News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
Mister Donut and Gion Tsujiri bring hojicha heaven to Japan with these latest additions - Japan Today
Following rave reviews of the last installment of the dream collaboration of international donut chain Mister Donut and famous green tea specialists Gion Tsujiri, the second batch of this year’s springtime tea-filled delights have arrived and made their way to our office for another donut review. Time and time again, this collaboration proves to be sublime, so what…
Umami's an old flavor but still a new concept for many cooks - Japan Today
You know that burst of flavor you experience when you take a bite of certain savory foods, such as meat, fish, mushrooms or miso? That sensation of “whoa, that is just delicious!” In all likelihood, you are tasting umami. Umami, which translates to “delicious savory taste, " was identified as a distinct flavor…
Chinese tea hub branches into coffee as tastes change - Japan Today
At a mountainside cafe in southwestern China, Liao Shihao brews handfuls of locally grown beans into steaming cups of coffee, a modern twist on the region's traditional drink. For centuries, Pu'er in Yunnan province has given its name to a type of richly fermented tea -- sometimes styled "pu-erh" --…
Elitist no more, caviar is turning casual - Japan Today
When Burger King announced it was selling caviar with nuggets at its French restaurants on April 1, many people assumed it was an April Fool's joke. But as news spread on social media, buyers rushed to try one of the world's most expensive delicacies paired with a humble and highly…
The secret to a refreshing cocktail or mocktail might be growing in the garden - Japan Today
If you enjoy a tasty, refreshing summer cocktail or mocktail, why not grow your own? No, you're not likely to grow the spirits -- although they do come from plants (vodka from potatoes, tequila from agave and so on). But you can grow other ingredients that make those spirits delicious.…
How bugs and beet juice could play roles in the race to replace artificial dyes in food - Japan Today
As pressure grows to get artificial colors out of the U.S. food supply, the shift may well start at Abby Tampow’s laboratory desk. On an April afternoon, the scientist hovered over tiny dishes of red dye, each a slightly different ruby hue. Her task? To match the synthetic shade used…
Baskin-Robbins teams up with Japan’s oldest department store for brand-new traditional ice cream flavor - Japan Today
Mitsukoshi is the first name in department stores in Japan…literally. When it opened in 1904, Mitsukoshi’s branch in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi neighborhood became the very first modern department store in Japan, but the company’s roots go back centuries, to the kimono shop Echigoya which opened in 1683 and was one of the…
FamilyMart serves up Japanese nostalgia with new frozen choco banana that’s a sell-out hit - Japan Today
Japanese convenience stores are filled with weird and wonderful products, but sometimes the importance of these products might pass you by if you’re not a local. That’s the case with FamilyMart’s new Frozen Choco Banana, which is pretty self-explanatory for people seeing it for the first time, but for locals this…
Foreign travelers’ lukewarm reactions to traditional Japanese inn food causing changes in Kyoto - Japan Today
While Kyoto has always been among the nation’s top travel destinations, the surge in inbound tourism is creating overtourism woes in a city where the travel infrastructure isn’t on the same large scale as Tokyo or Osaka. But in addition to some unpleasant side effects stemming from Kyoto’s sky-high popularity with overseas…
Sake's export boom bringing in new fans and food pairings - Japan Today
When Imada Sake Brewing Co master brewer Miho Imada presented a sake inspired by local seafood to a sommelier from Hong Kong, she asked for pairing suggestions. The answer was surprising: braised pork trotters. Sake has been enjoying an international boom that's bringing in new fans and food combinations. Even…
Coca-Cola Japan changes recipe for best-seller matcha latte, but is it worth a sip? - Japan Today
Matcha latte seems like it should be a pretty consistent drink, what with it really only having four ingredients: matcha powder, sugar, milk, and water. And yet, depending on the ratios between them, you can end up with a lot of different flavors, and if you go too far in one…
Nekojita Fufu: Cute cat robot cools your drinks, becomes a viral sensation online - Japan Today
Have you got “cat’s tongue“? Lots of people do, particularly in Japan, where the term, known as nekojita in Japanese, is used to describe people who are sensitive to hot food or drinks. While those with cat’s tongue usually have to set drinks and food aside until they’ve cooled down a…
7-Eleven adds U.S. orange chicken to its range in Japan - Japan Today
Our reporter Tasuku Egawa is very particular about orange chicken, having eaten it regularly during his approximately 10 years of living in the United States. Despite being Japanese born and bred, Egawa says he’s eaten more orange chicken in America than he’s had miso soup in his entire life, and the variety…
Japan’s largest indie ice cream convention returns to Tokyo in Golden Week - Japan Today
