When you think of Japanese food, it’s impossible to ignore classic staples such as sushi, ramen, and fish, in general. And it seems that one of the biggest fans of this country’s capital, Tokyo, is the prestigious Michelin Guide. It officially has more stars than any other city.

This isn’t a new achievement for Tokyo. However, this shouldn’t undermine the incredible achievement that the capital city of the Land of the Rising Sun managed to retain its status as the most heavily Michelin-starred city in the world.

Recently, the tire company revealed how many stars it had awarded to Tokyo’s restaurant in 2018. Restaurateurs around the world were not surprised in the slightest when it was revealed that a staggering 230 restaurants received the coveted star.

And the incredible feats don’t stop there, as far as Tokyo is concerned. Not only does it possess the highest number of Michelin star restaurants, but it also has the most restaurants that possess three stars. The closest competitor is Paris, which has 10.

The disparity between Tokyo and Paris is even more evident when you take into consideration the ratio between one-star and two-star restaurants in each city. Paris has a respectable 92 one-star restaurants and 16 two-star ones.

However, Tokyo completely blows Paris out of the water seeing that it has an incredible 165 one-star restaurants and 52 two-star ones – a stunning difference. This pretty much means that Tokyo is the very best city in the world to visit and eat at.

“Tokyo’s restaurant scene is unique in having a richness of culinary variety seen nowhere else,” Michelin Guide International Director Gwendal Poullennec said. “Here in Tokyo, we tend to forget how incredible it is as a gastronomy destination because the city has so many three-star restaurants.”

One French restaurant joined the coveted list of three-starred restaurants in Tokyo. This was L’Osier, which specializes in French gourmet cuisine and has been around since 1973.

Here are the 13 Three-Star restaurants of Tokyo:

1. Kagurazaka Ishikawa 2. Usukifugu Yamadaya 3. Kanda 4. Quintessence 5. Kohaku 6. Sushi Saito 7. Joël Robuchon 8. Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten 9. Makimura 10. Azabu Yukimura 11. Sushi Yoshitake 12. Ryugin 13. L’Osier

Who doesn’t like house plants? Greenery brightens up indoor spaces and are known to have mood-boosting & health qualities. Here are some key tips to nurture and keep your house plants healthy and flashy

Coffee grounds increase soil’s acidity and keep pesky pests and bugs away. They also contain magnesium, calcium, potassium, and other trace minerals. Instead of tossing your leftover coffee grounds, you can use them as fertilizer. But, keep in mind, don’t overdo it! Using too many may harm your plant’s Ph level.

Don’t throw out those eggshells. As weird as it may seem, eggshells offer surprising benefits to a wide array of plants. Eggshells are rich in nutrients that plants and soil love. Just mix eggshells with water in an empty container and create the perfect solution to make your plants thrive. Over time, the eggshells will leach their nutrients into the soil, and help the young plants grow into healthy, strong plants. If you aren’t able to use eggshells right away, you can also crush them and add them to your compost bin.

Surprisingly, the minerals in soda water help green plants grow. The reason why club soda is better than plain water for plants is it contains phosphate and other nutrients that enrich the soil and promote growth. Although it’s a pricier option than normal tap water, sparkling water may be one of the best-kept secrets to boosting plant growth. Take a sip of that fizzy stuff and save the rest to give your green friends a mineral bath. Water your plants with club soda once a week for maximum mineral efficiency.

It’s always tea time for your plants! Tea contains about 30 different minerals including fluorine, manganese, arsenic, nickel, selenium, iodine and aluminum. Tea and tea leaves are obviously natural organic matter, generally, most organic matter makes great nutrients for plants. An occasional bath with tea might add necessary vitamins to your houseplant, especially if you’re growing ferns. Substitute water for brewed tea when watering, or work wet tea leaves into the soil to give plants a lush, luxurious look.

Good drainage is crucial to a plant’s health. Pots without holes will keep all the water trapped at the bottom and result in the rotting of the roots. To avoid this, place a layer of pebbles at the bottom of the pot. That way, the pebbles act as a barrier between the plant and water, so the roots aren’t sitting in water. Or, simply choose a container with drainage holes! From time to time, make sure that the holes aren’t clogged.

