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Bento box featuring decoratively cut vegetables
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March 07, 2025
Mukimono and Kazarigiri: The Delicate Art of Decorative Food Cutting

In traditional Japanese cuisine the beauty is often...

Display of yachimun pottery plates and dishes featuring blue, white, and brown glazes
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March 06, 2025
Yachimun: Wonderful and Whimsical Okinawan Pottery

Dating back to the days of the Ryukyu...

Mother smiling and hold her baby in the air
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March 05, 2025
The Kira Kira Name Trend: Unusual Baby Names in Japan

What's in a name? The kira-kira name trend...

A girl is relaxing and listening to music with headphones
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March 05, 2025
The Art of Atmosphere: Kankyo Ongaku, Japan's Environmental Music

Kankyo ongaku, or "environment music," is a serene...

The artwork of the front and back of the new F series paper bills for Japan's yen, issued in 2024, are displayed on a table.
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February 25, 2025
Beyond the Bills: The Iconic Imagery of Japanese Yen Past and Present

Explore the iconic imagery of Japanese banknotes past...

Goya, also known as bitter melon, is a popular longevity food in Okinawa despite its odd bumpy appearance.
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February 25, 2025
Goya: Bitter Melon

Bitter melon, also known as goya or nigauri...

A couple wearing traditional Japanese wedding attire exchange rings during a wedding ceremony.
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February 25, 2025
The Evolving Landscape of Japanese Wedding Traditions

Modern Japanese weddings blend traditional Shinto practices with...

Blood type theory (called ketsuekigata in Japanese) is a cultural phenomenon in Japan. It's said that your blood type can reflect in everything from personality and person strengths to relationships and luck!
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February 25, 2025
Personality Runs Deep: Japan’s Blood Type Theory

While many western countries believe in astrology, a...

Woman shopping in Japanese grocery store looks at a bottle of salad dressing
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February 25, 2025
Shop the Shelves: Sensational Salad Dressings

One of the most unexpectedly exciting aisles of...

Japan's Growing Alternative Protein Scene
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February 24, 2025
Japan's Growing Alternative Protein Scene

Bolstered by the 2020 Olympics and a long-standing...

Yoshoku: Western Favorites With Japanese Flavors
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January 24, 2025
Yoshoku: Western Favorites With Japanese Flavors

Yoshoku, one of Japan's staple fusion food groups,...

Canned Coffee in Japan: From Innovation to Cultural Icon
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January 24, 2025
Canned Coffee in Japan: From Innovation to Cultural Icon

Canned coffee drinks can be found in vending...