When Philip von Arenstorff, a young Dane training to be a chef, set foot in Japan for the first time this month, he had only a vague idea of the country's food culture.
But after a weeklong visit to Tokyo and its vicinity, the 18-year-old was better able to assess Japan's diverse contribution to global gastronomy, including sushi and other healthy foods.
Von Arenstorff is the first apprentice to take part in a privately sponsored exchange program for trainee chefs between Japan and Denmark.