What is shōchū? How does it differ from sake? And how do you drink shōchū? We answer all these questions and more in this comprehensive beginner’s guide to shōchū.

A Beginner’s Guide to Shochu  | byFood

Japanese food culture is famously unique throughout different prefectures of Japan. Food in Japan is undoubtedly one of the cultural highlights that brings visitors to Japan each year, and what brings Japanese people together every day. Regional climates, glorious diverse landscapes, and locally-grown seasonal ingredients are what make Japan’s diverse food culture possible. This in turn feeds into the local culture and proudly prefectural Japanese cuisine on offer, where fresh flavors and refined textures are the heroes of Japanese cooking. From traditional street food to exquisite kaiseki dining experiences, get to know the best of food culture in Japan. Articles from our blog on byFood cover customs and rituals, important cultural events, modern trends, and the latest food news.
Your first stop to our Japanese food blog should be to learn about <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/travel-tips/japanese-traditional-foods">20 traditional Japanese food dishes</a>, closely followed by our detailed <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/culture/guide-to-japanese-sake">guide to Japanese sake</a>. Next, introduce your tastebuds to regional variations and local specialty cuisine, or learn about the culture of Japan’s signature dish comparing the difference between <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/video/what-is-omakase-sushi">omakase sushi</a> and <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/culture/different-types-of-sushi">other different types of sushi</a>. For traditional Japanese culture, discover articles including what it’s like getting a taste of <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/video/namahage-restaurant-akita-dining-namahage">traditions from the Akita Prefecture in Tokyo</a>, or find out what to expect when trying your hand at <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/video/amezaiku-japanese-candy-sculpting">amezaiku candy sculpting</a>! 
Read first-hand stories about cultural food experiences in Japan, or get your hands dirty with recipe articles like <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/travel-tips/how-to-make-japanese-curry">how to make Japanese curry</a> at home. Whether it be the best ramen or the best sushi, you can discover the tastiest and most traditional parts of Japanese food culture on our blog. Including seasonal events like <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/culture/japanese-christmas-foods">KFC on Christmas</a>, traditional <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/culture/oshogatsu-japanese-new-year-traditions">New Year rituals</a>, or <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/travel-tips/cherry-blossom-season-in-japan">celebrating cherry blossom season</a> in Japan, learn everything you need to know about Japanese culture food by taking a deep dive into our in-depth Japanese food blog.

ByFood’s culture blog covers Japan’s rich history, local traditions, and regional cuisines; spotlighting Japanese foods and teaching about Japanese customs.

Japanese Food Culture Blog | Videos, News, Culture and Travel Tips | byFood

Culture

Sake might be Japan’s most famous alcoholic beverage, but it’s not the only one! Enter shōchū.

A Beginner’s Guide to Shochu

Nowadays there are a wealth of veggie-friendly restaurants and dishes out there to discover – so you can indulge in lots of delicious Japanese vegetarian food without it feeling like a compromise.

The Ultimate Vegetarian Guide to Japan | byFood

Perhaps you’re traveling in Japan on a budget, or you might only have one week to make the most of the crazy maze of a city that is Tokyo. No matter what kind of adventure you’ve got lined up, check out our food and culture blog and get the latest Japan travel tips to make the most of any trip to Japan! As a great introduction to different prefectures, our extensive articles covering what to eat and where to eat in Japan make a great starting point. Browse our travel articles to find out <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/explore/what-to-eat-in-shizuoka">What to Eat in Shizuoka</a> or the <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/explore/things-to-do-in-sendai">top things to do in Sendai</a>. Read our tips to help create your plan of attack for so many delicious and diverse foodie destinations throughout Japan.

Armed with useful travel intel (like <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/news/50-percent-off-jr-east-shinkansen-tickets">special travel campaigns</a>) our Japan travel tips can help you save time and money, with more left over to spend on delicious Japanese food! Our Japanese food blog is also here to help anyone who’s traveling with a dietary requirement. It features mouthwatering articles about <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/explore/japan-vegan-guide">vegan and vegetarian dining in Japan</a>, plus detailed guides for Halal diners, such as where you can find <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/tokyo/halal-in-tokyo-asakusa">Halal food in Asakusa</a> in Tokyo. 

For those taking a trip to Tokyo, you can discover useful Japan travel tips about both its iconic and lesser-known districts with extensive neighborhood food guides, offering a great city overview. Or, you can dive deep into the world of bloggers with our articles introducing Japan travel bloggers from around the world like <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/explore/canadian-travel-bloggers-featuring-japan">Canada</a>, <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/travel-tips/american-travel-bloggers-featuring-japan">America</a>, the <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/travel-tips/uk-travel-bloggers-featuring-japan">UK</a>, and more. We also regularly share guides covering upcoming events in Japan, so keep an eye out if you want to work some local experiences and festivals into your itinerary.

