The smorgasbord of rice, soup, protein, vegetables and preserves that make up Japanese breakfasts means both that the eater will be satisfied until lunch and that the eater will be gaining a lot of important nutrients. Best of all, Japanese breakfasts are as tasty as they are nutritionally beneficial.

Typical Japanese Breakfast: At the heart of a typical Japanese breakfast lies a bowl of steamed rice, often accompanied by miso soup. Miso soup, made from fermented soybean paste and dashi (a broth made from dried bonito fish flakes and kelp), is a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine and adds depth and umami to the meal.

3. It's fresh, balanced and nutritious. A Japanese breakfast typically provides you with a balanced meal that leaves you fulfilled, but not overly full. Additionally, the combination of different foods delivers a large dose of healthy vitamins and minerals that provide a great deal of health benefits.

The term for a traditional Japanese breakfast is "wachoushoku," a set meal travelers might encounter while visiting a hot spring or Buddhist monastery.