Every prefecture in Japan offers a range of packaged snacks specifically designed to be purchased as souvenirs for friends, family or co-workers when traveling. These almost always showcase local food specialties or regional delicacies.
You can eat sea urchin sushi at any time of the year in many of Japan's sushi restaurants, but people who really love uni recommend eating it in Hokkaido, especially when it's in season. Newly picked Shakotan uni is so fresh that you can still taste the sea. It is so creamy, it melts in your mouth.
My love affair with Japanese cuisine actually began at Itami Airport, at a chain restaurant named KATSUKURA. Katsukura was where I had my first experience eating tonkatsu, which is a pork cutlet coated with panko, fried and served with a small cup of rice, a small cup of miso soup, and a small cabbage salad.
Japanese summer, however, is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week of humidity… and I learnt to love it. You see, it is easy to be worn down by weather but the Japanese have adapted to summer in the best way possible, by embracing it with food.
On my recent trip to Nara, I was lucky to visit Kinatei, a cosy vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant serves Japanese and Chinese style vegan dishes, and everything is homemade and organic. I got off at Kintetsu Line’s Nara Station and did a little sightseeing before coming, so the walk was a bit far.
A lot of the big video game companies such as Nintendo and Sega originate from Japan and some of the finest gamers of all time come from Japan. Kansai sees a lot of visitors from all over, and some of those want a place to relax and game for a bit. This is a guide for those traveling to or living in Kansai and want to experience Japanese gaming culture at its finest.
Taking on the trial to using zero animal products in a bowl of ramen is an honorable mission, and Soranoiro NIPPON at the Tokyo Underground Street is one of such restaurants.
If you are asking, why do I need to know this, I have learned table manners since my childhood days. Well, dear reader, since etiquette and serenity are an integral part of Japanese culture, learning these basic things could help you not look like a fool in front of your Japanese friends, colleagues, or clients.
Below, I’ve outlined a simple itinerary you can follow to make the most out your day in Yufuin, and a couple of options for you to do without lost time and hassle associated with changing hotels and dragging you suitcases (literally) halfway across the country.
Jirokei Ramen, a genre of the Japanese ramen that many fans of noodles are addicted to. Many foreign visitors might have seen it and been intrigued by it without knowing its name or the fact that it is a genre of ramen. So what is Jirokei Ramen about that makes it unique and impressive? Let’s explore it together.
Modern life is geared towards convenience. In the West, we like everything to be easily accessible, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Japan is no different. Let’s focus on one specific aspect: convenience stores. Here’s how Japan is getting it oh so right.
Okinawa is officially a part of Japan, yet Okinawa soba both in the broth and the noodles is nothing like Japanese ramen and instead is closer to Chinese noodles. It feels slightly awkward to introduce it as a Japanese cuisine.
