Food

It's wintertime in Japan, so why not treat yourself to an "udon tsooa" (udon tour)! Udon, the thick, chewy Japanese noodles made from wheat flour, are a favorite winter food and it is not uncommon for the Japanese people to make a day of eating udon. These self guided tours are really just hopping from restaurant to restaurant eating bowl after bowl of udon. The best place … [Read more...] about Take the Udon Tour

The Japanese are often said to be in tune with the seasons. But even more so, I'd say they're in tune with the season's food. Autumn is called the season for eating, since so many foods come into season then. If you are traveling in Japan in autumn, don't miss the autumn delicacies! But you'll need to know what they are so that you don't miss out: Crabs (kani) Crabs are … [Read more...] about Fall is for Eating

If you're looking for an eclectic proficiency in something Japanese, why not join the ranks of the ramen connoisseurs? Ramen noodles differ from region to region within Japan, making the hunt for the perfect ramen a fun, affordable activity to do while traveling around the country. At the same time, you'll be getting a unique taste of the local culture. Although ramen … [Read more...] about Finding the Perfect Ramen

To an American, the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables in Tokyo are outrageously expensive. The first time you see a $100 watermelon, you think it's either a joke or, well, a really bad joke. A watermelon, even a square one, should fall within the realm of reasonably priced -- and $100 is rarely considered a reasonable price. Now it might not be a comfort to the people of … [Read more...] about Apples: The New Luxury Fruit

We're not too proud to admit that we'd never heard the term onna hitori-zushi (or, solo woman sushi) before. Of course, we'd never heard of bijin sushi (good-looking woman sushi chef) either. Clearly we need to get out more. Author Reiko Yuyama's book, appropriately entitled Solo Woman Sushi (or, Onna Hitori-zushi) tells the story of her adventures as a lone woman entering a … [Read more...] about Solo Woman Sushi, Or Watching The Otaku