Articles

We have chosen 10 great Mother's day gift ideas for you to choose from. Whether it is for first-time moms or retired moms who are enjoying more free time, we have picked perfect items for each of them. For mothers who love cooking, drinking or making coffee, you should be able to find a great gift for them.

Come in various designs, Mamezara plates are truly versatile and can be used in many different ways, as a plate for side dishes or as a decorative tray for placing small items, for example. We hope you find your favorite Mamezara plates that add colors to your life. In this article, we will talk about Mamezara plates and their designs that are considered as good luck symbols in Japan.

Japanese traditional lacquerware called "shikki" has been a part of Japanese culture since approximately 9000 years ago. Japanese lacquerware is one of the oldest traditional art crafts in the world. Its rich colors and shiny appearance still seduce many people today. In this article, we will talk about shikki lacquerware, and its unique and functional characteristics that other materials, such as metals, plastics or ceramics don't possess.

In Japan where people enjoy the change of seasons throughout the year, we celebrate "Shunbun no hi (Vernal Equinox Day)" that marks the beginning of spring. Vernal equinox day is a national holiday in Japan. We celebrate ohigan that takes place three days before and after vernal equinox day. Ohigan is a time for honoring our ancestors by visiting family's graves or cleaning up our butsudan (small Buddhist altar for home) and its equipment. We also eat botamochi (ohagi), a special ohigan food. In this article, we will develop more about what ohigan is and share a botamochi recipe for you to try at home.

Nambu ironware rice pots are characterized by its high heat storage capacity due to the thick skin which allows them to cook softly, delicious rice. The aroma and sweetness of rice are especially noticeable with starchy japonica rice. When you enjoy Japanese food, please try delicious rice cooked with an iron rice pot.

Iron pots can last a lifetime if used and maintained properly. Although iron pots are very durable, rust is their worst enemy, so do not leave the water untreated and be careful not to scratch it to prevent rusting. We explain how to care iron pot when you use it and what to do if rust appears.

Unlike glass and ceramics, wooden tableware is not easily broken, and you can enjoy the depth of color and change in texture over time. If used properly, wooden tableware can be used for a lifetime. With proper use and care, you can enjoy your wooden tableware for many years to come.

Diatomaceous earth stoves are stoves made from fossilized diatoms. When manufacturing industrial products such as stoves with diatomaceous earth, diatomaceous earth is crushed into a powder, mixed, formed, and fired. This page explains how to use and care for diatomaceous earth stoves.

There are various types of colanders, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Understand each characteristics of materials and shapes, so that we can use them wisely as useful kitchen tools.

Takezaru can be used for a variety of purposes, including as a draining dish, a drying dish for dried food, a noodle serving dish, a one-plate dish, and a towel rack. Here are some of the advantages and uses of the very performant Takezaru.

Cold-brewed green tea also contributes to time saving since it already cold by brewing with cold water. Ready-to-drink in the hottest day is a major advantage. Just try it with ice. You can enjoy the nutritious green tea with a sense of coolness. let us introduce how to make delicious green tea with cold water

In Japan, we have Obon Buddhist annual event to welcome our ancestors’ spirits. Commonly, companies or shops are closed during the Obon period same as Easter. Let’s focus on Obon in detail!

Generally, shaved ice used to be more like crunchy and rough granular. However, the latest ones are fluffier and finely granular like “iced mango” in Taiwan. We would like to show you an ice shaving machine named “Black Swan” manufactured by Ikenaga Iron Works Co., Ltd, which can make fluffy shaved ice at home. In summer, ice shaving machines must be very helpful especially for those who live in areas with high temperatures!

Iron rusts relatively easily compared to other metals, but on the other hand, it is strong and durable, and has the great advantage of almost a lifetime of use when properly cared for. Also, takoyaki cooked on a steel takoyaki cooker has a savory flavor not found in takoyaki cooked on a Teflon takoyaki cooker.

Generally speaking, the smaller the amount of flour used to make takoyaki dough, the fluffier and tastier it becomes. However, the smaller the amount of dough, the more difficult it is to bake nicely. Therefore, making delicious takoyaki needs a good skill.

