When you move to a new place (particularly one so far from home) there are lots of things you will need to get used to. Some things will be easy to adapt to, and others will take more time. One thing that ex-pats frequently have to get used to are new food types and changes…
Kyoto is a historical city with a rich history, surrounded by vast gardens and nature. It is one of the most well-preserved cities in Japan, and it is also known for its abundance of delicious Japanese cuisine. As a city away from the sea, Kyoto contains a variety of culinary delights peculiar to the place.…
Noodles are one of the staple foods in many cultures including Japan. A lot of Japanese dishes use noodles as the main ingredient, such as Ramen and Udon. Small shops, restaurants, and even food vendors during the festivals are filled with all kinds of noodles. So what are some of the most famous and tasty…
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…
What are bento boxes? For people who aren’t Japanese, many will be familiar with the word, but you may not know exactly what they are. You may also wonder what one puts in a bento box. Basically, a bento box is a convenient lunch box. Come to Japan for any length of time, you will…
When the current year draws to a close, the Japanese are busy with preparing for the upcoming oshogatsu (お正月) by cleaning up their houses, purchasing or preparing food to be cooked and eaten during the New Year holidays, travelling to their hometowns to reunite with their families or taking a much-deserved break overseas with their…
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a huge metropolis home to a charming blend of the historical and the innovative. The cleanliness and safety of the city as well as the multitude of things to do make it a desirable location to visit. Japan had over 28 million visitors in 2017 and that number is…
The beginning of June marks the start of the rainy season in Japan, and it usually lasts until the end of July. While most travelers tend to avoid making plans during this time of year, there are actually a lot of fun activities you can enjoy despite the gloomy weather. The gray skies and seemingly…
Gunma Prefecture (群馬県) is a mountainous area in the Kanto region (関東地方) of Japan. It is surrounded by numerous natural hot spring resorts, making it a favorite getaway spot for many. One of these is Kayabuki no Sato Yakushi Onsen Hatago (かやぶきの郷薬師温泉旅籠), an old-fashioned resort with a hot spring that dates back to the late…
When planning a trip to Tokyo, most travelers automatically include the popular districts of the city in their itineraries. Places such as Shibuya, well known for Shibuya Crossing; the huge neighborhood of Shinjuku, notorious for its red-light district; Ginza, known for its high-end boutiques; and Akihabara with its innumerable maid cafes and otaku shops, are…
