When talking about iconic Japanese cuisine, we usually think of sushi, tempura (deep-fried fish and vegetables), instant noodles, and definitely ramen (Chinese-style wheat noodles), all important to Japanese culture.

Not all convenience stores are created equally. And if you’ve ever experienced a konbini, or Japanese convenience store, you’d know why.

Japan loves fast food as much as anywhere else. Did you know that sushi was originally designed as high-class fast food? Japan’s love of fast food as we know it started after WW2, as Japan became more westernized.

When Spring appears, you’ll find everyone in Japan doing one thing: picnicking. Whether it’s at the park with friends, near the river with family, under cherry blossoms or pre-cherry blossom season, everyone will take their own special type of Japanese picnic food to share with guests. 

You may have seen or heard of a fruit in some of your favorite Japanese dishes, called yuzu. But what is yuzu? Cultivated in Japan, this tiny, yellow, wrinkled ball of citrus fruit is ¾ the size of a golf ball and has a unique flavor that is easily recognizable.

Japan loves a good party, so everyone needs a bit of extra energy from time to time. If you do too, make like a Japanese salaryman and have a Japanese energy drink from a convenience store for breakfast.