Saga, a small, rural prefecture in a quiet corner of Japan, is not known for tourism riches. Outdoor adventurers may feel drawn to it because of its hiking and climbing opportunities, and hot spring enthusiasts will likely not be disappointed by Ureshino Onsen. For the sake ceramics enthusiast, however, there is ample reason to visit.…
Kimoto and yamahai styles of sake seem to have something of a cult status among sake fans. This may be attributable to the fact that they are somewhat rare, or perhaps that so few people actually know what they are and what makes them special. But that veil of mystery is not necessary; you can…
Small chunks of cream cheese marinated in sake kasu (lees) is a staple of sake bars, izakaya and sake-loving homes all over Japan. It is usually served with toothpicks as an appetizer or a snack to nibble on while sipping sake with friends. Stuffed olives, meanwhile, are a common item in specialty grocery stores…
Kyoto is rich with small eateries and tiny bars. Some of them are hidden away, perhaps even intimidating to enter. But if they are advertising sake in some way, they can be hard to resist. Sometimes, we’re as interested in seeing what kind of food is being served as we are in the sake…
Drinking sake for charity. Does that sound like a difficult challenge? If you’re a sake lover, perhaps the biggest issue may be pacing yourself. In fact, at the 10th Charity Tasting Session “Alcohol to Save the Future” being held at Yokohama’s attractive Osanbashi Hall on March 25th, that’s exactly what the organizers ask of enthusiasts…
You always need a bowl with something to nibble on when drinking sake at a table with friends and family. The right snack can also enhance umami and other flavor profiles of sake. This simple spiced nuts recipe should do the trick. Another plus: you can make a lot in advance and just keep it…
2017 marks the 350th anniversary of the Yoshidamachi area of Yokohama. We thought it would be a good time to introduce this neighborhood located right around the corner from our office. You may even run into our staff there on any given night of the week. Originally a field of rice paddies built on…
There are many roads to sake knowledge. At least that’s what my Sake Today cofounder and worldwide sake educator John Gauntner is fond of telling me, and he’s right. By that he means there are multiple educational opportunities out there for sake. He encourages people interested in learning more to pursue the methods that seem…
Daishichi’s increasingly global fame owes to its ability to accommodate opposites: new technology with traditional techniques, modern marketing with older industry practices, and contemporary flavor trends with ancient styles. The brewery’s success is also tied to its 10th generation owner, Ohta Hideharu, a man who brings to social interactions all the refined formalities you’d expect…
My connection to Japan started in the late 1980s, before I ever dreamed of travelling there. One of my first encounters involved three electronic music instruments that started regurgitating all the synthetic sounds I had come to love on my favourite electronic “Detroit Techno” records of that time: the Roland TR909 drum machine, the TB303…