Super Soy: Japan’s Rich Miscellany of Miso
Miso is full of surprises. Not only is it packed with umami and probiotics, it comes in more than 1,000 varieties. Learn more about its properties and how it can be used.
Delicious Wagyu in Japan’s Volcanic Heartland
Known for its smoldering craters, Aso also offers an exotic stop-over for the gourmand seeking to experience the best Japanese ingredients.
Hakko Department: One-Stop Shop for All Things Fermented in Trendy Shimokitazawa
How one man is aiming to change the world with Japan's fermentation culture.
Tokyo's Coolest Farmers Market: A Sustainable Community at UN University
Food & Drink Local Creators' Market
Tokyo's largest farmers market is a hub for regional produce, tasty street food . . . and ideas for building a better future
Sweet, Sour, and Everything In Between: The Aromatic World of Japanese Citrus
Get a primer on Japanese citrus beforeWith over a hundred varieties grown throughout the country today, citrus has plenty of uses in Japan, from fruit snacks to alcoholic drinks.your next trip to the supermarket!
Recent Non-Fiction Books About Japan That You Must Read
Looking for your next great read about Japan? Here's a selection of some of the best non-fiction books—from memoirs to culinary explorations—published in the 2020s.
Tokyo's 10 Best Outdoor Dining Spots
Noted food critic Robbie Swinnerton picks his favorite places in Tokyo where you can enjoy the outdoors and dine extremely well.
A Perfect Weekend in Kobe
Kobe is Kansai's best-kept secret. Its foreign influence is a great attraction, while often overlooked is its ancient history and natural beauty. This guide sets you on track for an awesome weekend getaway.
Bamboo: the Secret to Takachiho’s Iconic Cuisine
The scenic valley of Takachiho in Miyazaki Prefecture is known for its bamboo cuisine. Here are three of the most popular dishes.
The Perfect Weekend Tour of Fukuoka City
A long-time resident shares her knowledge of mouth-watering local food spots, great shopping and open green space in one of Japan's most fascinating regional capitals.
Kumamon Invites You to The Perfect Weekend in Kumamoto City
A insider's guide to the perfect weekend in this vibrant and fascinating city, home to Kumamon, the celebrity character.
Tokyo's Yokocho: Great Alleyways Old and New
Yokocho are backstreets and alleyways lined with drinking dens, taverns and restaurants, and Tokyo has a number of them, both classic and modern.
Five Hokkaido Dishes to Warm Up Your Winter!
When the winter weather on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido turns delightfully cold, you can be sure that these local dishes will warm you up from the inside.
Homesick?! Comfort Food Cures, Part 1
The first of a two-part series on where to buy ingredients for those dishes you miss the most. From tiny shops to on-line retailers and supermarket chains, Japan offers a wealth of sources from which to stock your pantry with foods from home.
Tokyo's Best Afternoon Tea Spots
Don your best frock and put your pinkies up! Here are some of the best places to have afternoon tea in Tokyo.
My Bucket List of 5 Favorite Tokyo Restaurants
Food critic Robbie Swinnerton picks five restaurants from the thousands of places he's covered in his years as food writer for the Japan Times. The selection includes sushi, tonkatsu, soba and more . . .
Bring Japan’s Springtime into Your Kitchen
In Japan, spring doesn’t just bring cherry blossoms and blue skies. It comes with a number of delicious, fresh ingredients that are unavailable at other times of the year. Let’s take a look at those ingredients and how to make the most of them!
This Sushi Ambassador Promotes Japanese Culture
Matsunozushi is a historic sushi shop located near Tokyo’s Omori-Kaigan Station. From behind the counter, its fourth-generation chef Yoshinori Tezuka can explain in detail about the sources of the ingredients and the food preparation methods.
From the Way of the Warrior to the Way of Tea
Randy Channell Soei is a tea ceremony master living in Kyoto. He tells us how he came to follow the Way of Tea, its connection to martial arts, and the benefits of Japan's time-honored tea ceremony.
The Japanese Island that Inspired the Action-adventure Game: "Ghost of Tsushima"
A visit to the remote border island of Tsushima, a place full of fascinating history and natural beauty that inspired the Ghost of Tushima video game.
