FOODIES ADVENTURE

Japan is paradise of plenty for the seasoned foodie, boasting many drinks and
dishes that have become staples of international cuisine. It stands to reason
that in Japan you can get the original and the best … as well as special
produce that’s just for the locals.
Sake

It’s not really a meal without sake is it? This ‘rice wine’ (actually closer to a beer!) can be
served hot, chilled or at room temperature. It comes in as many varieties – and with as many
subtleties – as wine or whisky, and as a result is beloved by the layperson and the
connoisseur alike.
they’ve experienced a major resurgence in the last 35 years, producing elegant,
balanced and delicious sake from premium ingredients. In 2008 it was even served to the
leaders of the G8!
Further west, Gifu Prefecture is home to the 250-year-old brewery of Michisakari, who mix
their reverence of tradition with a savvy 20th-Century decision to corner the market on artisanal
dry sake. The resulting drink, which can now be found all over Japan, is smooth, crisp and no-
nonsense.

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 Ramen

Far from being fast food, ramen in fact takes many hours to produce and requires
incredible culinary craftsmanship so it’s not something to be taken lightly. The price of
ramen is usually indicative of its quality. The more expensive a bowl of ramen is, chances
are the better the quality.
Your first stop should be Ichiran in Osaka’s Dotonbori district
It’s a whole customisable experience that lets you determine your ramen’s additions,
broth thickness, spice level and much more.
On the other side of the spectrum (and the country) is the tonkotsu ramen of Hakata–
creamy ramen made from pork bones that is uniformly delicious.

But ramen fanatics tend to ock to Ore No Appare, 40 kilometres outside of Kyoto. Here, lines
often circle the block even before it’s opened. If you like your ramen, you’ll make the
excursion to nd out why.

Take note that ramen restaurants aren’t quite like cafes. Try not to take too long to nish
the meal, as it’s considered poor etiquette to spend a lot of time chatting.

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 Whiskey

First up, the big ones: Suntory Yamazaki distillery is located between Osaka and Kyoto. It’s an
enormous operation, with the building sometimes housing up to a million whiskey casks
from all vintages since it began. You can do counter whiskey-tastings and production tours
throughout, all of it fascinating and intoxicating.

Back in Hokkaido, the Yoichi Nikka distillery (the second-largest in the country) produces
single-malt Scotch whisky and o ers wonderful guided tours for free – a ne chaser to the
beer breweries in nearby Sapporo.

But the smaller whiskey operations are something else, too, two hours from is a
relatively young distillery compared to the behemoths but already has a formidable
reputation that makes it well worth the train ride.

that far, keep an eye out for these great boutique labels.

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Sushi

Before becoming Japan’s best-known export, was popularised in Edo – now Tokyo – so it’s
no surprise that the city still has the best sushi places in the world.

You may have heard of Sukiyabashi Jiro from the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi , so let’s
say no more about it other than it’s utterly unmissable – if you’re lucky enough to get a
seat at the table.

Like Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Saito is often booked out months in advance. People plan ights
around the availabilities of these two restaurants, so don’t delay!

Nearby, Osaka’s Sushi Hayata is exquisite, with a superb tasting platter if you’re keen to
sample a bit of everything. And the little shing villages dotted along Japan’s coastline often
contain wonderful surprises for the sushi-seeker. One piece of advice: turn the sh-
side down when dipping it in soy – otherwise the rice absorbs too much salt

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!
robotics has grown exponentially. Japan has some of the biggest electronics conglomerates
in the world, some of the most cutting-edge innovations and has more Nobel laureates in
science than any other Asian country.

So if you’re a tech-lover saving for a holiday, there’s really nowhere like it as a destination.
Here’s our guide to some of the best Japanese tech territories and experiences to plan a
trip around.

Tokyo’s renowned technology district feels like Blade Runner at night—but, regardless of
the time of day, its reputation for gadgets and sensory overload is well-deserved.

You can go to Yodobashi megastore to buy pretty much any gadget that exists—from phones
to cameras to computers to any of their related accessories; you can go to SEGA for level

obscure, specialised products, some of which you might not nd anywhere else.

While its hyper-coloured focus has begun to shift in the last few years from electronics to
Otaku (or ‘fan culture’ that is, cosplay) and so on), it still reigns supreme as the Asian capital of
the technology-consuming world. It’s a must-visit for any tech- head.

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Tsukuba

About an hour northeast of Akihabara by train is Tsukuba, known as the Science City.
Nearly half of Japan’s research and development budget is spent here, and you don’t even
have to go too far to see the results.

to recent astronomical research and Japan’s role on the International Space Station.

But there’s plenty more – for example Tsukuba Expo Center, which focuses on rockets,
robotics and submarine vehicles but also has a terri c planetarium and a well-known robot
in the foyer who plays an organ. There’s also Science Square, where the emphasis is on
industrial technology and a truly fascinating glimpse into what the near future might be like,
based on the rate of technological innovation at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (or AIST).
It’s thrilling stuff, and makes for a fine day trip from Tokyo.

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Elsewhere in Tokyo

Here you can see and interact with ASIMO, the famous Honda-built humanoid robot
whose name stands for ‘Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility’. He resembles a small man in
a space suit and is about as mobile as one, with skills in running, jumping, object
recognition, memory, conversation and now bottle-opening. As well as his entertainment
value, ASIMO represents a tremendous (and increasing) leap forward in robotics
engineering and even the caring industry.

Elsewhere in the Miraikan, you can see android exhibitions and seize countless
opportunities to interact with robots of different sizes and functions – highly recommended,
and occasionally surreal.

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Of course, no technology tour of Tokyo would be complete without a booking at the
Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, where you can witness colorful and gleefully entertaining
robotic

But if you’re after a truly thought-provoking experience you should head

to Ruriden columbarium, a digital cemetery operated by Koukoko-ji Buddhist Temple.
It’s home to over 2000 digital funereal altars, marked by glass Buddha statues – an
intriguing glimpse into yet another possible future.

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