Ice cubes are another great way to water your plants, as overwatering damages the soil and the root’s strength. The gradual melting of the ice is healthier for water absorption and enriches the plant throughout the day. This way the plant gets to suck up all that H2O slowly, but surely. Moreover, this will also help stave off any messy watering overflow that may occur. Place the ice cubes around the soil, but not near or touching the stem.

There’s more to a plant than meets the eye. When bringing a new green friend into the house, it’s better to do some research and know what type of plant it is first. What does it like? Under what conditions will it flourish? What soil is good for it? You want to ask all the right questions (yes, there are many) to ensure your plant has the best possible environment in order to grow. Don’t forget to make sure the plant is “indoor friendly” so it thrives in your living space!

After the long winter, your plants may need a good and relaxing shower. Put your plant under a running shower and let it enjoy some water. But do it wisely, so it won’t drown! Washing a plant counteracts the low humidity and indoor heating that’s prevalent in winter, and removes any dust, dirt, and pests that may have accumulated on the leaves. It also gives your plant a chance to “breathe” and photosynthesize more efficiently.

Just like any house gardener at some point, you would want to expand your family of house plants. Houseplants do most of their growing in the spring, so if you want to expand your green family, this would be the best time to do so. There are many ways to grow new houseplants from a “mother” plant: stem cuttings, division, leaf cuttings, and layering. Divide them (make sure you trim with the roots) and propagate in water or soil.

If you’re new to the home-gardening game, you’ll want to start at the very beginning. Some plants are known to be easier to grow and take care of than others. Some houseplants pretty much grow themselves. In fact, your biggest problem may be what to do with all the baby plants they’ll produce. Geranium, peppers, and basil may be a good start since they are less demanding. Consult with your local plant nursery before choosing your first plant.

When you water your houseplants, do tiny gnats fly around in the air? If so, these flying creatures are called ‘fungus gnats’. Plants that have been damaged by fungus gnats may show signs of wilting. To keep them at bay, use a potato to trap their larvae, the tiny worms that often injure plant roots. Push slices of raw potato around the base of the plant and leave them for a few days. Then, swap this bait for a new one.

Cat and dog lovers, this one is for you. We all know that pets love to dig holes and play around in the dirt. The leaves, soil, and insects on your plant may trick your pet into thinking it’s outdoors and thus attracts them to it. Cats are also known for taking naps in big vessels. if you own a pet, train it not to mess with your houseplants – yanking the root might kill the plant.

Overwatering is probably the most common reason a plant dies or doesn’t thrive. Knowing when to water your plants and balancing the amount of water is key to keeping your plants alive. Most of the time, plants do better when the soil dries out a bit between waterings. Stick your finger into the soil and if it’s dry, it’s time to water. As tempting as watering it may be, be sure to keep a balanced watering routine and let the soil dry between watering.

Just like anything else, leaves collect dust. To make sure your plants take full advantage of the light, make sure your indoor plants stay clean and dust-free. Dusting your plants from time to time helps with efficient photosynthesis. The easiest way to check whether your plants need dusting or wiping down is to simply run your finger over the leaves. If you can feel the dust or see where your finger has been, they need a clean. You can use a handheld sprayer to wash the dust off or wipe dust away with a damp towel.

To keep your houseplants looking their best, you should prune and trim them regularly to remove dead leaves and flowers. Once a houseplant becomes unwieldy or unbalanced, it’s probably time to give it a pruning. Pinching and pruning make your indoor garden more attractive and can correct structural problems while encouraging new growth. This will ensure the plant’s growth is efficient. Check that there aren’t any overgrown branches and stems to keep your plant healthy and happy.

Before you introduce your plant to its new home, make sure you take light exposure into consideration. Water is crucial, but light is essential to the plant’s lifespan. Most plants thrive in sunny rooms, but there are a few that grow well in low-lit environments, such as the snake plant or ZZ plant. When moving a plant’s position, make sure to do so gradually. Too much light at once may cause a plant to go into shock.

When it comes to soil, plants are picky – different plants have varying needs. When buying soil, you should at least know the type of plant you’re growing or the family of plants it belongs to. But keep in mind: do not use soil from outside for your plants. The moment soil is ripped out of its landscape, the natural soil profile is destroyed, and water will not flow through it as it did out in the natural environment. Make sure you get an indoor growing mix that’s fit for your plants, especially if you’re growing cacti or succulents.

