The Japanese food situation continues to puzzle me. On the one hand, we have amazingly healthy eating habits – wonders of dashi, umami and fermented products from tofu to a variety of pickles – and yet, the Japanese are oblivious to the continued...
Awareness of a zero waste lifestyle is picking up in Japan, and bulk stores, which allows customers to purchase customized amounts without packaging, are essential parts of the trend. Unfortunately, the number of bulk stores are still limited. It...
Food waste is one of many issues we need to tackle as a society. Some may already know one of the solutions lies in composting. In Japan, more than 40% of household waste is categorized as food waste. Ultimately, composting can help reduce CO2...
If you value eco-friendly food production, growing organic vegetables is the ultimate means of achieving that mission. However, organic farming is a niche industry in Japan for two major reasons. First is the seasonal rain in early summer. Sustained...
Vegan and vegetarian diets have increased over the past years around the world. The number of the vegan tourists visiting Japan is increasing, however, yet Japanese restaurants are still behind in the vegan movement. Given that more international...
The world is now facing plenty of obstacles that now threaten not only our civilization, but our world’s environment. Although these issues are a constant danger to human beings, animals and plants, it is important to thoroughly understand their...
Over the past 20 years, organic food has become more prevalent in our lives and diets. Many countries, including Japan, have seen an increase in the consumption of organic produce from supermarkets, stores, and local farmer’s markets. Many...
If you are into Japanese cosmetics, then Cosme Kitchen should be a familiar brand to you. It has a growing presence in Japan, known for its selection of organic cosmetics from both Japanese and international brands. Cosme Kitchen believes in natural...
(Zenbird has an updated list of sustainable cafes and sustainable restaurants here.) Where do you go for sustainable restaurants in Tokyo? What about sustainable cafes? More and more businesses in Japan are paying attention to sustainability. With...