Are you a voluntary or involuntary corona virus shut-in, and tired of watching Gilligan’s Island reruns? How about a virtual tour of Japan through Japanese movies. Watching Japanese movies is a great way to learn more about Japan, its people and culture. Here are some of our suggestions. I have tried to provide a wide...Read More
Atami Onsen Overall Onsen Rating Atmosphere Atami Onsen (the literal translation of Atami is “warm ocean”) is located on the Pacific Ocean at the north-eastern edge of the Izu Peninsula about 100 km (70 miles) southwest of Tokyo. There is a Shinkansen station for the Tokaido Shinkansen that runs between Tokyo and western Japan...Read More
Natto is unknown in the west, but very popular in Japan. Natto is a traditional food made from fermenting soybeans. It is commonly mixed with karashi (mustard), soy sauce and sometimes chopped onions, and served over white rice at breakfast. It is an acquired taste because of the powerful smell, strong flavor and sticky, slimy...Read More
Miso Ramen – A Taste of Sapporo Miso Ramen is Sapporo’s most popular soul food. Other food specialties of Sapporo include soup curry, Genghis Kkan (grilled lamb) and crab. During the cold winter months, nothing is better than a hot bowl of miso ramen. And during the world-famous winter festival held every year in early...Read More
What is Katsuo Tataki? Katsuo (bonito or skipjack tuna in English) is a medium-sized fish related to tuna and mackerel. The meat of the Katsuo looks similar and has a similar texture to tuna meat. Katsuo is commonly used in Japanese cooking, but that is a subject for another blog. “Tataki” is a cooking method...Read More
Although Takoyaki originated in Osaka during the 1930s, today it is popular all over Japan. They can even be found in supermarkets and convenience stores everywhere. But there is little doubt it is still most popular in Osaka. “Tako” is Japanese for octopus. And “Yaki” comes from “Yaku”, meaning to fry or grill. They are...Read More
The number of this installment of Japan by the Numbers is 500. That is the percentage increase of the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan since 2011, the year of the Great Eastern Earthquake and Tsunami. In 2012, Shinzo Abe was elected Prime Minister. One of his first goals was to increase the number of...Read More
Goshokudon (five color rice bowl) is a taste of Hakodate. Hakodate is known in Japan for its fresh seafood. Some of the specialties of Hakodate are squid (ika), crab (kani), salmon eggs (ikura), sea urchin (uni) and many others. One popular way to enjoy the seafood in Hakodate is Goshokudon. Goshokudon literally translates to five...Read More
At the end of August, JR announced beginning May 2020, they will be implementing new luggage restrictions on the Shinkansen. The restrictions are being applied to the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen. This will include all Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kagoshima. We do not have all of the details as of yet, but here is...Read More
We get asked often by people who have tattoos as to whether they will be able to use the Japanese baths , and it is a difficult question to answer. Just like everything else in Japan, acceptance of tattoos is evolving. But like it or not, tattoos have a negative connotation in Japan. It is...Read More
