By Aya OtaThere is a restaurant in a corner of the East Village, which is so quietly stands with no sign, and you might pass without noticing. Once you step in, a neatly set-up, and slightly intense, yet comfortable space spreads in front of you, and you forget the city noise outside. From the exter...

By Keiko FukudaThe Great East Japan earthquake which occurred in March of 2011 brought a huge damage to the area between North Kanto to Tohoku. The whole areas are still only partially recovered. The hometown of Hiro Saito, the owner of “Kirari West”, a bakery in Redondo Beach in the suburbs of Los ...

By Eri Shimizu / Editing: Elli SekineAlthough Napa Valley, known for its wine producing, is located in the Bay Area where many high-end and high-quality Japanese restaurants already exist, there was no Japanese restaurant in the valley. Finally, last year in 2016, Japanese restaurants such as “KENZO...

By Yuji MatsumotoThe number of Japanese sake brands available in the U.S. is increasing annually with approximately 450 brands offered domestically. C...

By Kosuke KujiDuring hot summer months, we often hear the phrase, “let’s start off with a kampai (toast) with beer!” However, it’s been a long-term effort by our sake industry to request kampai be practiced with Japanese sake, known as “the movement to promote kampai with Japanese sake.” This is bec...

By Aya Ota “TsuruTonTan” is an udon specialty restaurant chain which runs a total of 12 restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka. The menu contains over 30 different items including signature Kansai-style udon in bonito based dashi, original cream or curry flavored udon, and seasonal limited edition udon dish...

By Elli SekineIf you walk through the fashionable Mission District where young people gather, and further through the south big street, you arrive at ...

By Keiko FukudaIn Culver City which is located between the city of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, hot restaurants keep popping up one after another in ...

By Yuji MatsumotoAmerican customers who come to Japanese restaurants anticipate enjoying cuisine and beverages not available in general American restaurants or supermarkets. According to a previously publicized survey, 70 American customers asked what they most look forward to at a Japanese restaura...

By Aya OtaIn NoHo district of Manhattan, there is a restaurant that stands hidden like a hideout. Once you step into the place, a nostalgic and warm space opens out in front of you. “We would like all kinds of people to relax and enjoy in a nostalgic ambience,” the owner, Maiko Kyogoku explains abou...