What's Trending in Japan?! Weekly Digest (12/3 - 12/7, 2018)
Are you sick of getting late news on the newest hot topics in Japan? Here's a quick and easy weekly digest that'll give you the scoop on the top 3 trends making waves on Japan's social media platforms! We're all about the best-kept secrets of Japan this week, focusing on one of the best temples in all of Kyoto, super duper cheap fatty tuna sushi, and bougie gold leaf-covered croquettes. If you're curious, keep reading!
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Even Japan's Water Wells Are Pretty
Located less than an hour from Kyoto City lies a somewhat small town called "Nagaokakyo", and hidden within that town is one of Japan's prettiest temples, Yokoku-ji (otherwise known as "Yanagidani Kannon").
Local Japanese tourists visit from afar all year round to take pictures of this temple's temizuya*, which are always decorated with gorgeous seasonal flowers and leaves. Check out the water well below that took Japan by storm this autumn!
*Temizuya: Water wells where you purify your body and soul by washing your hands before entering the main shrine building.
This temple doesn't get many foreign tourists because it's a bit away from Kyoto, but it is so famous in Japan that the specific temizuya pictured below was actually featured on Japanese TV!
Yokoku-ji is also an amazing fall foliage viewing spot; perhaps one of the best in all of Japan! Just look at how striking the maple trees in the image below look... and now imagine seeing this all over the temple's grounds!
And if you think that's not enough prettiness for you, Yokoku-ji is also home to a Japanese garden that has been designated as a place of scenic beauty! This best-kept secret of Kyoto is really worth a look the next time you drop by Japan.
If you decide to visit this temple to take photos of the temizuya, don't forget to stick to proper Japanese temple and shrine etiquette! Don't know much about that? Check out this article!
Super Thick Fatty Tuna Sushi for Only 100 Yen?!
Let's keep this short and sweet, because time is running out: Until December 9th, you can get super thickly-cut fatty tuna sushi for just 100 yen (plus tax) a piece at Sushiro branches all over Japan!
Just look at how beautiful and thick and fatty this cut of tuna is!
It's literally cut so thick that it completely covers the rice. Imagine how good it'd taste in your mouth!
This deal got so popular that Sushiro actually had to extend the deadline to the 9th, and after this, they'll stop selling super thickly-cut fatty tuna sushi completely (at least, for a certain period of time). So, if you're currently in Japan and in the mood for sushi, hit up your nearest Sushiro before it's too late!
By the way, did you know that some sushi taste better in certain seasons? Winter happens to be a great season to eat tuna, but it's also a great time to try a variety of other seafood. If you don't know what sushi to order when in Sushiro, check out the article below!
The Fanciest Croquette You'll Ever See
Kanazawa is a bit off in rural Japan compared to the other spots here, but it is home to one of the most fanciest types of foods in Japan: Gold leaf-covered food.
Recently, Japanese people have been all up in arms about the newest addition to this cuisine: Gold leaf-covered croquettes that just so happen to be shaped like hot dogs.
A picture speaks a thousand words, so we'll let this one do the talking!
Officially named the "Gold Leaf Croquette", it seems to have a colorful and crunchy rice puff coating and an inside of sweet shrimp and sweet potato. The mousse on top of it is actually white dashi flavored, and on top of that is - you guessed it - a sprinkling of luxurious gold leaf!
Kanazawa is actually where 99% of Japan's gold leaf production comes from, so if you don't want to wait 5 to 6 minutes for your bougie gold leaf croquette, walk over to Hakuichi and give their famous Gold Leaf Ice Cream a try!
The easiest way to visit Kanazawa, as well as a bunch of other famous tourist spots in the Hokuriku area, is by going on a bus tour. We've got the perfect one in mind, too - tried and tested by us, so you know that it's legit and genuinely great! Check out the article below for more details.
Bonus: Our Top 3 Japanese Festivals to Check Out This December
The festival season is never over in Japan! In fact, it only gets grander and better in December. We've got a couple of interesting festivals in mind for all you travellers looking to make the best of your limited time in Japan. Just read the article below to find out all about them!
And that's that! The trends are always quickly changing, so there will always be something new from week to week. Check back in once a week and see if anything catches your eye!
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Check out the weekly trends from the past 5 weeks!
What's Trending in Japan?! Weekly Digest (11/26 - 11/30, 2018)
What's Trending in Japan?! Weekly Digest (11/19 - 11/23, 2018)
What's Trending in Japan?! Weekly Digest (11/12 - 11/16, 2018)
What's Trending in Japan?! Weekly Digest (11/5 - 11/9, 2018)
What's Trending in Japan?! Weekly Digest (10/29 - 11/2, 2018)
Also, if you want to give feedback on any of our articles, you have an idea that you'd really like to see come to life, or you just have a question on Japan, hit us up on our Facebook, Twitter, or tell us through this Google Form!
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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