Having colorful flowers by your side makes you feel fine, right? A gorgeous flower bouquet looks good, but a single-flower vase that gently accompanies your daily life is easily incorporated into the various scenes of your daily life. We introduce the charm of the single-flower vase here.

As awareness of environmental issues grows worldwide these days, issues such as garbage and food loss are increasingly being addressed also in the world of cooking. In honor of the "Day of Zero Garbage" on May 10, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of disposable and eco-friendly chopsticks under the theme of “chopsticks”.

Saitama Prefecture is one of the most famous tea growing areas in the Kanto region. The picking of new tea leaves begins in late April, and the famous product "SayamaTea" begins to be distributed in May. Here, we will introduce Sayama Tea, one of the three major teas representing Japan.

You might have found the newly purchased knives were not sharp enough and have been worried that you had purchased the defective ones. Here, we will explain why they are not sharp enough and how you can deal with them.

There is a traditional culture called “Hanami” in Japan. When cherry blossoms start blooming every spring, people are delighted with the arrival of spring, and at large parks and special venues for cherry blossom viewing, they enjoy eating delicious lunch boxes and drinking alcohol while watching the cherry blossoms.

There are many types of metal such as steel, copper, aluminum, etc. Do you know there are various types of stainless although it is considered to be a single metal? Here, we will explain the features of stainless in details.

There is a custom in Japan to eat “Ohagi” on the equinoctial week in spring. “Ohagi” is made by wrapping cooked glutinous rice with red bean paste. We are explaining to you how to make red bean paste and “Ohagi” step by step.

There is a special event called “White Day” on every March 14 in Japan. I introduce “White Day”, which is an event they give back the gifts to those who gave you gifts on “Valentine’s Day”.

Appropriate handling and maintenance are required for wooden products such as Handai and Ohitsu (rice container). Here are the tips for handling before and after use, removal of stain, and prevention of mold.

Iron woks need proper care before and after use. Today we will explain how to season a wok and daily care. Woks are coated with varnish on delivery, which needs removing by empty burning before first use. Then "oil coating" follows. With proper care, woks can be used for a long time.

In Japan, each season is associated with seasonal events, goods, etc., which you can find in daily life. In particular, “spring” has a positive meaning such as “new encounters or starts”, “hopes” and “expectations”. Today we are going to introduce ADERIA Sakura Tableware, which makes you feel the arrival of spring.

Japan has a custom of eating pressed sushi for celebrations such as girls’ festival. Today we are going to tell you about how to make “pressed sushi” and how to add your own tastes. Making pressed sushi is not as difficult as expected. By using a mold, anybody can do it. Would you like to enjoy it with your family?

Mirror finishing of knives have various advantages such as increased sharpness and resistance to corrosion. Today we are going to tell you how to perform mirror finishing on knives. Today we are going to show you how to perform mirror finishing of knives.

For knives, mirror finishing not only can enhance appearance but also can increase sharpness and durability. Mirror finishing is to polish the surface until it shines and gets reflection like a mirror. Such maintenance of knives is the base of Japanese cuisine. Today we are going to tell you about the advantages of mirror finishing and the features of mirror-finished knives.

Professional chefs are particular about sharpness of their kitchen knives. Those often choose steel knives for easy maintenance. When you start using steel knives, it is important which whetstone you choose. Today we are going to tell you about “how to choose a whetstone”.

Valentine's Day is a day when people send gifts and their gratitude to their beloved ones. This custom originated from the religion of Christianity. However, Japan has its own custom for Valentine's Day. Today we are going to tell you about “Japanese style Valentine's Day”.

Japan has a custom of bean throwing on Setsubun Day (the day before the calendrical beginning of spring) to drive out evil spirits. Today we are going to tell you about Setsubun in Japan. This traditional Japanese event is very exciting and fun. Let’s give it a try to experience a Japanese culture.

In Japan, sea breams are associated with good luck and often used for special meals on celebrations for some phonetic reason. In particular, salt-crusted sea bream looks gorgeous and tastes delicious. Today we are going to tell you about its history and recipe. Let’s try cooking the special dish for the New Year!

In Japan, people eat various kinds of traditional New Year-related cuisine including Osechi and sea bream dishes, etc.Ozoni is one of Japanese traditional dishes for New Year’s. Today we are going to tell you about history of Ozoni and how to cook it. There are different styles depending on locales. Let’s experience Japanese culture for the start of New Year 2022!