When selecting fertilizers and pest control solutions, try to avoid buying chemical-based materials. Although they might be pricier, your plants will thank you for your organic choices since chemical treatments harm the soil and make it weaker and more prone to disease. In addition to releasing nutrients, as organic fertilizers break down, they improve the structure of the soil and increase its ability to hold water and nutrients. Over time, organic fertilizers will make your soil strong and healthy allowing your house garden to blossom.

Like every other living creature, change is essential to growth. The main reason for repotting is because the plant has begun to outgrow its current home. Most of the time, your plant will tell you that it needs a “repotting treatment” by showing these signs. When roots start to grow through the drainage holes in the pot, or soil becomes less absorbent and dried out, it’s time to repot. Try repotting once every 10 months and you’ll have healthier, more productive plants.

Sometimes, our plants may look like they’re dead when simply all they’re asking for is a little attention. Appearances can be deceiving, so even if a plant looks dead, it doesn’t mean that it is. Before you chuck them away, check if the soil is too dry or if drainage holes are blocked. Reviving a plant feels likes magic to the home gardener. Give your plant a full treatment, repot and water accordingly, and watch your plant win its life back.

Nobody likes to be tugged from their head. The same goes for plants. When loosening a plant from a pot, don’t grab it by its head. Water it well, then run a table knife around the inside of the pot. If the roots are tangled and you can’t pull it out normally, you’ll need to break the pot to get the plant out. If this happens, tap the pot gently with a hammer to avoid damaging the plant roots.

Like humans, plants need air to breathe. Plants inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. However, they need both in order to remain healthy. One reason why indoor plants seem to decline over time is because of unbalanced CO2 content in the air. Plant roots need oxygen as well to stay healthy and to do their job of gathering water and nutrients for the plant. This is why it is important that water moves well through the soil. Good soil drainage allows air into the soil for the roots. Proper ventilation is mandatory to allow circulated airflow in a consistent way. This helps reduce diseases and balance CO2 levels.

Most plants are designed to grow more actively during the spring. Fertilizing is most effective when used on plants at their peak growing cycle. This is when the plant is leafing out for deciduous species, flowering, or putting on new growth after leaving the dormant winter stage. Active growth and flowering periods typically occur between March and September. To get the most out of this peak season, boost your plant’s growth by fertilizing regularly. Contrastingly, you might want to reduce fertilizing dosages over the course of the winter.

Worried about your garden tools getting rusty? This is a common problem after years of use, but it is easily solved with just a few tools. Take a shovel, or any garden tool, and sand down the outside. Next, just spray the outside using spray paint. And voila! You now have a no-stick, water-protected shovel that won’t get rusty and that is also easier to clean. Make yourself the envy of your neighbors by choosing a metallic or neon finish!

Many people have an abundance of pencil shavings, especially if there are kids around, and they often just end up in the bin. However, they can have a second life in the garden. Pencil shavings can be mulched and added to a topsoil mix, or just sprinkled directly onto the soil. The pencil shavings prevent weed growth and act as a repellant for many types of insects, who can’t stand the smell. This is a green initiative we can get behind!

Mosquitoes are the bane of our existence! There comes a time of year when every gardener gets overrun by the buzzy little pests. It’s annoying for us and even worse for the plants. Luckily, there are a few tricks that you can learn to send them packing. The pencil shavings prevent weed growth and act as a repellant for many types of insects, who can’t stand the smell. This is a green initiative we can get behind!

We know that most people have got some of these old CD storing binders hidden away in their basements, and this clever trick makes great use of them. You can use the binders to organize your seeds and get really creative with the labeling. There’s something so zen about the way these are organized! And it’s not just CD cases. You can try this with old photo albums, or even that folder you kept your Pokemon cards in (isn’t it time you got rid of them?!).

Reuse, recycle, reimagine! There are many different uses for plastic soda bottles in the garden. Make cute little painted plant pots with your kids, or turn them sideways and use them as planters. You can hang several of these, one above the other, with string to make a fancy vertical garden, which also saves space. If you want to get really creative, you can even turn the bottles into a self-watering system by poking tiny holes in the bottom with a pin.

