Search Results for: food

Hokkaido has a reputation for being a treasure trove of food, and since it’s home to many residents originally from other prefectures, it’s also developed a unique food culture.
As a result, there are numerous products, including beer, soft drinks, seasonings, and even instant foods that are sold exclusively in Hokkaido.
One of our local writers living in Sapporo shares foods that Hokkaido visitors may enjoy eating in their hotel rooms or taking home as souvenirs.
ARCS Group, a regional supermarket chain with a wide selection
The supermarket’s red sign is familiar landmark for Hokkaido residents
ARCS Group is a regional supermarket chain with locations in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kita-Kanto. The “Super ARCS East” we visited is located in Sapporo Hibarigaoka Town Plaza, a 5-minute walk from Hibarigaoka Station on the Tozai Subway Line.
The store is open from 10:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Sundays) to midnight. It’s often crowded with shoppers because it has a wide selection of items but is al..

Mt. Fuji is Japan's iconic mountain loved by locals and tourists alike, which means there are plenty of spectacular views and adorable snacks to celebrate its beauty!
Here we'll look at some recommended sightseeing spots and delicious local dishes from around Mt. Fuji and its Fuji Five Lakes.
1. Yoshida no Udon: Specialty Local Fujiyoshida Cuisine
Yoshida Udon (courtesy of：Fuji Five Lakes Tourism Federation)
Yoshida no Udon is a traditional dish from Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is an impressive udon dish of thick noodles, horse meat, and boiled cabbage. There are nearly 50 shops that serve Yoshida Udon scattered about the city. Each shop boasts its own unique flavors, so you can find the one you love the most!
Each shop uses a condiment called 'suridane,' a mix of sesame, Sichuan pepper, and chili pepper. The suridane seasonings also vary by shop, just like the noodles, so you can enjoy a different taste wherever you go.
2. Mt. Fuji Melonpan: Adorable..

The capital of Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City is located in northeastern Japan's region of Tohoku. With easy access to and from Tokyo and other major cities, it's also a convenient travel base for a trip around Tohoku.
With the great fishing grounds of the Sanriku Coast and the spacious Sendai plains, suited for rice cultivation, it has gained a reputation as a treasure trove of food ingredients. Perhaps because of these traits, people from Miyagi Prefecture tend to be rather particular about their food!
Here, we visit a favorite local supermarket and introduce ten food items from their rich lineup that fully embody the characteristics of Sendai. While some make the perfect souvenir, others you'll want to enjoy in your hotel.
Ujie Supermarket: Sendai's Best Fresh Foods and Dishes
Photo courtesy of: Ujie Supermarket
Today we visit the Rifu branch of Ujie Supermarket, of which there are 32 total branches in Miyagi Prefecture, with four in Sendai alone. Rifu is a neig..

The heat and humidity of summer in Japan can have you sweating buckets, constantly on the lookout for the next vending machine with its ice-cold relief from the rising temperatures. But rather than go vending-machine hopping, why not sit down and treat yourself to something cool that will last a little longer?

Here are five of Japan’s best dishes to look out for on a hot day.

1. Kakigori
Photo: iStock/ Swanya CharoonwatanaLuxurious green tea shaved ice topped with rice cakes and red beans.
Although commonly translated as “shaved ice,” that doesn’t give Japan’s kakigori enough credit. It’s (usually) a bit more complicated than ice with a bit of syrup on top. While you can certainly find “basic” flavors, kakigori is an often luxurious treat, with all sorts of sweet toppings, syrups and sauces like condensed milk.

Traditionally this dish is made by spinning a large block of ice over a blade, operated by a hand crank. By shaving the ice rather than crushing it, the result is a soft and ..

Part of Japan’s Ryukyu island chain, this small group of subtropical islands between Okinawa Island and Ishigaki is known for its world-class diving and snorkeling. Several of the beaches here are consistently ranked among Japan’s best.
A visit to Miyako-jima, as it is known in Japanese, is sure to be a relaxing one.
Browse & Book hotels in Okinawa
1. Nakanoshima Beach
Known locally as Kayaffa Beach, this natural beach on Shimoji Island is surrounded by a large reef that keeps the bay protected from large waves.
Thanks to its calm and exceptionally clear water, Nakanoshima is a great spot for viewing the many corals and tropical fish that inhabit the area. Because the beach is not supervised by lifeguards, visitors will need to watch over their own safety.
Nakanoshima Beach
Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture, 906-05042. Toriike Ponds
These two ponds on Shimoji Island are connected underwater, and one is also connected by an underwater tunnel to the ocean, through which advance..

