Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen in Rosemead is celebrating the New Year with a special campaign, “Cheers to 2026,” running now through Saturday, January 31st.
View More Celebrate Children’s Day with Traditional Japanese Sweets at Mitsuwa
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JapanUp! 223 – May 2026
HAVE YOU READ OUR LATEST ISSUE?🤓 May issue is available on our website. Check it out NOW!
View More JapanUp! 223 – May 2026
The Greatest Sushi Misunderstanding: Are You Really Eating Crab Brains?
The Delicacy of “Kani Miso” If you sit down at a high-end sushi restaurant or an Izakaya in Japan, the chef might serve you a small, dark-green, paste-like dish called “Kani Miso.” It is incredibly rich, heavily umami-flavored, and pairs perfectly with a glass of cold sake. If you ask a translation app what you are eating, it will literally translate to “Crab Brains.” Because of this horrifying translation, many Western tourists completely freak out and refuse to eat it. However, this is a massive biological and linguistic misunderstanding. You are absolutely not eating the brain of a crab! The…
View More The Greatest Sushi Misunderstanding: Are You Really Eating Crab Brains?
Why Do Japanese People Put Noodles Inside Their Bread? (The “Sozai Pan” Phenomenon)
The American Bakery vs. Japanor If you walk into a traditional American bakery, you generally expect to find sweet treats: frosted donuts, chocolate croissants, muffins, and cookies. Bread is mostly treated as a side dish, a plain vessel for a sandwich, or toast for breakfast. But if you step into a neighborhood bakery in Japan, you will discover a completely different culinary universe. While they do have sweet pastries, the absolute stars of the shelves are “Sozai Pan” (Savory Bread). These are hearty, baked buns stuffed to the absolute limit with full-sized, savory hot meals. They are essentially portable lunchboxes…
View More Why Do Japanese People Put Noodles Inside Their Bread? (The “Sozai Pan” Phenomenon)
SAIZEN Mother’s Day Campaign! Shine with CBD Skincare & a Facial Slimming Experience
Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen in Rosemead is celebrating the New Year with a special campaign, “Cheers to 2026,” running now through Saturday, January 31st.
View More SAIZEN Mother’s Day Campaign! Shine with CBD Skincare & a Facial Slimming Experience
Stay Connected to Japan with Jme – News and the Latest Dramas Now Streaming Across the U.S.
Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen in Rosemead is celebrating the New Year with a special campaign, “Cheers to 2026,” running now through Saturday, January 31st.
View More Stay Connected to Japan with Jme – News and the Latest Dramas Now Streaming Across the U.S.
[GIVEAWAY] Share Your LA Mishaps! Win Pair Tickets to Yuriyan Retriever’s Solo Live Show in Hollywood on May 9th (Sat)!
Yuriyan Retriever’s Solo Live Show in LA on May 9th (Sat) Yuriyan Retriever’s Solo Live As part of Netflix’s massive comedy festival, “Netflix Is A Joke Fest 2026,” Yuriyan Retriever will be holding a solo live show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood on Saturday, May 9th! To support Yuriyan as she takes on new challenges in LA, we are hosting a special giveaway exclusively for JapanUp! readers. Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Yuriyan Retriever at Laugh Factory At the Laugh Factory in Hollywood“Would you like to spend a fun evening together?” Date & Time: Saturday, May 9, 6:00 PMTickets:…
View More [GIVEAWAY] Share Your LA Mishaps! Win Pair Tickets to Yuriyan Retriever’s Solo Live Show in Hollywood on May 9th (Sat)!
[ Interview ] Yuriyan Retriever – Comedian | Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Yuriyan Retriever at Laugh Factory is coming up!
“It all started with coming here to chase my dream of forming a band with Americans, touring the world, and becoming a rock star.” Atsushi Nakagawa founded AMAZAKE CO. in Los Angeles in April 2019. He is the creator of the “Amazake Latte,” which has gained popularity at Farmers Markets in Torrance and Hollywood. How did his dream evolve? We took a closer look at his life.
View More [ Interview ] Yuriyan Retriever – Comedian | Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Yuriyan Retriever at Laugh Factory is coming up!
Experience School Life After Returning to Japan at Nagoya International Junior & Senior High School
Nagoya International Junior and Senior High School is offering a special trial enrollment program for junior high students planning to return to the Tokai region of Japan. This approximately two-week program allows students to join real classes and school activities, providing a firsthand experience of school life after returning to Japan. High school students are also eligible to participate. The program will be held between mid-May and mid-July 2026.Selection will be based on document screening and an interview.To apply, please complete the application forms via the URL below and submit them by email. NUCB INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL🔗…
View More Experience School Life After Returning to Japan at Nagoya International Junior & Senior High School
JHN Spotlight: Two Must-Watch Dramas
Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen in Rosemead is celebrating the New Year with a special campaign, “Cheers to 2026,” running now through Saturday, January 31st.
View More JHN Spotlight: Two Must-Watch Dramas
Why Does Standing Near the Elevator Buttons in Japan Make You an Employee?
The Awkward American Elevator In the United States, riding a crowded elevator is a purely individualistic experience. You walk in, press your own floor button, stare awkwardly at your smartphone or the ceiling, and quickly step out when the doors open. If someone is standing in front of the buttons, you politely reach around them or ask them to press your floor. But in Japan, the moment you step into a busy elevator and take the spot right next to the control panel, a massive, unwritten social contract is instantly activated. You are no longer just a passenger; you have…
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Why Are There Giant Fish Flying in the Japanese Sky? (The Legend of Koinobori)
The Golden Week Spectacle If you travel to Japan in late April or early May, you will be greeted by a surreal and beautiful spectacle. Stringed across rushing rivers, waving from the balconies of high-rise Tokyo apartments, and planted proudly in the yards of rural houses, you will see thousands of massive, colorful fish flying in the wind. These tubular windsocks are called “Koinobori” (Carp Streamers). To a foreigner, a sky filled with giant, floating fish might look like a wild modern art installation. But it is actually one of Japan’s most beloved and visually stunning ancient traditions, flown specifically…
View More Why Are There Giant Fish Flying in the Japanese Sky? (The Legend of Koinobori)