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OMOTENASHI: “Japanese New Year Decorations and Their Origins”

miwako3 01/01/2025

Japanese New Year Decorations and Their Origins In Japan, New Year’s Day (January 1st) is the most important holiday of the year. Similar to Thanksgiving in the United States, families gather to celebrate the start of a new year. As part of these celebrations, special seasonal decorations are prepared. These include shimenawa (sacred ropes made of braided straw), kadomatsu (decorations made of pine and bamboo), and kagami mochi (decorative rice cakes). Each of these has a significant meaning and role, but in this article, we will focus on shimenawa. In Japan, many people follow Shinto (one of Japan’s two main…

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Interview with Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku from Amazon Prime Video’s “Like a Dragon: Yakuza”

miwako3 10/24/2024

New Live-Action Series Based on SEGA’s Hit Game Set for Release! 　Amazon’s original drama Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the hit video game franchise, launches Thursday, October 24 with an exclusive worldwide streaming release on Prime Video. Developed from an original script, the series is based on the hit SEGA game series “Like a Dragon.” The protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, is played by actor Ryoma Takeuchi. Kazuma Kiryu’s sworn brother and childhood best friend, Akira Nishikiyama, is played by actor Kento Kaku. The two actors made a surprise appearance at a panel discussion at San Diego Comic-Con, one of North…

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Japan is Suffering from Rice Shortage!?

miwako3 10/04/2024

Japan is currently facing a nationwide rice shortage, impacting daily life and causing concern among consumers. Supermarkets across the country are struggling to keep rice on their shelves, with many implementing purchase restrictions to prevent hoarding. The scarcity has led to significant price increases, with some retailers reporting that rice prices have doubled compared to last year. In Tokyo, a 5kg bag of rice now costs around 3,000 yen, a 20% increase from the previous year. Several factors have contributed to this shortage, including lower rice production in the previous year and higher demand from increased tourism. The Agriculture Minister…

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“Love Snacks, Love Japan” Event at Tanaka Farms, Distributes 1,500 Japanese Snacks

miwako3 11/05/2024

Irvine, CA – On October 26 and 27, Tanaka Farms in Irvine, CA, was abuzz as The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO) held its “Love Snacks, Love Japan” event, where they gave away 1,500 samples of Japanese snacks. Taking place during Tanaka Farms’ popular pumpkin patch weekend, the event attracted large crowds of people eager to experience the flavors of Japan.

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Ramen Reinvented: A Global Journey into Flavor and Culture

miwako3 01/20/2025 3 Comments

In Los Angeles, ramen shops continue to open at a rapid pace this year, with most of them being Japanese-style ramen restaurants. The presence of Japanese ramen culture has truly taken root in America, with more and more people embracing it. Although ramen originated in China, it evolved uniquely after arriving in Japan and has become a beloved dish worldwide.Ramen originally began as a noodle dish in China, but it underwent a transformation when it arrived in Japan. Over time, ramen diversified within Japan, and today, it holds global appeal. The popularity of ramen is spreading rapidly, particularly across the…

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Holiday Dining “IZAKAYA (Japanese-style pub)”

miwako3 12/27/2024

Perfect Restaurant Choices for Holiday Season Family/Friends Meet-up There are only a few days left in 2024… The holiday season is already here! After the upcoming Christmas celebrations, the New Year 2025 will be here before you know it. We assume that a lot of JapanUp! readers are planning to get together with friends and family at the end of the year. However, when you actually decide on a place, you may find that all the places are booked up and you can’t get in. It happens all the time. To avoid such a situation, let’s get the information early!For…

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HolidayGifts: Bring Japan to Your Holidays with Our Handpicked Gifts

miwako3 12/07/2024

Bring Japan to Your Holidays with Our Handpicked Gifts Looking for the perfect gift with a Japanese twist? The JapanUp! editorial team has curated a selection of must-have items, from cosmetics and games to tea and sake. These unique finds are perfect for fans of Japanese culture or those just beginning to explore it. Whether you’re treating yourself or preparing for a cozy holiday, these gifts are sure to delight. Simply scan the QR code to shop instantly and bring a touch of Japan to your celebrations. For those extra-special items available only in stores, why not take a trip…

