Nissin Foods, Calbee, and Yakult are three major Japanese companies that have significantly influenced the food industry. These three brands are now so popular that they can be easily found in grocery stores outside Japan. However, not many are...
Just as cooking failures led to new discoveries, some Japanese dishes were born out of a “mottainai” awareness that reduces food loss. I’ll introduce some Japanese cuisines that are popular among the locals, yet their origins aren’t well known...
Living in the era of high technology, productivity and convenience, we tend to disapprove of inconvenience. All household chores that were once done by hand are now done by machines, and can be completed at the touch of a button. While the...
While many religions and cultures frown on greed, people in the Edo period also cherished and practiced the idea of “knowing just enough.” 足るを知る (taru wo shiru), or “knowing just enough,” is one of the philosophies that the Japanese valued during...
It’s been almost two years since Fukuju Brewery (Kobe Syusui-kan) created the world’s first carbon-free sake “Fukuju Junmai EcoZero” in 2022, proving to the world that it’s possible to achieve both sustainability and excellent quality sake at the...
Japanese people have long loved fall as the harvest season, satisfying their appetites with seasonal flavors, especially fruits. Even today, they eagerly participate in activities celebrating the taste of fall. In honor of the upcoming SDGs Week...
“The Boyfriend,” Japan’s first same-sex romance reality series was released in July and has already attracted a large audience. Located by the ocean, nine young men lived together in the beach house for a month, where they learned romance and...
“Tora ni Tsubasa (虎に翼),” “The Tiger and Her Wings” in English, the morning drama series aired on NHK, has grown its popularity since its broadcast this April. Based on a true story, the drama depicts the life of the heroine who became Japan’s...
The United Nations marked June 20 as “World Refugee Day” to celebrate the strength and courage of refugees, create awareness of the plight of people forced to flee and advocate for their right to safety. Of the many news stories about the refugee...
Detailed and refined stitches, and beautiful patterns that that evoke the seasons…Kimono, a Japanese traditional clothes, has captured the interest of not only Japanese locals but also foreign tourists. The business of kimono rental has existed...