Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how beauty trends move faster than our bodies ever could.Every week there’s a new ‘miracle’ ingredient, a new routine, a new product we’re told we need. But most of it hasn’t been tested long enough, deeply enough, or lived with in real life.So today, I want to share something different.These are seven beauty practices I’ve actually tested, integrated, and kept in my own life—and they’re not about perfection or chasing youth. They’re about cellular health, nervous system balance, and protecting your skin and body for the long run.We’re going to talk about why NAD is changing the future of skincare, why something as simple as morning sunlight can affect collagen and sleep, how matcha and blueberries protect your skin at a cellular level, and why gut health might be the most underrated beauty tool we have.This isn’t about hype. It’s about what works—and why.If you’re tired of trends that promise everything and deliver nothing, this episode is for you. Thanks for listening xx ck 

In today’s episode is for anyone traveling to Japan soon—or anyone who simply loves Japan and wants to understand why it feels so magical. Because yes, Tokyo is dazzling, Kyoto is beautiful, and the food will ruin you in the best way… but the real secret is something quieter. Japan runs on what I call the quiet rules—the small cultural details that make your trip smoother, more respectful, and honestly, more elevated. These are the habits that help you move through stations with ease, feel confident in restaurants, understand onsen etiquette, and avoid the mistakes that unintentionally scream “tourist.” So if you have a trip coming up, grab a pen, take notes, and share this episode with your friend who’s about to book Tokyo and Kyoto and call it done. And even if you don’t have a trip planned, these little cultural cues are still inspiring—because they teach us how to move through the world with more intention and grace. Thank you for listening! X Candice

In today’s episode, I want to take you with me to Japan. I went during a time of sadness, to be with family, and what I received there were lessons I didn’t even know I needed. This conversation is about seven quiet teachings Japan offers us as we move into 2026. We talk about why January doesn’t need reinvention, why acceptance is one of the most powerful tools we have, and how small, cumulative practices can support real wellness. We explore wabi sabi, the wisdom of elders, ancient traditions, nervous system care, and what it truly means to go inward without disappearing. If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, or pressured to have it all figured out, this episode is for you. My hope is that you listen slowly, take what resonates, and leave the rest. Thank you for being here with me. Let’s begin x Candice

Discover five transformative practices to embrace before 2026. Prioritize your happiness by putting yourself first and stepping away from algorithmic distractions. Reclaim your presence by putting down your phone and cherishing moments without devices. Simplify your beauty routine with minimal makeup and a focus on skincare. Explore the benefits of creatine for both strength and cognitive function. Finally, cultivate gratitude and reflection with nightly rituals, and enjoy screen-free weekends filled with enriching activities.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind matcha — where it comes from, why it’s special, and what’s actually happening right now with the global demand and supply. After nearly two decades working in Japanese culinary culture and tea education, I wanted to give you a clear, respectful guide to understanding matcha the right way. I walk you through the regions that shape its flavor, the history that shaped its ceremony, and why Japanese politeness often keeps the deeper truths from being spoken. I also talk about what it feels like to watch a part of my heritage become a trend, and why it’s so important to learn from Japanese voices, farmers, authors, and journalists. If you love matcha or want to understand Japanese culture with more depth and care, this episode is for you.

As we move into the colder months, many of us are quietly struggling — with stress, loneliness, and the weight of trying to hold it all together. In this episode, Candice opens up about the small, free practices that actually help her stay grounded. From protecting your peace and therapy, to volunteering, movement, cooking, time with animals, and the Japanese art of letting go — these simple habits are backed by real research and lived experience. This is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be perfect or expensive. Sometimes, the most powerful work you can do is quiet, gentle, and completely free. Thank you for listening x Candice

Candice Kumai’s Art of Eating Well: The Forgotten Secret to Beauty, Health & Longevity We live in an era obsessed with optimization — trackers, injections, powders, and pills — yet we’ve never been more sick, anxious, or disconnected from what truly nourishes us. In this episode, I return to the foundation of real wellness: fiber-rich, whole, beautiful food. Inspired by Dr. Urvi Shah’s groundbreaking research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — showing how a plant-based, high-fiber diet can help prevent and slow disease — I share how eating well is the most powerful act of self-respect and healing. This is your reminder to come back to the kitchen, the cutting board, and the joy of cooking real food. The art of eating well is the art of living beautifully. Thank you for listening xx Share this podcast with a few girlfriends and write a five star review! Be good to you xx x ck

Welcome to the Wabi Sabi podcast. This is episode number 192. Today, you’re going to hear something very few people in the world know about — insider knowledge, straight from the Prime Minister of Japan and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. I was one of only six Japanese American journalists invited into this room in New York, where leaders, UN members, and cultural representatives gathered to discuss the future of Japan’s food and heritage. What I’m going to share with you today is not just about rice, wagyu, or green tea — it’s about identity, preservation, and the wisdom that Japan wants the world to understand. Think of this episode as your private briefing — early access to insights that matter for all of us.

Welcome to Wabi Sabi. Have we been kind to the Japanese? Do we deserve Japanese 7-Elevens in NY? How about asking a Japanese- American? In Today’s episode is about reflection, learning, and appreciation. There is so much to learn from Japanese history — from the Edo period, to the U.S. Occupation, to the reawakening of Japanese hearts in the 20th century, and the complex but resilient relationship between Japan and the U.S.. If you ask me, we shouldn’t learn about Japan — we should learn from Japan. That means supporting Japanese voices, reading books by Japanese and Japanese American authors, and buying Japanese products, foods, beauty, and cultural traditions directly from their source. The research and care that goes into each episode can take me weeks, even months, to create. So if you enjoy listening, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share this podcast with two of your best friends. Now — what can we learn from the obliteration of matcha in the Western world? What can we learn from the history of Japanese Americans, wrongfully imprisoned in concentration camps during World War II, accused of crimes they did not commit? What can we learn from the resilience of a culture that endured deep suffering, only for us to now enjoy its traditions, artistry, and cuisine in all their beauty, novelty, and kawaii? We are able to appreciate Japanese culture today only because our ancestors paid a dear price. This is something we must honor, reflect on, and consider deeply in today’s episode. Thanks for listening. —Candice Kumai

In this episode of Wabi Sabi, I share the historical truth about matcha — from Eisai, the monk who first introduced powdered tea to Japan, to Sen no Rikyū, who refined the way of tea during the Tokugawa era. We trace matcha’s roots through centuries of Japanese history, examining its role as a cultural and spiritual practice as well as a daily ritual. I also address the current shortage of ceremonial-grade matcha, why demand is outpacing supply, and what we can do about it. Finally, I call for better journalism around matcha — reporting that goes beyond trend-driven coverage to honor its sacred origins and the Japanese farmers and artisans who continue to protect and preserve this tradition. — Candice Kumai