Sake Takes Stage in the World of Comedic Kyōgen
Jun. 28. 2022 writer:
Sake is central to many kyōgen plays, Japan’s traditional comic theater
culture
SAKE 101: Kagami Biraki
Jun. 6. 2022 writer:
An important sake tradition portends good luck, and has deep origins
How to Get Your Sake Fix on the Go When Visiting Japan
Mar. 10. 2022 writer:
Whether on a long flight or a hurtling bullet train, a lengthy journey is always better with sake in tow
Bodaimoto: The Renaissance of the “Enlightened” Starter
Sep. 30. 2021 writer:
Some brewers are returning to the traditional bodaimoto starter method that naturally cultivates lactic acid.
Drinking in Tradition: A Short History of Izakaya
Sep. 9. 2021 writer:
The history of how sake gave rise to Japan’s famed and unique gastropubs.
True Sake: An American Shop Spreading the Gospel of Sake
Mar. 13. 2020 writer:
Saying Beau Timken’s sake boutique in San Francisco got in on the ground floor of globalized sake is an understatement. Since 2003, True Sake has been on the frontlines of sake’s expansion in the USA and, through hard work and ingenuity, the shop has helped sway public opinion in sake’s favor one customer at a time.
Tatenokawa’s Marketing Director Brings New Perspective to an Old Industry
Feb. 21. 2020 writer:
In the sake world, it’s often the toji - or "brewmaster" - who gets the lion’s share of the praise. But while toji may play a very important role, sake brewing requires a lot of hands on deck - some of whom, increasingly, contribute skills that have little to do with the actual brewing process. Breweries like Tatenokawa, Inc. are starting to take seriously the parts of the business that don’t get fermented and bottled, often to great effect.
Tokyo Port Brewery: The 100 year-old Brewery with a New Lease on Life
Feb. 13. 2020 writer:
In most businesses, the idea of a company lying dormant for a century and returning as a successful operation is unheard of. But in the sake world anything is possible and the only kura currently brewing in the heart of Tokyo is a perfect example. It’s also a great sake destination in its own right for anyone visiting the Tokyo area.
Making Sake Fun Again: KIKUSUI’s President Talks on the Philosophy of Running a Global Sake Brand
Feb. 6. 2020 writer:
For a Japanese sake manufacturer, KIKUSUI is making unprecedented headway in the American market. KIKUSUI president Daisuke Takasawa explains the company's international success in this exclusive interview.
Want to Start a Sake Brewery in Japan? It’s Now a whole lot easier
Jan. 29. 2020 writer:
For decades in Japan, the idea of a start-up sake brewery, or “kura,” was virtually unheard of due to strict government regulation. But, this year sees a significant loosening of these restrictions, making the idea of opening a new brewery much more feasible. It’s an ongoing process of deregulation in its early stages, but here’s what we know so far:
Why Tour a Brewery When You Can Spend the Weekend in One? World’s First Sake Brewery Hotel to Open in Nagano
Jan. 23. 2020 writer:
Kurabito Stay, a new start-up in Nagano Prefecture, offers guests three-day, two-night stays in an actual sake brewery. It’s such a perfect travel experience for fans of sake or Japanese culture in general that it’s a surprise no one’s thought of it sooner. But, Kurabito Stay wasn’t easy to get off the ground, and took some ingenuity and a little luck for mother-turned-entrepreneur Mariko Tazawa to pull off.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Nov 19, 2019
Nov. 19. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Far from a grueling endurance race, the Kikizake Marathon is a fun run full of costumes, food, and sake. Then, TISPY2 is an electronic drinking buddy who’s not afraid to tell you when you’ve had enough. Last, thanks to all the great dedicated sake fans out there, Sake Day is the most popular alcohol-themed holiday in Japan by a long shot.
Sake Travel: Drinking It All In at HOSHINOYA Tokyo
Nov. 14. 2019 writer:
The luxury ryokan Japanese inn in the heart of the Otemachi business district offers guests an immersive experience of traditional Japanese culture, including lots and lots of sake.
4 Manga That Will Teach You All You Need to Know About Sake
Oct. 31. 2019 writer:
For many, manga has been a great gateway into Japanese culture. Manga - the Japanese comic book medium that inspires a lot of more widely-known anime - has its share of western fans. For some it’s a quirky pop cultural fix, while others still may use it to study Japanese or gain a glimpse into Japanese culture from afar.
Unlike mainstream American comics, manga aren’t focused solely on action-packed, world-shattering battles between good and evil and, in fact, often opt to depict the mundane in fantastical ways. There are manga about aspiring rock bands, chefs and bakers, tennis players and, yes, even sake and sake brewers. Here are four such manga sake fans may enjoy:
Sake Diplomacy
Oct. 24. 2019 writer:
How nihonshu is strengthening Japan-Taiwan relations one toast at a time.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 22, 2019
Oct. 22. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: For those who love sake so much they want to bathe in it, Hoshinoya Tokyo has your number. Then, Shiokawa Sake Brewery and partners are finding out how possible it is to make sake in the vastly different environment of Vietnam. Finally, Finland’s premier sake spot, Zen Sushi, will be holding a special intimate tasting full of fall flavors.