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EASY STEP Recipes with Japanese Ingredients

miwako3 10/07/2024

This month, JapanUp! teams up with top Japanese brands and talented culinary influencers to bring you special recipes that are simple to recreate at home. Some of the most popular influencers in the U.S. will show you how to turn Japanese products into delicious, easy-to-make dishes. With just a few steps, you’ll be enjoying authentic Japanese flavors right from your own kitchen!
Get ready to discover a whole new world of tasty treats!

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Japanese Restaurants Growing Their Presence in the Michelin Guide

miwako3 08/31/2024

Discover the Flavors of Japan in California: A Culinary Journey California’s dining scene is experiencing a remarkable evolution, especially with the growing recognition of Japanese restaurants by the prestigious Michelin Guide. In cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, Japanese cuisine is taking center stage, with one restaurant earning two stars and 17 others receiving one star. These accolades are a testament to the skill and creativity of Japanese chefs, whose dishes are celebrated not only for their authenticity but also for their innovative flair. For those seeking quality dining experiences at more accessible prices, nine restaurants have also been…

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Yuichi Kohatsu – Therapist to the World “A path to healing exists if you don’t give up.”

miwako3 10/02/2024

Yuichi Kohatsu – Therapist to the World A path to healing exists if you don’t give up. Who is Yuichi Kohatsu? World Series MVP. This prestigious award is given to the top player from the winning team of Major League Baseball’s World Series. In the history of MLB, the only Japanese player to ever win this title is Hideki Matsui, who achieved this accolade with the New York Yankees. Sharing that moment of ultimate joy with Matsui in 2009, when the Yankees won the World Series and he was named MVP, was Yuichi Kohatsu, who served as Matsui’s personal trainer…

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Ramen Reinvented: A Global Journey into Flavor and Culture

miwako3 01/20/2025 3 Comments

In Los Angeles, ramen shops continue to open at a rapid pace this year, with most of them being Japanese-style ramen restaurants. The presence of Japanese ramen culture has truly taken root in America, with more and more people embracing it. Although ramen originated in China, it evolved uniquely after arriving in Japan and has become a beloved dish worldwide.Ramen originally began as a noodle dish in China, but it underwent a transformation when it arrived in Japan. Over time, ramen diversified within Japan, and today, it holds global appeal. The popularity of ramen is spreading rapidly, particularly across the…

FOOD MONTHLY POPULAR

Holiday Dining “IZAKAYA (Japanese-style pub)”

miwako3 12/27/2024

Perfect Restaurant Choices for Holiday Season Family/Friends Meet-up There are only a few days left in 2024… The holiday season is already here! After the upcoming Christmas celebrations, the New Year 2025 will be here before you know it. We assume that a lot of JapanUp! readers are planning to get together with friends and family at the end of the year. However, when you actually decide on a place, you may find that all the places are booked up and you can’t get in. It happens all the time. To avoid such a situation, let’s get the information early!For…

FOOD MONTHLY POPULAR

HolidayGifts: Bring Japan to Your Holidays with Our Handpicked Gifts

miwako3 12/07/2024

Bring Japan to Your Holidays with Our Handpicked Gifts Looking for the perfect gift with a Japanese twist? The JapanUp! editorial team has curated a selection of must-have items, from cosmetics and games to tea and sake. These unique finds are perfect for fans of Japanese culture or those just beginning to explore it. Whether you’re treating yourself or preparing for a cozy holiday, these gifts are sure to delight. Simply scan the QR code to shop instantly and bring a touch of Japan to your celebrations. For those extra-special items available only in stores, why not take a trip…