I did some Japanese TV stuff in connection with a Leonardo exhibition there. It was filmed in Milan, and unfortunately I didn't know about IC back then (2001). Naturally if I had, I'd have tried to make 'em give me a trip so I could be a Taster, in lieu of being paid...
What I've always found interesting is how very fixated the Japanese are on separation of flavors, and on how the food smells, or may smell. Every time lamb's on the menu, for example, they're worried that it may have a nasty aroma.
But they just LOVE fish liver...