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Kyoto’s pinkest, cutest new restaurant is start of new life for retired train cars - Japan Today
Rail fans in Kyoto were bummed out when, in 2016, the Umekoji Line was shut down. More sadness came in 2024, when the Thunderbird special express train, which had connected Kyoto with the Hokuriku region further north, ended service because it had become superseded by a new extension of the even speedier Shinkansen network. But the…
High above the Arctic Circle, these Philly cheesesteaks are filled with moose and reindeer meat - Japan Today
Forget Philadelphia: In the far north of Sweden, locals and tourists alike chow down on Arctic cheesesteaks, their hoagie rolls piled high with moose and reindeer meat. At Stejk Street Food in Kiruna, some 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, owners Zebastian Bohman and Cecilia Abrahamsson modeled their specialty…
Tokyo’s Vampire Cafe serving up blood-sauce burgers and sweets with fire and dark magic spells - Japan Today
Vampires aren’t known as creatures that exhibit much restraint. Yet with countless films and novels in which their decadent lifestyles serve as metaphors for carnal desires, doesn’t it stand to reason that vampires would be equally prone to giving in to carnivorous temptation? And should that theory turn out to be…
Starbucks Japan releases new hojicha mousse latte for autumn - Japan Today
Back in 2023, Starbucks released a limited-edition Chocolate Mousse Latte that became so popular it returned the following year, and now, it’s back again for another outing, this time with a new partner filled with autumn flavor. The new release is a twist on the original Chocolate Mousse Latte, which features an…
Krispy Kreme releases a special 'tsukimi' moon-viewing doughnut in Japan - Japan Today
Krispy Kreme is world-famous for its original glazed doughnuts, but in Japan, where competition for doughnuts is fierce, the chain is consistently compelled to up its game with new limited-edition releases, and its latest is one of the best we’ve seen. Called the Krispy Kreme Premium Tokyo Moon-Viewing Marron & Cream, this…
3 easy vegetarian rice cooker recipes to try - Japan Today
Rice cookers are a staple of Japanese kitchens. After using them in China and now in Japan, I’ve discovered how versatile they can be. Many people believe that you can only make rice in a rice cooker, but just because the name tells you so doesn’t mean you can’t get creative…
Mister Donut turns doughnuts into Japanese idols for new range in Japan - Japan Today
Mister Donut always has its finger on the pulse when it comes to local trends and obsessions, and its newest release taps into the culture of oshi. Literally translating as “push”, the word “oshi” is used among fans of idols, anime, and other similar fandoms to refer to a favourite character…
Is it true foods with a short ingredient list are healthier? A nutrition expert explains - Japan Today
At the end of a long day, who has time to check the detailed nutrition information on every single product they toss into their shopping basket? To eat healthily, some people prefer to stick to a simple rule: choose products with a short ingredient list. The idea is foods with just a…
From resort buffets to long flights: Simple tips for eating well on holiday - Japan Today
Holidays should be about relaxing, enjoying yourself and making memories – not obsessing over a “perfect” eating plan. A healthy diet is built over months and years, not in a single week (or two). Instead of restricting what you eat, a better approach is to add healthy extras to your…
Chinese food in Tokyo: From American-style to authentic classics - Japan Today
Looking for Chinese food in Tokyo? If you’re in the mood for a quick bowl of ramen at a local chain, a dim sum feast or an indulgent fine-dining experience, the city has it all. Here’s a guide to some of the best Chinese food spots across different price ranges…
10 online shops for vegan food in Japan - Japan Today
The number of vegan products available in Japan has been increasing steadily in recent years. Still, we might only find one good brand of non-dairy yogurt at one shop, then another good brand of fake meat at another, and so on. It can be difficult to shop when we want…
KFC Japan unveils new tsukimi moon-viewing burgers for 2025 - Japan Today
As autumn approaches in Japan, the food industry turns its focus towards the seasonal tradition of tsukimi (moon-viewing) with elements that pay homage to the exceptional beauty of the harvest moon. The most common practice is to embellish meals with a fried egg, due to its visual resemblance to the full…
Milkshakes, malts, concretes, frappes and more: A delicious guide to frozen drinks - Japan Today
In the summer heat, we find ourselves drawn to that glorious section of the drinks menu that promises relief in the form of a cold, creamy, brain-freezing indulgence. But ordering a frozen drink looks different in different parts of the U.S., and in different restaurants and ice cream shops. So,…
Why are Westerners so reluctant to eat seaweed? - Japan Today
