Cooking

Harvesting Okra from My Garden: From Itazuri to Chilled Tofu

Learn how to make Hiyayakko, a refreshing Japanese chilled tofu dish topped with blanched okra, bonito flakes, and soy sauce—perfect for summer.
information

The Real Japan Has Moved to a New URL

The Real Japan blog has a new domain to improve SEO and avoid overlap with similar sites. Enjoy stories on Japanese culture, life, and travel.
Culture

🎆 I Went to a Summer Festival!

From mikoshi parades to street food and local culture, explore the unique charm of Japanese summer festivals through real stories.
Day Trips in Japan

A Weekend in Nagatoro: Hot Springs, Gourmet Bites & Quality Time with Mom 💕

Unwind in Nagatoro with hot springs, gourmet meals, local sweets, and heartfelt time with mom. A perfect weekend escape in Saitama.
Day Trips in Japan

A Little Extra Surprise in Nagatoro: Sweet Touches That Made My Trip

Discover Nagatoro’s peaceful riverside views, summer dishes, and thoughtful touches on a mother-daughter getaway in Saitama.
Food

Zucchini Flower Tempura

Explore the joy of home gardening in Japan and try an easy zucchini flower tempura recipe made with fresh garden blossoms.
Food

[Mister Donut’s 55th Anniversary] Tried the New “Motchurin” Donuts – Here’s My Honest Review!

Mister Donut celebrates its 55th anniversary with “Motchurin” — a limited-time series of chewy, Japan-inspired donuts like kinako and azuki.
Food

A Mother’s Day Splurge: Splitting a ¥800 (About $5) Dubai Chocolate with Mom

母の日に800円の“ドバイチョコ”を母と半分こ。日本製なのに中東風?定番スナック・ルマンドと比較!和訳&英語学習クイズ付き。 / For Mother’s Day, I split a ¥800 Dubai-style chocolate with my mom—surprisingly made in Japan! Includes a comparison with Lumonde, full Japanese translation, and quiz for learners.
Food

A Kid-Only Neverland: My Sweet Memories of a Mom-and-Pop Dagashi Shop 🍭

A nostalgic Heisei-era dagashi shop where kids treasured their Namennayo cards.なめ猫カードにワクワクした平成の駄菓子屋。
Food

[Limited Edition] Tried the Mango Choco Pie! How Does It Compare to the Classic?

Tried the limited-edition Mango Choco Pie and see how it compares to the classic. A must-read for Choco Pie fans! 期間限定のマンゴー味をレビュー。香り・甘さ・ホワイトチョコの余韻まで徹底比較。