Tofu With a Twist | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Brands of tofu with unusual names like "Handsome Tofu" and "Johnny the Tofu Maker, Blowing in the Wind" have been attracting attention on the Internet and around town, not just for their names but also for their exquisite flavor.

Vinegar Drinks Catching on | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Vinegar, known as o-su in Japanese, is considered to be good for the health, particularly for improving circulation and countering fatigue. Now more and more Japanese are seeking the benefits of vinegar by drinking vinegar-based beverages.

Japan's Queen of Homemaking | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
When it comes to the art and science of Japanese homemaking, Harumi Kurihara reigns supreme. Kurihara's reputation went global in February when her English-language book, Harumi's Japanese Cooking, was selected as Best Cookbook of the Year 2004 at the 10th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Waste Not, Want Not | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Fruits and vegetables that are rejected for sale because they are irregularly shaped or bruised are often thrown away. Now, however, these otherwise perfectly good foods are being used in purée form under the brand name Nepurée.

Paying Premium | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Premium beer is selling well in Japan. When producing this beer, extra attention is paid to the malt used and the brewing process, and the resulting beers are generally priced about 10% to 20% higher than ordinary beers.

Edible Gold | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Tiny letters float on your cup of coffee, reading "Happy Birthday." Bright and shiny, they almost seem to be made of gold. In fact, they are! A new form of ultra-fine pure gold that floats on drinks is now being used to enliven refreshments at parties and other events.

Eating It My Way | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more people are blending foods like rice and soy sauce themselves for the thrill of creating something new. The trend for custom blending has now spread from ingredients used in main dishes to those used in desserts.

Easy As Pie | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Fruit consumption in Japan has been on the decline in recent years, but all this may be about to change, thanks to a number of new fruit varieties that not only taste good but are much easier to eat, too.

"Third Beer" | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Beer-like alcoholic beverages that have collectively been dubbed the "third beer" because they fall into neither the regular nor low-malt beer category, are a big hit in Japan right now.

Sweet Bean Treats | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more health- and weight-conscious Japanese, and women in particular, are eschewing sweets made from sugar and flour and turning instead to delicacies made of beans, which tend to be a lot better for one's health.

Underground Urban Farm | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
An underground rice and vegetable field has been planted beneath an office building in Tokyo's Otemachi business district.

"Keep" the Customer Happy | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Regular customers at bars in Japan often drink from "keep" bottles. The "keep" concept has been carried over to other products besides liquor. Pickles, chopsticks, and coffee cups are just some of the products now offered on a "keep" basis.

Michelin in Japan | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A Japan edition of the Michelin Guides, travel books famous all over the world for their ratings of hotels and restaurants, will be published in February 2007.

Coredo Nihonbashi | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The year 2004 marks the 401st year since the construction of the Nihonbashi Bridge across the Nihonbashi River in Edo (now Tokyo) by the Tokugawa shogunate. Fittingly, the area enters its fifth century boasting a large, new commercial facility, Coredo Nihonbashi, which opened in March.

No Ordinary Rice Cooker | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Rice cookers are everyday kitchen appliances found in virtually every Japanese home. In recent years, these devices have evolved in various ways. Some new models are attracting attention as multifunction appliances that can double as a slow cooker, or even be used to bake a cake or make bread.

NIPPONIA
Seafood has long been an important part of the Japanese diet. They catch it, import it, grow it and cook it in great numbers. This Nipponia feature takes a look at the huge Japanese appetite for seafood.

Time Traveling with Dagashi Candies - Travel - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Candies and snacks called dagashi have brought joy to children in Japan over many generations. In the past, candy shops selling dagashi - known as dagashiya - could be found all over Japan. Although there are few dagashi shops remaining, there are enough around for us to go on a tour of dagashiya.

Canned Hot Drinks - Hi-tech - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
This article traces the history of hot canned drinks like coffee and green tea, which are popular in Japan and may soon become a common sight all over the world.

Sushi Balls - Cookbook - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Let's make temari-zushi - fun little sushi balls that you can take on picnics.

Okonomiyaki Boy - Cookbook - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Okonomiyaki, a delicious savory pancake containing fillings like vegetables and seafood, is a big favorite among Japanese kids. It's fun to make and eat with your family. On top of being fun and tasty, it's highly nutritious. Let's make okonomiyaki together!