sea snail
You, Me, And a Tanuki is a weekly featured blog run by Michelle, a Californian who is currently one of only two foreigners living in Chibu, a tiny fishing village on one of the Oki islands in Japan. Check back every Saturday for a new post or read more on her website here!
The most shocking thing I ate when I first came to Chibu (other than salty fermented squid) was sazae. In Japan, people go nuts over this delicacy. In Tokyo, you have to shell out $3 for a single sazae. In Chibu, they are not only free, they are everywhere you look. Climbing up the side of the docks in the evening, hanging out on the ocean floor while you snorkel; there’s plenty to go around. If you’re wondering what a sazae is, here’s a picture:


Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan has an awesome one-person bento box rice cooker, and here’s what we made with ours
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
New bite-sized cakes of Disney Tsum Tsum characters’ butts are adorable, full of booty
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
New Tokyo restaurant charges higher prices to foreign tourists than Japanese locals
What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
Free to download Japanese marriage applications are cute, stylish, and legally binding
Final Fantasy and Shinkansen announce collaboration with in-train audio play, SD art and merch
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
“Raw Pepsi,” the most refreshing flavor ever, is out in Japan, but how does it taste?【Taste test】