2020/06/10 Did Japan’s Tradition of Toasting Originate in Europe?: On the Roots and Meaning of “Kanpai”
Alcoholic beverages are essential when it comes to social gatherings such as meals with friends and weddings. And in these situations, one almost always sees people raising their glasses in a toast. Japan has always incorporated alcoholic beverages such as sake in Shinto religious rituals, but did you know that the style of toast now […]
2020/05/11 Why did Akihabara, a town where anime fans and otaku gather, become sacred ground?
Japanese animation, also known as “anime,” has fans all over the world, and there is one place where many anime fans say they want to visit at least once. That is Tokyo’s “Akihabara.” Akihabara is treated as a “sacred ground” where otaku, those who are crazy about anime, games and cosplay (dressing up as one’s […]
2020/04/10 The essentials of Japanese food! Three popular Japanese foods that can be eaten even in America!
Japanese food is getting more popular, along with a growing shift towards healthy thinking. The number of Japanese restaurants is growing, even in America. While the taste is a reason for the popularity, the colorful plating of items that allows for dishes to also be enjoyed visually is another. This time, we hope to introduce […]
2020/03/12 Just what is sake to Japanese people? The sake used in ceremonies
In general, sake signifies three different things to Japanese people. First, it’s an offering to the gods. Second, it’s something used to entertain people. Third, it’s used medicinally or as an analeptic. This time, we’d like to talk about the relationship between sake and the gods. Your view of sake might change once you understand […]
2020/02/18 The Japanese enjoy alcohol at seasonal events! The alcohol imbibed during cherry blossom viewing and festivals
Events in Japan have long had deep ties with enjoyment of alcohol. The experience that gathering around delicious food and gazing at cherry blossoms with a drink provides is a staple of cherry blossom viewing, an event synonymous with spring. Alcohol is a requirement for summer events, too. Festivals go without saying, but people even […]
2020/01/03 Japanese people didn’t eat meat in the past? The history of Japanese food and roots of why it’s called healthy
Japanese food was registered as a UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Intangible Cultural Heritage in December of 2013. Under UNESCO, it was registered as the traditional dietary culture of the Japanese. Japanese food, making the most of the flavor of its ingredients and allowing diners to enjoy fresh, seasonal flavors, is garnering […]
2019/12/09 The amazing Japanese bento box gains attention overseas
The Japanese bento box has been gaining attention overseas of late. There are actually many different types of bento box, and some well known examples include the luxury bento boxes produced by luxury hotels and restaurants, healthy bento boxes that boast a nutritional balance, diet bento boxes that are low in calories, and homemade bento […]
2019/12/09 What kind of drink is sake? An easy-to-follow explanation covering everything from ingredients to different production methods
Known as nihonshu in Japan, sake is one of Japan’s most well known products and is loved for its superb mouthfeel and quaffability. Although it goes well with cuisine from different countries, there are probably many people out there who still wonder what, exactly, sake is. If you like sake but aren’t sure about how […]
2019/12/09 The history of sake: for a deeper appreciation of sake’s flavor
Did you know that the history of sake, which is consumed not only in Japan but around the world, stretches back 3,000 years into the past? Sake, or nihonshu as it is known in Japan, is a beverage with a long history indeed. This article provides an introduction to the origin of sake, a history […]