Click on photo or link to read the feature • Seasonal SecretThe coolest summertime cafe in Japan Lately I’ve been dreaming of this cafe at the Hiyoshi Taisha shrine in Ōtsu. It’s been living rent-free in my head for years, because I can’t imagine anything more refreshing than sipping an iced something in an open-airContinueContinue reading “SEP 2025”
Category Archives: September
FOMO Links: Fun stuff you might have missed
If you don’t subscribe to my Japan travel site or the blog where I write about stuff you’d never see anywhere else, here are links to a couple of other things you might enjoy… • New post from Only In JapanSashiko: Japan turns mending into a high art Tell me more! • From The TokyoContinueContinue reading “FOMO Links: Fun stuff you might have missed”
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
By Jamie Ford Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A tale of two friends parted by the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, this book brings to life what it felt like to be sent away or left behind. Another wartime tale, this one is set inContinueContinue reading “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet”
Mochi-Mochi Cinnamon Buns
You may wonder why I’m posting a baking recipe when Japanese apartments don’t even have ovens! But one thing I love eating in Japan is the “mochi-mochi” breads that substitute tapioca flour for some of the regular flour, which makes them satisfyingly chewy, just like the beloved rice cakes eaten at festivals. This recipe isContinueContinue reading “Mochi-Mochi Cinnamon Buns”
Weird Ice Cream Flavors of Japan
Tell me the first thing you thought of when you saw this wasn’t “What happens to the gold leaf AFTER you eat it?” To be fair, it’s always weird ice cream season in Japan, but as climate change stretches the unbearably hot and humid Japanese summer into October, never have we craved a nice coldContinueContinue reading “Weird Ice Cream Flavors of Japan”
The coolest summertime cafe in Japan
At Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine near Lake Biwa Is it still hot where you are, even though it’s September? It’s definitely still hot (and humid UGH) in Japan, and lately I’ve been dreaming of this cafe at the Hiyoshi Taisha shrine in Ōtsu. I’m feeling cooler already after we pass through the shady orange torii gateContinueContinue reading “The coolest summertime cafe in Japan”
Japanese Chilled Summer Noodles
Sōmen for the win! Cold sōmen noodles are as much a tradition in Japan’s summertime as potato salad and corn on the cob are in the US. These deliciously thin noodles are served cold, with a satisfyingly salty dipping sauce and an assortment of all your favorite Japanese tastes! They’re also the most entertaining noodlesContinueContinue reading “Japanese Chilled Summer Noodles”
Green and serene: The gardens you need right now
The Japanese garden at Shinjuku Gyōen in Tokyo never disappoints If there’s one thing Japanese gardens are the total boss of, it’s being green and serene. They’re stunning in every season, even without a single flower. They’re highly designed, but feel completely natural; miniature worlds where every tree and bush is ideally shaped, and everyContinueContinue reading “Green and serene: The gardens you need right now”
Did you win the Jul-Aug Book Giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of The Emissary by Yoko Tawada! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like a paperback). If I didn’tContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Jul-Aug Book Giveaway?”
Inexplicable Animal Toys of Japan
Every time I’m browsing the toy floor of the big Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, I’m stopped in my tracks by the plastic animal display. Can you imagine some small Japanese child begging their parental unit for…the prehistoric stuff of nightmares? Or a squeamishly realistic octopus? Japanese children must have way more imagination than I did,ContinueContinue reading “Inexplicable Animal Toys of Japan”
Did you win the Sep-Oct Book Giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Japanese Ghost Stories! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like the paperback). If I didn’t pull yourContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Sep-Oct Book Giveaway?”
SEP-OCT 2023
Click on photo or link to read the feature • Seasonal Secret:Halloween costumes I would regret I love Halloween in Japan, because the costumes are so hilariously and bafflingly unlike something ANYONE would wear to a party where I come from. Let’s plunge into the most baffling of the baffling and the most inexplicable ofContinueContinue reading “SEP-OCT 2023”
Did you win the Jul-Aug Japan Swag Giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a set of five limited edition drunken cat capsule toys! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need a mailing address). If I didn’t pull your name from the hat this time, you might get luckyContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Jul-Aug Japan Swag Giveaway?”
What the heckin’ heck is THIS?
First, let’s answer last month’s question and find out what the heckin’ heck was THAT? Props to all of you who guessed it was some sort of dryer or heater… Answer: A futon dryer I can’t explain it better than twell-informed and exceedingly articulate Japanagram reader Maria: “This lovely invention I believe is what weContinueContinue reading “What the heckin’ heck is THIS?”
Let’s go to the Japanese garden…from Hell
Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture Abandon hope, all ye who enter here! You’re about to enter a Japanese garden that’s like no other on earth. On the very-much-not-dormant volcanic flanks of Mt. Unzen on the southernmost Japanese island of Kyushu lies Unzen Hell (Unzen Jigoku), the volcanic wonderland at the heart of Unzen-Amakusa National Park. AContinueContinue reading “Let’s go to the Japanese garden…from Hell”
Japanese Ghost Stories: Spirits, Hauntings and Paranormal Phenomena
By Catrien Ross Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: Even if you’re not interested in the paranormal, these folk tales, anecdotes and accounts of supernatural phenomena provide fascinating insights into what scares people in Japan. There are plenty of books about all the scary (and sometimeContinueContinue reading “Japanese Ghost Stories: Spirits, Hauntings and Paranormal Phenomena”
Halloween costumes I would regret
I love Halloween in Japan, because the costumes are so hilariously and bafflingly unlike something ANYONE would wear to a party where I come from! Let’s plunge right into the most baffling of the baffling and the most inexplicable of the inexplicable… What the heckin’ heck? To be fair, even Japanese people can’t explain thisContinueContinue reading “Halloween costumes I would regret”
You’re heard of “Paris Syndrome” but what about “Tokyo Syndrome”?
