These popular souvenirs bring the art of cooking rice to a level rarely tasted by foreigners. The hottest selling rice cookers come from the trusted, well-known brand Zojirushi, which each year dominates the top three models of all rice cookers available in Japan. Panasonic and Tiger brand machines are also quite popular and provide steady competition to Zojirushi.<\/p>\n
When it comes to cooking elements in rice cookers the three heavy hitters are:<\/p>\n
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- Micro-Computer<\/li>\n
- Induction Heating (IH)<\/li>\n
- Natural gas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Of the three, the micro-computer type is almost always the most affordable, while IH comes in at a higher, but moderate price range. Gas cookers, the least popular for home use due to limited functions and a high price tag, almost always receive an excellent customer satisfaction rating. As a whole, rice cookers typically run between $50\u20131500 USD (though some can be found priced much higher); and because the number of capabilities Japanese rice cookers offer these days continues to grow\u2014making pizza, bread, hamburgers, and even alcohol\u2014means that customers are always looking to buy the next great cooker.<\/p>\n
An important factor to consider when buying a cooker is whether or not it includes advanced features. Microchip technology found inside rice cookers now can control the cooking environment within to obtain cooking perfection by changing the length of time the grains cook as well as the temperature inside the cooking bowl. The machine automatically knows when to switch from cooking to warming, which means no longer worrying about uncooked or burnt rice.<\/p>\n
FROMJAPAN\u2019S Top Picks for Best Japanese Rice Cookers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Zojirushi Rice Cooker NP-NI10 IH<\/h3>\n
![\"Zojirushi](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/51Qe-w8k36L-300x209.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFor quality, customer satisfaction, and price, our number one pick is the Zojirushi NP-NI10 IH Pressure Rice Cooker Warmer with a 1-liter capacity. This machine uses top of the line IH pressure cooking and what is called AI (Artificial Intelligence) logic technology for cooking ideal rice. This ensures the grain has the same consistency in summer or winter as humidity and room temperatures dramatically change.<\/p>\n
![\"Zojirushi](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Screen-Shot-2015-02-05-at-11.56.26-AM-300x115.png\")
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Search for Zojirushi Rice Cooker<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\nPanasonic Rice Cooker SR-SPX104 IH<\/h3>\n
![\"Panasonic](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Screen-Shot-2015-02-05-at-11.53.50-AM-300x204.png\")
<\/p>\nUp second is the Panasonic SR-SPX104 IH Steam Pressure IH with a 1-liter capacity and a multitude of eco-cooking course modes. Eco-cooking courses conveniently prepare rice for curry, sticky sushi rice, porridge and gruel. It also has a user-friendly, easy-to-read LCD display and a lid-to-bottom IH cooking process invented by Panasonic. The new models come in Rouge-Black and White.<\/p>\n
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Search for Panasonic Rice Cooker<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\nTiger Rice Cooker JBU-A55-W<\/h3>\n
![\"Tiger](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/jbu_a-300x114.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFinally coming in third is the Tiger JBU-A550-W Micom (micro-computer) Cooker Warmer with a 3-cup capacity. This machine is just right for a bachelor or couple living together. It is equipped with a mini tray and recipe book which details how to cook rice side dishes. Small portions of chicken and vegetables will fit in the mini tray allowing simultaneous cooking. This small rice cooker also has other functions for making stew, soup and cake.<\/p>\n
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Search for Tiger Rice Cooker<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\nWhy Consider a Japanese Dishwasher?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
At one time it was common in Japan to wash dishes right away by hand, but these days, younger generations are gravitating toward dishwashers instead of washing the \u201cold fashioned\u201d way. And like most Japanese technology, once the country gets on board the industry booms with top-of-the-line models that can compete with the best from any country.<\/p>\n
FROMJAPAN\u2019S Top Picks for the Best Japanese Dishwashers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Panasonic Dishwasher NP-45MD6S<\/h3>\n
![\"Panasonic](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/rh-sogo_np-45md6s.jpeg\")
The best-selling dishwashers on the market are from Panasonic and the number one brand is the NP-45MD6S built-in washer with a retail price of around $1,300 USD. It has a deep file cabinet-style design with four color options to choose from to help you color coordinate with your home decor. It is approximately a six-person capacity machine and its deep design accommodates long items, too. Similar to Panasonic\u2019s rice cookers, the company\u2019s dishwashers are loaded with efficient patented technology. The ECONAVI clever dirt sensor detects the number of loaded dishes as well as the level of dirtiness to adjust the amount of water and electricity necessary, saving precious time and money.<\/p>\n![\"Panasonic](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/m6exp_r4_c1-300x167.gif\")
<\/p>\nAnother feature called Planet Arm consists of three nozzles, one arm moving slowly with high pressure water, able to reach tall beer glasses. The remaining two arms contain fast moving nozzles and are placed in the center of the washer. These high-density, powerful, combination nozzles can wash different types and shapes of dishes extremely well, removing tough, caked-on grease and sanitizing dishes by killing bacteria.<\/p>\n
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Search for Panasonic Dishwasher<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\nRinnai Dishwasher RKWR-F402C-SV<\/h3>\n
![\"Rinnai](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/rkwr-f402c-sv-sa-img-270x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNumber two on our list is the Rinnai RKWR-F402C-SV built-in dishwasher which sells for around $1500 USD. Rinnai dishwashers are the first in the world to operate using only baking soda, which creates an all-natural alternative to common detergent soaps. This one also has self-bacteria removal and deodorization functions. High temperature steam cleans small particles, strong stains, and dirt, while killing bacteria. Its nozzle system called a tower washer contains regular spinning parts on the bottom and two layers of nozzles on the top. Heavy-duty stains and grime can easily be wiped out with this machine.<\/p>\n
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![\"Panasonic](\"https:\/\/blog.fromjapan.co.jp\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/4549077133632_LL-300x300.jpg\")
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