Category: Food & Drink

A shot of green noodles or hegisoba.

Green Noodles (Hegisoba): Niigata’s Best Specialty

Hegisoba is a noodle dish specialty from Niigata. It has a unique presentation and a special ingredient that provides a unique texture when you bite it. Let’s look closer at the culinary history behind this fantastic dish, and why is it important.

A woman looking around in a street that depicts a tradiitonal Japanese Tokyo lifestyle.

Traditional Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle: How to Experience It

Despite being the country’s capital, Tokyo is not typically considered the center of Japanese culture. Tourists rarely prefer a tea ceremony in this contemporary, multicultural city over shopping or a trip to the newest attraction.

A bowl of toshikoshi soba on a red New Years plate.

Toshikoshi Soba: Wonderful for the New Year

When it comes to Japanese traditions around this time of year, most people think of osechi and kagami mochi. Did you also know that the Japanese eat soba on New Year’s Eve? Let’s take a look at this delicious tradition!

A plate of sizzling wagyu beef steak.

What is Wagyu Beef and What Makes It So Special?

Japanese Wagyu beef is world-famous, but what makes it so unique? It’s time to dive into its history and see what makes it so delicious and renowned among food enthusiasts and gourmands.

The Best Castella Cake Flavors in Japan

Castella cakes have been in Japan since the 16th Century when Portuguese missionaries arrived in Nagasaki. The delectable sponge like cake made its way to mainland Japan, and flourished with exciting variations, flavors and shapes.

A shot of blue Japanese apple jam from Aomori. There are two jars of it, along with tea, and some separate jam in a glass dish.

Blue Japanese Apple Jam: The Best Culinary Marvel

Even though there’s no apple tree with blue fruit, there is gorgeous blue apple jam from rustic Aomori Prefecture!  A combination of Japanese apples and Thai flowers, this jam is both trendy and holistic.

A nighttime scene of Kyoto during the Kyoto Moon Festival. The moon is bright the sky is dark blue, and the machiya townhouses are red.

The Legend of the Kyoto Moon Festival

Every year, in Kyoto, they celebrate tsukimi. Though Kyoto is very much a modern place, it has retained a great amount of its pastoral charm.