Japanese food magazines have always been an inspiration to me. Although I woefully cannot may read one word, their graphics are always inspiring, cool and linear, and they always make me see food in a new light.
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In New York, you can spend a fun half day picking up Japanese products, food stuffs, as well as supping on great Ramen at Mitsuwa, New Jersey, (they even have a shuttle bus that will take you there from Manhattan). Or elsewhere, you can order their cookbooks and food magazines online, (single copies or subscriptions)>> from here.