Day: May 16, 2025

Baked bamboo shoots.

Bamboo Shoots: A Hidden Star in Japanese Meals

In spring, young bamboo shoots, also called takenoko, push through the soil, ready to be picked. Let’s look at how bamboo shoots fit into Japanese cooking and why they’re such a beloved ingredient!

Hakata Ward in Fukuoka City at night. There are tall skyscrapers.

Hakata: Fukuoka’s Amazing Gateway to History!

Hakata Ward sits along the eastern edge of Fukuoka City, facing the sea. Hakata’s coastal location has long been a key gateway for trade and cultural exchange in Japan’s history. It remains a central hub of the Kyushu region’s politics, economy, and tradition.