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2024-05-10
Kashiwa-mochi
Japanese Food
Kashiwa-mochi is a steamed rice cake with sweet bean paste filling, wrapped in an oak leaf. It is customary to eat it on Children's Day, May 5...
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2024-04-23
What is Yakitori??
Cultural Tips
Yakitori is a Japanese food that means “grilled chicken.” It is referred to as a food which is small bite-size meat on a stick. The price is 100 to...
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2024-03-27
How to use the Keikyu Bus
Living in Yokosuka
It's difficult to use a bus in unfamiliar places, isn't it? But with these simple instructions, using a bus in Yokosuka will be a lot eas...
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2024-03-12
Proper Japanese Eating Etiquette [Itadaki-masu, Gochisosama]
Cultural Tips
Before meals in Japan, people say “Itadaki-masu”. Some English guidebooks may say that it means, “I will eat now!”, “Dig in!” or “Let’s eat!”, but ...
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2024-02-22
Monthly Feature Story-February-Coin-operated parking lots
Cultural Tips-Coin-operated parking lots Coin-operated parking lots in Japan are typically located outdoors and are accessible to anyone at any ti...
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2024-01-24
How to Order at a Ramen Restaurant
Cultural Tips
Ramen restaurants in Japan often have a unique way of ordering. If you don’t see any cash counter and you see a ticket machine near the entrance, t...
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2023-12-22
Monthly Feature Story - December 2023 - Otoshi
Cultural Tips - Otoshi
At most Japanese style izakaya bars, a small side dish known as "otoshi" is served as soon as you order alcoholic drinks. The most com...
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2023-11-06
Monthly Feature Story - November 2023 - Taiyaki
Japanese food - Taiyaki
Taiyaki are fish-shaped baked cakes, which are very much like waffles. The traditional filling is a smooth or chunky sweet red bean paste. However,...
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2023-09-21
Monthly Feature Story - September 2023 - Respect for the Aged Day
Cultural Tips - Respect for the Aged Day
Japan is a super-aging society. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in 2023 the average life expectancy is 87.09 years for Japa...
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2023-08-03
Monthly Feature Story - August 2023 - Somen Noodles
Japanese food - Somen noodles
Somen noodles are very thin Japanese noodles made from wheat flower. They are less than 1.3 mm in diameter, while udon noodles, which you may be mo...
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2023-06-02
Monthly Feature Story - June 2023 - Sashimi
Japanese Food - Sashimi
Sashimi refers to thinly sliced fresh seafood. Although sashimi is usually served raw, some sliced seafood is cooked via searing, boiling or the us...
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2023-04-28
Monthly Feature Story - April 2023 - Golden Week
Cultural Tips - Golden Week
“Golden Week” is a period with a cluster of national holidays starting from the end of April and ending at the beginning of May. The week is one o...