Japanese food is a favorite for people around the world, and many visitors to Japan look forward to trying out popular fare like yakiniku, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, shabu shabu and more!

Hokkaido is a treasure trove of delicious seafood.

Given that it’s made from sticky rice, just like the Japanese rice cake, and how similar the names are, it’s understandable to assume mochi and Okinawan muchi are the same.

My first trip to Japan was during a work assignment at Stars and Stripes, which led me to the Pacific Headquarters in Tokyo.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to travel to Japan on a budget and eat like a local at affordable prices. There are plenty of cheap eats and pocket-friendly restaurants – you just have to know where to look. Most importantly, the Japanese hold their eating establishments to very high standards.

With Japan's winter a season of cold, dry weather with much of the nation experiencing snowfall, it's the perfect time for sipping hot sake, relaxing in an outdoor hot spring and chowing down on a variety of special dishes!

Any meal in Japan is sure to include some form of chopsticks. Since their invention in ancient China more than 3,000 years ago, chopsticks have been widely used in Asian countries.

You can’t even talk about – much less taste – Okinawan food without letting soybeans, or a soy-based delicacy, cross your lips. Soybeans really are “the magical fruit” here where traditional wisdom transforms them into a myriad of foods with a variety of colors, shapes and smells.

It’s not too much a stretch to say Goya is the staple of Okinawa.

You may have difficulty using them, but before giving up and asking for knife and fork, take a look at this video and practice.