You aren’t the only one shaking your head at the recent news blurbs about the number of tourists shocked into the emergency rooms of France every year because their expectations about the glories of Paris were so out of step with the reality. But why are so many of the victims Japanese? If you’ve beenContinueContinue reading “You’re heard of “Paris Syndrome” but what about “Tokyo Syndrome”?”
Sweet & Savory Miso Beef in Lettuce Wraps
I first tasted this fabulous and unusual way of cooking beef at one of my favorite traditional inns, and it continues to be one of the most delicious Japanese main dishes I’ve ever tasted. It leaves you satisfied without feeling stuffed—because of the miso, a little goes a long way, and it’s a great wayContinueContinue reading “Sweet & Savory Miso Beef in Lettuce Wraps”
SEP-OCT 2022
Click on photo or link to read the feature • First of all…say hello to an all-new Japanagram feature! Instead of a book giveaway this month, I’m delving into my personal treasure trove of Japanese collectables for the… Japan Swag Giveaway From hilarious limited edition capsule toys to Japanese new year’s ornaments, each month oneContinueContinue reading “SEP-OCT 2022”
Did you win the Jul-Aug book giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight by Riku Onda If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d like to read it in ebook or paperback. (If you’d like a paperback, I’ll also need the mailing address you’d likeContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Jul-Aug book giveaway?”
Japan Swag Giveaway
This month’s is a set of six gashapon Attack Cats! Say hello to an all-new Japanagram feature—the Japan Swag Giveaway! From hilarious capsule toys to New Year’s decorations, I’ve collected a vast trove of treasures you can’t buy outside Japan, and instead of giving away a book this month, I’ve decided it’s time to shareContinueContinue reading “Japan Swag Giveaway”
Let’s watch an epic pagoda parade…at night
Oeshiki ikegami at Ikegami Hongan-ji temple What better way to spend a fine fall evening than watching scores of five-tier pagodas parade down the street, all lit up and festooned with garlands of paper flowers? For over seven hundred years, the festival of 10,000 lanterns known as oeshiki ikegami has been happening every October atContinueContinue reading “Let’s watch an epic pagoda parade…at night”
Haiku that capture the small embarrassments and ironies of modern life
Yamada Zenjido (known on Twitter and Instagram as y_haiku) is a Japanese artist who pens haiku-like truisms paired with pitch-perfect drawings, and they are hella funny…if you read Japanese. A few translations, to brighten your day… • Elderly uncle buying sake.Do I really have toCheck his ID? • Why does the dirty rice cooker alwaysContinueContinue reading “Haiku that capture the small embarrassments and ironies of modern life”
Nutty Noodles
This is what the dish looks like when made with whole wheat spaghetti instead of soba noodles These savory noodles are deeply satisfying, even though they are made from only five ingredients. Walnuts give them a deep autumnal flavor that feels just right for the season, and although they’re a very traditional Japanese dish, everybodyContinueContinue reading “Nutty Noodles”
What’s the most Japanese thing you could ever do? Go on a bus tour
I thought going to the holiest shrine in all Japan would be the most ur-cultural experience I could possibly have. I was wrong. It was the bus tour that really redefined “cultural experience,” but not quite in the way I was expecting. Thanks to TokyoCheapo for this fine bus photo Right now, the only wayContinueContinue reading “What’s the most Japanese thing you could ever do? Go on a bus tour”
SEP-OCT 2021
Click on photo or link to read the feature Japanese Home Cooking: How to host a great sake tasting Sake isn’t just for Japanese food anymore—restaurants all over the world are discovering it’s the perfect pairing for all kinds of food. But how do you know what kind of sake you like? Here’s everything you needContinueContinue reading “SEP-OCT 2021”
Did you win the July-August book giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of The Pillow Book: Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth Century Japan by Sei Shōnagon! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d like an ebook or paperback (and if paperback, let me know a mailing address you’dContinueContinue reading “Did you win the July-August book giveaway?”
The REAL story of the 47 rōnin
…is so much crazier than I thought You can see why the tale of the forty-seven masterless samurai who avenge their lord appeals—righteous grudges, extreme consequences, clever & twisted revenge. It’s definitely got the makings of a killer Netflix series! But the most amazing thing is…it’s all true. Page from the 47 Ronin manga byContinueContinue reading “The REAL story of the 47 rōnin”
How to host a great sake tasting
Three is the classic number of sakes to compare and contrast, but you can go higher. Read on for some great category suggestions! Sake isn’t just for Japanese food anymore—it’s popping up in top restaurants all over the world as the perfect pairing for all kinds of cuisines. Crisp and clean, it’s delicious with everythingContinueContinue reading “How to host a great sake tasting”
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