It probably doesn’t get brought up as often as it should, but Japan has a very rich and diverse array of ice cream. The offerings found in convenience stores and supermarkets like the Jumbo Monaka and Yukimi Daifuku are excellent examples of this, but beyond all that, there’s an even larger ecosystem of frozen…
Randy’s Donuts Japan announces grand opening date for Tokyo, Japan-exclusive sweets - Japan Today
Earlier this year our sweets sensors began happily tingling at the news that Randy’s Donuts will be coming to Japan, and not just as a limited-time pop-up promotion either. The Los Angeles landmark donut chain, known for its tasty treats and colossal donut signs, is opening its first-ever shop in Japan. We now…
This rustic dish of baked beans and smoked sausages is packed with deep, aromatic flavors - Japan Today
Tavče gravče, which translates as “beans in a pan,” is a Macedonian classic. Traditionally, large dried white beans called tetovac, named for a city in northwestern Macedonia, are the star of the rustic dish, while onions, garlic, peppers and paprika provide deep, rich flavor and color. In this recipe from…
Japan starts selling smart salads in AI vending machine - Japan Today
Japan is famous for its vending machines. It could easily be dubbed the “Land of the Vending Machines.” While most countries stick to selection of drinks and snacks, Japan’s line-up also includes cute knick knacks and shocking discoveries. From origami to potential spouses: the country is littered with quirky and unusual vending machines. The latest…
5 English-friendly cooking classes in Japan - Japan Today
What better way to experience Japanese cooking than to learn it yourself in the comfort of a Japanese home or studio? With cooking classes ranging from sushi to making bentos to vegan ramen and gyoza, there are numerous options around Japan for the home cook of all levels. Whether you’re looking to learn Japanese cuisine as a hobby, pursue it…
Japanese low-cost eateries thrive in China as economy sputters - Japan Today
China's dining scene is buzzing as Japanese chains like Torikizoku yakitori, Sushiro conveyor-belt sushi and Saizeriya Italian eateries turn economic hardship into opportunity, drawing customers with affordable options amid a downturn. Torikizoku, a popular yakitori chain based in Osaka, opened its first mainland China location in Shanghai in late February.…
The world’s longest sushi train at Osaka Expo 2025 - Japan Today
At Osaka Expo 2025, Kura Sushi is taking things to the next level with the world’s longest sushi train—a whopping 135 meters of rotating plates, global flavors, and futuristic tech. For the uninitiated, conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi) is a Japanese dining style where small plates of sushi glide past you on…
Asparagus in the garden takes its time but is worth the wait - Japan Today
Asparagus isn’t the most common vegetable among home gardeners, and that’s likely because growing it is an exercise in patience. But three years of patience is a small price to pay for up to 20 years of relatively effortless tender green shoots. If you’ve never seen an asparagus plant, you…
Noodle chain Marugame rolls out strawberry milk udon donuts for new spring sweets lineup - Japan Today
Last summer, “udonuts,” donut bites made from udon noodle flour, became a bit of a craze in Japan. Developed and sold by udon chain Marugame Seimen, the brand is now adding three new flavors to its lineup at restaurant locations nationwide. The standout star is definitely the new strawberry milk flavor, which contains actual…
Mister Donut releases new Uji Matcha doughnut with Gion Tsujiri - Japan Today
Last month, Mister Donut delighted customers with the news that it would be teaming up with matcha specialists Gion Tsujiri for another limited-edition collection. Ever since the two first joined forces back in 2016, the so-called “Misdo Meets Gion Tsujiri” collections have become sell-out hits whenever they’re released, and now they’re back with round two of…
Child-friendly Starbucks store opens in Osaka offering child-exclusive drinks - Japan Today
The number of my kindergarten and elementary students who have told me about their mother’s love of Starbucks, and their most recent visit, is…uncountable. Calling Starbucks “popular in Japan” might possibly be the understatement of the century. It feels like not a day goes by where I don’t see someone…
Famous Japanese whisky Hakushu canned cocktails coming back with new recipe - Japan Today
For many years, Suntory was best known internationally for its beer, something you’d casually crack open a can of when you wanted to partake. Then the world realized that Suntory also makes some very fine whisky, with its Hakushu brand becoming one of the flagbearers for Japanese whisky. And then some very smart…
New cafe in Japan won’t let you leave until you solve a mystery - Japan Today
When most people go to a cafe for a drink, they’re not there for the beverage alone. Just as important to the cafe experience is the ambiance, lingering in a cozy chair and soaking up the relaxing, inviting ambiance even after you’ve taken the last sip from your cup. Cafe…
Eateries in foodie haven Singapore close as costs rise, spending falls - Japan Today
