Bring me a bento!  What exactly is a Bento? It’s a type of meal (typically for 1 person) full of plenty of goodies that you can eat anywhere! Japan loves a meal on the go! Keeping up your energy with tasty food is super important, and Japan has no shortages of tasty lunch or dinner...

Have you ever been to Harajuku?  This district in Tokyo is famous worldwide as a hub of street fashion and youth culture, with artists like Gwen Stefani and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu taking inspiration from the area’s vibrant trends and street culture. Every day, tourists and locals alike flock to Harajuku’s busy Takeshita Street and Cat...

Studio Ghibli has created such an impact in the world of anime films. Their movies are often regarded as masterpieces by animation fans and critics alike, and throughout the years, they’ve created so many iconic places, stories, and characters.  Studio Ghibli movies not only let viewers experience entertainment, but also a whole new atmosphere and...

Why is Valentine’s Day so popular, and what are the key differences between Japan and the West on this special day? Let’s find out!

Few people ever forget their first time in the sweets section of a Don Kihōte super store in Japan. Imagine literal mountains of snacks pressing in on you as you scan the endless aisles of equally endless varieties of Japanese chocolate and candy. It is not for the faint of heart. Yet, among the mountains...

Despite being a relatively recent Western import, Valentine’s Day in Japan is a big deal. The celebration first became popular in the 1950s, when large department stores began selling chocolate products as gifts for women to give the special men in their lives. Gift-giving is an important part of Japanese culture, and in particular the...