Sake and Soy Sauce: Culinary Cousins with a Shared History
Oct. 17. 2019 writer:
On the surface, sake - a clear and sweet alcoholic drink - and soy sauce, a dark and salty condiment, might not seem to have much in common. Surprisingly, though, they’re both made in similar ways and, as a result have contributed much to each other’s development throughout history. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between these two cornerstones of Asian cuisine.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 1st, 2019
Oct. 1. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Happy Sake Day! And, enjoy all the sake events of this joyous holiday! Then, one very special Sake Day event in Tokyo may be the chance of a lifetime for aspiring inventors. Last, sake brewery Oujiman creates Hocca, a successful winery that is set to become its own enterprise in 2021.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Sep 10, 2019
Sep. 10. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Gekkeikan Special Free promises the great taste of a daiginjo sake without any alcohol or sugar. Then, stop by Silencio in Hong Kong for dinner and have a glass of sake on the house. Finally, after losing a year to devastating rains, the Sake Matsuri in Hiroshima makes its triumphant return.
Sake’s Living History in Fushimi
Apr. 25. 2019 writer:
South of Kyoto, Fushimi is attracting visitors with picturesque buildings from the area's history of sake production, repurposed for the tourist trade.
A Sake Maker, a Buddhist Temple, and the Evolving Role of Traditional Institutions in Small-town Japan
Apr. 4. 2019 writer:
"The world-famous sake maker, KIKUSUI, teams up with Chotokuji, a local Buddhist temple, to give back to the neighborhood they call home - in the process providing a fascinating case study on the evolving role of traditional institutions in modern Japan."
Sake and Sakura: A Match Made in Hanami Heaven
Mar. 22. 2019 writer:
Although cherry blossoms and sake are both iconic symbols of Japan, the two are actually more intricately linked than meets the eye. From the annual outdoor drinking parties of "hanami" to sake made from actual sakura, they’ve both worked together to mold modern Japanese culture in many ways.
KIKUSUI Sake Culture Institute Makes Sake Education Accessible to the Masses
Feb. 12. 2019 writer:
"We’ve reached an age in which producing great sake isn’t necessarily enough to translate into great sales."
The Many Faces of Mirin, Sake’s Flavorful Culinary Cousin
Jan. 24. 2019 writer:
Explore all the ways to enjoy mirin, the sake-like seasoning found in nearly every kitchen in Japan but scare everywhere else.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Jan 22, 2019
Jan. 22. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Let an artificial intelligence guide you to your ideal brand of sake at the Yummy Sake Week event in Tokyo. Then, Brussels gets its first ever sake bar at none other than the EU headquarters! Finally, Koreans, Taiwanese, and Hong Kongers agree: "drinking sake" is the best reason to travel to Japan in the winter.
There Are Lots of Ways to Pronounce “Sake,” But “Saki” Isn’t One of Them
Jan. 17. 2019 writer:
The ship has sailed on a lot of ways English speakers pronounce Japanese words, but there’s still time to save “sake” from becoming “saki.”
The Perfect Sake for New Year’s, and Other Customs From Japan’s Most Important Holiday
Dec. 27. 2018 writer:
Join us for a look at some of the things, both traditional and modern, Japanese people do as one year becomes the next. And, learn about the traditional New Year's sake known as "toso."
SAKETIMES NEWS – Dec 25th, 2018
Dec. 25. 2018 writer:
In the news this week: Sake fans in the UK get a rare chance to sample some great fresh sake for the first time. Then, Centrair Airport in central Japan offers a helping hand with an extensive tech-assisted, multilingual sake information guide. Last, Final Fantasy makers summon brewery Kokuryu for a special edition sake celebrating hit mobile game Brave Exvius.
A toast to “Kanpai” !
Dec. 20. 2018 writer:
Most sake fans know that “Kanpai!” is Japanese for “Cheers!” But what does the word itself mean, and what are the traditions associated with it?
Interview: SAKE100 for the People
Nov. 30. 2018 writer:
We sit down with sake entrepreneur (and enthusiast!) Ryuji Ikoma to learn more about his luxury sake brand, SAKE100, his own sake journey, and the state of the drink today.
Let’s Stop Calling Sake “Rice Wine,” It Deserves Better
Nov. 9. 2018 writer:
Almost all major types of alcohol are named by the way they are made, so why is "rice wine" wrongfully living in the shadow of a totally unrelated beverage?
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 9th, 2018
Oct. 9. 2018 writer:
The Latest Sake News from Around The World - Seven New "Sake Samurai" / Chinese Palate for Sake / Smartphone Game Featuring Anthropomorphic Sake Brands
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 2nd, 2018
Oct. 2. 2018 writer:
The Latest Sake News from Around The World - Sake Brewery Open in the UK / Riedel Handmade Sake Glasses Available / Italian Craft Beer Embraces "KIOKE"
SAKETIMES NEWS – Aug 28th, 2018
Aug. 28. 2018 writer:
The Latest Sake News from Around The World - Sexy Sake Bottles / Selling Anime Sake Overseas on the EC Mall
Tsunekichi Okura: The Henry Ford of Japanese sake
Aug. 23. 2018 writer:
How a 13-year-old transformed a small Fushimi brewery into a global powerhouse and changed the world of Japanese sake forever.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Aug 21st, 2018
Aug. 21. 2018 writer:
The Latest Sake News from Around The World - Tokyo Night Cruises / Moon Viewing, "Tsukimi Journey" / Local Sake and Soy Sauce Culture
Japanese Sake Infographics – Free to Download!
Jun. 28. 2018 writer:
Free Sake Infographics: Download them today and start learning and extending your Japanese sake vocabulary.
