Although Japanese food is mainly raw fish, crude vegetables and rice, there are many ways of combining them into different forms of sushi, and each combination has a name and special preparation. This list shows the most popular sushi types among the occidental people.

Hashi

Those are the wooden chopsticks used to eat Japanese food. It is said that the contact with metal from fork and knife may corrupt the sushi taste.

Nori

Algae sheet used to bind the rice with the raw fish.

Gari

It's sliced ginger. Japanese eat it between one sushi and the next to clean the taste, so the first sushi doesn't interfere with the taste of the next one.

Wasabi

It's a condiment made from the powder of the root of the plant above. This spicy condiment usually is mixed in the shoyu sauce and enhances the fish taste.

Sashimi

Mainly, raw fish slices. The popular ones are salmon and tuna, and the noble part is the fish's belly. For someone who is just beginning to appreciate Japanese Food, the taste of sashimi may need some getting used to.

Nigiri-Zushi

It is a slice of raw fish over a little amount of pressed rice seasoned with vinegar. It may or may not be tied by a nori stripe.

Temaki

A tiny piece of raw fish wrapped in seasoned rice and enrolled in a nori cone. In Japan it is sold in cigar shape, but there are many places where it is a cone sushi.

Oshizushi

Oshizushi is very much like a Nigiri-Zushi, but the whole piece of fish and rice is pressed inside that wooden box.

The final result is this:

It doesn't need algae stripes to be firm.

Gunkanmaki

A strong tasted maki. It is a small amount of salmon eggs enrolled in nori. Its taste also demands some getting used to.

Uramaki

It is a kind of inverted Sushi. The rice goes out and the fish and vegetables inside. The most popular Uramaki was invented in USA, with the name of California. It takes crab, cucumber, mayonnaise and avocado. I'm not a fan; it tastes like rotten fruit salad.

Hosomaki

It's a small sushi roll. Usually, it has only one ingredient inside the rice and the nori (not the case of that one up here). The most popular ingredients are cucumber, tuna and pickles.

Futomaki

It's a huge hosomaki with much more ingredients inside, as vegetables, fish slices and eggs. The rice portion is larger.

Chirashi

It's a kind of meal with raw fish, sea-food and fish eggs; all of it over a layer of vinegar seasoned rice.

That is it. I hope I was of any help.

During those years, the Japanese soldiers were considered enemies. They were the subject of revulsion among Filipino people. Anybody who sees Japanese would yell out in disdain. However, as years pass by, the Japanese government and its people tried to establish comradeship with the Filipinos. Thus, Japan and the Philippines became friends and started to support each other for progress.

As a symbol of peace between the Filipino and Japanese people thirty three (33) years after the Second World War, this stone monument of the Madonna Maria Kannon (populary know as Madonna of Japan) is erected in memory of the brave soldiers who fought and died in the battlefield.

This monument is situated at the foot of Kanhuraw Hills in Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. This is mostly visited by Japanese people when to go to Tacloban City. They offer flowers and take photographs with the monument.

When talking to other people you need to stay polite; how polite you should be would depend of the person you are talking to. At home you would never talk the same way to your boss like you would talk to shop clerk. In Japan you just need to make the politeness higher than you would do at home. Basically being too polite is always better than not being polite enough.

In the public you should behave nicely to the people around you. Most foreigners stand out in Japan easily because they are way louder in public than Japanese people are; do not become like them. Also the only people seen drunk in public are again foreigners.

Never bring shame to a Japanese person by insulting, bad behavior etc. They will forgive a lot; however, if you do a big mistake, they might feel insulted, but their culture will forbid them from telling you; it would be impolite to say anything. This makes it harder on the foreigners, but not impossible. Just look at the other people around before you do anything.

The Culture

Japanese culture is very different from the western culture; because of this some behavior will be inacceptable. The biggest difference s the politeness as explained above. Another one would be the strict rules followed by the Japanese people. They have way more rules than you would think; most of them are unwritten.

It is easy do many things wrong just at the dinner table if eaten with Japanese people at their house. Foreigners tend to misuse the chops sticks to stab the food, which is insulting towards the host. Not asking for rice is also known as impolite. Even if you cannot eat much food, you should always ask for some more rice to make up to it you should eat less other food available.

