After the hard work of processing rice from paddy to grain, the tradition of mochitsuki (mochi pounding) can begin.

The Japanese tea ceremony is called 茶道 (pronounced sadō or chadō), which means “the way of tea” in Japanese. The ceremony is a way of practicing Zen, a Japanese concept based on maintaining order in the state of one’s mind. Participating in a tea ceremony is one of the most unique experiences when visiting Japan.

Tea was introduced to Japan in the 8th century from China. Initially considered a medicinal beverage mainly amongst priests and the upper class. Tea gained popularity in the Muromachi period(1333-1573).

Mitarashi dango (みたらし団子), the traditional Japanese skewered dessert similar to mochi, has become a popular treat enjoyed across the globe. Consisting of three to five small, round rice dumplings (dango), this famous wagashi (和菓子) is known for its delectable sweet soy sauce glaze. The dango are traditionally made by combining water and sugar with two…

Hokkaido milk is known across Japan for its delicious creamy flavour as well as it’s overall high quality. It’s even considered to be the best milk available in Japan, and perhaps even the world.

Hokkaido melon, also called Yubari melon, is considered the best melon in Japan. These melons can fetch prices of up to 5 million yen, or 45 thousand dollars, which makes them literally worth their weight in gold Japanese fruit is known around the world as some of the best — and most expensive. Out of…