The word Sakura has always held a special place in my heart. When I was a child, my grandmother used to sing the song “Sakura” to me. She would tell me that I looked Japanese when I was young, and that little childhood memory stayed with me through the years. Building this piece felt like bringing together that old memory with the new ones our family created in Japan.
What I love about this is that the most meaningful parts weren’t from the instructions… they were the little pieces I added from our own adventures so much so that what started as a typical booknook became something more personal. Those bits and pieces I added might not look perfect but this booknook has become a memento of our trips to Japan.
Allow me to walk you through it:
First, I added tiny versions of my husband and I inside the tram Then I printed out standees: our son appears as a ninja and daughter is captured in her own little Japan memory wearing a maiko-inspired outfit (I wish I knew how to make little human figurines). These were taken from actual photos they had from Toei Uzumasa in Kyoto at an age where they would still be willing to wear costumes for a photoshoot. I say this because I feel that moments like this is all in the past - I have to beg them to take photos now.
I also added a ‘movie poster’ of my ninja adventurer on the wall between the two posters by the stairs on the left side. This little poster is AI generated.
To bring the scene to life, I created my own miniature ‘paper’ lanterns using beads sanded down to make it look more like paper and a plastic straw painted gold cut into small circles, with cherry blossom details drawn using permanent markers - inspired by the peaceful feeling of a Hanami evening.
This is more than a miniature build for me — it’s a tiny keepsake of the places we visited, the culture we admire, and the memories we created together.
Can’t wait to see what you’re making. Good luck. Though, on second thought, I’m not sure how the lighting will affect the photo using photo paper. I guess you/we shouldn’t use glossy paper (?)
Thank you so much!! Actually yes you’re right, glossy paper might make it too shiny and reflect the lights so much. Maybe I’ll try it later today and see how it goes
Thank you @Grey74. I really didn’t know how to incorporate my ideas into rhis kit until i was actually putting it together. Luckily, i didn’t have to go through much trial and error
Thank you @Nita_Davis. I tried and I’m quite happy with the outcome alfhough i really wish I could make tiny figurines instead of just paper cutouts. Unfortunately, a 3D printer is out of my budget
@Gidge I love your customisations so much. Those little bead lanterns are delightful and your ingenuity in creating them is great. Personalising the builds is such a fun thing to do and they mean more because of that.
Then I printed out standees: our son appears as a ninja 
and daughter is captured in her own little Japan memory wearing a maiko-inspired outfit 
(I wish I knew how to make little human figurines). These were taken from actual photos they had from Toei Uzumasa in Kyoto at an age where they would still be willing to wear costumes for a photoshoot. I say this because I feel that moments like this is all in the past - I have to beg them to take photos now.
Your personal touch makes it more unique and reminisce happy memories.