Walking with outside shoes in Japan is strictly forbidden; walking on tatami with any kind of shoes is totally forbidden. Tatami shall never be daunted by anything else than socks or bare feet.

Children up to the age of five are allowed to do anything they want; no matter what they do they will not get punished. From the age of six their harsh training will start; all the freedom they had until then is gone and they have to start to obey their parents.

Japanese people tend to decline offers, so you might have to force them to obey your offer; for example in a train if you offer a seat to a pregnant lady, she would most likely decline it and say she would be fine without the seat. Nevertheless you should insist, so that she will sit down. For Japanese offering a seat, or anything else is just part of the regular rules; declining it another part of the rules. To accomplish your goal you will have to insist on it; otherwise it will stay the way it was in the beginning.

Life in Japan

The life in Japan can be very different compared to the western world; however, after getting accustomed to the culture and life style it will become very nice and enjoyable. Even when the Japanese people hide their feelings you will start to be able to read them; by reading their feelings you will be able to communicate with them more. Learning the indirect approach that is part of their culture makes everything easier; you know that what they say might be still a no, even when they did not say it out loud.

To enjoy Japan you need to become Japanese; otherwise you will never learn to understand them and will always feel like you will be left out. The feeling will fade, but it will never disappear until you learn to understand them. Without truly understanding them you will always stay foreign to them.

Learning their language will be a big help to aid you in your goal to become Japanese. The language will explain many different cultural facts that you would never obtain.

1. Triple Morning Star

   
   
   This Ancient Weapon known as the Mace comes from the Medieval Age. This weapon was very deadly and consisted of a wood or metal shaft with a mounted head of bronze, copper, wood, or steel. The mace was carried and used by both foot soldiers and Calvary men. Maces were very effective in battle and could puncture even the heaviest of armor. This was a barbaric weapon and left battlefields filled with torture and blood.

2. Hawaiian Throwing Axe

   
   
   This Hawaiian Throwing Axe was a deadly hand held weapon that could be used at both short and long range. This weapon was made out of wood and shark teeth had the power to take men's limbs off. This weapon was mainly used when opposing Hawaiian armies closed upon each other. They were then thrown at the opposing troops to help soften enemy ranks before close combat. They could also be used in hand to hand combat and had the muscle to rip open skin as if it was butter. This was a very dangerous weapon and is not something you would want to go up against.

3. Hunga Munga

   
   
   The Hunga Munga is an African tribal weapon that is way ahead of its time. It is a handheld weapon and contains a metal pointed blade with a curved back section and separate spike near the handle. This weapon was used in fighting between African tribes and was often times throw in a rotating motion causing deep wounds and even death. Its variation of blades allowed it to be used as more then a weapon. It was used as a tool in farming and even in building structures. It was a great all around tool and has been found all throughout Africa. Today you may have seen the Hunga Munga in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy uses it once in a while to fight off evil demons that she faces.

4. Throwing Star

   
   
   The throwing star known as the shuriken which means “a dagger hidden in a palm” were used and invented by the Japanese. The stars had much variation in the shape; some were shaped like a star and thrown with spin, yet others were needlelike and thrown like a throwing dagger. These daggers couldn't penetrate armor, but the ninjas, who used them, usually didn't fight armored opponents. Venom was normally used with the shuriken.

5. Caltrop

   
   
   The Caltrop is a weapon made up of two or more sharp spikes or spines arranged so that one of them points upward from a stable base. Caltrops serve to slow down the proceeding of horses, war elephants, and human troops. It was said to be particularly effective against the soft feet of camels. These were very painful if stepped on and were spread all throughout battle fields. They also were deadly because if stepped on it would cause a bad infection that would cause a slow agonizing death. They also have been used in modern times. In the Vietnam War the Vietcong put them into booby traps. If an American soldier was punctured by one he died from infection almost 90% of the time.

6. Crossbow Pistol

   
   
   This 17th Century Crossbow was way ahead of its time and is very cool. This crossbows look like an early form of a pistol and was very powerful. This hand held crossbow was both accurate and effective but it just was too hard to reload. Because of this it was not used very often in battle and was used more for target practice. Another problem with this weapon was making the arrows which was to time consuming especially if they were just going to get lost in battle. Overall this weapon was still badass and really shows what type of technology and ideas the 17th Century had.

