Japan’s sushi restaurants range from some of the finest cuisine in the world, to cheerful conveyer-belt gigs where everything is 100 yen (oh, alright then, 108 yen) and comes with a free toy. For those of us accustomed to the “sushi-go-round” that is kaiten-zushi, visiting a “proper” sushi restaurant in Japan where there’s no rotating belt of plates to choose from can be a daunting experience.
When there’s no menu, and you’re alone at the counter, quivering under the watchful eye of an intimidating chef armed with giant swishy blades, how do you order with confidence? Who better to ask than a sushi itamae, a high-end chef of Japanese cuisine. One of our intrepid Japanese reporters went to ask one of these top sushi chaps, who gave us his best three tips for sounding like you know what you’re doing at the counter.
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Sega’s Like a Dragon yakuza teaches “useless” English, let’s use it to learn some useful Japanese
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Naomi Watanabe is moving to the U.S., switching base of operations to outside Japan
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
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Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Sega’s Like a Dragon yakuza teaches “useless” English, let’s use it to learn some useful Japanese
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Naomi Watanabe is moving to the U.S., switching base of operations to outside Japan
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The top 10 most popular instant noodle brands at the start of 2021
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
Foreign-born convenience store manager in Japan saves elderly customer from being scammed
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
Here it is: The finalized map for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan (and its food)
Tokyo has an anime character-themed perfume shop, and we stopped by to talk with the creator