Local specialty food is one of factors we look forward when we travel out of our town. Some major specialty food from other regions can be purchased in your local…

  Have you heard about or seen the Japanese candy art called ame zaiku? Ame zaiku artisans create very elaborate candy figures in only a couple of minutes. Actually, ame zaiku is a very…

  As you may know, rice is a an essential element of Japanese meals. Deliciously steamed rice itself is a real treat! This being the case, rice cookers are common…

  Today I would like to introduce a unique coffee shop chain, “Komeda” . The Komeda chain was established in 1968 and has the largest number of shops in Chukyo…

  After graduating from school, most people might not have many opportunities to spend time in the library. Likely this is because libraries are not open at convenient times, or…

Shirokuma shaved ice dessert is one of my favourites from ice cream corner of Japanese supermarket.  I’m sure it wasn’t available when I was a child, but it’s been seen at…

Hello Kitty and My Melody are probably the major globally well-known characters of Sanrio, but we cannot forget about Little Twin Stars.  Colours used for the character consists of less…

  Otasuke, a unique izakaya restaurant that recently opened in Akasaka, Tokyo in April has been a center of conversation. The shop itself might be quite normal, but the discount…

  Needless to say, Mt. Fuji is a powerful symbol of Japan. Mt.Fuji’s beautiful and rather dignified appearance, with its wonderful sloping lines and a white snow cap, attracts people…

  These days, internationally popular items such as pancakes and doughnuts are very popular in Japan. Nevertheless, we still love those traditional Japanese sweets called “wagashi”. Wagashi are not only…

  Today’s Japanese recipe from my favorite Youtube channel, “Ochikeron” is grilled miso-marinated fish, saikyo yaki. A special white miso called Saikyo miso originating in Kyoto, is used. If you don’t have…