Kay A.

Kay is a Canadian freelance translator and writer who has been in Japan for more than a decade. Having lived in the Chugoku, Kanto, and now the Kansai regions, she hopes to share their various local cuisine on JFG.

She also writes about her experiences being a mother in Japan on her website, Tiny Tot in Tokyo.

A colorful field of flowers in Hokkaido. The flowers have been planted in large swathes (stripes) of the same color to produce a rainbow effect. Furthest from the camera is a stripe of pink, then green, yellow, green again, white, more green (but red flowers are starting to bloom) and purple. The flowers are planted on a hill so the colors appear to be rolling down the hillside. On top of the slope are some large green trees (that are blurred in the background; the flowers are in focus).

Hokkaido Food: 14 Delectable Dishes to Enjoy in Japan’s Northernmost Prefecture

Food in Hokkaido has everything from hearty soups and ramen, to grilled lamb and dairy. Here are some Hokkaido food favorites to try on your next trip.

Okinawa food: A bowl of Okinawan noodles topped with pork, pickled ginger and green onions.

Okinawa Food: 12 Must-Try Cuisine from Japan’s Southernmost Prefecture

Okinawa food is quite distinct from the rest of Japan. Let’s delve into some of the Okinawan dishes you shouldn’t miss on a trip south.

Two slices of Miyazaki mango still attached to the skin sitting on white square plates. The flesh has been cut both vertically and horizontally, and then the skin inverted so that the pieces of still-attached mango stand up in little cubes.

Miyazaki Mangoes: The Story Behind This Delectable and Pricey Japanese Fruit

Why are Miyazaki mangoes so expensive? We explain what sets this luxury Japanese fruit apart and where you can get a juicy taste of it.

One of Yamaguchi's biggest claims to fame, its Kintaikyo Bridge, a five-arched wooden pedestrian bridge with a stone base. The bridge crosses the Nishiki River and green mountains can be seen in the background.

Yamaguchi Food Guide: 9 Delicious Things to Eat and Drink in Yamaguchi Prefecture

From seafood and chicken to noodles and sushi, and sweet treats in between, Yamaguchi food has a lot to offer any Japan traveler.

A picture of the Arima Onsen township from an elevated position at night, showing the town surrounded by mountain greenery and the town's buildings aglow in light.

Arima Onsen Food Guide: 8 Things to Eat & Drink in this Mountainous Hot Spring Town

Arima Onsen is a mountainous hot spring resort town known for its delicious food. Here’s what you should eat and drink in Arima Onsen.

Miyazaki food: A large serving of Miyazaki Kamaage Udon in a dark ceramic bowl. The udon noodles are in hot water and a pair of chopsticks can be seen from the right of the image holding up some noodles that have just been dipped in the separate dipping sauce. Next to the sauce is a small dish with sliced green onions (spring onions) in it. All crockery is a matching set and sit on a dark wooden lacquered tray.

Miyazaki Food: 11 Amazing Local Specialties to Eat in Miyazaki Prefecture

Miyazaki food is some of the most incredible Japanese food around, from locally-raised chicken, beef and pork, fresh seafood, to succulent mangoes and citrus.

Two maple leaf-shaped momiji manju cakes on a teal ceramic plate with a light brown rim along the scalloped edging. A cup of green tea can partially be seen in the top left-hand corner of the image and two red/orange maple leaves (possibly artificial) at the back-right.

Hiroshima Food Guide: 8 Local Specialties to Try in Hiroshima Prefecture

What you need to know to eat through Hiroshima like a pro. Eight highly-rated Hiroshima food and drink specialties you should add to your list.

Looking down Dotonbori food street in Osaka. It's approaching dusk and the street is full of people walking in both directions. On either side of the street, the buildings feature many colorful and gaudy lit-up signs that have already been turned on in the fading light.

12 Highly-rated Places to Eat on Dotonbori, Osaka’s Iconic Food Street

Dotonbori is one of the most exciting food streets to visit in Osaka, but all the options can be overwhelming. Here are 12 places that should be on your list.

Osaka food: A hand can be seen dipping a skewered kushikatsu into a stainless steel rectangular metal container from the right of frame. What this particular kushikatsu contains is not exactly clear but could be cheese or a white fish. Other cooked kushikatsu ready for dipping can be seen in the background such as renkon lotus root and quail eggs.

Osaka Food Guide: 9 Delicious Things You Need to Eat in Osaka

What to eat in Osaka? We’ll explain the Osaka food you’ve got to try at least once when you’re in the food capital of Japan.

A black textured ceramic plate with one Osaka-style (Kansai-style) okonomiyaki on it. The pancake is topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and green aonori seaweed.

What is Okonomiyaki? The Difference Between Kansai-style and Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki

Most people have heard of it, but just what is okonomiyaki? And what is the difference between Osaka okonomiyaki (Kansai-style) and Hiroshima okonomiyaki?

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