With barley tea going into glasses as the weather heats up, we find out what goes into making barley tea.
barley tea
So this morning, my boss asked me if I wanted to do a taste test of a new drink that just went on sale in Japan. I figured this was a pretty sweet assignment to snag for the day, and not just because at that same moment my boss was having some of the other RocketNews24 writers strip down to their underwear and pose for pictures as part of another project, which I would then have an excuse to sidestep.
See, the taste test was of a new carbonated barley-based beverage, and since beer is one of the wells I go to as a writer, I assumed my boss was talking about the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage. But nope, it turns out that there’s now barley soda in Japan, so I was off to the store to try some of this drink that’s devoid of alcohol but surprisingly full of mystery.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Umamusume anime concerts unable to obtain visas from U.S. government, cancel L.A. shows
Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are back at Mister Donut, with Slowpoke making dount debut! [Pics]
It’s time for the kokia to shine at this herb gardens and ropeway attraction in Kobe
Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
Tiny no-screen digital camera gives us near-instant nostalgia by making us wait to see our pics
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Weekly
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign- New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
- Eight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
Studio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan- Tokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Foreign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
We waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
Japan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
Monthly
Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Studio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Flying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
Tiny no-screen digital camera gives us near-instant nostalgia by making us wait to see our pics
Man in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
New Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
There are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
Umamusume anime concerts in U.S. may have to be cancelled over visa problems
Police in Japan likely to gain authority to hack phones to check messaging apps
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Robot matchmaking party in Japan has couples sit silently, techno cupids make small talk for them
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Voting begins for Japan’s next top kaiju
The cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
-
