It’s a must visit if you’re visiting Osaka!! Osaka Castle is surrounded by Osaka Castle Park, a vast park located in the heart of the city. With excellent accessibility, the park is easily reached from nine nearby stations. In spring, cherry and plum blossoms bloom, while in autumn, the park is adorned with vibrant autumn […]
When thinking of snow in Japan, Hokkaido might come to mind. Of course, the main tourist spots are Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Kyoto. But why not venture beyond these major destinations? I enjoy traveling to the countryside to connect with nature, savor delicious food, and breathe fresh air for a refreshing experience. Today, I dropped by
Exploring Akita: A Journey Through Culture and Nature Read More »
I absolutely adore The Tower of the Sun The Tower of the Sun is an iconic structure located in Osaka’s Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. Designed by artist Taro Okamoto, this imposing tower was built for the 1970 Osaka Expo (Japan World Exposition). Standing tall at about 70 meters for over 50 years, the tower boasts
Are you looking for a balanced and nutritious diet? If yes, ‘teishoku’ is a good idea. The foundation of Japanese cuisine is the concept of ‘ichiju-sansai’ (one soup, three dishes). Ichiju-sansai includes all five essential nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, providing a balanced intake of the nutrients necessary for health. This makes it
Healthy and Delicious: The World of Japanese Set Meals Read More »
Japan is considered one of the top countries in the world with a high proportion of ‘non-religious’ people in the population. Even though many Japanese people say, ‘I am non-religious,’ they might hold their weddings in churches, celebrate Christmas at the end of the year, visit shrines at the beginning of the new year, pay
Japanese people primarily use chopsticks for their meals. Of course, we use forks when eating spaghetti and hands for hamburgers. It’s customary to say “Itadakimasu” (a phrase to show gratitude for the food) before starting a meal and then pick up the chopsticks. At home, we use reusable chopsticks made of wood or plastic. At
The Japanese Dining Table: Chopstick Culture and Etiquette Read More »
Where to go this weekend? Let’s head to a roadside station! Across Japan, there are many roadside stations (Michi-no-Eki) full of charm. These facilities, located along national highways and other roads, serve as rest stops. They offer a direct market for local agricultural products and specialties, as well as gourmet food and hot springs, making
Soba Adventures: Exploring Roadside Stations and New Year’s Eve Rituals Read More »
Ando Tadao is a renowned Japanese architect known for his minimalist designs and innovative use of concrete. He was born in 1941, in Osaka. After traveling around the world, he self-studied architecture and founded Tadao Ando Architect & Associates in 1969. Some of his famous works are located on the remote islands of Naoshima and
Journey Through Art : Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest Read More »
Find Unique Souvenirs with Gachapon! Gachapon, also known as “gacha,” refers to capsule toy vending machines that sell small toys or accessories encased in plastic capsules. Gachapon is named after the sound it makes when you turn the handle (“gacha”) and the capsule pops out (“pon”). These machines are extremely popular in Japan and can
A bento is a portable meal traditionally enjoyed in Japan. It involves neatly packing a balanced assortment of meat, fish, vegetables, and eggs into a bento box. Today, I’m making a bento and tonjiru (pork miso soup). Tonjiru is packed with meat and vegetables, making it highly nutritious. It’s a perfect warm dish for the
