When I order a meal in Japan, I am often surprised by a type of vegetable that is unfamiliar to my Western palate. Sometimes it’s a horrible surprise, but sometimes it can be surprisingly tasty! So what are these strange vegetables – what do they look like and how do they taste? Here is my…

Japanese people are known to have beautiful, clear skin. They are often thought to look younger than their years and take skin care and cleansing routines very seriously The skin care market in Japan is huge, and offers numerous different effects and added nutrients in products to come up against intense competition. Foreigners often regard…

The konnyaku (konjac) plant is also known as the Devil’s Tongue plant. Konnyaku is made from the core of this plant. Even though it is barely eaten in the West, it has been eaten for about 1500 years in Japan. Not too surprising, as it is proven to be beneficial to your health and although…

Okinawa is renowned for having a unique culture that’s distinct from Mainland Japan, and that includes their food. Luckily for plant-based travelers, lots of Okinawa’s famous ingredients are vegan-friendly, from vibrant purple sweet potatoes (紅芋) and goya (bitter melon) to jimami (peanut) tofu and mozuku seaweed. Here are three fantastic restaurants on Okinawa’s main island…

The land between Narita Airport and Ueno, Tokyo is actually home to a thriving agricultural industry, which produces many of the vegetables consumed in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Here we introduce two gourmet direct sales shops that carry a huge selection of fresh local vegetables and food products safe for consumption. The local food you…

Yakult is a well-known name in Japanese households; it is a yogurt based drink obtained by adding specific probiotics to skimmed milk. It is also a very yummy digestive aid that people from all walks of life love. You can easily find them in any convenient store in Japan and they come in palm-sized bottles.…

Being a vegetarian while traveling or living in Japan can sometimes be daunting as vegetarian meals are not as ubiquitous as other delicious meat and seafood-based delicacies like yakiniku, karaage, sushi, ramen, and many more. So here is a list of restaurants for my vegetarian friends who wish to have scrumptious meals in Tokyo that…

Keeping on top of your health while in Japan can be tricky, especially with all the delicious snacks that are on offer. People may claim that you are sure to lose weight while you are in Japan, and although the typical Japanese diet does include rice, fish, and vegetables, there are also many unhealthy foods…

There has been an increasing concern over the everyday diet and health of people in Japan. This is especially true for those who are over 30 and are health-conscious. With the many varieties of foods and drinks available on the shelves of Japanese convenience stores, it is quite hard to tell which are effective and…

The number of people wanting to get fit in Japan has been increasing in recent years. This has led to the opening of several health and fitness clubs around the country which cater to health-fanatics’ needs. Fitness doesn’t only help people stay in good shape but it also curbs the nation’s ballooning medical expenses and…