Reclaiming Slow Moments in a Fast-Paced World
In today’s fast-paced world, do you ever feel like you’re constantly rushing, with little time to pause?
If you ever visit rural Japan, why not try miso-making?
You might be surprised to find that this quiet, traditional process offers more than just food.
It offers a chance to reconnect with the value of slowness.
Japan has a culture where things are nurtured slowly and thoughtfully something that can offer healing in today’s busy world.
Living in Australia had made me forget the value of taking time but encountering Shinshu miso in Japan reminded me of that culture.
Discovering Miso-Making: A Tradition Built on Time
Let me share my experience with you, based on what I learnt.
As you read, you might find yourself pausing and realising that there’s richness in slowing down.
Miso is fermented over a long period of time, which gives it its deep flavor.
In fact, the fermentation process of miso typically takes anywhere from several months to over a year.
What Fermentation Teaches Us About Patience
During this process, it’s not just the ingredients that change.
Over time, the flavours deepen, becoming richer, rounder, and more complex, something only patience can bring.
In the same way, our lives can also grow richer and more meaningful when we take the time to nurture them.
Watching the fermentation process of miso, I noticed how its colour gradually deepened and its aroma grew more fragrant, showing how time nurtures the ingredients.
This “growth” and “absorption,” of flavors helped me rediscover the value of nurturing things without rushing and showed me how time can deepen and enrich something.
Nagano: Where I Relearned the Value of Time
Returning to Japan and visiting Nagano became a pivotal moment.
It made me realise just how much I had been living a hectic, speed-driven life in Australia.
As I stepped into the brewery, the aroma from wooden vats filled the air, and I was instantly enveloped by its deep scent.
Watching the craftsmen at work, I was drawn to the calmness of their movements, as if time had stopped.
How Time Deepens Flavour—And Our Lives
By truly paying attention to each passing moment, I realised the importance of fully immersing myself in what’s right in front of me.
In our busy lives, we often get caught up in worries about the future and reflections on the past, forgetting to live in the present moment.
It made me wonder what we might discover if we allowed more time for things to grow.
Why Rural Japan Invites Us to Slow Down
If you ever have the opportunity to visit rural areas of Japan, why not try miso-making?
By experiencing how things are nurtured slowly, you can step away from the rush of everyday life and regain your own pace.
Taking the time to appreciate the present moment may help you reconnect with yourself and discover true richness.
It could also provide you with a chance to pause and reflect on your daily life.
