One of the things I've always really liked about Japan is that once you get out of the big cities, you start coming across these things called mujin hanbai, literally… Read the rest of the article: Unmanned roadside stores in Japan

You know those super real-looking food samples on display – sampuru – in front of restaurants all over Japan? Now, imagine a mashup between those and your phone case. Here's… Read the rest of the article: Don't eat this iPhone case!

On October 3rd, two high-accuracy clocks were placed in Tokyo Skytree. One was installed on a ground floor meeting room, while the other went all the way to the observation… Read the rest of the article: Einstein's Theory of Relativity Tested at Tokyo Skytree

In Japan, you don't have to drink your sake from a cup or a glass or even a bottle. If you're in the mood for a little imbibing on your… Read the rest of the article: Booze in a 'juice' box

These candies have been around for awhile in Japan, but I can't help but think that with the slime craze that's been all over Youtube for the last few years,… Read the rest of the article: Ooey gooey DIY candies

I'm no stranger to eating bones. As a child I was like a cat hearing the lid being peeled off a can and flying into the kitchen to see what's… Read the rest of the article: Flavored eel bones: a crunchy yummy snack

Summer in Japan isn't summer in Japan unless there are fireworks—and lots of them. Cities and towns, temples and ports; somewhere near you, on one of these hot and outrageously… Read the rest of the article: Senko hanabi: Japanese sparklers light the summer nights

It's not like I need another reason to eat chocolate. But if I were looking for one, I think the South Korean company Lotte might have found it. Probiotic chocolate.… Read the rest of the article: Lactic acid bacteria chocolate, another delicious treat from Japan

Why?

Kirin Sekai no Kitchen has recently started selling a product they call Melting Chaos Soup. It's sold beside the bottled water and teas. Now, I'm not a fan of tomato… Read the rest of the article: Chaos Soup: Japanese tomato smoothie with cream cheese

Are you one of those people who use your voice a lot? Work, home, a side hustle like a podcast perhaps? If you are, then I've got the candy for… Read the rest of the article: Bee spit is the special sauce in this Japanese Voice Care Candy

There's a gelatinous, slightly chewy, delicious-when-served-chilled dessert in Japan called warabi mochi. It is made from starch, water, and sugar. Simple. The usual way it's served is generously covered in… Read the rest of the article: Warabi Mochi: a gooey Japanese summer dessert, now in chocolate mint

Five octogenarian patients died after air conditioning units at the Fujikake Y&M Daiichi Hospital in Gifu City failed. While some patients were moved to the cooler second floor, others were… Read the rest of the article: Five dead after air conditioners break down in Japanese hospital

In Japan when I see the name Blendy, I imagine coffee. Usually I think instant coffee, or some kind of stick thats contents can be stirred into hot water to… Read the rest of the article: Review: Blendy Black Lemon Coffee from Japan

Every fall in Japan, McDonald's releases a Moon Viewing Burger (Tsukimi Burger). Basically, it's a burger with a perfectly round fried egg in the middle somewhere. This year added to… Read the rest of the article: Moon Viewing Burger: a McDonald's meal you can only get in Japan

One of the most baffling superstitions I've ever heard while living in Japan came from my mother-in-law. One day we were walking on a trail with my kindergarten-aged son when… Read the rest of the article: Have you ever heard of the superstition "Don't Pee on the Worm"?

Bears live in Japan, especially Hokkaido. So it's no surprise that people hunt and eat them from time to time. It's also no shock that one of these animals might… Read the rest of the article: Zombear: adorable undead mascot for blue curry

No matter how old you are it's always fun to pause and check out what's being sold in Japanese capsule vending machines (called Gotcha Gotcha in Japan). You know the… Read the rest of the article: Cats in Hats, as found in Japanese capsule vending machines

Popcorn didn't always used to be a thing in Japan. As a matter of fact, when I arrived in 1990 (and for many years afterward) it was one of my… Read the rest of the article: Enjoy this shrimp-flavored popcorn for breakfast

Japanese summers are hot and humid and because (at least where I live) there is no central air conditioning, it can get pretty miserable. Japanese culture has many clever ways… Read the rest of the article: "Very Scary Story Gum" from Japan