The gyoza that I ate in Kyoto had a gentle flavor, based on bonito stock and making use of local vegetables from Kyoto. I found that the taste was delicate in a way that I had never experienced in Tokyo.

I was always fixated on dishes like yudofu (boiled tofu) and obanzai (an array of assorted Kyoto-style small dishes) as the famous must-eats when visiting Kyoto, but discovering the “distinctive flavors of Kyoto” in such an unexpected place was an exciting experience.

I’m sure that visitors to Japan, too, will encounter experiences of this sort during their time in the country.

To take just one example, those who have traveled so many miles to Japan are often eager to try staples of Japanese cuisine such as sushi, tempura, and ramen.

But after sampling these, I’d urge visitors to also sample some of Japan’s own takes on Western cuisine.

Japanese people love French, Italian, Chinese, and other international cuisines as well as their own. “Yoshoku”, a category of food that has its roots in Western cuisine but has become so well established now that one could refer to it as Japanese food, is especially loved by the Japanese, consistently ranking among the most popular types of cuisine in Japan.

Popular yoshoku dishes such as Japanese-style hamburger steak (hamburg ハンバーグ), omelette -wrapped rice (omurice オムライス), curry rice（カレーライス）, and Japanese-style gratin are a fixture in every town and are also standard dishes on the menus of roadside family restaurants.

From yuzu-scented pasta to steak with wasabi sauce and pizza with teriyaki chicken topping, you will be hard-pressed to find this distinctly Japanese-influenced Western-style cuisine outside of Japan.

With Tokyo now boasting more Michelin starred restaurants than any other city in the world, the city is home to extremely high-quality flavors, as well as many chefs who study cuisine with a stubborn determination that borders on obsession. It is a journey of culinary adventure that is truly worth taking.

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In Japan, people don’t take their partner to parties hosted by their company. In American and European movies, high-school students go in couples to their proms. Japan doesn’t have this tradition.

The Japanese think it is strange when a First Lady works in an official capacity alongside her husband. To the Japanese mind, presidents and prime ministers are elected but their spouses are not. First Ladies, then, should have little to do with their husband’s business.

In Japan, negative social pressures around being alone are lower than in western countries. The lack of stigma for going solo promotes more of a culture of solitude in Japan. In this country, the number of single-person households is over 35%, and 70% of unmarried men and 60% of unmarried women do not have a partner.

Now, the “super solo”culture in Japan is rising.
The “Ohitorisama” movement has become very popular recently. “Ohitorisama” means something like “party for one.”

Restaurants, karaoke places, and hotels offer a variety of offerings for “Ohitorisama.”
Many hotels are optimized for solo travelers.

Capsule hotels( pod hotels) are one of Japan’s best known and unique types of accommodation.

For people who find these too small for relaxation, another option is the Japanese “business hotel” – originally designed for single guests on business trips. Although the rooms are small, they have everything you need, including showers and toilets. You can’t find them in the countryside, but you will find them in most large cities.

Camping alone has also become a booming trend. Japan may be the easiest country in the world for being alone. It may look like a lonely country from a western perspective, however, there is a carefree aspect to it.

The post What is “Ohitorisama”? Is Japan the Best Country for a Solo Traveler? appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

They also said, that Nori, which is the Japanese name for edible seaweed, is also not accepted by Western people, because they don’t like to eat black colored food.

Nowadays Sushi has become a very popular food around the world.
I believe that people’s opinions may have been due to prejudice.

Nowadays, Sushi, Ramen, Curry rice, Japanese food is common around the world, however, I think Japanese sweets, we call them “Wagashi”, are not famous yet.

Anko, Japanese sweet red bean paste, is a very important ingredient for Wagashi.
Many Japanese people say that Western people don’t like sweet red bean paste.

Should I doubt their opinions? I think Wagashi has the potential to be a big hit in the world.

Western people are not familiar with Anko, but there are many varieties of Wagashi these days.

At convenience stores, we can find a lot of western-style wagashi.
For example, Daifuku (rice cake) stuffed with sweet filling not only red bean paste but also whipped cream, Dorayaki stuffed with chocolate cream, and so on. I am interested to find out what kind of Wagashi western people find attractive.

The post What Is “Wagashi”? Traditional Japanese Sweets are Evolving now! appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.

Holy mountain, Mt. Fuji is also Power Spot

Kudaka is an Island of Prayer and Sacred Ritual in Okinawa.

Takuhi shrine, Shimane. This shrine is dedicated to the deity of safe sea voyages.

The post What is a “Power Spot” in Japan? It is a Kind of Travel Destination that Japanese People Really Like appeared first on Trip Planner Japan.