is Life."
She believes that small daily food choices can create lasting improvements in health, balance, and overall well-being.

🌸 Event Details
📅 June 28, 2026 (Sunday)
🕒 5:00–6:00 PM PST
🕒 8:00–9:00 PM EST
📍 Online via Zoom
✔ Beginner-friendly
✔ Conducted live from Japan
✔ Multilingual translation support available
✔ Interactive and hands-on format

🍶 Workshop Flow
① Welcome & Introduction
② The Story of Japanese Fermentation
③ What Is Koji?
④ Hands-On Shio-Koji Making
⑤ Everyday Uses & Simple Recipes
⑥ Q&A

🥣 Tools Needed
✔ Rice Koji (150g)
✔ Salt (50g)
✔ Water (240g)
✔ Mixing bowl
✔ Storage container
✔ Alcohol spray
Shopping recommendations will be provided after registration.

✔ Before the Workshop
Please prepare all ingredients and tools before the session.
This will allow you to fully enjoy the hands-on experience.

🎟 Reserve Your Spot
Seats are limited.
✔ Beginner-friendly
✔ Solo participants welcome
✔ Supportive and interactive environment
Whether you are new to fermentation or simply curious about Japanese wellness practices, we warmly welcome you.
Join us and discover how one simple Japanese ingredient can support a healthier, more mindful lifestyle.

🌿 About Active ZEN
Active ZEN brings traditional Japanese wisdom into modern life through tea ceremony, fermentation, calligraphy, and other mindful cultural experiences.
Our mission is to help people around the world discover practical ways to cultivate greater health, balance, and well-being through Japanese culture.

👩 About the Organizer
Kaori Ota
Founder of Active ZEN
Former international flight attendant with ANA (All Nippon Airways).
Having traveled to more than 50 countries, she now creates Japanese cultural experiences that help people around the world connect with Japanese wisdom, culture, and well-being.

💬 Notice
Photos and videos may be taken during the event and shared on our website or social media.
If you prefer not to appear in photos or videos, please inform the organizer in advance.

Cancellations made 48+ hours before the event: Full refund
Cancellations within 48 hours: Non-refundable
No-shows: Non-refundable
If the event is canceled or rescheduled by the organizer, a full refund or alternative date will be offered.

A recording will be available for 7 days as a courtesy for registered participants.

🍵Japanese Tea, Wellbeing & Discovery Session
Connect, Reflect & Discover Through Japanese Wisdom
Presented by Active ZEN
Hosted by Kaori Ota
After 15 years as an international flight attendant for ANA, working across time zones and high-pressure environments, Kaori discovered how Japanese traditions such as tea ceremony can support calm, focus, and wellbeing in modern life.
📅 July 12, 2026 (Sunday)
🕒 5:00–6:00 PM PDT
🕒 8:00–9:00 PM EDT
📍 Online via Zoom
💲 $5.00
Feeling Overwhelmed, Distracted, or Constantly Busy?
Modern life moves fast.
Many of us spend our days:
✔ Moving from one task to the next
✔ Constantly connected to screens
✔ Struggling to focus
✔ Feeling mentally exhausted
✔ Looking for healthier ways to manage stress
But what if the answer isn't doing more?
What if it's learning how to pause?
Discover Japanese Wisdom for Modern Life
For centuries, Japanese culture has developed practices that help people cultivate:
🌿 Calm
🌿 Focus
🌿 Presence
🌿 Reflection
🌿 Meaningful human connection
Among these traditions, tea culture offers a simple but powerful reminder:
Sometimes slowing down helps us move forward.
In this interactive session, you'll explore how Japanese tea culture can support well-being, focus, and personal discovery in today's world.
What You Will Gain
✔ Practical ideas for reducing stress
✔ Insights into focus and mental clarity
✔ A new perspective on wellbeing
✔ Introduction to Japanese tea culture and tea ceremony
✔ Inspiration for creating healthier daily rituals
✔ Meaningful conversations with like-minded people
Who Is This For?
✔ Professionals seeking greater balance
✔ Entrepreneurs and business leaders
✔ People experiencing stress or mental fatigue
✔ Wellness enthusiasts
✔ Matcha and tea lovers
✔ Anyone interested in Japanese culture
✔ People curious about mindfulness and personal growth
What We Will Explore
🍵 Japanese Tea & Tea Ceremony
🌿 Japanese Wisdom for Wellbeing
🤝 Reflection Sharing & Meaningful Connections
Tea Ceremony & Mindfulness
How tea ceremony helps cultivate attention, presence, and intentional living.
Wellbeing in Modern Life
Simple lessons from Japanese culture that can support calm, focus, and resilience.
Discovery Through Conversation
Connect with others and exchange ideas about wellbeing, stress management, and personal growth.
Session Flow
① Welcome & Introductions
② Japanese Tea & Tea Ceremony
③ Japanese Wisdom for Wellbeing
④ Reflection Sharing & Networking
⑤ Closing
Requirements
No prior experience required.
No special materials needed.
Simply bring your curiosity and an open mind.
🎟 Reserve Your Spot
Seats are limited.
✔ Beginner-friendly
✔ Solo participants welcome
✔ Supportive and interactive environment
Join us and discover how one simple Japanese ingredient can become part of a healthier, more mindful lifestyle.
🌿 About Active ZEN
Active ZEN brings traditional Japanese wisdom into modern life through tea ceremony, fermentation, and other mindful cultural experiences.
👩 About the Organizer
Kaori Ota
Founder & CEO, Active ZEN
Former International Flight Attendant at ANA
Having traveled to more than 50 countries, Kaori became fascinated by how different cultures approach wellbeing, resilience, and human connection.
Today she shares Japanese wisdom through tea culture, calligraphy and other cultural wellness experiences.
💬 Notice
Photos and videos may be taken during the event and shared on our website or social media at a later date.
If you prefer not to appear in any photos or videos, please inform the organizer in advance.
Please kindly note that cancellations should be made via Meetup at least 3 days before the event.
Cancellations made 48+ hours before the event: full refund
Cancellations within 48 hours: non-refundable
No-shows: non-refundable
If the event is canceled or rescheduled by the organizer, a full refund will be issued or a new date will be offered.
A recording of the session will be provided for 7 days as an optional courtesy for participants who are unable to attend.
Refund requests must be submitted via Meetup messaging prior to the event start time.

