Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan

It’s coming to America soon! Depending on when you read this, it may already be there! But, at the time of writing, it’s only available at Universal Studios Japan. So, how does it stack up? Is it worth the hype? What exactly can you experience here? Will all your Mario dreams come true?

The Blue Bayou Restaurant at Tokyo Disneyland

Well well well! Back at Tokyo Disney Resort, are we? The place is renowned for its food; let’s be real. The popcorn, snacks, and Japan-exclusive eats are truly something to envy, but what about their interpretation of a Disneyland classic?

Michelin Star Japanese Kaiseki Cuisine: Manakamerou

Japan has no shortage of Michelin Starred restaurants, but the true test comes in finding those that have these coveted stars and serve some of the finest Japanese cuisine. Enter Manakemerou in Kyoto, which serves the Japanese-style Kaiseki Cuisine!

Sapporo Beer Factory

Way back in February of this year, I was in the snowy northern island of Hokkaido. While there, I was able to visit the Sapporo Beer Factory, producer of one of the most iconic Japanese beers seen at home and abroad: Sapporo. While the tour was all in Japanese (unlike the information available from Yebisu) […]

Learning to Make Beer Bread, Phase 1

With the acquisition of our microwave/oven combo, my wife and I entered a new phase of our life in Japan. Prior to our purchase, we would watch The Great British Bake-off and swoon over all the tasty baked goods we saw. We vowed to bake and bake hard once we got an oven, and now […]

Even More Japanese KitKat Flavors

The sheer number of flavors seems to be never-ending. Just when I think I’ve figured out most of the flavors, I find something new and interesting to try. My quest to catalogue as many flavors as I can may have been a foolhardy one, but I must press on. I present to you the next […]

More Japanese KitKat Flavors

If you thought those first few flavors were the only KitKat flavors available, you would be wrong! There are a seemingly endless number of flavors, many of which seem to be seasonal or limited edition, many more of which I have been able to encounter. I will share the next batch of flavors with you […]

Ryokan: Traditional Japanese Inn

On our trip to Nagano over the winter, we decided to stay in a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan, for our lodging. We stayed at Matsuya Ryokan in Nagano, a mere minute walk from the huge Zenkoji Temple and a 20-minute walk from Nagano station. I had been told it would be a very unique […]

More Japanese Sweet Potato Treats

I discovered that the sweet potato season runs mainly in the fall and winter and more seasonal goods appear in stores, vending machines, and restaurants. In my quest to find the most delicious sweet potato treats, I venture forth from summer sweet potato treats into the harsh cold of autumn and winter!

Tokyo Christmas Market

I had asked the student what they were up to during the weekend and she replied that she was going to a German Christmas market deep in the heart of Tokyo. Intrigued, I asked her about the details and she showed me the website, replete with images of quaint cottages, cooked sausages, and a variety […]