Things that Surprised International Students When They Came to Japan: Food For international students, the first challenge they face upon arriving in Japan is food. This article introduces Japanese food. What is this? Foods I saw for the first time in a Japanese supermarket 1. Mushrooms and seaweed A Mongolian student once asked me about mushrooms. Mongolian cuisine is mainly meat-based and they eat very few vegetables. In particular, they have no custom of eating mushrooms and was surprised to see mushrooms for the first time in Japan. Besides mushrooms, international students often ask about seaweed. That Mongolian student loved trying new things. After I showed her how to prepare mushrooms and seaweed, she lost 20 kilograms (about 44 lb) in one year. She gained confidence and now takes selfies every day. Lured by the smell… A tale of gaining weight because the food is too delicious. 1. Ramen Ramen is the thing male students most often get hooked on after arriving in Japan. Some who once said, "It's strange that Japanese people would wait in line just to eat," find themselves standing in those lines after six months. Many also stockpile cup ramen in their rooms because it's cheap and quick. However, some ramen broths are made with pork or beef, so if you cannot eat those for religious reasons, ask the shop staff. One of our students even called a cup-ramen company to check. Try to learn the kanji for pork and beef (豚, 牛) early on. 2. Bread By contrast, bread is what female students tend to get hooked on. Although Japan is famous for rice, its per-capita bread consumption is high by global standards. There are many bakeries in town, and people are often tempted to buy bread by the smell. Convenience stores sell a wide variety of breads at reasonable prices—often in the 100-yen range. Sweet buns and pastries are especially popular among female students, and I often see them eating these for breakfast and lunch. However, because they can be high in calories, some students say they have gained weight because of bread. Too expensive to buy! Beware of vitamin deficiency 1. Fruits Students from every country say in unison, "Fruit is expensive!" Because of this, they eat less fruit than they did at home, and many catch colds or suffer skin problems from vitamin deficiencies. For this reason, many students ask their families back home to send vitamin supplements. Consider including supplements on your packing list before coming to Japan. I hope this article helps you prepare for your arrival in Japan. By the way, our school has a supermarket a one-minute walk from the dormitory. Also, in Hachioji, where our school is located, you can find the famous Hachioji Ramen and a bakery that often has long lines. If you ever visit Hachioji, be sure to stop by!