SAMURAI Legends: A Samurai Spirit Lives On / Hideo Naito

1926 – 2023 内藤秀雄 Hideo Naito The Life of Hideo Naito: A Son’s Tribute to His Father’s Legacy in Southern California Real Estate Bio Hideo Naito 内藤秀雄Born on July 1, 1926, in Hyogo Prefecture.Chairman of SBD Group Inc. Shunichi Naito 内藤俊一Born on January 1, 1948, in Osaka Prefecture. President and CEO of SBD Group Inc. SBD Group Inc.Established in 1975, headquartered in California. Specializes in the ownership and management of office buildings, shopping “I See Him in My Dreams All the Time” – Shunichi Naito Remembers His Father, Hideo Naito In December 2023, Hideo Naito, a well-respected figure in the…

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Experience Japanese Seafood: The Irresistible Charm of Buri and Hamachi

Good for Your Health, Better for the Planet The pursuit of “good taste and health” is deeply rooted in Japanese food culture. Buri and Hamachi are juicy, rich in umami flavor, and packed with healthy nutrients.In today’s world, seafood must not only be healthy for the body but also harvested in a way that supports the global environment. Buri and Hamachi are raised in sustainable environments in Japan, renowned for its rich seafood culture. These fish are healthy, sustainable, and irresistibly flavorful, making them a perfect choice for both your diet and the planet. Japan’s Unique Oceanic Delight Buri is…

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Types of ramen: a guide to Japanese ramen styles

Ramen Reinvented: A Global Journey into Flavor and Culture

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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JAPANESE SAMURAI / Issa Kobayashi

1763-1827 小林一茶 Issa Kobayashi A Haiku Poet with a Heart for the Everyday A Difficult Childhood Issa Kobayashi, born in 1763 in Shinano Province (now Nagano Prefecture), lived a life marked by hardship and resilience. His real name was Yataro, and he came from a farming family. Issa’s early years were challenging. His mother passed away when he was just three years old, and his father remarried when Issa was eight. Unfortunately, his relationship with his stepmother was strained. She favored her own children, leaving Issa to care for his younger half-siblings. When the baby cried, Issa would be scolded,…

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OMOTENASHI: “Japanese New Year Decorations and Their Origins”

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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Holiday Dining “IZAKAYA (Japanese-style pub)”

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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