A close-up of a man’s hands holding a sharp gyuto style knife, sharpening it on a whetstone. There is another whetstone displayed in the background.

The 5 Best Japanese Whetstones and Buying Guide

President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Japanese whetstones, called toishi (砥石), are highly regarded by both amateurs and professionals worldwide. Check out this guide to learn how to choose the best stone for you and how to … Read more

The True Japan Merch

I Love Sushi Have a little fun with this Japanese “お寿司大好き!” (Osushi daisuki!) design that means “I love sushi!” These cute characters are a fun way to express your love of sushi. Design available in: Unisex premium tee, long sleeve tee, tank top, pullover hoodie, and mug $21.99 JAPAN, I LOVE YOU… Show you love … Read more

Hi Tech Japanese Style Toilet with a panel of buttons on the side.

The Best Japanese Toilets

  I always thought all toilets were pretty much the same.  That is, until I lived in Japan. The hi-tech toilets I found in Japan were completely different from I was used to.  Not only are Japanese toilets more comfortable and clean, but they offer a lot of different functions to make your life much … Read more

A close-up of Pocky style snack sticks of different colors (black, pink, and green) in a pile on top of a grey surface.

The 10 Best Japanese Snacks You’ll Want to Try

The world of Japanese snacks is colorful and playful… and sometimes quite bizarre.  Snacks can come and go in the blink of an eye.  It’s not uncommon for Japanese snacks to disappear from existence forever – and sometimes after a very short stint. You probably wonder why. It’s partly because the Japanese obsess over seasonality. … Read more