The side of Tokyo they did not show you!

Oct 23, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Just west of Tokyo lies an oasis ripe with greenery, delicious food, and unique experiences. Okutama is a popular destination for Tokyoites (and beyond) seeking a peaceful escape from city life.

Today’s journey sees Shizuka exploring the best of Okutama, first stop: a wasabi farm by a pristine river! Shizuka meets the owner of the qasabi farm, David Hulme, a former journalist from Australia who moved to Okutama in 2014 after chasing a story about a wasabi patch he stumbled upon deep in the woods. Okutama was appointed a wasabi-producing region by the shogun, with wasabi grown in the area referred to as ‘Shogun wasabi’ or ‘Okutama wasabi’.

David reveals some interesting information about the farming process then proceeds to grate some fresh wasabi for our host to try! Shizuka tries the fresh wasabi on its own and with some roast beef before moving onto the next stop of this Okutama adventure…

Dorapo Blue is a quaint cafe owned and run by Hashizume Sadayasu. This beloved local business offers a cafe-style menu including items like coffee, homemade cakes, and desserts, along with hearty Japanese meals–all of which are made by Hashizume-san himself. Shizuka takes a seat at the counter and orders some Dorapo Blue specialties: coffee with freshly whipped cream, a keema curry set, and homemade pumpkin cheesecake. With one more stop to go, our host finishes her meal as the journey continues.

Located right by Okutama Station is Tamado, a restaurant serving tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet). She receives a warm welcome from Kawamura Shuhei, the owner, before moving into a tatami dining room to choose her final meal for the day. After perusing the menu, Shizuka settles on a supersized rolled omelet set, fine sake, and rice topped with bonito flakes and pickled plum.

Typhoon Threatens Japan's Silver Week

A tropical depression east of Guam and Saipan is expected to strengthen into a typhoon within 12 hours and approach Japan during the Silver Week holiday period, while a lingering autumn rain front could bring heavy rainfall across a wide area even far from the storm's eventual path.

Halloween Jumbo Lottery Goes on Sale With 400 Million Yen Top Prize

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

Shinkansen Introduces New Luxury Private Compartment

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

Global Hawk Reconnaissance Drone Missing Off Tottori

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft went missing over international waters about 50 kilometers north of Tottori Prefecture on September 15, with floating debris and oil later found in the area where communications were lost.

Japan Aims to Launch First Fully Driverless Taxis in 2027

GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu said they aim to launch Japan's first commercial fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo during 2027, using Level 4 autonomous vehicles that can operate without a driver on board under specified conditions.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

AI Mushroom Misidentification Leads to Food Poisoning

Authorities are warning people not to rely on artificial intelligence, guidebooks or internet searches to decide whether wild mushrooms are safe to eat after food poisoning cases involving toxic species, including one in which AI mistakenly identified a poisonous mushroom as edible.

Tokyo Prison Revamps Meals as One in Four Inmates Is Foreign

Tokyo's Fuchu Prison is adapting its meals and living arrangements to a growing foreign inmate population, with about one in four prisoners coming from overseas and staff balancing religious, cultural and dietary needs against tight budgets and the demands of running one of Japan's largest prisons.

Curry Rice Price Falls Below 350 Yen

The cost of making a serving of curry rice at home in Japan fell below 350 yen in July for the first time in 11 months, helped by declining rice prices, according to Teikoku Databank.

Grape Picking Reaches Peak Season in Osaka's Kashiwara

Grape-picking season has reached its peak at tourist farms in Kashiwara, Osaka Prefecture, where hot weather from spring through summer has produced particularly sweet, richly flavored fruit this year, although prolonged rain has reduced visitor numbers and could shorten the season.

Kasumi Crab Sells for 300,000 Yen at Season's First Auction

The autumn red snow crab season has opened on the Sea of Japan coast, with the first auction at Kasumi Fishing Port in Kami, Hyogo Prefecture, recording a top price of 300,000 yen for a single crab on September 4.

Japan to Conduct First Nationwide Survey of Animal Cafes

Japan's Environment Ministry will conduct its first survey of animal cafes, where customers can interact with animals including exotic species, as concerns grow over infection risks, injuries and the welfare burden placed on animals.

3 Tokyo Michelin-Listed Meals (Under $10!)

Japan byFood and Shizuka are back with Worth The Trip the series where we will discover food spots in Japan that are actually worth traveling for! This time we are going to award-winning eats around Tokyo under one rule – we can only eat for $10 or around ¥1,600 yen.

2026 Rice Harvest Forecast Slightly Higher in Five Prefectures

Japan's 2026 rice harvest is expected to show mixed results across the country, with yields slightly above the previous year's level in five prefectures, roughly unchanged in 20 and slightly lower in 21, according to an Agriculture Ministry forecast released on August 31.

< 2 3 4 5 >