Some interesting stories came across my radar screen this week so here goes…

Here is an article from the Japan Times on how food additives destroy the taste buds. This article reminds me how great food can taste when we make it from scratch with quality ingredients and how the pace of life everywhere is numbing our senses to so many wonderful things including food.

From Japundit on American Branding in Japan. This post highlights how much the Japanese love everything American right down to paper towels.

The New Year celebration in Japan is not complete until you have made a visit to a temple or shrine and made your wish for the upcoming year. The Tokyo Times shares the photo above and links on to an informative overview of the way to pay your respects when you go. This visit is called Hatsumode in Japan.

Lastly here are a couple of cute Christmas related scenes from Japan:

From the Japan Times with the headline “Won’t you ride my cab tonight?”. Not the jolly Santa or sleigh that we are used to….

And who could forget one of Japan’s most popular exports to America - Hello Kitty! Kawaii (how cute) from Japundit.

Have a great weekend!