Cinnamon smells and tastes delicious, and has several anti-oxidant properties, but did you know it’s also great for plants? Many professional horticulturists say cinnamon powder is a secret weapon in the garden. In order to protect seeds and newly planted seedlings from rot, a fine dusting of cinnamon powder can be added directly to seedbeds. Not only will your little plants grow big and strong, but your back yard will smell like a freshly baked cake. What a treat!

Certain types of seeds have very hard outer coatings which require a little breaking down in order to help them germinate. While professional agriculturists have machines to scrape shells, you can do it yourself at home with standard sandpaper. Seeds for growing apple trees, for example, can start germinating much quicker once they have been smoothed with sandpaper. Speed up the process and you’ll soon find yourself with the best orchard on the block. Just watch out for those apple thieves!

If you come across an old packet of seeds and you want to see if they’re still good, you can try the toilet tissue method. Sprinkle the seeds on one layer of toilet paper, then add a second layer of paper and spray it with water. Place the paper and seeds in a zip lock bag or any sealable container and keep in a warm place. If they start to grow within 48 hours then you are good to go!

It turns out the food that’s good for us is also good for our plants! Next time you boil or steam some vegetables, don’t pour the water in the drain! Instead once the water has cooled, put it in a watering can and hit the vegetable plot. When we boil anything, nutrients are transferred from the food to the water. These nutrients are great for fertilizing plants. The healthier the food, the better the cooking water, so vegetable water is ideal.

Tomatoes are one of the easiest and more rewarding plants to grow, but often they just don’t taste as good as they look. If you want to make sure your tomato harvest is beautiful and delicious, try sprinkling baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, onto the soil. The baking soda counteracts the acidity in the soil, and therefore the plant, so your tomatoes will be much sweeter! You’ll taste the difference immediately if you try this garden hack.

Another everyday item which is really useful in the garden is banana peel. Bananas are full of potassium, and so are their skins. Try burying them in the soil around flowering plants to have more flowers overall and improve plant health. You can also make a banana peel liquid fertilizer by chopping up banana peels and boiling them in hot water. Just don’t leave any lying around on the patio, unless you’re trying to prank your other half, that is!

It can be really disheartening to spend a lot of time working on planting and growing your garden, only to discover that you have an attack of fungus. You can pick up expensive anti-fungal treatments from the store, but why not save a little cash by making your own all-natural anti-fungal agent. Cold chamomile tea from flowers is a very effective anti-fungal solution. You can treat those plants, and pour yourself a cup as well. The ultimate relaxing gardening experience!

Stop right there! Do not throw away those potato leftovers! You’ll have seen the little sprouts that appear on old potatoes, and they do indeed regrow. Quarter and replant potatoes they will come to life. Potatoes are also a very resilient tuber so you can try this in almost any soil. If you grow two potatoes for every one you eat, you’ll always be increasing your harvest. The humble potato really is the plant that just keeps on giving.

A common complaint for home gardeners if that their carrots and parsnips always come out in strange shapes. How do the stores always have such uniform vegetables? The answer is simple, try growing them in tubes. You can place plastic tubes vertically in soil and sprinkle a couple of seeds into each one. In a few weeks, you’ll have beautifully straight carrots. It’s less about the aesthetic, and more about making them easier to peel, but they do look very professional.

We all love our plants looking healthy and shiny, but too much wax and leaf shine products can make a houseplant look fake. Making your own homemade leaf shine, you save money and can ensure that nothing harmful will be sprayed onto your plant’s foliage. Professional florists share this tip to keep leaves shiny and clean: rub a tiny amount of mayonnaise on the leaves with a paper towel, and they will remain flashy and shiny for weeks or even months.

A simple trick for keeping the soil more moist for a longer period of time is placing a damp sponge at the bottom of the pot. When repotting, tuck the sponge snugly into the bottom of the pot, and then cover with soil. It will act as a water reservoir, and will basically water itself. the wet sponge prevents floods and deals with overwatering scenarios while keeping a balanced moist soil. Just don’t soak it by watering too much.

Squirrels are adorable, but they are also a real issue when it comes to plants! These crazy critters will run amok at any opportunity, but there is a way to keep them out without resorting to expensive measures or causing harm to the squirrels and their habitat. Squirrels actually hate the smell of marigolds, so much so that they’ll run far away if they catch the scent. Plant your seedlings next to a bed of marigolds to give them a fighting chance.