Find out what to eat in each of Japan’s prefectures and take a dive deep into Japanese culture with these handy travel tips from byFood’s Japanese food blog.

Japan Travel Tips Blog | Videos, News, and Travel Tips | byFood

Travel Tips

As a country famous for Kobe beef, takoyaki octopus balls and fresh sashimi, you’d be forgiven for

The Ultimate Vegetarian Guide to Japan  

Donburi is a quintessential part of Japanese cuisine. Hearty and delicious, it’s a classic comfort food that’s both convenient and deeply satisfying. 

All About Donburi: Japan’s Delicious Rice Bowl Dish | byFood

Donburi is a quintessential part of Japanese cuisine. Hearty and delicious, it’s a classic comfort

All About Donburi: Japan’s Delicious Rice Bowl Dish

To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together a list of the 20 best things to do in Osaka. From trendy shops and neon-lit nightlife to historic temples, museums and a picturesque castle, there’s plenty here to keep you entertained.

20 Best Things to Do in Osaka, the Nation’s Kitchen | byFood

The capital of Kansai and Japan’s absolute foodie heaven, Osaka is proud to be colloquially crowned as “Japan’s Kitchen” for its flavorful dishes of unique Japanese cuisine. This culinary city has a creative approach to Japanese food with some of the best sushi, ramen, and Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan. When it comes to regional Kansai cuisine, our ultimate foodie’s guide for <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/osaka/what-to-eat-in-osaka">What to Eat in Osaka</a> will easily have you hankering for some of Osaka’s heartiest dishes! Keep reading more from our Osaka travel blog for all the latest foodie news and events, with regular monthly updates about upcoming festivals and unique activities or things to do in Osaka. 

Plan your trip with tips from our Osaka food blog, covering the city’s <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/osaka/best-food-markets-in-osaka">best food markets</a> and the best spots for where to catch the <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/osaka/cherry-blossoms-in-osaka">Osaka cherry blossoms</a> during springtime. If you are planning a trip to Osaka, check out our articles on the <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/osaka/best-osaka-cooking-classes">best cooking classes in Osaka</a> or the <a href="https://www.byfood.com/blog/osaka/best-osaka-food-tours">best food tours in Osaka</a> and discover what it's like to add a unique food experience to your itinerary. Learn all about unique local restaurants, cafes, and bars, plus handy travel tips that will make you feel just like an Osaka local. 

Read about the best restaurants in Osaka for slabs of okonomiyaki pancakes, or the best street food stalls where you can taste bite-sized takoyaki balls filled with fresh octopus pieces! From the best local izakayas in the city to underground all-you-can-eat restaurants, if you want to learn about exciting cultural activities and dining experiences, be sure to check out articles from our Osaka travel blog.

From sizzling Osaka street food to all-you-can-eat restaurants, discover the best of Kansai cuisine by taking a deep dive into this Osaka travel blog on byFood.

Osaka Travel Blog | Videos, News, and Travel Tips | byFood

Osaka

There are a million reasons to love Osaka. It might not be as famous as Tokyo or as beautiful as Kyo

20 Best Things to Do in Osaka, the Nation’s Kitchen

This Christmas season, why not surprise friends and family with some authentic gifts from Japan? From foodie treats to traditional cultural accessories, there are all sorts of amazing Japanese gifts out there to suit whoever you’re buying for.

Tis the Season for Christmas gifts from Japan! | byFood

As the holiday season approaches, you’ve probably been racking your brains to come up with ideas f

'Tis the Season for Christmas gifts from Japan!

Japan is famous for its irresistible street foods, and one of the country’s most iconic – and photogenic – snacks is taiyaki. Read all about this Japanese fish-shaped cake. 

All About Taiyaki Japan’s Fish-Shaped Sweet Treat | byFood

Japan is famous for its irresistible street food, from piping hot takoyaki balls to classic okonomiy

All About Taiyaki: Japan’s Fish-Shaped Sweet Treat

Hojicha is a style of roasted green tea, with a distinctive earthy scent, sweet smoky flavor, and autumnal red-brown color. Its relatively low caffeine content and wealth of health benefits make it a great choice to enjoy at any time of day.

All About Hojicha: Japan’s Roasted Green Tea | byFood

Japan is home to many different varieties of delicious green teas, from high-end gyokuro to world-fa

All About Hojicha: Japan’s Roasted Green Tea

Seaweed is an integral component of Japanese cuisine. Thanks to its high levels of key nutrients, Japanese seaweed is also greatly valued for its wealth of health benefits. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Seaweed | byFood

Seaweed is an integral component of Japanese cuisine. It’s a versatile and flavorsome ingredient t