Matcha (抹茶), or powdered green tea, is a staple in the Japanese daily life and is the only form of tea used in sado (茶道) or tea ceremony. It is grown in shade for three weeks and often covered in blankets. This growing process produces tea leaves with higher caffeine content. Hand picked at harvest,…
Soba (そば) is a delicious buckwheat noodle dish that can be enjoyed either hot or cold in various sauces and broths. You can get them in most parts of Japan, and like any food, they vary in freshness and quality. Surely most people would agree that fresher is better, and what could be fresher than…
Are you looking for a Japanese restaurant that is a little bit unusual? How about something that looks like one kind of food but turns out to be something completely different? Look no further than this quirky restaurant, where the meals aren’t quite what they seem! Unusual Food If you were to visit Baigetsudo (菓子工房…
Kamakura (鎌倉) and Enoshima (江の島) are areas in Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県) near the sea, popular with tourists and packed with things to do. Here are several things for you to do in these areas, and how to get them all done in one exciting, fun-filled day. 1. Get Up Early and Stroll Kamakura’s Sleepy Streets…
Nagano Prefecture (長野県) has always been known as the number one winter paradise in Central Japan. With its position surrounded by the Japanese Alps, Nagano Prefecture has become home to many world-class ski resorts and famous natural hot springs. The most famous ski resorts area is Hakuba (白馬), a former 1998 Winter Olympics site. But…
Odawara is attracting more visitors by re-opening Odawara Castle which recently renovated its viewing room. Located in the southwest of Kanagawa prefecture, Odawara has been playing a vital role since the Sengoku era (1493-1590). Due to the unique geographic nature, it was valued as a fortress and a gateway to Kyoto, especially during the Edo…
The rising temperature this summer in Japan cannot be stopped. Both hot and humid at the same time, people are heavily sweating and it’s hard to make it through some of the incredibly hot days. With air conditioners and fans to cool you down, some people turn to food and drinks to help the cooling…
Hi, readers! This is the Japan Info staff. We wanted to say thank you for always reading our articles and we’ve got a way for you to enjoy them more! Out of all the posts that have been published over the last week (June 20-26) on Japan Info and/or on Facebook, we are happy to…
Of the four main islands in Japan, Shikoku is the smallest and least populated one. It is an island not only popular for temples associated with pilgrims but also for legendary traditional dishes which attract both local and foreign tourists. To name a few, here are three yummy delights that you should try if you…
With such a great variety of mouth-watering food to indulge in on your travels throughout the land of the rising sun, you may encounter what many people dread – food allergies. In Japan, many food industries, supermarkets, and restaurant establishments take the time to label food or the menu clearly to ensure consumers are aware…
