What is Wagyu?

Wagyu, which literally means “Japanese cow,” refers to four native breeds that are cultivated in Japan for their unique qualities: Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu), Japanese Brown or Red (Akage Washu or Akaushi), Japanese Shorthorn (Nihon Tankaku Washu), and Japanese Polled (Mukaku Washu). Wagyu is more than just a category of beef—it is a designation that focuses on breed authenticity and specific production standards. Only meat from these four breeds, or their crossbreeds, raised and fattened ...

The World of Sumo: Status, Income, and Health Realities

I’m not exactly sure when my interest in sumo started. I remember seeing them on TV as a child in my small Albanian town called Fieri. Japan seemed so far away, but the image of them eating huge bowls of chanko nabe( at that time I didn't know it was called like this) stuck with me. Years later, I met a foreign girl in Japan who was fascinated by sumo life, especially post-retirement, but I didn’t dive in then either. She was studying and researching how hard is for them to find a job or even...

#japan#sumo#health#money#status#salary#history#ranks#fat#chanko#nabe

Medical Artificial Intelligence in Japan

I've been diving deeper into AI recently, especially as part of Network School, where I’ve had the chance to meet incredible people from AI, machine learning and entrepreneurs. AI is a subject I didn’t know much about before, and I’m still learning. Whenever I bring it up to my mom, she always tells this story about a movie she saw in the past where, in the end, the robot created by a professor ends up killing him. It never fails to crack me up! But in all seriousness, while AI is advancing r...

#medical#ai#pancreas#cancer#japan

The Legend : Yayoi Kusama

Today, I just want to take a moment to say thank you for being part of this journey with my newsletter. We've now grown to over 240 subscribers 🥳, and I’m really happy to share my work with you. I also want to address an issue from last week where I mistakenly sent the same post, Prison Food in Japan, three times. On my end, it showed up as a draft, and when I clicked publish, it sent the post again to everyone. I sincerely apologize 🙇‍♀ for the mix-up, and I appreciate your understanding ❤...

#yayoi#kusama#pumpkin#mental#health#art#artist#japan

Prison Food in Japan

I never thought I would write about this topic, ever! However, I came across a fascinating book by a dietitian who managed the menu and diet for a sm...

#prison#food#japan#prison food#last#meal

Startup Solutions for Coral Bleaching in Okinawa

A few months ago, I visited Miyakojima in Okinawa, and it had some of the most breathtaking beaches I’ve ever seen—the crystal-clear blue waters and soft white sand were unforgettable. But what stood out the most was how incredibly warm the sea water was. It felt like I was taking a bath! I found th

#coral#bleaching#ecosystem#sea#startup#okinawa#japan

Discover the Blue Zone: Ogimi Village, Okinawa

Ah, Okinawa, My Sweet Okinawa!I don’t know if you’ve heard about the stunning waters of Okinawa and its surrounding islands, but to me, i...

#okinawa#blue zone#diet#longevity

Tokyo Donut Guide

Fried doughs exist in almost every culture, and they’re something we often crave on wintry or rainy days as Masala Lab author says. When ...

#donuts#tokyo#vegan

The Origin and Evolution of Pasta in Japan

For me, pasta is like a blank canvas that you can paint with any color you like, and it will always turn out well. You can try oily, tomato-based, cr...

#pasta#macaroni#japan#italy#spaghetti