Bee Curious

Nothing beats the heat quite like a bowl of kakigōri, Japan’s beloved shaved ice treat. And if you’re a true fan, mark your calendar—July 25th is officially “Shaved Ice Day”! The date comes from a clever Japanese wordplay: 7 (na), 2 (tsu), and 5 (goori) form “natsugoori,” meaning “summer ice.” But there’s another reason this day was chosen—it commemorates Japan’s record-breaking heat of 40.8°C in Yamagata City on July 25, 1933. What better excuse to cool down with a fluffy mountain of ice? By...

Continuation of Part 16. Jozankei Onsen (Hokkaido)Just an hour’s drive from Sapporo, Jozankei Onsen has been a beloved retreat for over 150 years. Nestled in a volcanic belt, its mineral-rich waters flow from deep underground, offering a soothing soak surrounded by breathtaking seasonal scenery. Whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, or snowy winter landscapes, Jozankei provides the perfect escape into nature. (Photo Credit taken from Jozankei ...

In Japan’s Edo period, rice wasn’t just food—it was currency. Social status and wealth were measured in koku, a unit based on how much rice you could produce or possess. Samurai were paid in rice. A daimyo with one million koku was considered incredibly powerful. This historical relationship between rice and value sparked a bold idea in the minds of Yabe-san and Nagahashi san: What if rice could become currency again—this time, powered by blockchain? Their answer: Kokudaka Project, a local ec...

"Management is ultimately a battle against efficiency"Den Fujita (藤田 田) was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1926. His name, "Den," was unique—chosen by his Christian mother in the hope that the kanji 田, resembling a mouth (口) and a cross (十), would bless him with eloquence. This kanji actually also means 'rice paddy'. His father, an electrical engineer for a British firm, was an outspoken critic of the war, closely monitored by military police. Photo CreditTragedy struck during World War II when ...

When I think of America—the first things that come to mind are Coca-Cola, towering skyscrapers, New York City, and, of course, hamburgers. More specifically, McDonald's. As a kid, I used to watch Adam Sandler movies and other American comedies where the characters devoured burgers with such delight that I couldn't help but crave one myself. I don’t remember exactly when I had my first McDonald’s burger, but I believe it was during a trip abroad in my teenage years. At the time, just tasting a...

I've never attended a World Expo before, and Osaka Expo 2025 looks like it’s going to be an incredible event. I recently learned that the sushi conveyor belt (kaitenzushi) made its debut at the 1970 Osaka Expo, which I previously wrote about in an article called The Kaitenzushi Revolution. This has made me especially curious about the food innovations and discoveries we’ll see this time around. Several articles in both Japanese and English have already highlighted what visitors can expect fro...

As some of you may know, I’m married to a Japanese man, while I come from Albania. Our cultures are so far away geographically and culturally, yet I would choose him in every lifetime ❤. Why'm saying this is because today I will discuss about the etymology of the word 'wife' in Japanese. I have heard many convos how people refer to me when they ask my husband, or how his family refers to me as his wife and so on. I'm indeed a wife now with many names haha 😃. Back when I worked for a chocolat...