Month: August 2025

Complete Guide to Iwate’s Flavors: From Wanko Soba, Morioka Reimen, and Jajamen to Sanriku “Ichigoni” and Maesawa Beef

2025年8月27日 / 2025年8月27日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

Your culinary journey in Iwate begins with a tasting tour of the “Three Great Noodles.” Wanko soba, where lively chants keep the refills coming; Morioka reimen, a triumvirate of chewy noodles × clear, delicate broth × kimchi; and Jajamen, which you finish to your own taste. Beyond the noodles, there’s the rustic, nourishing dumpling soup […]

Savor Aomori’s Flavors! A Food Travel Guide Featuring Apples, Senbei-jiru, Ōma Bluefin Tuna & Mutsu Bay Scallops

2025年8月27日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

A trip to Aomori is most delicious when you pair what’s in season with where it’s grown. In spring, white apple blossoms blanket Hirosaki; in early summer, Mutsu Bay scallops turn sweet; and from autumn through winter, Ōma bluefin tuna peaks in the Tsugaru Strait. In Hachinohe, the humble “senbei-jiru”—Nanbu wheat crackers simmered in dashi—warms […]

Hokkaido’s Must-Try Local Dishes — From Seafood to Sweets

2025年8月26日 / 2025年8月26日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

Hokkaido, blessed by both the ocean and the land, is a food theme park—from seafood like crab, sea urchin (uni), salmon roe (ikura), and scallops to jingisukan (grilled lamb), soup curry, and butadon (pork rice bowl), finishing with shime parfaits, cheesecake, and classic local sweets. To help you find the most delicious bite for your […]

Tokyo All-You-Can-Eat Guide: A Complete Traveler’s Guide to Yakiniku, Shabu-Shabu, and Sushi Buffets

2025年8月26日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

“Even on a short stay, I want to savor the essence of Japan”—all-you-can-eat dining is perfect for travelers who feel that way. Tokyo offers a wide range of renowned restaurants by genre, from yakiniku and shabu-shabu to sushi and hotel buffets, plus kushiage (deep-fried skewers) and tempura. This article clearly explains how to choose the […]

The Ultimate 100-Yen Shop Guide (DAISO / Seria / Can★Do): Best Buys & How to Bring Them Home for International Travelers

2025年8月26日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

Japan’s 100-yen shops are your best friend for stocking up—cheaply, quickly, and in just the amounts you need—on everything from daily essentials and travel accessories to Japanese-patterned souvenirs and craft supplies. This article explains the basics of shopping (price displays, quality labels, and tax-free procedures), how to navigate the store, tips for checkout and returns, […]

Don Quijote (Donki) Guide: 50 Must-Buy Japanese Souvenirs Popular with Foreign Visitors

2025年8月22日 / 2025年8月22日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

Japan’s largest discount store, Don Quijote (aka Donki), often operates 24 hours, offers Tax-Free shopping for visitors, and boasts a massive selection—making it a traveler’s best friend. In this article, we’ve handpicked a fail-safe list of 50 items across categories—snacks, instant foods, seasonings, Japanese tea, cosmetics, health & hygiene, bath & fragrance, household goods, stationery, […]

The Complete Guide to Suica/PASMO for First-Time Users: Buying, Using, Charging, and Mobile Setup

2025年8月22日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

As soon as you arrive in Japan, Suica/PASMO lets you get around and pay for purchases with a simple tap. Whether you should choose the traveler-focused Welcome Suica or a standard card better suited to refunds and long-term use depends on your length of stay and plans to return. This article explains, step by step […]

Beyond Mister Donut: Japan’s Popular Sweets Chains

2025年8月21日 / 2025年8月21日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

If you’re traveling in Japan and want an easy way to enjoy delicious sweets, nationwide chains are your best ally. From shortcake and seasonal fruit cakes to freshly baked, filled-to-order cream puffs and Japan-only ice cream flavors, you can sample uniquely Japanese tastes at affordable prices. This guide spotlights popular sweets chains from a traveler-friendly […]

Ultimate Guide to Character Shops & Cafes in Tokyo You Can Enjoy All Year Round [2025 Edition]

2025年8月20日 / 2025年8月21日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

Tokyo is home to countless character-themed shops and cafés where you can step straight into the worlds of anime, games, and comics. Limited-time pop-up events are always popular, but for travelers, permanent spots you can visit anytime—without worrying about timing—are especially appealing. In this guide, we’ve handpicked shops and cafés themed around beloved characters such […]

What’s the Difference Between “Kitsune Udon” and “Tanuki Udon”? A Complete Guide for Foreign Visitors – From Kansai and Kanto Naming to Ordering Tips

2025年8月11日 / 2025年8月11日 by IROHA | Leave a Comment

Japan’s udon culture features many menu names that are quirky and easy to remember. Among them,kitsune udon and tanuki udon are very familiar to Japanese people, but their meanings actually differ by region. In Kansai and Kanto, both the ingredients and the naming vary, which can easily confuse foreign travelers. This article explains the characteristics […]