Rice and Beans: Dessert?

August 5, 2011

When you think of eating rice and beans, you probably picture your lunch. But in Japan, the combination of rice and beans is commonly consumed as dessert. Sweetened red azuki beans are served in a cold soup called zenzai; when served hot, this dessert is called oshiruko. Usually, mochi, or cakes of pounded glutinous rice, [...]

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Yokohama: Japan’s Chinatown

August 3, 2011

Thirty minutes outside of Tokyo, you’ll find a vibrant Chinatown (“Chukagai”) in the city of Yokohama. The difference between the rustic Japanese style and the bolder, more colorful Chinese aesthetic is immediately apparent when you enter the gates of this Chinatown. It is Asia’s largest, and it boasts some of the most delicious Chinese food [...]

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Japanese Cuisine: More Than Just Sushi

August 1, 2011

Have you ever heard someone say, “Japanese food? Not for me – I don’t eat raw fish.” Well, there’s much more to Japanese cuisine than just sushi. Some of the categories of Japanese food are agemono, yakimono, nabemono, and nimono. “Mono” means “thing” or “things” in Japanese, so the above words mean “fried things,” “grilled [...]

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The Brazilian-Japanese

July 30, 2011

In Tokyo, you might be surprised to hear the sounds of Brazilian Portuguese from people who look to be of Japanese descent. Since the early 20th century, there has been something of a revolving door between Japan and Brazil, with Japanese immigrants settling in Brazil, returning back to Japan, and sometimes again returning to Brazil. [...]

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Shogi: Japan’s Chess

July 26, 2011

A Guest Post by Writer JR – Shogi is the Japanese variant of chess, and was the first of that family of games to include the ability to drop captured pieces onto one’s own side. This is perhaps because of the historical practice of mercenaries to change their allegiance when they were captured. Though the [...]

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Clothing Size in Japan

July 24, 2011

A Guest post by Fay – In Japan, standard women’s clothing sizes fit heights between 150cm-166cm (4’11’’-5’5.5’’) and waist sizes between 56cm-71cm (22’’-28’’). Size 7/Small best fit women shorter than 158cm (5’2’’) with a waist of no more than 25’’, Size 9/Medium best fit women between 154cm-162cm (5’1’’-5’4’’) with a waist of no more than [...]

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