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...

Have you watched the Hollywood movie titled "Arrival" (2016)? Simply put, it's a science fiction depicting the contact with aliens. I know it may sound same old, but it's completely different. The movie depicts the close encounters from the view point of linguistics. What is most interesting to me is the design of the letters the aliens use. It is 3D! The scriptwriter must be a genius.

Genghis Khan is a barbecue of mutton, lamb, and vegetables. It's one of Hokkaido specialties. Mutton and lamb are not so generally eaten in Japan. There are many Japanese people who don't like the smell. It's very difficult to find a Genghis Khan restaurant outside Hokkaido.

Japanese giant hornets sit at the top of the insect food chain and are feared even by humans as giant killer hornets. In fact, about 20 people are stung and killed every year in Japan. Are they just a useless nuisance? I personally don't like giant hornets, but I'm trying to re-evaluate their role from the viewpoint of the environment.

A noble class still exists in Japan. They are not crazy rich, like being depicted as making a mess by power of money in some movies probably. Most of them look modest and behave modestly, and so, it's very difficult to spot them out.

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...