food/ Jan 15, 2026
The Marbled Truth
What makes Kobe beef Kobe beef, how the grading system works, and where to eat it without overpaying - or overcooking
- food/ Jan 12, 2026
Grilled As You Like It
Osaka mixes everything together, Hiroshima stacks it in layers - the regional rivalry behind Japan's favourite savoury pancake
- travel/ Jan 4, 2026
The Art of Being a Guest
Tatami floors, kaiseki dinners, and futons laid while you bathe - what to expect from a traditional ryokan stay and why it costs what it costs
- food/ Jan 2, 2026
The Glowing Grid
Four million vending machines line Japanese streets - selling hot coffee at mountain summits and cold beer at 3am. Why they work here when they fail everywhere else.
- culture/ Dec 31, 2025
Stacked Wishes
Osechi-ryori and the edible symbolism of Japanese New Year - why we eat black beans for diligence and herring roe for fertility
