Regarding traditional Japanese beverages, matcha (Japanese green tea) often takes center stage. Its vibrant green hue and deep, earthy flavor make matcha instantly recognizable.

Healthy snacks from Japan are made with natural ingredients and just the right flavor, from crispy seaweed full of vitamins to crunchy beans and nuts that give you energy. These snacks are great for munching without feeling too heavy. Pickled vegetables help your gut stay healthy, and konnyaku (konjac plant jelly ) is soft, chewy, and almost has no calories. 

The ocean weed, aonori, may be simple in appearance, but its distinct properties set it apart from other “sea vegetables”. Unlike more bland ocean plants, its unique color, taste, smell, and texture are used to add flavor to foods. This makes it different from other seaweeds like wakame, which lack a strong flavor and aroma. 

Kyoto and Tokyo are famous for their geisha. But did you know that geisha also exist outside of these two areas? They cultivated their regional customs and styles far from the imperial capital. One such type of performer was the geigi of Niigata City. 

In spring, young bamboo shoots, also called takenoko, push through the soil, ready to be picked. Let’s look at how bamboo shoots fit into Japanese cooking and why they’re such a beloved ingredient!

Hakata Ward sits along the eastern edge of Fukuoka City, facing the sea. Hakata’s coastal location has long been a key gateway for trade and cultural exchange in Japan’s history. It remains a central hub of the Kyushu region’s politics, economy, and tradition.