A unique tourist experience where you can eat Japanese food…and take it home with you to enjoy forever as a hyper-realistic food sample.
food sample
From tiger-shaped prawns to instant ramen on tap, these delicious delights will make your mouth water!
The modern Japanese art of fake food samples has given birth to this stand which beautifully merges the heights of both elegance and kitsch.
If you’ve ever spent any time in Japan, you’ve probably been to at least one restaurant whose front window is full of surprisingly realistic food samples. In fact, they’re realistic enough that if you’re jet-lagged and starving, like my first day in Osaka, you too may have wondered, “How do they keep the food from rotting and smelling?!” Obviously, the “samples” aren’t samples of food but wax replicas made to look as delicious (or maybe even more delicious) than the food served inside.
But where do those food samples comes from? Well, there are a variety of shops that make them — both for restaurants and people who just love replica food. But at Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya, you can make your own! We recently headed to Asakusa and created several of our own food samples. Join us after the jump to read about how we made lettuce and tempura food samples, and watch a video of the whole creation process!
Hamee has done it again! First, they managed to create an egg on toast smartphone case that’s so realistic you might accidentally take a bite. Now the quirky company has just released a bowl of ramen that will hold your iPhone for you.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Weekly
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range- Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
- Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
- This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Monthly
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”- Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers- Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The best Christmas Market in Japan? Yokohama event is top choice for travellers
World’s first real ramen in a can now available at Japanese vending machines
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Taking revenge on Starbucks in Japan with 10,000 yen at the Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Gacha gourmet — can we survive only eating meals that we pull a capsule toy replica version of?
We try the Jack & Coke canned cocktail to see if it’s any better than mixing one yourself
Japan creates public monument to original doge meme dog in her home prefecture【Photos】
Pokémon Smart Bath Mats are amazingly cute, but there’s more to them than meets the eye【Photos】
Which Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain has the best salmon sushi?【Taste test】
A visit to one of Japan’s motorcycle Shinto shrines
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
The science behind why English speakers can’t pronounce the Japanese “fu”
-
