Blog Masonry
JAPAN’S UNIQUE VENDING MACHINE CULTURE!
Need a cold drink to refresh yourself in the summer heat? Or how about a warm can of corn soup to warm your hands in the middle of winter? What if you’re hungry with no Japanese convenience store nearby? With an estimated 4 million vending machines […]
Interview with Tezumi Tea: Experts of Tea and Teaware
Meet Tezumi Tea, a tea and teaware distributor passionate about introducing the art of Japanese tea to beverage-lovers all over the world. Their name comes from the Japanese word tezumi, which means ‘hand-picked’ and reflects the Japanese tradition of picking tea leaves by hand to ensure […]
Why You Should Try International Food in Japan!
When fantasizing about which food to try in Japan, your mind might go to sushi, ramen, yakitori and all the other world-famous Japanese food. Japanese cuisine, known in Japanese as washoku, is so well recognized that it is even on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. While […]
Interview with Abby Denson, comic book artist and author
Meet Abby, comic book artist and author of Cool Japan Guide and Cool Tokyo Guide ! We’ve met up with her to discuss her new book Uniquely Japan, where she uses her own drawings and photos to demonstrate the charming and distinct features that makes Japan […]
Natto: Your magic potion for everything
Have you ever heard of or tried Natto? This traditional Japanese food is made from fermented soybeans. It has a strong, pungent smell and a slimy texture that can be off-putting to some people, but it is considered a delicacy by many Japanese people. There are […]
What’s Happening in Tokyo: things to do in February 2023
February is the month with some of the coldest and driest weather. Despite that, in the traditional Japanese calendar, February marks the beginning of spring! Although skiing is a great activity to do, other events happening in Tokyo this month will make you enjoy the crisp […]
MATSUZAKAYA HONTEN HAKONE: A HOT SPRING FOR THE NOBILITY
Famous for its natural beauty, healing hot springs, and a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji across Lake Ashinoko is Hakone, a hotspot for Japanese and international tourists who are looking to get some R&R. Located just an hour away from Tokyo, it is in Hakone that […]
Hanami – Places to Go Nearby Tokyo and Kyoto
As soon as the winter holiday time in December and January comes to an end, people across Japan and those who are in-the-know overseas start planning their travels to visit the best spots to see this gorgeous phenomenon. Cherry blossom viewing is one of the most […]
5 Things to Eat in Okayama!
Okayama, located between Hiroshima and Hyogo, might have a tendency to be forgotten due to being surrounded by other, more famous areas of Japan. As it is a bit more rural, many overlook the prefecture’s potential as a stop on their trip through Japan. Okayama is […]
Differences Between Japan’s Major Metropolitan Areas: Kanto and Kansai
When traveling between Tokyo (in Kanto) and Osaka (in Kansai), Japan’s two largest cities, and their respective surrounding areas, you might notice a 180 degrees difference in the lifestyle. Japan’s Kanto and Kansai regions couldn’t be more different from one another, from the food to the […]