Japanese food is not just sushi. We present a selection of WAZA's favourite eateries during a 2016/17 new year's visit to Japan, which showcases the mouthwatering variety of food and drink options available.

Fifteen hours by plane, fifteen thousand kilometres: There is a lot of water between South Africa and Japan. For generations people from both countries have perceived each other as far removed in distance and psychology – and little has changed in the 21^st Century. There is very little precedent for focussed, active contact. Very little precedent, but the little there was, came surprisingly early.

The same time tested forging tradition that led to the exceptionally strong katana, is used in the production of Japanese steel for household implements ranging from pruning shears to kitchen knives. The Japanese were not prepared to leave excellence on the battlefield.