Why “YUNOMI”?

Tap water in Japan is generally safe to drink, and many travelers are surprised by how normal that feels in everyday life. You don’t have to rely on bottled water, and even public taps are typically fine. At the same time, Japan also has a curious everyday pattern: even though the water is drinkable, many people still choose filters at home—or buy bottled water anyway. This article explains what makes Japanese tap water drinkable, why it often tastes “soft,” and what that small “filter culture” reveals about daily life in Japan.   Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Japan? ...

Most “wasabi” served around the world (and often even in Japan) is not real wasabi. What many people recognize as wasabi is usually a horseradish-based substitute made to imitate the heat and color of Japan’s native plant. Real wasabi (hon-wasabi) is rare, expensive, and highly perishable—so rare that many visitors to Japan never taste it freshly grated. This guide explains what real wasabi is, why substitutes dominate, how the flavors differ, and how to experience authentic hon-wasabi for yourself.   What Is Real Wasabi? Real wasabi, called hon-wasabi (Wasabia japonica), is a perennial plant native to Japan. It thrives in ...

A rice cooker is considered essential in Japanese daily life because everyday meals are built around freshly cooked rice at home. In Japan, rice is not an optional side dish but the foundation of most meals. This article explains why most households own a rice cooker, why cooking rice daily feels natural, and why Japan’s wide rice-cooker price range reflects a uniquely Japanese sense of cost performance—one based on frequency of use × daily satisfaction. Why essential: Japanese meals are built around fresh rice at home. Why daily: cooking and keeping rice warm fits everyday schedules. Why expensive models sell: ...

Many people think umeboshi is supposed to be mildly sour—but truly traditional umeboshi is intensely sour and salty. Most umeboshi sold today are seasoned versions adjusted for modern tastes. This article explains what authentic umeboshi really is, how it’s made, and why most visitors to Japan have probably never tasted the original version.   Have You Ever Tasted “Real” Umeboshi? In anime and manga, umeboshi is often portrayed as shockingly sour—strong enough to make characters freeze or recoil. Yet many visitors to Japan are surprised when they finally try umeboshi and find it… not that sour at all. This confusion ...

Umeboshi is a traditional Japanese preserved food made by salting and sun-drying ume plums. Known for its intense sourness and saltiness, it has long been valued not only as food, but as a practical ingredient that balances flavor, preserves meals, and supports everyday eating in Japan.   What Is Umeboshi? Umeboshi is a Japanese pickled plum made by fermenting ume plums with salt and drying them under the sun. Although ume is a fruit, it cannot be eaten raw. Through salting, fermentation, and sun-drying, it becomes a preserved food with a sharp flavor and long shelf life. The result is ...

Onsen etiquette is the shared-bathing system that helps everyone enjoy Japan’s hot springs comfortably, quietly, and hygienically. In Japan, bathing is more than “getting clean”—it is a cultural ritual shaped by relaxation, purification ideas, and respect for other people in shared spaces. For first-time visitors, the rules may feel unfamiliar, but once you understand the logic, an onsen becomes one of the most rewarding cultural experiences in Japan. This guide explains exactly how to bathe, what to avoid, practical tips for beginners, and common variations (tattoos, mixed baths, and regional differences) so you can enter an onsen with confidence.   ...

Onsen in Japan are natural hot spring baths filled with mineral-rich water heated by volcanic activity. Unlike ordinary baths, onsen represent a unique cultural experience shaped by centuries of tradition, seasonal beauty, and etiquette. This beginner-friendly guide explains what an onsen is, how it differs from a public bath (sento), why hot springs became central to Japanese life, and what first-time visitors should know before entering.   What Is an Onsen? An onsen is a natural hot spring bath defined by geothermal water that meets specific mineral and temperature standards under Japanese law. Under Japanese law, water qualifies as “onsen” ...

Japan’s best onsen destinations combine volcanic mineral waters, regional bathing traditions, and seasonal scenery that changes dramatically throughout the year. In this guide, you’ll discover some of the most iconic hot spring towns in Japan, what makes each region special, how onsen water types differ, and practical tips for choosing the right onsen experience for your trip. From sulfur-rich baths in Gunma to gold-colored springs in Hyogo, these destinations represent the heart of Japan’s bathing culture and its deep connection to nature.   Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma) – Japan’s Most Famous Sulfur Springs Kusatsu Onsen is consistently ranked among Japan’s top ...

Kagami Biraki is a Japanese New Year custom in which people eat kagami mochi that has been offered to the New Year deity. By consuming the mochi believed to hold divine blessings, people wish for health and good fortune, quietly marking the end of the New Year season.   What Is Kagami Biraki? Kagami Biraki is the custom of eating kagami mochi that was displayed during the New Year period. The mochi is first offered to Toshigami, the deity believed to visit households at the start of the year. After the New Year celebrations end, the mochi is taken down ...

The Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional cultural practice that blends Zen philosophy, hospitality, and mindful ritual. Each step—from preparing the tearoom to whisking matcha—expresses harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.  This guide explains the meaning behind the ceremony, key concepts like wabi-sabi and ichigo ichie, and how the host’s hospitality (omotenashi) shapes the entire experience.  The Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional ritual of preparing and serving matcha, rooted in Zen Buddhism and centered on harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility, expressed through deliberate actions and sincere hospitality.  What Is the Japanese Tea Ceremony? Known as chanoyu, sado, or chado, the ...