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…
Japan has a diverse culinary culture. It is even considered as one of the best culinary capitals in the world, offering a lot of amazing dishes such as sushi, ramen, soba, and many more! With that said, it is no surprise that many people are interested in learning how to cook Japanese dishes at home.…
Ishigaki is the westernmost island of Okinawa prefecture, loved for its tropical weather, white sand beaches, friendly people, and delicious food. There are many wonderful things to do on this island that attracts thousands of tourists each year and keeps the locals living there their whole lives. As well as gorgeous beaches and resorts, Ishigaki…
We often encounter the word “yaki (焼き)” when eating at Japanese restaurants. This word means baked, broiled, fried, grilled, or roasted, and most Japanese foods that have “yaki” in their names are cooked using these methods. Check out these 10 popular Japanese “yaki” dishes! 1. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) jp.fotolia.com/ One popular “yaki” dish that originated in…
Tohoku is a vast area located in the north of Japan, right below Hokkaido. It is surrounded by mountains and sea areas, which is why it is known for its amazingly fresh and beautiful cuisine. If you are planning to visit the area of Tohoku, you will be impressed by the fresh ingredients, the variety…
