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Insect food shop in Tokyo draws curious crowds

An edible insect shop opened in the tourist district of Tokyo, Ueno, became an overnight sensation. The shop, which serves the insects that customers first buy from the vending machine right in front of the shop, attracted great attention in a country where insects are not so popular.

Unusual tastes such as insect skewers, insect ice cream, insect tea, and insect crackers, which make up the shop’s menu, received full marks from those who tasted them. “We sell dried insects in our insect vending machine on the back street. But in this new shop, people can taste fresh, real insects,” said Ayumi Katagiri, who works at the insect shop adding, “Most popular foods are insect skewers, and people like insect tea as well.”

“Better than I expected”

Yusaku Arakawa, who stated that he saw the insect shop on the news on the internet, said, “When I heard that the shop was opened on Ameyoko Street in Ueno, I came to try it with my friends. I ate the insect ice cream. The taste was better than I expected.”

“I do not eat, but many people do”

Turkish citizen Yakup Baran, who works in Ameyoko and states that he can’t start the day without eating insects in the morning, said, “I’m kidding. I don’t eat, but many people do. They especially like grilled insects and tea. Insects do not appeal to Turkish tastes. In general, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese people prefer those coming from Asian countries, and some European tourists eat out of curiosity.”

Hisashi Ono told IHA that he visited the shop because he was curious about the taste of insects. “It was pretty tasty, but I’m not sure if I’ll come back,” Ono said.

 

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Taipei’s National Palace Museum Tells the Story of Chinese Civilization

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The National Palace Museum (NPM) in Taipei, located in the city’s Shilin District, stands as a beacon of Chinese cultural heritage. It houses one of the world’s most important collections of Chinese imperial artifacts, offering visitors an exceptional window into over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

Established in 1965, the Taipei branch of the museum was created when the Republic of China government moved a vast number of imperial treasures to Taiwan following the Chinese Civil War. These invaluable items, originally part of the Qing dynasty’s imperial collection, were preserved through turbulent periods, including the Japanese invasion and the Cultural Revolution. Today, the museum’s holdings exceed 690,000 items, with more than 80 percent tracing their origins to the Qing court.

The museum’s extensive collection features some of the most celebrated pieces in Chinese art history. Among them is the Jadeite Cabbage, a finely carved jade sculpture representing a cabbage stalk with a locust and katydid hidden within its leaves—an emblem of fertility and a perennial favorite among visitors. Another notable artifact is the Meat-Shaped Stone, a remarkable piece of jasper skillfully crafted to mimic the appearance of braised pork. Perhaps most historically significant is the Mao Gong Ding, a bronze tripod vessel from the Western Zhou dynasty, famed for containing the longest known inscription on any Chinese bronze, offering rare insight into the political and social structures of ancient China.

More than just a repository of antiquities, the National Palace Museum is a journey through China’s vast cultural and historical legacy. It invites art lovers, history enthusiasts, and casual visitors alike to engage with the artistic and intellectual achievements of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. A visit to the museum is a memorable encounter with the past, offering a deep and lasting connection to Chinese history and identity.

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