Hanafuda – Japan’s Answer to Playing Cards ?
What is Hanfuda? Before the Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh trading card games, Hanafuda was the original card game obsession in Japan! Hanafuda (花札, literally “flower…
Fukubukuro 2019 – Japan’s Lucky Bags
What is fukubukuro? Every year hundreds of brave shoppers flock to Japan’s shopping districts in order to participate in “hatsu uri” (初売り), or the…
Halloween Costume Roundup from Shibuya, Tokyo 2018
Over the past few years, Shibuya has become the hub of Halloween celebrations in Tokyo. Over one million (yes, one million!) people visit Shibuya…
Japanese Paper Craft Kits: Amazing Miniature Worlds Await!
There is a world of Japanese paper craft ready to be discovered! From DIY miniatures, to mechanical toys and shadowboxes, these models require only patience and a handful of inexpensive crafting tools. Best of all, there are so many unique kits to choose from that there’s something ideal for every paper craft enthusiast. Narrowing down which kit to begin with might be tricky, so here’s a list of 10 popular Japanese paper craft series to help get you started.
Randoseru Buying Guide: Send Your Kid to School in Style
If you’ve ever watched a school-themed anime or seen pictures of Japanese students heading to class, chances are you’ve spotted a randoseru—the boxy backpack…
Japanese Kyusu Teapots: Your Guide to Japan’s Iconic Teaware
What’s the secret to a perfect cup of green tea? Perhaps the answer boils down to the teapot itself. Over the centuries, Japanese craftsmen…
9 Japanese Candy Kits & Toys to Keep Your Kid Cookin’ Up a Storm
Leave it to the ingenious ideas of Japanese candy and toy companies like Kracie, Meiji, and Bandai to bring countless hours of hands-on fun for kids and parents alike. Known in Japan as “educational confectioneries,” the DIY candy kits below go far beyond colorful wrappers and extreme flavors, giving chefs-in-training the chance to explore colors, tastes, and textures while developing fine motor skills, practicing patience, and learning how to follow instructions. Keep reading to find out FROM JAPAN’s top Japanese candy kit picks that will have your kids cookin’ up a storm!
Japanese Condiments: 8 Seasonings Beyond Simple Soy Sauce
What’s the secret to Japan’s world-famous cuisine: is it the indescribable umami of dashi, the delicately sticky texture of Japanese rice, or the subtle, clean flavor of fresh ingredients? Each of these culinary characteristics has a unique place in Japanese cuisine, but there is one category of ingredients that can take even the finest dish to new flavorful depths—Japanese condiments. Although Japan offers an extensive list of condiments, ranging from tangy and sweet to spicy, we’re highlighting eight of the country’s must-try seasonings and sauces that will expand your Japanese epicurean experience beyond simple soy sauce.