Marking 30 years of luxury accommodation in the capital of Japan, the comprehensive renovations at The Westin Tokyo wrapped up in 2023, breathing new life into this venerable Tokyo icon. With new looks across several areas, including The Lounge and international restaurant The Terrace. Inspired by an orangery, The Lounge is more light-filled and open and more integrated with the lush…

With the most Michelin stars of any city in the world, Tokyo is an urban center with nearly endless culinary options to choose from. Ranging from the very best restaurants in 4-star hotels to tiny, out-of-the-way noodle joints, there is no shortage of places to eat. But sometimes the plethora of choices is just too…

Yugawara Onsen has a long history, famed as the only hot spring mentioned in the ancient Manyoshu poetry collection. In medieval times, it was cherished by samurai and villagers alike, and during the Edo period it became known nationwide as the “Healing Spring” for wounds. Writers, artists, and politicians were drawn to its waters, and…

Diners Club French Restaurant Week, a gourmet event born in France, is being held for the 15th consecutive year this year. During the event, anyone can enjoy course meals at special event prices at over 500 participating French restaurants across the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. This year’s event will run for 31 days from Saturday,…

Aside from sushi, ramen is probably the most popular Japanese food worldwide. While it is well known as a quick and cheap cup noodle meal, real ramen tastes much better than the packaged kind. And there’s no better place to try ramen than in Japan itself, as the entire country specializes in it. Ramen, first…

More and more beef and other meats are gaining in popularity, and whether you cook it yourself or enjoy it a restaurant, understanding what you are buying and the ways to cook it is the difference between dinner and an unforgettable meal. This article will introduce some basic cooking methods and go over some of…

Japan is one of the biggest global markets for tuna, be it fresh, frozen or canned. But with a population close to 128 million, it is impossible for local commerce to meet the fierce demand. In 2012 alone, Japan imported 247,160 tons of tuna and for countries around the world, exporting this delicious fish is…

Yotteba, a revolutionary Izakaya restaurant, has recently expanded their menu. With the recent openings of new sister locations in Sendai and Osaka Tenma in June, Yotteba now has 28 locations across Japan, as well as an international store opening on August 1st in the Philippines. Their new menu has introduced 69 new items to its menu…

History Tracing its origins back to China, miso is thought to have been introduced to Japan about 1,200 or 1,300 years ago. The mixtures of beans, grains and salt was an efficient means of preservation in warmer temperatures. Originally a delicacy enjoyed only by the extremely wealthy, it became a staple for samurai, thanks to…

Japan’s second city is taking center stage as the Osaka Expo is in full swing and InterContinental Osaka is standing by to make your visit luxurious and unforgettable. With 272 rooms, suites and Residences, InterContinental Osaka is the perfect destination for families and business professionals alike. Location, location, location Conveniently situated near Osaka station in…