Ingrained in the culture

Ever since rice agriculture arrived in Japan from China via the Korean Peninsula in 400BC, Japanese rice—which belongs to the short grain rice variety of Japonica—has become an intrinsic part of Japanese culture. Rice-planting festivals, where farmers celebrate and pray for a good harvest, are still observed today. No credible Japanese hotel, unless it is one targeted at foreigners, will omit the ubiquitous onigiri (rice balls) for breakfast.

Excerpt from the Japanese Supplement, November 2013 issue of epicure.