Kochi Prefecture and its capital city of Kochi face the Pacific Ocean on Shikoku's southern coast, and travelers to this lesser-visited corner of western Japan will be treated to superb natural beauty, exciting festivals, and lots of friendly sake-loving locals.
Browse & Book a hotel in Kochi
1. Kochi Castle
Kochi Castle was originally built in 1603 on the order of Yamauchi Katsutoyo, lord of the Tosa domain.
Although it burned down in a massive fire in 1727, the current castle tower was rebuilt in 1749 and is one of Japan's only 12 surviving castle keeps that date back to the Edo Period or earlier.
Fifteen structures at Kochi Castle, including its tower and the Otemon main gate, have been designated by the national government as important cultural properties. Kochi Castle is Japan’s only castle where you can capture both its main gate and main tower in a single photograph.
Kochi Castle
1 Chome-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi, 780-08502. Hirome Market
Located next to Kochi Castle, Hiro..

Takayama City is located in Hida Region in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture. This city has a charming townscape and is a popular tourist destination because of its historical buildings and traditional culture which has been in place since the Edo period (1600 to 1868). Most people know it by the name Hida Takayama.
This article lists a number of sightseeing spots that will allow tourists to fully enjoy the charm of Hida Takayama. We will also provide information on dishes that highlight Hida-gyu or Hida beef as a part of the exquisite Wagyu brand.
Let’s jumpstart this list by seeing some of the most common tourist spots in this city.
Main image credit: Alexander Hagseth / Shutterstock.com
1. Visit Takayama Jinya, the last magistrate’s office in Japan
Takayama Jinya is a government office that served as the workplace of magistrates and county officials dispatched by the military government or bakufu. Sixty of such offices existed in Japan by the end of the Edo period. Still, at pres..

The southern island of Ishigaki is famous for its clear emerald-green water and beautiful white sandy beaches.
Browse & Book hotels in Okinawa
1. Kabira Bay
One of the most famous spots in Ishigaki – and one of the Top 100 Landscapes of Japan – Kabira Bay is truly picture perfect.
The colors of the ocean are said to change with the tides, turning from shades of turquoise to emerald.The popular glass-bottomed boats reveal a pristine underwater world below, where black pearls are cultivated. Though swimming is not allowed due to strong currents, visitors can still enjoy the beach and the gorgeous views.
Kabira Park Observation Deck
Kabira Park, Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa 907-0453, JapanBook Now ▶ Okinawa Glass Boat Tour at Kabira Bay and Snorkeling Tour at Fantom Island
2. Scuba & Snorkeling
The warm tropical waters around the islands of Okinawa make it Japan's diving paradise.
It is estimated that about 200 of the world’s 800 coral species flourish in the reefs of this region, ..

Several rivers and canals flow through this former castle town, with boat rides especially popular in the spring when cherry blossoms line the banks. Toyama is also famous as the northern entrance to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Browse & Book hotels in Toyama
1. Toyama Castle Park
This spectacular green park is the site of the iconic Toyama Castle, once home to the Maeda clan. It is a popular relaxation spot and a famous cherry blossom destination for the locals.
The park offers a striking view of the castle’s moat and tower.
Toyama Castle Park
1 Honmaru, Toyama, 930-00812. Fugan Canal Kansui Park
This park sits by a canal just 9 minutes from the North Gate of JR Toyama Station.
It is filled with fun things to do, including a square with a spring and waterfall, a playground for kids, and the Tenmon-kyo Bridge. Take a cruise along the canal, or relax with a beverage at the incredibly stylish Starbucks. At night, there are sometimes firework displays.
Fugan Canal Kansui Park
1 Minat..

If you’re just starting to learn how to cook and want to avoid gaining weight from convenience store food, buy a denshi renji (microwave) from a second-hand store. You might find that Japanese microwaves are more versatile than the ones back home. Once you understand the power of your finger on the start button, prepare to fulfill your destiny as the next Iron Chef.

Here’s a list of four easy and cheap Japanese comfort food eaten at least once by most people living in Japan. These are my special recipes, refined through trial and error. For a single person in a hurry, this could be just what the doctor ordered.

1. Dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet)
Photo: iStock/SangSanitA tasty, low-effort alternative to scrambled eggs.
These eggs are special because they contain umami or savoriness from the soup base. They are also sweetened to a child’s taste. Today you find them in almost every small child’s bento. Mothers usually use a skillful rolling technique that is probably beyond the foreign..