What is Japanese food like?
Japanese cuisine celebrates seasonal and regional flavors and offers a diverse range of culinary experiences that vary widely from region to region. Dishes such as Sashimi, sushi, Tempura, Ramen and Okonomiyaki are loved around the world, but they are only part of Japanese cuisine, and the depth of Japanese food can often be experienced away from urban areas.
For Japanese travelers, too, exploring local cuisine is a highlight of their trip, and itineraries are often built around regional specialties. When visiting Japan, it is strongly recommended to gather information on local food beforehand in order to fully appreciate the unique culinary experiences each region has to offer.
About Japanese Food…..link to articles
Nagano is leading the World in Longevity and Health
According to World Health Organization (WHO) data for 2023, Japan was the world leader in healthy life expectancy for both men and women. Unlike average life expectancy, healthy life expectancy refers to the period during which people can live independently, indicating that many people lead lively and healthy lives. In the same year, Nagano Prefecture was at the top of Japan in terms of healthy life expectancy for both men and women in 2023.
Among the various factors contributing to this achievement, dietary habits play an important role. Nagano Prefecture has always had the highest consumption of vegetables in Japan. This is largely due to the abundance of delicious vegetable farms in the prefecture. Fresh vegetables in any seasons adorn people’s dining tables.
In summer, freshly picked vegetables are eaten immediately, and in seasons with reduced harvests, such as winter, people preserve the harvested vegetables with the techniques established a long ago. Many preservation methods utilize beneficial bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria, and the food created with the methods are still valued today as highly nutritious food.
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat”, it is always good to think about how the foods affect your body. With the long-established dietary wisdom in Nagano Prefecture, which states that by consuming seasonal foods, the body can adjust itself according to the season and is less likely to fall ill.
Culinary journey through Nagano and Japan
In my cooking classes, I introduce the ingredients and cooking methods that have been handed down from generation to generation in Nagano Prefecture. By experiencing these ingredients first-hand, you will discover why Japanese cuisine is considered tasty and healthy.
It is also an opportunity to learn about food culture directly related to the Japanese way of life, which is not visible in Japanese restaurants, so you can experience Japanese culture more deeply.