Shirokuro (Meaning Black and White) in Japanese Culture
Shirokuro (白黒) means black and white in Japanese, as Shiro (白) is the word for white in English, while Kuro (黒) is the one for black. As seen in the idiom 白黒をつける (meaning making...
Recommendation of Unique Japanese Products and Culture BLOG
Wagashi: What is Tamago Manju?
Wagashi (和菓子) is the word for traditional Japanese confections, and Manju (饅頭) is one of the staple sweets in the category whose origin can be traced back to the 14th century. The wagashi type...
What is Fresh Natto?
Natto (納豆) is a superfood of Japanese origin made from fermented soybeans bringing various health benefits if rightly consumed. The food smells like rotten beans that can harm you, but it is arguably on...
Meaning: Kikanbo (聞かん坊) & Oni ni Kanabo (鬼金棒)
If you are a ramen lover, you might have heard of the ramen restaurant, Kikanbo (鬼金棒) (Google Map), known for its fiery bowl of Karashibi Miso Ramen. The Kanji (Chinese characters) for the shop’s name,...
Otsuka Calorie Mate: Best Japanese Energy Bar
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a Japanese healthcare company that makes Japan’s best and most-loved energy drink and bar, Oronamin C (オロナミンC) and Calorie Mate (カロリーメイト). The maker introduced the former beverage in 1965, while the...
Umakara vs. Karashibi Ramen: What’s the Difference?
Many Japanese dishes come in Umakara (旨辛), and representative examples include Umakara Sauce, Umakara Ramen, and Umakara Tan-Tan Men. But first and foremost, what does the term mean? Meaning of Umakara (旨辛) Umakara is...
UHA Mucchiri Gummy Energy Sports Drink Flavor
I love the drugstore chain Welcia because it carries many interesting products not found in other stores. In fact, when I went shopping there the other day, a gummy candy I had never tried...
Tomodachi vs. Tomo vs. Dachi: Friend in Japanese
Tomodachi (友達/ともだち) is one of the Japanese words that many people know, meaning friend(s). Although the Kanji character 達 pronounced as Tachi is often used to make a plural expression, the word Tomodachi can...