7. Trebuchet

   
   
   A trebuchet is basically a high powered catapult and had many uses in ancient times. Mainly used as a weapon it had enough power to break through castles and destroy towns. It was first used in the 16th Century. Rocks, dead horses, dead people, and dead animals were all used as ammo. In the 16th and 17th Century when plagues and diseases were looming over civilizations plagued bodies were thrown by the trebuchet into enemy territory. The bodies decomposed passing the plague to the enemies slowly killing them. This is one of the first forms of biological warfare.]

8. Ancient Rocket Launcher

   
   
   In the 14th century, the Chinese invented rocket-launchers. These were weapons which shot arrows with rockets attached near the tip into the air toward the enemy. Also in the 14th century, multi-stage rockets were made. When the rockets near the front of the device burnt out, they lit fuses for the second-stage rockets at the back. The bombs the Chinese used in the 17th century were made of gunpowder wrapped in paper and had a fuse covered in gunpowder.

9. Ancient Flame-Thrower

   
   
   The Chinese invented the continuous flame-thrower in the tenth century. In the picture above we see the tank standing on four legs, with the pump and device above it. Because the Chinese invention of a double-acting Piston-bellows was used with this device, a continuous stream of flame could be emitted. The metal used was brass. The Flame-Thrower was used in naval or boat combat and allowed the Chinese to easily set enemy ships on fire and sink them on the spot. It was a great technology and has been used ever since.

These cookies differ very much from other cookies. First off, they are 2 cm in size, and they have little pictures of pandas playing sports. These biscuits are made with Choco Cream inside. One serving or eight cookies are 138 calories.

They are very tasty with tea. A good place to look for them is at the Asian Food Grocer. One serving or one box should cost around 89 cents. A box like the one above goes for $4.50. It holds ten individual servings. This is perfect to pack in a child's lunch, or to pack in your own lunch.

If international cuisine is your thing, you may find these an utter delight. The Choco Cream melts in your mouth and the biscuits are light and fluffy in flavor. If you are like me, these may be the next treasure you add to your food pantry.

You should answer genki desu, arigato, anata wa(im fine, thanks, how about you) then you should hear watashi mo genki desu, arigato(im fine too thanks) konnichiwa is used at midday-sunset, ohayo gozaimasu is good morning, konban wa is good evening.

Also if you are older than someone you can tell them ohayo instead of ohayo gozaimasu. Also when you say someone's name follow it by san, kun(young boy), chan(young girl) or sensei(teacher).

During the New Year, a special selection of dishes called osechi is eaten. Many of the food items in these dishes represent prosperity, good fortune and health. A soup called ozoni, consisting of miso, glutinous rice dumplings and vegetables is made for the holiday, too. More popular foods are knotted boiled kelp, fish cakes, mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts, simmered burdoek root, and sweetened black soybeans. Sashami and Sushi are also enjoyed, as well as some non-Japanese food. Many of these meals are sweet, sour or dried so they can be kept without refrigeration. On the seventh day of January a seven herb-rice soup is made, to let the over worked stomach rest. If you're into munching out during the holidays, Japan is defiantly the place to be.

In Japanese culture, it is a custom to send postcards for the New Year to friends and relatives. The original purpose of these traditional cards is to give far away friends and relatives tidings of yourself and of your immediate family. They are sent so they arrive on the first of January, no sooner or later. But it is customary not to send a card if one has had a death in the family that year. In this case, a simple postcard is sent instead, to show respect for the deceased. Cards have always been a good way to the spread holiday cheer, from here in Canada all the way to Japan.

A holiday just isn't a holiday without fun and games. Although some of these games are less popular than they used to be, Japan has not completely forgotten. Young children, and even some adults indulge themselves in a good game of Hanetsuki, which is Japanese badminton. Takoage is kite flying, and karuta is a type of card game. Both of these games bring smiles to the faces of many people celebrating. A spinning top, called a Koma, is also used for fun. But the most traditional game of all is Fuku warai. In this game, a blind folded person is given paper cut outs of facial features. They have to try to put them all on a paper cut out head. It is sort of like the Japanese version of the North American game called Pin The Tail On The Donkey. Without games, the New Years just wouldn't be the same.

