Japan Archives - Page 2 of 3

Plate of Yaki Udon from the restaurant who invented it in Kokura, Japan

The Tiny Kokura Restaurant That Changed Noodle Eating Forever.

January 1, 2020March 9, 2019 by Helen from Differentville

Today in Japan, and, in Japanese restaurants all over the world, the idea of frying udon noodles to make yaki udon is normal – but, if local legend is to be believed, we can thank a tiny 8-seater restaurant in Kokura, Western Japan for the invention of the dish. I popped along to try a …

Nanzoin Temple, Fukuoka – It Blew my Mind.

March 13, 2020March 2, 2019 by Helen from Differentville

I can’t think of many places that have actually made me go ‘wow’ when I first saw them – but the large Buddha statue at Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka, Japan did – out loud. And then I shut up and just stared at it, unable to believe exactly what I was seeing. The fact that …

47 Unique Things to Do in Tokyo

March 22, 2021December 2, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

When people ask me why I love Tokyo, the answer is simple ‘I love the fact that there are so many weird and unique things to do there,’ For example, that one day someone said ‘let’s put a giant Godzilla head on the top of a hotel in the middle of Shinjuku – and then …

Woman ordering from the banana vending machine in Tokyo

Where to Find The Banana Vending Machine, Tokyo

March 14, 2020November 19, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Vending machines in Japan are amazing. You can buy everything from them – cold drinks, soup, beer – and in one machine, bananas. Every time I’ve been to Tokyo, a trip to the banana vending machine has been on my must-do list – so here’s how to add it to yours. Why is there a …

Where to See a Robot in Tokyo: 9 Places You Need to Visit

January 2, 2020October 13, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

There aren’t many places in the world where wanting to see a robot is on people’s lists of must-dos – but Tokyo isn’t like many places in the world. So, if you’re wondering exactly where to see a robot in Tokyo, we have the answer. Whether you want your robot cute and fluffy, slightly scary …

Stone figure covered in moss at a less touristy temple in Kyoto

18 Unusual, Non-Touristy Things to do in Kyoto

May 4, 2021October 6, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Kyoto, the city of over 1600 temples, including the beautiful gold-leaf clad Kinkakuji and the giant zen garden that is Ryoan-ji. Wander its tranquil streets soaking in years of …..snore….sorry dropped off for a bit there. Yes, embarrassed as I am to say it, Kyoto may be a fantastic historical city containing some of Japan’s …

female chef making sushi at Nadeshico in Tokyo

Tokyo’s First Female-Run Sushi Bar (and 6 Other Unusual Sushi Bars You Must Visit)

March 14, 2020September 29, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

A restaurant totally staffed by women shouldn’t really make it onto a blog about the slightly quirky things to see in the world – it sounds pretty normal; but when it comes to making sushi in Japan female chefs are extremely rare – which makes Nadeshico, Tokyo’s first all-female staffed sushi restaurant, worth a visit (and it’s not the only unique sushi bar we found).

A Beginners Guide to Gachapon in Tokyo

January 2, 2020September 16, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

I’m standing in a maze of bright orange plastic. In the last minute alone thousands of yen have disappeared into the machines around me. All hear is the change machine spitting out coins, the ‘gacha gacha’ sound of a handle being turned and the clonk of tiny plastic balls falling down into slots. No, I’m not …

Tanuki statue in box in Tanuki Street, one of the fun things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo

What to do in Asakusa: Find Tanuki (and 14 Other Fun Things to Try)

March 13, 2020September 8, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

I’m wandering around Asakusa, Tokyo on a Sunday morning on the search of a small Japanese creature – it’s got a cute little face, a tubby tummy, a jaunty little straw hat – and erm, giant balls! I’m talking about a tanuki, and this part of Tokyo has an entire road devoted to them. And, …

Naoshima Pumpkin art on Naoshima Island, Japan

Can You See the Naoshima Pumpkin ‘Art Island’ in One Day?

May 4, 2021August 20, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

When I decided to add a day on Japan’s Naoshima Island to our latest trip, I really didn’t know anything about the island except that it had giant spotty pumpkins on it. In fact, one glimpse of the bright yellow Naoshima pumpkin and I was sold. Only when I started looking into what else was on …