2022– date –

【Super-advanced mechanism of E. coli】 The upper limit of the F1 engine speed is 15000 rotations per minute (rpm). For your reference, when I commute, the average engine speed of my small economy car is about 1500 rpm. You may be surpri...

【Hokkaido is No.1 in salmon roe】 The Japanese people like to eat fish eggs. The roe of salmon and cod (pollack, to be more precise) is the top two. Salmon roe is one of special marine products of Hokkaido. It comes into season in the a...

When we look at the stars, we see beauty. When Newton looked, he saw gravity. This article explores the "invisible walls" of our perception—from the genetic limits in Gattaca to the non-linear time in Arrival—and how shifting your cognitive frame can turn "silence" and "emptiness" into powerful design.

Genghis Khan barbecue is a Hokkaido specialty, though it was once just a boring home-cooked meal for me. Tourists love to eat it near sheep ranches, but here's the reveal: more than 90% of the lamb and mutton consumed here is imported from Australia/New Zealand—it's the ultimate imported emperor. If you visit, you can trust any local restaurant, as they've survived the strict taste of Hokkaido people. Crucially, bring a large plastic bag to protect your coat from the intense grill smell. And if you visit MATSUO's newest Tokyo location, you can enjoy this local delicacy while sitting in our chairs.

Japan’s giant killer hornet is a fisherman’s nightmare, but it might be the only thing keeping the forest ecosystem—and our wooden furniture—safe. I explore the unsettling paradox of the giant hornet as both arch-enemy and keystone species, analyze the genius of the native bee’s "bee ball" strategy, and contrast this ecosystem with my home in Hokkaido.

Japan abolished its aristocracy, but a hidden noble class persists. A naive Hokkaido boy explores this secret society, mistaking a TOYOTA heiress for a struggling salesperson. I reveal how their true mark is not conspicuous wealth but profound modesty and normality. This leads to the ultimate marketing challenge: how to sell luxury furniture to people who wear their wealth with invisible tags.

The most popular Japanese noodle dish is definitely Ramen. Nobody would argue against it. These days, Japanese Ramen restaurants open even in Manhattan. For your information, one of such restaurants gaining momentum overseas, "Ramen Santouka" originates in Asahikawa (our hometown), though their NY shop is located a little outside of Manhattan.

【We can't even explain our own taste】 Why do we like what we like? This question has been always stuck in my head. For example, I like curry but don't want to eat it every day. On the other hand, I eat cereal every morning, though I do...

【The trick to have a good conversation】 Do you know the secret to having a good conversation on the first date? At least in Japan, I believe many people know it: You must reserve seats facing the same direction first and foremost! Do y...

Why do the colorful feathers of male peacocks attract female peacocks? Some people may accept the simple explanation: "Because they are beautiful," but I never did. In all through my school days from primary to university, I was an enthu...