Honto (本当) vs. Maji (マジ): Meaning & Usage
Hontou (ほんとう/本当) or Honto is a Japanese adjective meaning true in English, and we often use the word to say I’m serious or for really/seriously as an intensifier or adverb. In the latter case,...
Recommendation of Unique Japanese Products and Culture BLOG
Mazuibo: Bad yet Delicious Sticks from Choshi Dentetsu
Today, I enjoyed another edible souvenir called Mazuibo (まずい棒) that my long-time friend got me when he came back to Niigata. The product, whose name means bad stick, is apparently inspired by Umaibo (うまい棒:...
Hiyoko Manju: One of the Best-Known Tokyo Sweets
As you may already know, Japan has eased restrictions on foreign tourists since yesterday, and individual trips are now possible. Without a doubt, Tokyo is one of the most popular destinations for those travelers,...
Oden: Why is the Dish called So? and its literal Meaning
It is October. In Japan, together with Shinmai (新米), the Oden (おでん) season has finally come. The dish is now on sale in many convenience stores, and you can see related product ads on...
Kurozu Diet: Black Rice Vinegar Drink to Lose Weight
Kurozu (黒酢), or black rice vinegar made from brown rice, contains plenty of essential amino acids and citric acid and is popular in Japan for its health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure suppressing...
Dagashi: Petit Pudding Chocolate from Kabaya Foods
When I went shopping at a supermarket yesterday, I headed to its Dagashi section to hunt for something interesting, where this Puchi Pudding Choco (プチプリンチョコ) caught my eye. Kabaya Petit Pudding Chocolate The Petit...
Best Way to Eat Natto? Combine these Rankings!
What is best varies from person to person. For natto, some Japanese would say they love natto-jiru (納豆汁: miso soup using natto), or their favorite may be kimchi natto served as a side dish....
Shinmai (新米): 2 Different Meanings of the Japanese Word
Niigata (新潟), the prefecture where I live, is Japan’s top producer of rice, and here, the harvest time spans from August to September. (Ex. Koshiibuki/こしいぶき: from early September, Koshihikari/コシヒカリ: from mid-September, Shinnosuke/新之助: from late September)...
