#9 - Tsukemono

Tsukemono (漬物, literally "pickled things") are Japanese pickles. They are served with rice as an accompaniment to or garnish for meals.

Mustard Tsukemono (Eggplant)

The most common kinds of tsukemono are pickled in salt or brine. The Japanese "pickles" are in fact "preserved vegetables" and not "pickles". Soy sauce, miso, vinegar, rice bran (nuka), and sake lees (sake kasu) are also useful for pickling.

Cucumber Tsukemono

Takuan (daikon radish), umeboshi (ume plum), turnip, cucumber, and Chinese cabbage are among the favorites to be eaten with rice as an accompaniment to a meal.

Takuan (Radish Tsukemono)

Traditionally, the Japanese prepared tsukemono themselves. Pickling was one of the fundamental ways to preserve food. Nowadays, tsukemono can be readily bought in a supermarket, but despite this many Japanese still make their own. 

Kyoto has its own vegetables, called Kyo-vegetables, and the tsukemono is also famous not only for local people but also for tourists. For example..........

Mibuna Tsukemono

Eggplant Bubuzuke Tsukemono

I love Tsukemono!

#8 - Manhole Cover

Manhole covers in Japan are very fashionable and unique, reflecting each locality.

For example....................

Coastal towns like Otaru City and Monbetsu City have cute sea otter covers.

Yokohama City has a famous soccer team. That's way it has the team mascot on the covers.

Hiroshima City has a famous baseball team. Now you've already known what I'll show you!! The team mascot is on the covers!

Mr. Shigeru Mizuki, a famous cartoonist, is from Sakaiminato City and his popular cartoon characters are on the covers on the street!

The Osaka Castle is also on the covers in Osaka City!

Interesting, isn't it?
When you come to Japan, plz look down and find unique manhole covers :)

#5 - Natto & RAW Egg

Nattō is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans FERMENTED with Bacillus subtilis. It is rich in protein, and  very popular especially as a breakfast food.

It is typically eaten on rice. Yummy x 2 (to me)!!!

Nattō can be an acquired taste because of its powerful smell (like DIRTY SOCKS), strong flavor, and slippery texture.

Some people mix natto with RAW egg.

I love it!

#4 - Bankbook

Bankbooks in Japan are UNNECESSARILY cute :)

These are for adults, not for children :)

The passbooks go well with children's play money????