Blog posts

Japanese crew socks with traditional kamon family crest patterns, made in Japan
etiquette

Why Japanese Homes Take Shoes Off - and What Tabi Socks Are For

The genkan, the slipper rules, and the reason socks are taken seriously in Japan - plus what tabi socks are, why they have a split toe, and how to wear them.
My Neighbor Totoro bento box with removable divider
japanese food

The Food of Studio Ghibli: 7 Dishes You Can Actually Cook

From Ponyo's ham ramen to the onigiri in Spirited Away, seven of the most memorable Studio Ghibli food scenes, what the dishes actually are, and how to cook them properly.
Japanese kakigori shaved ice served with fruit syrup
how to

How to Make Kakigori at Home: The Japanese Shaved Ice Guide

Real kakigori is not a snow cone. Here is how to make Japanese shaved ice at home: the clear ice, the tempering step, the right machine, and the classic syrups from uji kintoki to shirokuma.