From tiger-shaped prawns to instant ramen on tap, these delicious delights will make your mouth water!
plastic food
We’re not sure which was more disappointing: getting caught in the act of stealing, or learning that the food he spotted wasn’t real.
Japan sure loves its plastic replica food. It’s a handy way for restaurants to demonstrate the dishes on offer, and it’s an absolute godsend for tourists who don’t read Japanese. Instead of grappling with menus written in complicated characters, they can simply point at the tasty plastic versions. In recent years, however, plastic food has found its way toward decorating all sorts of objects, from phone cases to accessories. We think that things might have gotten a bit out of hand, however, because now you can apparently wear a serving of plastic food around your neck. Join us after the jump to see the whole range!
Although the language barrier can make traveling or living in Japan tough at times, dining out is a snap. There are plenty of conveyer belt sushi restaurants where you just grab what you want as the plates go by, and at many ramen and beef bowl restaurants you simply buy a meal ticket out of a vending machine, then pass it off to the cook.
Even when technology isn’t there to save you, ordering is still easy, thanks to the numerous Japanese restaurants that display wax models of their menu items, allowing you to bring the wait staff to the display window and point and what you want. There’s a whole industry devoted to replicating food, and we recently tried our hand at making a wax creation of our own.







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Studio Ghibli serves up teapots, teacups and saucers in honour of Kiki’s Delivery Service
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Bones of mythical Japanese water demon to go on public display
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Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
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Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
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Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
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The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Studio Ghibli holiday wreath adds a touch of Kiki cuteness and good fortune to your home【Photos】
A whole slew of Totoro Christmas cakes are on their way to make the season extra merry【Photos】
Studio Ghibli serves up teapots, teacups and saucers in honour of Kiki’s Delivery Service
Cup Noodle mystery meat instant rice returns to Japanese stores after a seven-year absence
Bones of mythical Japanese water demon to go on public display
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
KFC Japan introduces a new burger 8 years in the making
Don Quijote opens new sake and sweets stores at Tokyo Station
Japanese convenience store chain has beer and sake dispensers that few people know about
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Nintendo’s Kirby zooms into Japanese convenience stores Family Mart’s Super Satisfied Fest
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk