“Hiyashi Ramen” (cold ramen) was developed in Yamagata Prefecture in 1952 as a meal to help people survive the hot summer. The first owner of Sakae-ya Honten in Yamagata Prefecture spent a year improving the soup so that the oil in the soup would not solidify even at low temperatures. Toppings vary from restaurant to …
If you visit Japan, you will see many convenience stores. They offer many products and useful services. You can buy things you forgot to pack and find good food in those stores. Also, you can use restrooms and Wi-Fi in some of them. Convenience stores will be a great ally in your travels. What Kind …
Japan’s Convenience Stores Are a Traveler’s Best Friend Read More »
This yakisoba (“stir-fried noodle”) dish originated in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, around 1953. Yokote yakisoba features cabbage and ground pork as ingredients, with a fried egg and fukujin-zuke (“sweet sliced vegetable pickles”) as toppings. 前 次 Holidays Depends on each shop. Business hours Depends on each shop. Budget Yokote Yakisoba: 500 – 900 yen How …
Do you know the Japanese traditional sport “Sumo”? To put it simply, it is a martial art by large men. But the clothing and rules are completely different from other martial arts. Sumo has been around for over 1,500 years and still has many fans. And now there are many wrestlers from overseas. Table of …
Zunda is a paste made by peeling off the thin skin of boiled edamame and mashing it with salt and sugar. It is a local specialty of Miyagi Prefecture. (There are other Zunda or Zunda-like dishes in Miyagi’s neighboring prefectures, but generally, Miyagi’s is the most famous.) The most traditional and popular way to eat …
If you were planning a trip to Japan, which city would you visit? Tokyo or Kyoto? Both are great cities, but if you want to experience something a little different, I suggest you visit Kagoshima. Kagoshima is a prefecture in the south of Japan and has its own unique nature and culture. I, born and …
Let’s Travel to Kagoshima! A Local Introduces Highlights Read More »