One of Japan's most famous attractions is the hanami (Japanese: 花見, English: cherry blossom flower viewing) that takes place at the start of spring in late-Feb/March. The cherry blossom, or sakura (Japanese: 桜), is one of many famous symbols associated with Japan, alongside icons like Mount
Manga (Japanese: 漫画) is a comic or graphic novel originating from Japan. According to Statista, Japan's manga industry had a size of JPY700 billion (~US$4.7 billion) in 2024. During my growing years in Malaysia, I recall how manga series like Dragon Ball (Japanese: ドラゴンボール), Doraemon (Japanese:
Muji is a Japanese retailer that sells many household and consumer goods, from furniture to clothes to cosmetics. The company is well-known for its minimalist products that are practical and look good. Going into Muji is like walking into a stationary store - there's always something really interesting
The Japanese plum, ume (Japanese: 梅), is associated with the start of spring in Japan, which is usually in mid-February. During this period, plum festivals known as umematsuri (Japanese: 梅祭り) are held. A few weeks ago, we went to the plum forest in Hanegi Park (Japanese: 羽根木公園) for its
The cold winter months are a great time to enjoy a hearty & warm dish that is yummy in the tummy, such as oden (Japanese: おでん). Oden is a nabemono (Japanese: 鍋物, English: one-pot dish) containing a variety of ingredients cooked in a soy-based dashi (Japanese:出汁) broth.
According to my trusty Frommer's Japan guide, a not-to-be-missed travel experience in Japan is taking a bath in a communal onsen (Japanese: 温泉, English: hot spring). This experience is daunting for most non-Japanese like me, as it involves bathing butt naked with a bunch
Pea shoots (Chinese & Japanese: 豆苗) are a micro-green that can be eaten stir-fried with garlic or added to clear soup. Supermarkets here sell pea shoots (along with other micro-greens) in a soilless tray for JPY99 (~US$0.66). One tray is sufficient for one serving. What&
Miso (Japanese: 味噌) is Japanese for fermented soybean paste. It is commonly-used in Japanese cooking, for example in miso soup. Given its strong umami (Japanese: 旨味), miso can also be used in other ways, such as to make pasta sauce or to marinate fish. The ingredients to make miso
I recently watched a two-part documentary produced by CNA Insider called No Screen, No Life. CNA Insider is a Channel News Asia ("CNA") program that produces good long-form investigative videos on current affairs and topics. These videos are uploaded to CNA Insider's YouTube channel.
"Less alcohol and more vegetables", advised the doctor as he scanned the dietary questionnaire I submitted before my health consult last November. The medical report that followed one month later confirmed a niggling suspicion: I had gotten complacent in managing my cholesterol levels. This wake-up call has
I recently went to the Kodomo Shizen park (Japanese: 子供自然公園, English: Children's Nature Park) in Yokohama (Japanese: 横浜) to participate in an outdoor yaki-imo (Japanese: 焼き芋, English: baked/roasted sweet potato) event. The event has been held from November to March for the past four years, and
Daniel Pink is an American author who was recently interviewed by Nicolai Tangen on the latter's In Good Company podcast. The interview was about 40 minutes long, and I have listened to it twice. Prior to this, I had never heard of Daniel Pink. But with books having