Kappo Omakase-style California fusion restaurantBy Elli Sekine　In the past few years, the food culture of the Auckland area has been changing dramatically. Along with the rising popularity of the farmer’s market in Jack London Square, the awareness of local production for local consumption is growin...

By Yuji MatsumotoHappy New Year!  I plan to work hard again this year to provide information that will help make Japanese sake an even more familiar a...

By Kosuke Kuji "The U.S. National Sake Appraisal" that has been held every year since 2001 was held again this year. Entries of over 350 sakes are eva...

Tempura omakase course offered at a reasonable price in a theater-like setting has quickly become the talk of the townBy Aya OtaAt the east end of the...

Small, but shining restaurant in a high-class neighborhoodBy Keiko FukudaPacific Palisades is an upper-class residential town sandwiched between the mountains and the sea located about a 10 minute-drive north from Santa Monica towards Malibu. Many residents are in the entertainment industry. The mid...

By Elli Sekine “Yayoiken”, a set menu chain that has over 300 stores all over Japan finally came to the United States this spring. Their English name ...

By Yuji MatsumotoI once wrote before about the importance of naming in the branding of Japanese sake. This time, I would like to write about logo branding. The logo is an important symbol that represents the product of a company. When reviewing products popular worldwide, each company studies how to...

By Kosuke KujiThis year the ceremony of the 11th Sake Samurai was held on the premises of Shimogamo Shrine. Shimogamo Shrine is a great treasure that is also inscribed on the World Heritage List. The system of Sake Samurai started 11 years ago. Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council organized...

By Aya OtaThere is a restaurant that has a dignified appearance which makes you feel like stopping by in a corner of the busy East Village. When you step into the space as you are gravitated towards it, a noble and intense looking corridor runs before your eyes, and you feel as if you are entering a...

By Keiko FukudaIn the past few years, the city of Irvine in Orange County has been having a construction rush with condominiums and town-houses. There...