Blessings of Nature Japanese Food Diversity

Washoku is gaining popularity around the world for being delicious and wholesome. Designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, its highly-praised flavors are produced by a combination of factors. For one, Japan is blessed with an abundance of rain, which nurtures lush forests and produces fresh, quality water. It also has clearly defined seasons, each bringing a completely different look. Meanwhile, the complex topography from north to south produces a variety of environments and climates. The Japanese encapsulate all aspects of a region’s natural and cultural climate into one word: foodo. In this program, we focus on three natural factors that have played a pivotal role in the development of Japan’s food culture: water, the four seasons, and regional climates. Join us to see how they contribute to Japan’s Food Diversity.