It’s no secret that the Japanese love the kawaii or cute character Hello Kitty, but also wildly successful has been a more tangible rendering of cats – cat cafes. While pet ownership is up in Japan apparently – pet shops are everywhere and small breeds of dogs are hugely popular here – many apartment blocks in … Read more
We’ve always loved sake – since we used to hit the karaoke bars with friends in Sydney’s Kings Cross years ago. We wouldn’t think of eating Japanese food with anything but sake*, but, unlike wine, we knew very little about the drink until recently. Being in Tokyo seemed to be a good excuse to learn, … Read more
My, how the souvenirs for kids sold in Tokyo have changed since my mother returned from Japan when I was a kid in the early ’70s, bringing back suitcases bursting with gifts. Then, my Mum brought me a beautiful white-faced geisha in a fragile glass case with black lacquer trim, dressed in an exquisite kimono … Read more
Tsukiji Outer Market is a must-visit when you’re in Tokyo and you’re a food lover. While the Tsukiji Fish Market closed and moved back in 2018, Tsukiji Outer Market remains open and is as tantalising as ever. Tsukiji Outer Market is home to shops specialising in everything from Japanese handmade knives and kitchen supplies to … Read more
Although many of our readers seem to think we’re on a one-year round-the-world food odyssey rather than a grand tour of the globe, we just like visiting food markets and talking to chefs, waiters, restaurateurs, and food enthusiasts. All the same, I was ambivalent about visiting the tuna auction at Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Markets. … Read more