Sake in the news

Over the past week, there has been great sake coverage in the media. It’s so nice to see our friends in publications in two big cities on two continents.
The latest article, “Sake Rewards the Adventurous Drinker” by Eric Asimov in Wednesday’s New York Times gives advice for people worried about being overwhelmed by getting started [...]

Sake of the week #049: Kozaemon Yuzu

For the past five months, that last bottle of Kozaemon nihonshu blended with the pungent yuzu citrus juice from Kochi was laying on the top shelf of our fridge. As the weather got closer and closer to being perfect for this very light, summery drink, the bottle stared back at me and I thought, “It is time”. Every time I opened the fridge was a daily reminder to myself of my promise and that summer was coming.

My Favorite Summer Dish: Ayu Gohan

Last night, I had my first ayu gohan of the season at Igarashi. This simple dish, lightly grilled fresh water fish cooked with rice in a clay pot, is so distinctively summery to me and I especially appreciate the bitter taste of the sweetfish with rice.

Finding a place in Kyoto

I usually point out that we do not have a street and number system in Tokyo. Three sets of numbers at the end of a Tokyo address zeroes in from a big area, then to a specific block, and finally ends at a specific unit on that block. Then, just to make things interesting, I add that there’s no set direction for how the numbering goes up and down. It’s confusing, but at least that’s how I am so used to associating numbers and places.

Sake of the week #047: Yongo Nama

“Please disregard the labels on this bottle. I want you to pay attention to only the part that says yongo.” As Takamura-san brought out the fourth bottle to the table, he started to tell us the story.

Sake of the week #046: Toroman

“What? You bought more sake?” Etsuko asked, bewildered.

“Yeah, but not today. I got it last year at that tasting at Kuraya.”

You may see the kind of problem we’ve run into. Sometimes you just have to buy a bottle, or two, or three. They tend to pile up

Sake of the Week #045: FIFA World Cup Sake

Who said watching football only goes with lager?

Sake of the Week #042: Tamagawa Daiginjo Shizuku Muroka Nama Genshu

In the next few month, I will be in Kyoto a few more times. I am sure I will add more good sake bars on the list, but Inaseya is definitely the place to go back for to check out what other funky crazy new muroka nama genshu they have in stock!

Sake of the Week #041: Otokoyama Junmai Daiginjo

You mean THE Otokoyama?” I do not remember much around the conversation before or after this question, but I do remember one time someone asked me if I was talking about “The Otokoyama” when the name came up. Otokoyama Junmai Daiginjo we tasted on Saturday is so classic and it felt so appropriate to call this bottle “The Otokoyama”.

Valentine’s Day – Sweet Sake Brewery Trip to Shichiken in Yamanashi

Click here to check outThe Tokyo Sake Meetup Group!
I just posted this announcement to Tokyo Sake Meetup. Please join us for a special Valentine’s sake trip to Yamanashi!
We are well into the sake brewing season and it is time to enjoy new sake! I just spotted this fun and educational opportunity visit Shichiken in Yamanashi. [...]