Looking for a new place to discover in Tokyo? Why not head to Nakameguro? This famous residential neighborhood is just a 20-minute bus ride or 3-4 minutes train ride from Shibuya Station. Nakameguro becomes popular during the spring for the cherry blossoms, but it’s more than just a cherry blossom hotspot. Here are 13 places…

LAWSON is a famous retail chain company that first originated in the United States and later moved completely with its headquarters to Shinagawa, Japan. It is owned by Mitsubishi and it operates thousands of convenience stores all across Japan. LAWSON has become a well-known Japanese brand that competes with 7-Eleven and other convenience stores by…

Rice balls can be like a tastebud explosion, in a good or a bad way. Here are some more usual, or more first-time-traveler-friendly options for you to try. These are all free of overly strong flavours, or wacky ingredients. Check them out, if you have a chance! 1. Plain Rice Balls How can you go…

Who doesn’t love a quick snack that is healthy and full of nutrition? Japanese rice balls are great, convenient and quick, pre-wrapped, and easy to eat. No utensils required. Before you chow down on an unknown filling, get to know your rice balls (onigiri)! The insides are a mystery. Some stores are kind enough to…

If you’re in Japan, try purchasing a bento. A common sighting inside it is the “onigiri.” The word onigiri means “musubi” in Japanese, meaning “holdable rice.” Onigiri is not a form of sushi. This is a very common misconception. It is made of plain rice (sometimes lightly salted) while sushi is made with rice and…

Japanese version of a sandwich? Welcome to the world of onigiri, the traditional Japanese version of a sandwich. It’s, of course, made by rolling rice up into an extremely portable, hand-held meal. Onigiri is usually shaped into a triangle, but they can also be found disc-shaped, square-shaped, and spherical. Some creative Japanese parents might add…

Seaside battle over onigiri Author’s photo On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in early May, I flew to the beach in Zushi, which is the popular destination for city surfers and yacht enthusiasts living and working in central Tokyo. It was a warm windy day, and people were enjoying the sunshine on the beach or in…

If you are a frequent visitor to Japan, you are lucky to enjoy Japanese benefits on a more regular basis. Those, who do not come that often, can only dream of the always available, only-in-Japan products and services. From my own experience, here is a top 5 of what you are beyond any doubts wishing…

Some people I talked to said that they miss Japan very much after coming back from their holiday, even if only spent a few days in Japan. People who ever lived in Japan for some period of time must also be missing Japan desperately. Yes, Japan is a place that people always miss after they…

Same same but different Onigiri are to Japanese people as what pasta are to Italian people (maybe). They are stuffed rice balls wrapped with nori (seaweed), and the very basic take-out lunch for Japanese people. They come in round, or triangular, or in elongated shapes; their fillings are traditionally salty preserved food such as umeboshi…