Singapore's well-known food scene has been battered by closures in the past year, affecting low-cost hawker stalls, mid-sized operators and Michelin-star restaurants, who say costs are rising and consumers are spending less. Closures in the food and beverage sector have averaged 307 per month so far this year, up from…
Craft Sake Week 2025: Japan's ultimate sake celebration returns - Japan Today
Mark your calendars from April 18 to April 29 to celebrate sake, one of the most in-demand Japanese cultural heritages. Craft Sake Week 2025, a 12-day festival, will showcase the best of sake artistry. Japan Craft Sake Company, led by a former soccer legend Hidetoshi Nakata, is gearing up to…
New Japanese KitKat flavors include sakura and pineapple candy - Japan Today
It’s been a long time between new KitKat flavors in Japan, but thankfully that’s all changed now, with not one but two new flavors set to delight our taste buds. The first new release is particularly surprising as it pairs the wafer-covered chocolates with Pine Ame, a popular pineapple candy that’s so famous…
Starbucks releases new Frappuccino in Japan to help us 'forget about everyday life' - Japan Today
There’s a lot to worry about in the world at the moment, but at Starbucks there’s a way to keep our chins up, with the release of special range designed to whisk us away from our troubles and into a new carefree environment. The new lineup is based around a “Hotel…
Lunch fit for a samurai lord: Japanese cafes offers castle bento lunches; sells boxes too - Japan Today
It’s a pretty safe bet that just about everyone eating at Uraku, a restaurant in Nagoya, is into Japanese history. That’s because Uraku is the cafe attached to Nagoya Touken World, a museum of samurai swords and armor in downtown Nagoya. ▼ Nagoya Touken World Knowing that its guests would be in a…
7-Eleven Japan adding fresh-brewed tea machines to 2,000 stores, but is their tea any good? - Japan Today
There are a lot of great things you can get at 7-Eleven branches in Japan, but one of our very favorites is their coffee. And no, we’re not talking pre-made coffee in cans or bottles, but 7-Eleven’s very own private brand of coffee that’s fresh brewed by specialized self-serve machines right before it…
Cooking with kids teaches healthy eating, life skills and more - Japan Today
To raise adventurous, self-sufficient and health-conscious eaters, get kids in the kitchen. It may sound too simple, but those are just a few of the benefits when kids learn to cook. Cooking builds life skills, promotes healthy eating, boosts confidence and strengthens family bonds — all while making mealtime fun.…
Faux gras? Scientists craft 'more ethical' version of French delicacy - Japan Today
Foie gras — the fattened liver of ducks or geese — is a French delicacy prized for its rich, buttery flavor. But its production, which involves force-feeding the animals, has led to bans in several countries. Now, a team of scientists says they've developed a more ethical alternative: one that…
Keto diet in Japan: What to look out for - Japan Today
Japanese food and carbohydrates go together like sushi and soy sauce. However, those wanting to explore different eating habits might stumble across the ketogenic (or keto for short) diet in Japan. The keto diet is high in fat and incredibly low in carbs, but it’s more than just cutting pasta…
McDonald’s Japan renews Samurai Mac, but not everyone will be happy with the new warrior - Japan Today
Back in 2020, McDonald’s caused a stir in Japan when it added a brand new burger called the Samurai Mac to its menu. The thick beef burger turned out to be one of the heftiest on the menu, making it a popular option for customers wanting to fill up fast, but this…
FamilyMart releases new collection of Uji matcha sweets to make green tea lovers swoon - Japan Today
Japan’s top three convenience stores — FamilyMart, Lawson and 7-Eleven — are constantly competing for customers, but FamilyMart is nudging ahead of the pack, with a new “Matcha with Fruit” range. This new collection is part of the chain’s Matcha Fair held annually at this time of year, and there are seven…
Michelin Guide unveils new stars for 68 restaurants in France - Japan Today
The Michelin Guide handed out new stars to 68 restaurants in France on Monday at a ceremony that celebrated emerging young talents and proposed food as a tonic for the world's worries. Two restaurants joined the highest and most coveted three-star category in Michelin's 2025 France guide, namely Christopher Coutanceau…
Tokoyo no Naganakidori redefines everything you thought you knew about yakitori - Japan Today
Tokoyo no Naganakidori, a new yakitori restaurant that recently opened in Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama district, takes the popular grilled chicken dish to a whole new level. Tokoyo no Naganakidori serves an exquisite yakitori course featuring the Kuro Satsuma chicken, a breed descended from Satsuma Jidori, one of Japan’s three great native…
French chefs anxious as Michelin prepares new guide - Japan Today
Chefs across France are waiting for one of the most exciting and dreaded moments of the year: publication of the new annual guide from Michelin with its highly coveted stars. The famous red bible for gastronomes still makes and breaks cooking careers, despite increasing competition from rival food lists and…