Japan With Amy

15/11/2021

It's just another Mascot Monday!
This is "Customs-kun", the Japan Customs mascot. There are more than 10,000 mascots in Japan. Which one is your favorite? Find out at japanwithyamy.com!

08/11/2021

It's Mascot Monday!
Japan is teeming with mascots!! Here's the mascot of K-Group, a bus company in Japan. His body is shaped like a leaf, because the bus company considers itself "eco"!
Join me next spring on a mascot hunt at japanwithamy.com!

01/11/2021

It's Mascot Monday!
In Japan, p**p often shows up as a cute character, such as here on these wine-flavored gummies or on my key holder. But check out his appearance in a local pharmacy in the countryside of Niigata, trying to boost sales for a bowel regulating product! We'll search for more wacky mascots together on my japanwithamy.com tour next spring.

25/10/2021

It's Mascot Monday again!
Sado Island's mascot is one of Japan's most huggable costumed critters. He represents the Island's toki, or Japanese Crested Ibis that was brought back from near extinction. We'll find many more unique and lovable mascots on japanwithamy.com!

18/10/2021

It's Mascot Monday! In Japan, mascots are EVERYWHERE. I met this little cutie, Marimu-chan, in Hokkaido. He represents the huge algae balls that grow in nearby Lake Akan. Join my tour next spring (japanwithamy.com) and find your own favorite mascot!

08/10/2021

I can't get enough of Japan's mascots! Every town, business, and branch of government has one; there are thousands! This little cutie is Suna Q, the mascot of Kitakyushu Port. He's an Indo-Pacific finless porpoise dressed as a ship's captain.

03/10/2021

01/10/2021

Tendon vs. Ten Don!

Before Japan locked down, I had a great opportunity to do a self-guided ten don tour! What's "ten don"? In Japanese, "don" refers to a Japanese comfort food consisting of a bowl of cooked ingredients on rice. And "ten" refers to "tempura". So "ten don" is tempura on rice! Yummy!

But wait: why "ten" and not "tem"? In Japanese language, the "n" and "m" sounds are allophones of the same phoneme. That means they don't carry different meaning, and their usage depends on the sound of the word.

Back to "ten don" restaurants: there's one neighbourhood in Tokyo that specializes in this dish. I love how focused Japan is, when it comes to doing one thing really, really well! (psst - we'll eat this on the first night of my tour next year!)

24/09/2021

A few years ago, animal donuts were a thing in Japan. Check out this adorable stack I snagged in Niigata! I can't wait to get back to Japan and see what's new...

19/09/2021

Peaches may be in season here in California, but only in Japan have I seen this much peachy fervor! Psst... join me next spring on my 7-day tour! Click on my bio to learn more.

18/09/2021

Kanazawa is so famous for its gold leaf, that they even put it on their seafood bowls! On my tour next spring, we'll spend 4 nights in Kanazawa -- my favorite city in Japan.

18/09/2021

I'm excited to announce my next Japan with Amy tour, May 29-June 6, 2022. Can't wait to get back to Japan and share my favorite places!

18/09/2021

I just posted some photos from my 2019 Japan with Amy tour. Fingers crossed that Japan will open up in the new year!

Next tour planned for May 29-June 6, 2022. Join me!!

18/09/2021