Japanese Mindfulness Through Calligraphy
Slow Down. Focus. Reconnect.
A Japanese Practice for Calm, Focus & Self-Reflection
Presented by Active ZEN
Led by Japanese Calligraphy Artist Matsuda

Concept
Do Any of These Sound Familiar?
✔ Your mind feels constantly busy.
✔ You move from one task to the next without a break.
✔ Even after work, your thoughts keep racing.
✔ You spend hours looking at screens every day.
✔ You want to feel calmer, more focused, and more present.
✔ You rarely have time just for yourself.

If any of these resonate with you, this experience may be for you.
What if one simple brushstroke could help you slow down?
For centuries, Japanese calligraphy has been more than writing.

It is a practice of attention.
A practice of patience.
A practice of presence.
In today's fast-moving world, calligraphy
offers something many of us are missing:
A moment to pause.
To breathe.
To focus on a single line.
To reconnect with ourselves.

This beginner-friendly experience introduces Japanese calligraphy not as an art class,
but as a mindfulness practice for modern life.

What You May Gain
While every experience is unique, participants often join this workshop to:
✔ Create a sense of calm during a busy week
✔ Improve focus and concentration
✔ Take a break from digital overload
✔ Practice mindfulness in a creative way
✔ Experience authentic Japanese culture
✔ Create space for self-reflection

Many participants also report feeling:
✔ More relaxed
✔ More grounded
✔ More present
✔ Mentally refreshed

Price
🎉 Launch Special
$20 (Normally $35)

Who Is This For?
✔ Busy professionals under constant pressure
✔ People experiencing stress or mental fatigue
✔ Anyone seeking healthier ways to recharge
✔ Individuals interested in mindfulness and personal growth
✔ People curious about Japanese culture
✔ Creative thinkers looking for inspiration
✔ Complete beginners
No calligraphy experience required.

About the Experience
This is not a traditional calligraphy class focused on perfect technique.
It is a guided mindfulness experience through Japanese brush writing.

During the session, you will:
✨ Learn the meaning behind a Japanese kanji character
✨ Experience the calming ritual of preparing ink
✨ Practice mindful breathing and posture
✨ Learn simple brush movements
✨ Write meaningful characters such as Harmony (和)
✨ Reflect on your experience through guided self-reflection
✨ Share insights with fellow participants

The goal is not perfection.
The goal is presence.
Meet Your Instructor

Ms.Matsuda
Japanese Calligraphy Artist & Cultural Arts Instructor
For more than 20 years, Matsuda has dedicated herself to the practice and teaching of Japanese calligraphy.

Her work has been selected for exhibition at The National Art Center, Tokyo, one of Japan's most prestigious art venues.

She has spent decades helping students of all ages discover the beauty of Japanese brush
writing and the value of slowing down in a fast-moving world.
Known for her warm and welcoming teaching style, she creates a supportive environment
where participants can experience mindfulness through creativity and self-expression.

Her philosophy:
"Calligraphy is not about writing beautifully.
It is about connecting with yourself through each brushstroke."

Event Details
July 15, 2026 (Wednesday)
7:00–8:00 PM PDT
10:00–11:00 PM EDT
Online via Zoom
✔ Beginner-friendly
✔ Conducted in English

Workshop Flow
① Welcome & Introduction
② The Philosophy of Japanese Calligraphy
③ Ink Preparation & Mindful Breathing
④ Brush Practice
⑤ Writing Your Own Kanji Character
⑥ Reflection & Group Sharing

What You'll Need
✔ Calligraphy brush
✔ Ink or ink stick
✔ Paper
✔ Water
✔ A quiet space

No prior experience required.
Most items can be purchased through
Amazon or Japanese grocery stores.
Recommended materials and purchasing links will be provided after registration.

Before the Workshop
✔ Prepare your materials in advance
✔ Create a quiet and comfortable space
✔ Turn off notifications if possible
✔ Come with an open mind and curiosity

Reserve Your Spot
Take one hour away from the noise of everyday life.
Slow down.
Focus on a single brushstroke.
Reconnect with yourself.
Experience how Japanese calligraphy can become a simple mindfulness ritual for modern life.

About Active ZEN
Active ZEN brings traditional Japanese wisdom into modern life through tea ceremony, calligraphy, and other mindful cultural experiences.
Our mission is to help busy professionals cultivate calm, clarity, and well-being through authentic Japanese traditions.

About the Organizer
Kaori Ota
Founder of Active ZEN
Former international flight attendant with ANA (All Nippon Airways).
Having traveled to over 50 countries, she now creates Japanese cultural experiences that
help people around the world connect with Japanese wisdom, culture, and well-being.

Notice
Photos and videos may be taken during the event and shared on our website or social media.
If you prefer not to appear in photos or videos, please inform the organizer in advance.

Cancellations made 48+ hours before the event: Full refund
Cancellations within 48 hours: Non-refundable
No-shows: Non-refundable
If the event is canceled or rescheduled by the organizer, a full refund or alternative date will be offered.

A recording will be available for 7 days as a courtesy for registered participants.