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Take a look inside the Future Train, a unique new restaurant diner and cafe in Kyoto - Japan Today
On September 20, a new experiential restaurant called Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe will open its doors to the public in Umekoji, Kyoto. What makes this restaurant unique is the fact that it’s located on an abandoned elevated railway line and, what’s more, it’s inside a retired Thunderbird Express train that once connected Kyoto and the Hokuriku…
Pizza Hut Japan’s one-handed matcha dessert pizza is a hot mess (we mean that as a compliment) - Japan Today
We call the phenomenon of cultures mixing together a melting pot, but today we’re seeing the melting happen in a pizza crust, as the Japanese division of an American restaurant chain specializing in Italian food teams up with a Kyoto tea merchant for a culinary creation unlike anything we’ve ever…
Krispy Kreme ready to get autumn started with three new donuts, two Japanese fall favorite flavors - Japan Today
Right now, looking for seasonal sweets in Japan feels a bit like shopping for seasonal clothing. Typically, apparel stores start stocking fall coats and sweaters before the temperature actually starts to dip very much, and similarly, even though it’s still hot and humid in Japan, confectioners are starting to offer…
Food Triathlon eating challenge accepting all comers at Yamaguchi restaurant this autumn - Japan Today
Like every summer recently, it’s incredibly hard to consume much more than a glass of water in this sweltering heat. But as the high temperatures gradually subside, that urge to pig out begins to return, and it is this seasonal change that laid the groundwork for the Food Triathlon (Shoku no Triathlon). This…
Starbucks Japan releases surprising new Frappuccino for autumn - Japan Today
As we enter the season of bountiful autumn harvests, Starbucks is honing in on one particular fruit and serving it up in a limited-edition Frappuccino. Called the Younashi Nama Caramel Frappuccino, this new drink sings the praises of yonashi, or Western pear, so-called to distinguish it from the rounder nashi, or Japanese-style pear, which is…
Starbucks Japan vs. Tully’s Coffee: Which limited-edition autumn drink is better? - Japan Today
With meteorological autumn finally here, sweet potato products are starting to appear in stores. This popular seasonal vegetable is often featured in autumnal sweets in Japan, and this year it’s the star ingredient in two limited-edition drinks at two of the country’s top coffeehouse chains, Starbucks and Tully’s. Over at Starbucks, we have the…
McDonald’s Japan’s moon-viewing mochi pies are a little more Westernized-tasting this year - Japan Today
According to Japanese cultural traditions, autumn is the time for tsukimi, or moon-viewing, parties, and it’s also become the season for tsukimi burgers, which feature fried eggs roundly reminiscent of a full moon. McDonald’s Japan, naturally, has tsukimi burgers, but each fall they also bring out a Tsukimi Pie. Since fried eggs don’t work…
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger - Japan Today
It’s pretty common knowledge at this point that the beloved American children’s program "Power Rangers" was a localized import of Japan’s "Super Sentai" series of tokusatsu shows. But it’s perhaps less known that the very first of the "Super Sentai" shows was called "Himitsu Sentai Gorenger" (Secret Squadron Go Rangers), kind of bringing the whole “ranger” concept full…
Not all processed foods are bad for you. Here’s what you can tell from reading the label - Japan Today
If you follow wellness content on social media or in the news, you’ve probably heard that processed food is not just unhealthy, but can cause serious harm. Eating a diet dominated by highly processed foods means you’re likely to consume more kilojoules than you need, and greater amounts of salt,…
Wendy’s Japan’s mochi moon-viewing burger don’t just have mochi, they are mocchi too - Japan Today
September is the start of tsukimi, or moon viewing, season in Japan, and if you’re a regular reader, you probably know it’s the start of tsukimi burger season too. Tsukimi burgers get their name as an extension of Japan’s various tsukimi noodle dishes, in which an egg is cracked into a bowl of…
Pizza Hut Japan unveils new matcha pizza, crafted with Kyoto tea shop founded in Uji in 1860 - Japan Today
In Japan, there’s a lot more to matcha than just matcha lattes. Here, you can find powdered green tea in a wide variety of settings, from traditional teahouses through to modern cafes, and now even a pizza chain, thanks to a new product from Pizza Hut Japan. Called the “Handy Melts Matcha Shiratama Kuromitsu“, with shiratama being small, chewy dumplings…
Is your diet influencing your dreams? Here’s what research says about food and nightmares - Japan Today
Have you ever wondered if a bizarre dream was caused by something you ate the night before? If so, you’re not alone. We all have strange or unsettling dreams now and then, and when we do, we want to know what might cause them. For centuries, people have believed that…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…