FIRST TIME IN JAPAN

With sushi, uni-don, ikura-don, “Genghis Khan” grilled mutton and the recently insurgent soup curry, Hokkaido is a gourmet wonderland. But if you’re in Sapporo, you just can’t pass up the ramen.

This rapid-fire “visual diary” of flashy 15-second clips is a high-speed crash course in All Things Japan.

Ramen streets have become hotbeds for talented chefs and aspiring cooks looking to perfect their recipes.

Kawagoe is one of the few places in Japan where you can really see what cities used to look like, centuries ago.

This market is the main reason people in Japan take it for granted fresh fish will always be on the table.

What’s the most beautiful city in Japan? Osamu Hasegawa makes a strong case for Kyoto.

Salty, sweet, sour and bitter are familiar terms to describe taste. Yet a fifth, umami, is less well-known but just as prevalent.

These original gifts represent the rich cultural heritage of this country—and tend to go down well with overseas visitors, too!