Fish is prevalent in the Japanese diet. Dashi (stock usually made from bonito shavings) can be hard to escape when you are looking for vegetarian meals or vegan food. It pops up in most soups in restaurants and inconspicuous sushi and onigiri at convenience stores. However, like in so many other countries, vegetarianism and veganism lifestyles are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons; to avoid supporting an …

The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics worked hard towards a sustainable Japan, creating a more eco-friendly event. The games have been powered by electricity from 100% renewable energy, the Olympic Village beds are made from recyclable cardboard, the medals made out of recycled phones and laptops, podiums made from recycled shampoo bottles, and with some athletes such as Japan’s skateboarding team wearing uniforms designed from 100% recycled polyester. If this …

Many apartments in Japan have small balconies which most people use for drying laundry. There are different ways to utilize this space however and adding Japanese plants to create a balcony garden will liven up your apartment. You can utilize this space to make a veranda vegetable garden and grow as much fresh produce as your space allows. Though a balcony garden can be a bit of an investment …

You’ve probably experienced some kind of summer fatigue, known as natsubate if you’ve spent a summer in Japan. The biggest challenges in the Japanese summer are staying hydrated, avoiding mosquito bites, keeping the apartment cool, and staying protected from the strong Sun. Here are some ideas and products that can help you avoid natsubate and enjoy your summer in Japan. 1. Stay hydrated with barley tea Barley tea is …