It’s no secret that I harbour a strong interest in Japanese food and drink. I’m currently planning our next trip to Japan for autumn 2025 and I have always enjoyed sharing Japanese recipes and cookbook reviews here on Kavey Eats. But the latest book on this topic to join my collection of Japanese food writing ... Read more »
A to Z of Japanese Food and Drink | A Visitor’s Guide to Eating in Japan
There’s more to eating in Japan than sushi, tempura and teriyaki (delicious though they are). For travellers seeking to immerse themselves more fully into Japanese cuisine, enjoy our in-depth guide and learn about all the fantastic food and drink to be enjoyed in Japanese cuisine. Contents Amazake | Azuki Beans (Anko) | Bakery (Bread, Patisserie ... Read more »
Twenty Tasty Local Specialities to Seek Out Across Japan
If you’re anything like me, Japanese cuisine is a huge part of the attraction of a trip to Japan. There are so many different foods to try, far more than the sushi, tempura, ramen and miso soup that are so well known outside of Japan. As a companion to our A to Z of Japanese Food ... Read more »
A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Tea by Per Oscar Brekell
Over the last 10-15 years I’ve developed a real love for and interest in tea, especially Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese teas. Coinciding with my deep love of Japanese food and drink, I’ve researched and learned about the different types of Japanese tea (such as sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, genmaicha, matcha), about their growing and processing, their ... Read more »
Want to Learn About Sake? A Comprehensive Sake Guide For Beginners
It’s no secret that I adore Japan, Japanese food and Japanese culture, and that I’m always dreaming of my next trip to Japan! Sake is one element of Japan’s food and drink that is both fascinating and delicious. It’s a drink I’ve been learning about for several years and I’ve come to really appreciate it. ... Read more »
Asia | The Best Kept Secret in Chocolate
Do you know where your cacao comes from? Cacao is the botanical name of the tree— Theobroma cacao— on which the chocolate fruit is grown. Before it can be turned into chocolate, the fruits must be harvested at peak ripeness. Their seeds are removed for fermenting, drying, roasting, peeling, and grinding into chocolate, a complicated ... Read more »
Snapshots of Japan | Kitchenware Shopping in Kappabashi Dori, Tokyo
For those who love both cooking and shopping, a visit to Tokyo’s Kappabashi Dori aka Kitchen Town is a must. Located between Ueno and Asakusa – just 10 minutes’ walk west from Senso-ji (temple) – this stretch of road is lined with dozens of shops selling everything a restaurant could need, except for the food! ... Read more »
Spiritual Japan | Koyasan Temple Stay & Visit to Okunoin Cemetery
A Visit to the Okunoin Cemetary and an overnight Koyasan Temple Stay, are a must-do for many visitors to Japan, especially those seeking a spiritual experience and an insight into Japanese worship and culture. On paper, the journey to reach Mount Koya – respectfully known as Koyasan in Japan – seems a bit convoluted. But the ... Read more »
The Best Souvenirs to Buy in Japan
Japan is one of my all-time favourite destinations, I have absolutely loved the three trips we’ve made there so far, and am busy planning our fourth. It’s also a fantastic place to shop for unusual souvenirs. There are so very many things to choose from! Here are some excellent suggestions for the best souvenirs to ... Read more »
The Way of Whisky by Dave Broom | A Journey Around Japanese Whisky
There are whisky books which seek to list every whisky in a given category, or give you a tick-list of X whiskies that you must “try before you die”. This is not such a book. Instead, The Way of Whisky by Dave Broom is a large and detailed exploration of nine Japanese distilleries and while ... Read more »