Celebrating the New Year includes paying attention to the first time something is done in a new year. Many Japanese people will drive to the coast or climb a mountain on January first so they can see the Hatsuhinode, which is the first sunrise. Hatsumode is the first trip made to a temple or shrine, and is usually done just after midnight on January first. If the weather is good, a lot of people will wear their kimonos to the shrines. Other firsts that are important to the Japanese are Shigoto-hajime (first work of the new year), keikp-hajime (first practice of the new year), and hatsu-yume (first dream of the new year). To the Japanese, the firsts of a new year are very important and are rarely ever missed out on.

Overall, the Japanese New Year is a festive celebration. Traditions are important, and they show this while they celebrate. Foods, postcards, games, and special firsts are customs that will be rejoiced for years to come. In my opinion, the best time to travel to Japan would be during Shogatsu. A little bit of culture never hurt anyone.

Mollejas (ARGENTINA)

This food from Argentina is made from the Thymus gland of young calves, and is served especially with lemons!

Reindeer Steak (CANADA)

How about trying out a little bit of reindeer meat from Canada, for a change, eh?

Nopales (MEXICO)

If you are in Mexico and want to eat something local but vegetarian, try out their special cactus salad.

Kim Chee (KOREA)

Want to go veggie in Korea too? Then just try out some of their fermented cabbage. It is very sour and actually tastes a lot like vinegar.

Ika Sashimi (JAPAN)

In Japan, besides eating the food, watch out for its preparation, because the live squid is normally kept in a tank underneath the table at restaurants. Upon the arrival of a customer, there is a special ceremonious “Squid Dance” performance by the waiters where the live squid is cut up in front of you, then taken for cooking.

PATATJE OORLOG (HOLLAND)

The English translation of this dish from Holland means “war chips”. They are fried potato chips served with mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, garlic sauce and peanut-butter. It apparently gets its name because a war breaks out in your stomach when you eat it!

FUFU (GHANA)

People in Ghana simply relish this local dish made up of beaten yam fried in groundnut oil, and eaten especially with peanut butter

I have listed the world's most expensive fast food below:

The World’s Most Expensive Pizza

The pizza is known as a “Pizza Royale 007” and it has a price tag of £2,150 or about €3,000. A dish prepared by a Glasgow based restaurateur, Domenico Crolla, The Pizza Royale 007 is made using an organic pizza base which is topped with edible gold sheets, fine cognac marinated lobster, champagne soaked caviar, sunblush tomato sauce, Scottish smoked salmon and venison.

The pizza was initially prepared for Mr Maurizio Morelli, an Italian lawyer in Rome, as a Valentine's gift to his wife. The pizza's proceeds went to the Fred Hollows Foundation, which aims to prevent curable blindness in developing nations.

The World’s Most Expensive Burger

The Four Seasons Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia has created the pricey hamburger which costs a million Indonesian rupiah or approximately $110, and is thought to be the world's most expensive burger. The taste is a fusion of East meets West and the hamburger is made with a home-made onion-wheat bun and includes the finest Japanese Kobe beef. Toppings include wasabi mayonnaise and Italian Portobello mushrooms, it is served with an Asian pear and the French foie gras, french fries, and it may be washed down with a glass of wine.

The Kobe beef comes from the infamous Japanese Wagyu cattle breed raised on a special beer and grain diet and the livestock are massaged daily to in order to tenderize the meat.

The World’s Most Expensive Hotdog

The United Nations has sold what is known to be the world's most expensive hotdog in Stockholm's Norrmalmstorg in 2005 in an effort to raise funds for the United Nations' aid work. A pricey piece of sausage, placed in a roll with a selection of toppings and usual condiments was priced at 999 kronor or about $145 apiece.

The World’s Most Expensive French Fry

This very unique 'limited edition' french fry called the “Lincoln Fry” contains the profile of Abraham Lincoln and has appeared in a McDonald's ad in the 2005 Super Bowl. In actual fact, this french fry was used as a prop during the commercial, however it has since been auctioned on eBay and was sold to the Golden Palace Casino.

The proceeds of nearly $22,000 went to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, making the Lincoln Fry the world's most expensive iconic French Fry of all time.