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
history
Sake in Japan’s First Comic Books
Jun. 9. 2022 writer:
Japan’s first comic books provide a picture of early modern sake culture
The Idiot’s Guide to Sake Brewing
Mar. 31. 2022 writer:
An introduction to the most important text on brewing in early modern Japan (1600-1868)
Sake Goes West: A Rough and Ready History
Mar. 24. 2022 writer:
With sake sales booming abroad, we trace the first steps of Japan’s signature beverage into the world at large
Women Sake Brewers in Medieval Japan
Feb. 17. 2022 writer:
In medieval Japan (1200-1600) women played a prominent role in sake brewing
Why Sake is the Drink of Choice for Winter
Jan. 13. 2022 writer:
Whether served hot or chilled, sake works wonders with winter cuisine and festivities
SAKE 101: Sanbai Zojo Seishu
Jan. 10. 2022 writer:
The rise and decline of a controversial brewing style once widespread in Japan.
When Sake Fought Sweets
Dec. 23. 2021 writer:
A 19th century woodblock print of famous sake brands battling confections reveals the two products’ fight for consumer attention.
In the Mix: The Surprisingly Long History of Blending Sake
Dec. 2. 2021 writer:
There’s a lot of buzz around sake blending recently, but the practice is older than you might think.
The Fuzzy History of Koji
Oct. 28. 2021 writer:
Koji is so important to sake-making it’s been called Japan’s “National Fungus,” but its origins are murky.
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.
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.
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.
Growing Number of Breweries Taking Up Farming to Bring Sake Production to Another Level
Jan. 9. 2020 writer:
The sake industry is currently in a new state of change. Domestic demand is continually slipping and yet global sales have never been better and continue to grow. This leaves the producers at an interesting crossroads the likes of which they have never seen before. For one group of 12 breweries, the key to drinkers’ hearts worldwide and to the future of sake lies in sustainably and locally produced organic rice made in-house.
Sake Diplomacy
Oct. 24. 2019 writer:
How nihonshu is strengthening Japan-Taiwan relations one toast at a time.
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.
The Best Place to Grab Sake Before You Go at Narita Airport
Sep. 12. 2019 writer:
Terminal 2 of the airport houses a duty-free liquor shop that lets you sample sake before buying. Team SAKETIMES was invited to get a frontline view of what makes this outlet special.
The Lifeblood of Kyoto Culture
Jul. 25. 2019 writer:
The rich cultural life of Japan's ancient capital is steeped in sake tradition, if you know where to look.
Interview : The Secret Behind KIKUSUI Sake
Jul. 4. 2019 writer:
We speak with one of KIUSUI's top engineers on sake brewing, the friendly relationship shared by Niigata’s producers, and delivering new experiences to sake fans.
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."
Dassai: The Sake Brand that Dared to Be Different
Feb. 15. 2019 writer:
To survive in a harsh market, the makers of Dassai, Asahi Shuzo, needed to evolve. In doing so, they’ve found success around the world, but have they also turned their backs on tradition?
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.
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."
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?
Choose the Best Cups to Elevate Your Sake Game
Dec. 13. 2018 writer:
Size, shape, and material all have a big impact on how a single sake can taste. Read up on the basics of cup choice to level up your sake experience!
Exploring the Joys of Yuzu from the Bathtub to the Bar
Nov. 16. 2018 writer:
Join us for a whirlwind tour of all you need to know about yuzu and its uses in everything from sake to snacks.
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"
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.
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.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Jun 12th, 2018
Jun. 12. 2018 writer:
The Latest Sake News from Around The World - Craft Beer Breweries from Japan & U.S.A. Collaborate / Sake from Ancient Rice Variety / Bases Loaded with New Sake
