It may look like just a coffee table with a blanket sticking out of it, but the kotatsu is so much more. To understand the true beauty of this Japanese invention, you'll need to take a peek underneath.

What you can expect to find under the square-shaped table is a heating device that will keep your legs toasty and warm, while eating or watching TV. Japan's kotatsu has a history dating back to the 14th century Muromachi era, when it was originally called a “hori-gatsu,” when quilts were placed over the home cooking hearth. After several centuries and quite a bit of evolution, the kotatsu as we know it today (an electrically heated table covered by a specially made blanket) is enjoyed by modern Japanese families looking to keep warm each winter.

The hot pot dish known as “nabemono” or simply, “nabe,” is a winter time staple in Japan. As a matter of fact, the chanko variety of nabe is famous for being a traditional favorite of sumo wrestlers! You'll find any number of ingredient combinations inside, although some popular foods are meat, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, shirataki (konjac noodles), negi (a type of long, thick green onion), cabbage, and other vegetables. Some popular types include kimchi nabe, mille-feuille nabe, and even curry nabe. If you'd like to try your hand at the dish, there's no need to be intimidated by rules – the limit of nabe variety extends only as far as the imagination of the cook!

Whether it's called “onsen” (hot spring), “sento” (a communal bath house), or “ofuro” (bath), it's no secret that the Japanese love their baths. Not just a way to get clean, in Japan, bathing is almost a national pastime, a way to unwind, while socializing with family and friends. While bathing is certainly enjoyed year-round, the colder months make for especially inviting time to take a dip, when Japanese citrus fruits like yuzu or decopon are used as a fragrant and refreshing bath addition. Some sento may even include whole fruits that float freely in the bath. It may look a little silly at first glance, but try it for yourself and it won't be long before you're a fruit bath addict!

If you are heading outside, or just spending time in a drafty house, you might want to invest in some of these hot packs. Simply open the package, and it will be just a matter of seconds before you have a perfect, portable pocket of heat! The heat is produced by a fairly simple chemical reaction between iron, and the air’s oxygen and water. There are some kairo that are made for holding or keeping in your pocket, while others have an adhesive that allows you to attach it onto clothing easily, as well as reusable types that can be heated in the microwave again and again, for those who want an eco-friendly way to keep their hands warm.

While the spicy taste is a treat itself, ginger has been known to increase blood flow, increasing circulation, which in turn, heats the body. There are also a number of health benefits that have been attributed to ginger, such as helping prevent colds, relieving pain and nausea, and even aiding in weight loss. How do people make this miracle in a teacup? Just grate fresh ginger (found in just about any Japanese supermarket) into some hot water, add some honey and lemon if you'd like, and you have a delicious homemade shouga-yu! If you'd like something even easier, you can also buy the ever-popular powdered shouga-yu sold in just about any Japanese supermarket–just add hot boiled water and mix!

What's your favorite way to warm up in, or out of Japan? Let us know on any of our social media platforms!