jeepney press

by Alma P. Fatagani-Sato

March - April 2026

Sushi

I’ve lived in Japan for many years, but to be honest, I still haven’t fully developed a taste for raw food.

A few weeks ago, I dropped by a conveyor-belt sushi shop near my workplace. You know the kind—plates of sushi moving along right in front of you. What I like about these places is that they don’t just serve raw fish. There are also plenty of cooked options, so even people like me can enjoy a good meal without feeling too adventurous!

So what exactly is sushi?

At its simplest, sushi is vinegared rice (sumeshi) topped with seafood, vegetables, or other ingredients. It’s usually served with pickled ginger (gari) on the side.

If you’ve ever felt confused by the different types of sushi, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Here are a few of the most common ones:

Nigirizushi – This is probably what most people picture: a small mound of rice with fish or other toppings pressed on top. Sometimes you’ll even find egg (tamago) instead of fish.
Gunkanmaki – Similar to nigiri, but wrapped with seaweed so it can hold softer toppings like salmon roe or sea urchin.
Makizushi – These are the sushi rolls. They come in thick rolls (futomaki) or thinner ones (hosomaki).
Temakizushi – These are the cone-shaped rolls you can hold in your hand—fun and easy to eat!
Chirashizushi – A bowl of sushi rice topped with a colorful mix of ingredients. You’ll often see this served during Hina Matsuri, or Girls’ Day.

One thing I’ve come to appreciate is that sushi is actually quite healthy. It’s generally low in fat, high in protein, and packed with nutrients like vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

But beyond the food itself, sushi is really an art.

The chefs—called taisho or itamae—train for years to master their craft. The taisho is usually the head chef or owner, while the itamae is a skilled chef working alongside him. Watching them prepare sushi is already an experience in itself.

Another interesting thing? Sushi shops have their own “language”! These terms go way back to the Edo period and were used for quick communication among chefs. Here are a few you might hear:

Shari – the sushi rice
Neta – the topping (like fish or other ingredients)
Agari – hot green tea
Murasaki – soy sauce
O-aiso – a polite way of saying, “Bill, please”

Next time you visit a sushi shop in Japan, try listening closely. You might catch a few of these words—and who knows, you might even feel like a regular!

And even if you’re not a fan of raw fish like me, don’t worry—there’s always something on the menu for everyone.

jeepney press

by Alma P. Fatagani-Sato

January - February 2026

New Year Lucky Decoration Items

During the New Year holidays, many decorations can be seen all over town. These decorations are closely associated with people’s beliefs that they bring good fortune for the coming year.

1) Shishimai (The Lion Dance)

During the Asuka Period (around the 7th century), the Lion Dance was introduced to Japan from China. It is performed during the New Year and is believed to exorcise demons, eradicate plagues, and entertain the gods.

Miniature “lion heads” are often displayed at the entrance of homes or in living rooms. People believe these lion heads guard the gates and prevent evil spirits from entering. When placed as decorations throughout the year, they are thought to continuously protect the health of the family living in the house.

2) Shimenawa (The Sacred Rope)

The New Year is not only a time to welcome the coming year, but also a time to welcome the gods. People believe that the gods visit each household to bestow the power to live happily. For this reason, preparations are made by decorating shrines and temples with shimenawa.

Shimenawa is a rope that serves as a talisman to prevent impurities from entering. It acts as a barrier separating the world of the gods, a pure place free from sin, from the human world. Shime means a place occupied by the gods, and nawa means rope.

Each region in Japan has its own style of shimenawa. Nowadays, it is displayed not only at temples and shrines, but also at house entrances or at small household shrines.

3) Kadomatsu (The Pine Gate)

Kadomatsu is a traditional New Year decoration intended to welcome the God of Harvest and is considered a temporary dwelling for the deity. It is usually placed in pairs, representing male and female, on either side of gates or entrances in front of homes and buildings. These are displayed after Christmas, from December 25 until January 7.

In the past, kadomatsu were made primarily from pine wood. In modern times, bamboo is commonly used, while more affordable versions are made from plastic.

Timing for Putting Up New Year Decorations

Traditionally, December 13 is considered the beginning of the New Year preparations. It marks the day for general house cleaning, after which New Year decorations are put up to welcome the gods.

Today, as people are busier, the cleaning day is no longer fixed. Decorations may be displayed after December 13, after Christmas (December 25), or on December 28.

However, decorating on December 29 is considered unlucky, as it symbolizes “double suffering,” while decorating on December 31 is also avoided, as last-minute decorations are believed to bring misfortune.

Removing the New Year Decorations

Shimenawa and kadomatsu are sacred items and should not be disposed of as ordinary trash. They are usually removed on January 7 and brought to a temple or shrine, where they are ceremonially burned to release and appease the gods.

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