Arigato Travel Weblog
Recommended Foodie Events in Tokyo – January 2020
Exciting foodie events and experience in Tokyo for January 2020! Check out this list if you are traveling in the Tokyo area in the first month of 2020. And Happy New Year Japan Style.
Read More
Mochitsuki: The Traditional Art of Making Mochi
While mochi is enjoyed year-round, it is particularly popular during the New Year’s holiday when families come together. This is important, because the traditional method of making mochi takes time and a lot of helping hands…
Read More
What is Japanese food?
How would you explain Japanese Food? That sounds like a simple question with a simple answer, right? Well, for anyone who has lived in Japan for any length of time, that question is far from simple. Each of the 47 prefectures of Japan has its own local specialty food and desserts.
Read More
Guide of the Month November 2019: Norma from Tokyo
Today we are happy to introduce our Guide of the Month chosen for her hard work and excellent guiding in November 2019! Norma from Tokyo
Read More
Fun Christmas Gifs From Japan
Looking for fresh, unique gift ideas this Christmas? Japan has weird and wonderful gifts galore for foodies and hoarders. From fish sandals to Pocky collections, here are just a couple of recommendations…
Read More
When I Say “Christmas,” You Say… “Chicken?”
As an English teacher in rural Japan, one of my favorite “culture” lessons was teaching my first-year students the shocking truth about Christmas in my home country: we don’t devour KFC for Christmas dinner. I’ll bet that most of you reading this find it odd that I would have to clarify such a thing. But for more than 3 million families in Japan, Christmas and Kentucky Fried Chicken go together like Coca Cola and Santa.
Read More
‘Tis The Season To Eat Nabe
As chilly winter hits and the temperature drops below zero, fellow visitors to Japan are probably wondering where to get a nice hot meal – and what to choose for the optimal flavor + warming factor…
Read More
Why being a tour guide is a great part-time job in Japan
There are several perks to being a tour guide in a city with such a vibrant history like Kyoto. First of all, you will learn so much about the city you reside in, whether it is Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo or Hiroshima. I thought I knew a fair bit about Kyoto’s culture and history before I started doing tours, but I have probably learned more about the city in these past couple of months as a tour guide than I did in two years living here.
Read More
Recommended Tokyo Christmas Events 2020
Christmas is the time of year when the world gets caught up in the spirit of sharing love and peace. Tokyo is no exception, and during this season the city celebrates in its own unique ways.
Read More
Japan’s Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine – Shojin Ryori
Until the18th century, plant-based agriculture was preferred to livestock rearing. This combined with the influence of Buddhism and Shintoism meant that most of the country harboured a vegetarian friendly diet. Emperors regularly issued meat bans and for a while, plant-based diets thrived. A version of this historic cuisine is still available today…
Read More