Seaweed is one of the few foods that can credibly claim to be good for both people and the planet. So why don’t Westerners eat more of it? It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. It grows without fertilizers, pesticides or fresh water, and requires no farmland. Some…
Japanese highway rest stop slow-melting ice cream fish dessert: An offer too strange to refuse - Japan Today
The Kariya Highway Oasis in the town of Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, is pretty incredible, even by the lofty standards for highway rest stops in Japan. This is, after all, the rest stop with its own giant Ferris wheel. But on our most recent visit, we stumbled across something else that was totally unexpected: Toto Ice…
Tokyo mall serves up Japan’s best regional ice creams - Japan Today
Local specialty foods are one of Japan’s many delights, giving both domestic and international tourists a reason for leaving the major cities, and exploring the less-traversed parts of the country. However, what if there were a way to enjoy what different regions have to offer without having to take up…
Japanese omelette sushi changes the way we think about 'makizushi' - Japan Today
You never know what you might find when strolling through a depachika (“department store basement”) in Japan. These underground food halls are filled with all sorts of beautifully presented sweets, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals, and when our reporter Masanuki Sunakoma was strolling through the one at Takashimaya in Shinjuku the other day, he came…
Mister Donut’s New Home Cut doughnuts take nostalgia to extremes with barely any sweetness - Japan Today
Mister Donut is known for its limited-edition collaborations with famous big names like Gion Tsujiri, Pokémon, and Disney, but recently it’s been wowing customers with completely new types of doughnuts. Now, following on from the explosive popularity of the ultra-soft “Mocchurin” series released this past June, the chain is giving us another original doughnut…
Ever ordered a salad on a first date when you really wanted the burger? - Japan Today
Many of us eat differently when we’re around other people, often without realizing it. Our food choices shift depending on who’s at the table, who’s watching, or who might see our food if it’s shared online. This isn’t just about manners or appetite. Experts are increasingly interested in the ways in which…
Don Quijote now sells a bento of American corn dog ends - Japan Today
In June, a new Don Quijote store opened at the Southeast Exit of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station. Like many other branches of the hugely popular retail chain, this location sells just about everything under the sun and caters to the needs of international tourists with tax-free registers, multilingual signs, and staff who can…
You can now buy Studio Ghibli shaved ice desserts in Japan - Japan Today
We are currently reaching peak summer in Japan, which means it’s time to call in the big guns of summertime refreshment. This month, the Studio Ghibli-affiliated Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory, run by the brother of Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, is answering the call with a shaved ice dessert that’s big on flavor… and…
Try some of Japan’s summer foods - Japan Today
Anyone who has lived in Japan has noticed the sharp contrast in seasons and the celebration of those distinctions. One of the many Japanese words related to seasons, 旬 (shun), describes the peak period of produce, fish and other food in Japan. Each food has its own “shun,” so certain dishes are more…
Lawson now sells old rice as 'vintage' onigiri in Japan - Japan Today
There’s a severe shortage of rice in Japan at the moment, and the situation is so dire that the government recently released emergency stockpiles to make the everyday staple more widely available. As these are emergency stockpiles, though, the rice isn’t freshly harvested — in fact, some would go so far…
Is katsudon a dish best served cold? Trying out the new Hiyashi Dashi Katsudon in Tokyo - Japan Today
Most people would say that there aren’t a lot of similarities between revenge and a pork cutlet bowl/katsudon. Among other key differences, revenge often leaves one feeling empty and consumed by sadness, while consuming katsudon is one of the quickest ways to achieve both fullness and joy. But could it…
Lawson debuts new fried chicken, so let’s see how it compares to other stores - Japan Today
There are certain staples that each of the major convenience store chains in Japan is sure to carry. Onigiri are almost a certain bet, and nikuman steamed meat buns have more recently become available everywhere and all year round. You’ll probably even find a melon pan in each store if they aren’t already sold out. Another…
Starbucks Japan’s white peach Frappuccino and drinks are here - Japan Today
It’s been an extremely hot summer in Japan this year, with the country recording its highest temperature ever just a few days ago. Temperatures have dipped a bit since then, but not by much, so we were very much looking forward to having not one, not two, but three new chilled…
A history of fermented foods – from pickles to kimchi - Japan Today
