From Astoria to Kyoto: HanaYou’s Next Chapter Begins

Dear HanaYou supporters, I’m writing to you from Kyoto—I officially arrived on at the end of July!

The past two months have been a whirlwind for HanaYou. In June and July, we made the big decision to move to Japan, wrapped up our regular classes, and participated in many local events (you can see photos from the HanaYou presence at Astoria Farmers Market and the HanaYou installation at the STRATA pop-up in SoHo on Instagram). It was an incredibly meaningful time, and I deeply felt the strong bonds we built in Astoria—with students, friends, and our amazing community.

Leaving New York, especially Astoria, was not easy. It’s where we built both our family and my business. One friend once told me that walking through Astoria felt like being in the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast—when everyone greets Belle by name. That’s Astoria: warm, familiar, and full of heart.

It was a difficult decision because HanaYou felt so loved and supported in New York. Every class, every event, every connection brought me joy and a deep sense of accomplishment. But I knew it was time to challenge myself and let HanaYou grow in new ways.

And now… we’re in Kyoto, opening the next chapter of HanaYou. Kyoto, the birthplace of Ikebana, offers new opportunities to learn and evolve as a floral artist. I know it won’t be easy—but I believe that when a vision comes to you, you should try it before the moment passes. Over the next couple of years, we hope to build a strong foundation for HanaYou in Kyoto, with regular classes and a variety of time slots for students to choose from.

Most of my connections and supporters are still in New York or the U.S., and I want you to know that HanaYou is still here for you. I’ll continue offering remote Ikebana classes and workshops for my NYC, U.S., and international students. And in about a year, I hope to bring in-person classes back to New York.

This move has been a truly emotional journey for my family and me. NYC and Astoria helped shape who we are today. We lived there longer than we have anywhere else. So this is a bittersweet goodbye… but also a warm hello to new beginnings.

A new chapter has begun, and I’m so excited to grow and create together with you from Kyoto.

With love,
Ryoko
HanaYou