There are certain Japanese cultural exports that can be found almost anywhere. No corners of the developed world are yet untouched by Sanrio, fewer still by Pokémon; shelf-stable treats like Pocky sticks and arare, that savory and spicy rice cracker mix, are pretty standard fare in American corner delis. But within Japan, certain regional specialties are so beloved, and so hard to find, that big cities like Tokyo have dedicated special emporia just for them. They’re called antenna shops, though the name may be a little misleading: They don't sell old-fashioned TV sets with rabbit ears, or any of the sort of old-fashioned tech gadgets we may associate with them today. Instead, these “antennae” operate as Tokyo’s cultural receivers, and the signals come from all of the country’s 47 prefectures, each one with its own distinct identity and flavor.

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