Japan has a custom of eating Toshikoshi Soba (year-crossing noodles) on New Year’s Eve (“Omisoka” in Japanese). Today we are going to tell you about the reason and origin why we eat Soba at a crossover of years as well as how to make Toshikoshi Soba. Soba has unique flavor, and it is an essential food for Japanese people. Would you like to eat Toshikoshi Soba and enjoy the Japanese tradition to have a great New Year start?

Royal icing cookies are bright and colorful. They are something exciting to see. By using pancake mix, anyone can make cookies easily. Today we are going to show you a recipe of royal icing cookies for Christmas. Making royal icing cookies is an exciting event that you can enjoy with your beloved people. Let’s enjoy your Christmas more with unique homemade cookies!

A Christmas night you spend with beloved one or favorite people would be special for anybody. Christmas cake is something that both adults and children look forward to. Today we are going to tell you a basic recipe for Christmas cake with strawberries, which would be helpful for you to make your original cake. Let’s have an unforgettable Christmas with a homemade your original cake!

Apple pies are loved by all ages. The attraction of apple pies is a harmony of crispy pie and smooth sweet apple filling. Today we are going to tell you a recipe to make an apple pie with a small iron pan. Cooking apple pies with a pan is not as difficult as expected. You can even adjust the recipe as you like.

Yamada Kogyosho is the only manufacturer of iron pans applying the hammering method in Japan. The most distinctive feature of Yamada woks is that the thickness of iron varies depending on the part.  This leads to efficient heat conductivity and makes excessive water evaporate so that the flavor is more condensed. This mechanism to ensure good outcomes is the reason why Yamada woks are highly evaluated by professional chefs.

Many people would feel like eating Japanese Nabe (Hot Pot) in winter. Donabe casseroles are commonly used to cook Nabe as it can bring out more flavor of the ingredients to enrich the taste than metal pots. Today we are going to tell you about the preparation before first use (called Medome) and method of storage.

For Handai or Ohitsu wooden rice containers, some have a copper ornament hoop (called “Taga”), which is a metal component attached around the body. Taga is to prevent expansion of the wood and likely to come loose when you use the container for a long term. Today we are going to explain how to deal with it.

In Japan, where we have 4 seasons, people tend to value the custom to use seasonal ingredients or add some seasonal taste to their cooking. Today we focus on the sense of “smell”, featuring especially “sesame”, whose season is September to October, and tell you how to grind sesame and extract its rich smell.

Candied sweet potatoes (called “Daigaku Imo”) are popular food in Japan. “Daigaku” means University and its name originated from the fact that it was popularly eaten among university students in late 1800s to early 1900s. Today we are gong to tell you a recipe of Daigaku Imo.

Takoyaki is a representative food in Kansai Region (western pert) of Japan, and Takoyaki pan is a common tool for cooking Takoyaki, but in fact it can be used for other dishes. Today we are going to show you how to cook ajillo with a Takoyaki pan. It is an exciting menu that is good either for party or simple dinner.

Tamagoyaki is a familiar food in Japan for breakfast, lunch box, snacks, etc. To make beautiful Tamagoyaki, Tamagoyaki pan is a must. In fact, it can be used for other dishes, too. Today we are going to show you convenient use of Tamagoyaki pan. Tamagoyaki pans can be versatile depending on your idea, and you can find one that matches with your cooking style or preference.

Rich aroma of fresh coffee fascinates people worldwide. The world of coffee is profound once you are particular about how to brew it. Today we are going to introduce a simple way to brew authentic coffee. Would you like to have a wonderful morning with hand-dripped coffee?

Today we are going to tell you how to make overnight dried fish, which has been familiar to Japanese people. Making of dried fish is more profound than expected as we need to take account into kinds of fish, concentration of salt, time for drying, etc. Let’s find your own recipe!

Tempura is a representative Japanese food. It is as renowned worldwide as other Japanese foods. However, cooking Tempura is difficult, requiring high skills. Today we are going to tell you the basics and tips for how to cook delicious Tempura. It would be wonderful if you can eat Tempura at home anytime in your life!