9. Rice

From sushi to sake, rice is an absolutely essential part of Japanese cuisine. Appliance makers offer state-of-the-art rice cookers with elaborate functions, while a "rice-cooking wizard" keeps on making rice the time-honored way. Our expert guest this time is Mitsuo Ishizuka, a 10th-generation rice farmer in Niigata (Japan's "rice basket") who works hard to promote awareness about Japanese agriculture.