Food & Culture
Japanese Beer Explained: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory, and Craft Brews
In this article: Introduction The first cold beer in a Japanese izakaya, poured with a precise finger of foam, is a small...
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In-depth guides and local insights from our team in Japan.
Food & Culture
Tokyo Omakase Dining: Booking High-End Sushi, Etiquette, and Top Counters
In this article: Introduction Omakase means, roughly, “I’ll leave it to you,” and that surrender is the whole experience. You sit at...
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Food & Culture
Osaka Takoyaki Guide: Crispy Octopus Balls, Toppings, and the Best Stalls
In this article: Introduction Few foods say Osaka like takoyaki. Watch a vendor work a molded iron pan, spinning rows of batter...
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Food & Culture
Savoring Osaka Okonomiyaki: Styles, Top Restaurants, and Table Etiquette
In this article: Introduction Osaka is Japan’s kitchen, and okonomiyaki is one of its defining dishes. The name roughly means “grill what...
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Food & Culture
Celebrating New Year in Japan: Hatsumode, Toshikoshi Soba, and Festive Traditions
In this article: Introduction If you picture New Year as fireworks and parties, Japan’s version will surprise you. Oshogatsu is quiet, familial,...
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Food & Culture
Obon in Japan: Ancestral Traditions, Lantern Festivals, and Peak Summer Travel Tips
In this article: Introduction Obon is one of the most meaningful times in the Japanese year, when ancestral spirits are believed to...
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Food & Culture
Halloween in Japan: Costume Culture, Theme Park Thrills, and the New Street Rules
In this article: Introduction Halloween arrived in Japan as an import and became something the country made its own. There is little...
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Food & Culture
The Mystery of the Japanese Ninja: Historical Shinobi, Real Techniques, and Where to Experience Them
In this article: Introduction The ninja everyone pictures — a figure in black leaping across rooftops with mystical powers — is largely...
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Food & Culture
The Legacy of the Japanese Samurai: The Bushido Code, Armor, and Historic Castle Towns
In this article: Introduction The samurai loom large in the Western imagination, usually as sword-wielding warriors. The reality is richer and more...
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