This food goes by many different names. Sea grapes, umi budo, latok, bada podo, or bulung. Some people even call it green caviar. This special edible algae is cultivated in many countries: but mainly in Vietnam and Japan - which are also its top two consumers globally. It has a soft and succulent texture, and has a loud popping sound as you bite into it. It should only be prepared raw, so it’s a great addition for cold dishes like salad and sashimi. You should give it a try! #seagrapes #algae #seaweed #latok #japanesefood #umibudo #badapodo #bulung #greencaviar #japanesetaste

What’s the strangest ice cream flavor you’ve ever tried? In Japan you can find a wide variety of strange ice cream flavors. Everything from squid ink, to wasabi, to even soy sauce are available as ice cream. This one is lavender flavored. It may be a little different than your usual chocolate or vanilla, but it's a delightfully floral and sweet soft serve ice cream, especially popular in Hokkaido where the lavender fields bloom every summer. #lavender #lavendericecream #lavenderfood #icecream #japanpics #photography #lavenderfields #hokkaido #japanesetaste

The shinkansen, or bullet train, is one of the greatest modern achievements in transportation technology. Everyone wants to ride one, but it’s not always so easy. With so many lines, types of shinkansen, and types of tickets, it can be a very confusing task! If you’re interested in the shinkansen, check out our thorough guide about this great train, what it is, and how to ride it on our blog at japanesetaste.com #shinkansen #shinkansentrain #bullettrain #mtfuji #fujisan #trainstagram #trainphotography #mtfujisan #japanesetaste

Miyazaki mangoes are meticulously grown with special care in greenhouses. They're allowed to naturally drop from the tree, rather than being plucked, and are gently caught by special nets. This allows them to be harvested at their ripest, when they're packed full of sweet juice. It's rare to find them for under $20 each, and they're often sold for $50+. #miyazakimango #mango #japanesefruit #japanesefood #summervibes #japanesetaste

Have you ever eaten goya? This bumpy, bitter relative of the cucumber is a star in Okinawan cuisine like the classic stir-fry dish goya chanpuru. It’s often called “bitter melon” or “bitter gourd” in English. It has a very distinct, bitter flavor that can take some time to get used to. If you ever see them at the supermarket, make sure to give them a try. If you’d like to learn more about goya, there’s plenty of great info on our blog at japanesetaste.com #goya #goyachanpuru #okinawa #okinawalife #okinawafood #japanesefood #japanesetaste

Japanese dashi soup has such a simple recipe. Follow our guide to make it at home! For more details about dashi, be sure to check out our blog! #dashi #dashisoup #soupstock #japanesesoup #japanesefood #japanesefoodlover #japanesecuisine #foodfoodfood #japanesetaste

This stone wash basin on the grounds of Ryoan-ji temple in Kyoto has four characters carved on its surface: 五隹止矢 which means nothing by itself, but when combined with the square opening of the basin they become 吾唯足知, which means “I am content with what I am”. #ryoanji #ryoanjitemple #japantrip #japanpic #tsukubai #japanesescenery #nature #zen #japanesetaste

Have you ever made your own Japanese bento box lunch? It’s a great way to take something healthy and delicious to school or work. Here are some foods you can enjoy in your own bento box. #japanesefood #bentobox #bentoboxlunch #japanesebentobox #lunchboxideas #lunchbox #japanesetaste

Melon Soda is one of Japan's most popular original drinks. Especially in the summer when it’s melon season, a cold can of refreshing melon soda is a great way to cool down. Japanese cream soda, like this one pictured, uses melon soda, vanilla ice cream, and a cherry to deliver a unique take on a classic American ice cream float. You can buy these at most kissaten in Japan, which are quiet places to relax and enjoy coffee and tea, like an old-fashioned cafe. #japanesedrink #japanesedrinks #melonsodafloat #melonsoda #rootbeerfloat #icecreamfloat #creamsoda #japanesetaste

Matcha cookies with white chocolate and macadamia nuts! You can’t get more delicious than this! #matchacookies #baking #matcha #matcharecipe #matchalovers #japanesetaste

Bunraku is a traditional form of Japanese puppet theater, which began in Osaka around 400 years ago. As the puppets move about on stage, carried by puppeteers dressed in all black, a chanter narrates the story in a traditional way, and musicians play shamisen lutes and taiko drums. Bunraku is one of the ways Japan keeps their traditional folklore alive, as many of the plays are retellings of popular ancient stories. If you’re ever in Osaka, make sure to check out a performance at the National Bunraku Theater–they can even provide audio devices for an English translation of the story. #bunraku #puppets #japan #osaka #japaneseculture #japanesehistory #japaneseart #japon #nipponbashi #japanesetaste

Mitarashi dango are dumplings made of boiled rice flour which are skewered and coated in a delicious, sticky sweet soy sauce glaze. These are a popular springtime snack that you can buy at the supermarket, or from street vendors at festivals and in areas popular with tourists. Japan has so many different foods using rice and soy in various ways, but this has to be the most creative! It’s a very simple snack to make at home, so if you’d like to know how, check out the recipe on our blog at japanesetaste.com #streetfood #japanesestreetfood #mitarashidango #mochi #dango #japanesefood #japanesetaste