Since I started Farcastea, I've been continuously exploring and trying to understand tea culture and matcha in general. I've participated in a few tea ceremonies in Japan and visited many stores and shops to get inspired by their menus and taste their matcha lattes or just a simple sencha green tea. I've also developed a love for houjicha lattes and the roasting process. A shop owner once told me that if your green tea is losing its freshness, you can turn it into houjicha by roasting it in a...

I’ve been living in Japan for seven years now, and one thing that never ceases to amaze me is how active the elderly population is. Everywhere I go, I see more and more seniors—not just existing, but thriving. At my other job, my boss is 75 years old, yet he’s sharper than me, has incredible stamina, and frequently travels abroad for business. His 76-year-old friend still practices karate every day. Meanwhile, I struggle to hit the gym three times a week—imagine that 😃 ! Mornings in Japan of...

Many foreigners are familiar with Ichiran Ramen, a well-known brand with locations in London, the USA, and more. However, if you ask locals if they often eat at Ichiran, the answer is usually no. Ichiran Ramen is more of an experience and is relatively expensive for a ramen meal. Locals prefer to eat cheap ramen wherever they can find it. Ramen is the go-to meal for the broke student, the single person just starting to work, or those men who have argued with their wives and need some ramen-me...

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone following and subscribing to my newsletter. I appreciate you giving me the chance to share a little bit about Japan. As you know my newsletter is called ‘Bee Curious’ because I love bees and believe curiosity is very important value as an adult which I don’t want to loose it :D. Since joining Warpcast (a Farcaster client similar to Twitter/X but ONchain), many people have asked me for practical recommendations. They don’t want to know the histo...

Writing from the sunny streets of San Francisco, I recently got the chance to explore an exciting innovation which is making waves in the tech capital of the world: Autonomous Vehicles or ghost driving as I like to refer 🙂 . San Francisco, often referred to as the heart of Silicon Valley, is a city of contrasts—home to groundbreaking innovations and yet challenged by deep social issues. It’s a place where self-driving cars like Waymo share the roads with a cityscape and areas full of homeles...

Happy 2025! I hope this year brings you the strength to grow, learn, and become the best version of yourself. Don’t forget to cherish the small things that bring you joy—whether it’s a hobby or that quiet voice of curiosity inside you. This newsletter is fueled by that very curiosity. For years, I felt it slip away, but living in Japan helped me rediscover and reignite it in ways I never imagined. If you're new here—welcome! I'm Ina. I originally came to Japan to study the language but ended ...

Step inside any shop with me, and watch my inner detective awaken! I can't resist mentally dissecting their business model. Prices become cryptic clues, customer flow a complex equation. My brain's calculating margins while I "browse." (Don't judge, friends!) Having worked in Japan's food scene, I know the reality: cafes are passion projects fueled by expensive ingredients and relentless labor. That knowledge makes every pastry a testament to dedication, and I happily pay the price (goodbye, ...

Dashi is basically the backbone of Japanese cooking—the foundation that holds up so many dishes. Think of it as the BASE, that you find in everything from miso soup and ramen, to udon, soba, and simmered veggies. It’s impossible to imagine Japanese food without dashi. Honestly, when I’m walking around Tokyo, I can sometimes smell it wafting out of tiny izakayas or corner fish shops, and it just feels like a comforting hug in the air. My Japanese husband always says something like, “Oh, this d...

I'm excited to share a list of some fantastic sandwiches in Tokyo, ranging from delectable meats to glorious eggs, ham, and more. Some of these shops and bakeries are even featured in popular food magazines here. You really can't go wrong with food options in Tokyo or Japan. In my seven years here, I've only been disappointed 2-3 times, which is quite impressive. Tokyo's culinary scene is truly fascinating. You'll see many posts on Instagram or TikTok claiming the best sushi, ramen, tempura, ...

If you've ever visited Japan or watched anime, you're likely familiar with FamilyMart, one of Japan's most beloved convenience stores. Among their offerings, the fried chicken snack known as Famichiki stands out as a fan favorite. While casually exploring fun facts about Famichiki online, I stumbled upon an intriguing origin story. What caught my attention most was the dedication of a manga artist who moved to Okinawa just to create a manga inspired by his love for Famichiki. I reached out to...