Are you a pro at pickling? How about baking sourdough bread or brewing your own kombucha? If the answer is yes, you’ve probably picked up on one of the recent trends promoting fermented foods, which promise to boost your gut health and save both you and the planet from the scourge of food waste.…
Macrobiotics: The Japanese concept that brings balance to your diet - Japan Today
Macrobiotics is all about eating in balance. Here's a quick guide to all you need to know about macrobiotics, including the best diners in Tokyo to try it out! When I first moved to Tokyo, I was 40 pounds overweight and anxious to understand why Japanese women were so slim despite eating…
Study reveals potato's secret tomato past - Japan Today
You say potato, I say tomato? Turns out one helped create the other: Natural interbreeding between wild tomatoes and potato-like plants in South America gave rise to the modern day spud around nine million years ago, according to a new study published in the journal Cell. Co-author Loren Rieseberg, a…
Crème fraîche creates a creamy broth for briny-sweet steamed clams - Japan Today
A big bowl of steamed clams and juicy-crisp corn is summer eating at its finest. The combination is fresh, sweet and briny, almost like a chowder made for eating with your fingers. In this recipe from our cookbook “ Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the…
Sudachi: Japanese baby lime cookie recipe - Japan Today
What’s a すだち (sudachi)? Think of it as a tiny, tart lime native to Tokushima Prefecture in Japan. Every now and then, I stay up way too late experimenting with seasonal fruits — testing my patience, my oven, and definitely blowing past my daily calorie limit. But hey, it’s all…
Iconic French chef stakes reputation on vegan menu - Japan Today
Celebrated French chef Alain Passard has made history once again. The 68-year-old has become the first three Michelin star chef in France to switch to an entirely plant-based menu, opening a new chapter in the world of luxury dining. Since July 21, Passard has stopped serving meat, fish, dairy products…
Insane food challenges in Japan (if you’re hungry enough) - Japan Today
From conveyor belt sushi to regional takes on ramen, Japanese cuisine is a top reason many people visit Japan. But if a regular omori (大盛り, large portion) of rice or a kaedama (替え玉, extra noodles) isn’t enough to satisfy your appetite, why not push your limits with a full-blown food challenge?…
Why does Häagen-Dazs Japan have two different types of green tea ice cream, and do we need both? - Japan Today
Like many of Japan’s sweets suppliers, Häagen-Dazs Japan is continually rotating special limited-time flavors into its lineup. Their newest, which went on sale July 22, is Gyokuro, named after the green tea of the same name. Now if you’re thinking “Wait a second, I could have sworn I’d seen green tea Häagen-Dazs in…
Lotteria releases an unadon eel rice bowl burger in Japan for a limited time - Japan Today
On July 16, Lotteria launched a wild, limited-time menu item to mark Doyo no Ushi no Hi, Japan’s Midsummer Day of the Ox, on July 17. People traditionally eat eel or “unagi” on this day for stamina to help combat the hottest period of summer, and Lotteria has taken that tradition to…
Japanese pop star Ado wants to know if Americans actually eat one of Japan’s favorite 'Western foods' - Japan Today
For several decades, beef teriyaki has been one of the most popular menu items at Japanese restaurants in the U.S. It’s flavorful and hearty, and doesn’t use any ingredients with tastes or textures that would startle the average American diner. What can be surprising for American beef teriyaki fans, though…
Kinbato: A Japanese Paloma cocktail recipe - Japan Today
Say hello to the Kinbato, our refreshing original Japanese cocktail recipe inspired by the tropical flavors of Okinawa. For this, we’re putting a Japanese twist on the classic Paloma cocktail. With Japan’s humid summer in full swing, this light, zesty cocktail is perfect for Japanese-style outdoor BBQs or winding down after a day in…
7-Eleven Japan powers up even more with new baked-in-store breads and pastries - Japan Today
In every convenience store in Japan, you’ll find a bread aisle, stocked with individually wrapped sweet and savory baked goods trucked in from a central kitchen to each of the chain’s branches. That goes for 7-Eleven too, of course, but at some 7-Eleven locations you can also get various kinds of…
Stop lining up for Ichiran ramen: Skip the line, dodge the hype and find better bowls locals actually eat - Japan Today
I try not to judge tourists’ travel itineraries. I’m very humble like that. In a way, it’s kind of nice that all the tourists congregate in the same three places. Sure, it’s wrecking small towns and pushing locals out of, well, the locale, but at least it keeps certain neighborhoods free of…
KFC’s new Japanese-Style Summer Burgers source refreshing ingredients from Setouchi and Wakayama - Japan Today
Japan’s summer is feeling a little lacking in its Japanese-ness in some ways this year, but it’s set to get a little boost in that regard from the unexpected source of KFC. The Kentucky-born, big-in-Japan chain has released a pair of new Japanese-Style Summer Burgers, or, if you’re really getting into the Japanese-style…