Dry/sweetness indicates the degree of sweetness while smooth/refreshing and rich/full flavor indicates the degree of richness. The stronger the rice flavor, the more easily the rich sake flavor is detected, applicable to low-polished sake high in mineral content such as Junmai, Kimoto, and unfiltere...

By Ryuji TakahashiAs the coronavirus vaccination started in Japan, the light at the end of the tunnel signals an end to the coronavirus pandemic despite more people getting infected. Japan declared the third state of emergency for Tokyo, requested large facilities to suspend operations, and restaura...

Dry/sweetness indicates the degree of sweetness while smooth/refreshing and rich/full flavor indicates the degree of richness. The stronger the rice flavor, the more easily the rich sake flavor is detected, applicable to low-polished sake high in mineral content such as Junmai, Kimoto, and unfiltere...

By Ryuji TakahashiSasaiwai Sake Brewery is a locally cherished sake brewery in Niigata prefecture always taking on new challenges, boasting over 100 years of history since its foundation in 1899. This brewery is known for its “challenge brew” involving farmers, sake retail shops, and consumers to ex...

By Ryuji TakahashiAny Japanese national is familiar with the beef bowl chain, Yoshinoya Co., Ltd. Founded in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district in 1899, Yoshinoya since relocated to the Tsukiji Market (currently closed since the market relocated to the Toyosu area). The restaurant chain was named after its...

By Ryuji TakahashiWhen Japanese sake is introduced overseas, sake is often explained in terms of wine. When I’m requested to organize a sake seminar o...

By Ryuji TakahashiCelebrating the New Year, Tokyo is still in the middle of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. I finished my work for 2020 on January 1, and started my New Years holiday on January 2. However, drinking at home is nothing different from the ordinary, so I attended a live jazz performa...

By Ryuji TakahashiTokyo is facing the end of this year very different from the previous year due to the coronavirus increasingly spreading and restaurants requested to shorten business hours since November. Corporations are prohibited from hosting large banquets, while restaurants close at 22:00 wit...

By Yuji MatsumotoThe other day I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas due to business, but couldn't believe that the day high was 45 degrees C (113 degF). With hot winds and scorching heat that may seem to melt the asphalt, I lost my appetite and found myself in an unhealthy predicament to spend a...

By Yuji MatsumotoJapanese sake is still a largely unfamiliar beverage to American consumers. Ninety percent of sake is consumed in restaurants, indicating the unfortunate reality that sake is still far from being casually enjoyed in private homes and parties. One of the reasons is because the true f...