The basic flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine begin with dashi stock, a simple broth made from dried kombu (edible kelp) and katsuobushi (dried bonito) shavings.

Doyo no Ushi no Hi is a day in late July that is dedicated to eating eel.

There is a wide range of alcoholic beverages that are popular in Japan. Beer, since it was imported in the early Meiji Period, has become the most popular alcoholic beverage.

Splurge a little with your budget to avoid the crowds and heat and take a yakatabune (roofed-boat) to enjoy this summer's fireworks festival on the water.

The word "bento" literally translates to "box lunch" and typically refers to a traditional Japanese style lunch box meal that consists of rice, fish or meat, and some cooked or pickled vegetables.

Bonenkai (forget-the-year-parties) are parties where friends and co-workers get together during December to wildly celebrate the end of a busy year.

Otooshi, also known as sakizuke and tsukidashi, is a side dish eaten with alcohol that is automatically served before a meal at an izakaya (Japanese style bars), a sushi bar, and a traditional Japanese restaurant regardless of your order.

Beer gardens are open-air restaurants setup only during the hot summer months throughout Japan.

Perhaps the average Japan enthusiast at one point or another has been exposed to the Japanese springtime ritual of hanami, or cherry blossom viewing.

A lot is said about the particulars of chopstick use but, basically, one should simply refrain from doing anything with them that you wouldnft do with a knife and fork back home.