Genmaicha (which is the Japanese word for ‘brown rice tea’) is a wondrous, and little-known Japanese culinary treat that offers a natural combination of starch, sugar and a nutty flavor in an easy-to-prepare beverage. Not… Read More
Category: Japan
Japanese Cultural Icons Who Changed the World
Japan exports much more than matcha tea, rice and automobiles. The geographically small Asian nation has given the world some of the most talented artists and cultural icons known to the human race. True giants… Read More
Try Your Hand at Haiku, Japan’s Traditional Poetry
In the mid-1600s, Japanese poets began experimenting with 17-syllable verses as stand-alone poems called hokku, later renamed as haiku. These classic writings have withstood the test of time and are now among Japan’s best-known contributions… Read More
Culture Immersion: Westerners Living in Japan
What happens to Westerners who reside in Japan on a long-term basis? Whether for business, academic or cultural study, there are many thousands of foreigners living in Japan at any given time. Foreigners who visit… Read More
The Super-Sweet World of Japanese Candies and Desserts
For those who spend two or three weeks in Japan, the huge diversity of the country’s cuisine is always a surprise. Even the most elite Asian restaurants in the West cannot replicate the nearly limitless… Read More
Hikikomori: Who are Japan’s Modern Hermits?
One of modern Japan’s most pernicious social problems is largely invisible. Thousands of young adults, called hikikomori, are terrified of the outdoors, of face-to-face interaction and interpersonal mingling of any kind. Many earn a living… Read More
Who Were the Samurai of Japan?
Perhaps no part of Japanese history is more steeped in legend, myth and half-truth than the era of the samurai warriors. Modern movies and books have diluted the real history of one of Japan’s most… Read More
Japanese Art for Everyone: Woodblock and Ink Murals
What the Western world has traditionally viewed as a high-end collectible, Japanese woodblock prints are a true piece of Asian history, an example of creativity at its peak. In addition, Japan has given the world… Read More
Bizarre Street Scene Dominates Japanese Fashion World
You won’t find somber teens sipping matcha tea and sitting quietly in sidewalk cafes in modern Tokyo. In fact, all over Japan’s larger cities, and in many smaller ones, visitors are often shocked by the… Read More
Tokyo Karaoke: Unspoken Rules, Best Bars, and Secrets for Tourists
In a culture where matcha tea ceremony and karaoke singing coexist, visitors to Japan are often astounded at the country’s strange blend of ancient and modern. Having already conquered the West, karaoke sing-along still reigns… Read More