I have lived in Tokyo in the past for about 10 years of my life, but I admit my knowledge of Japanese geography is really limited. Limited not only to Tokyo proper, but more specifically to Western Tokyo, where pretty much everyone...
The way 'omelette’ is rendered in Japanese is omeretsu, which to my mind sounds like an underage girl should pop out of nowhere squeaking, OMURETSU-GO! But mentaiko omelette in general is worth high-octane levels of enthusiasm. When done right they are beautiful - and if...
Remember this post about Limited Edition Conbini Candy? I’m happy to report that several years on, Japan is just as obsessed with Limited Edition Candy as it was before. Here’s a summer 2017 snippet of some seasonal sweets on Japan’s conbini shelves - some super,...
The first time I tried an Imada Shuzo (brewery) sake was in 2014 when we opened our bottle shop in Oakland. The savory acidity of the Fukucho Forgotton Fortune junmai made my mouth water, and I have been...
We visited Kitaya Brewery in Kyushu, Japan, where we met the brewers, workers, and got a tour of the sake-making facilities.
Our favorite place to eat in Kyoto is STAND, a no-frills izakaya that specializes in bar snacks that pair well with beer, sake, shochu, and highballs.
Ginpachi is a sushi-ya in Sanjo City, Niigata, that's been open since 1961. Check out the amazing sushi we ate on our last visit to Ginpachi.
The gyoza machine from Japan is a solid steel uni-tasker that produces at least 10 gyozas per minute – up to 750 pieces per hour!!!
Mr. Shuzo Nagumo is a mad scientist behind the bar. With a twinkle in his eye and a firm stance when shaking, he has started a cocktail revolution in Tokyo that is a great departure from the cocktail bars we've become used to in Japan. That is:...
Yoko and I were so excited to find that one of Yoho Brewery's tap rooms in Tokyo was right in our hotel! We waited until our very last night in the city to go in for a beer, and looking back, I wish we wouldn't...
The makers of beloved Japanese Hitachino craft beer (Kiuchi Brewery) will distill whisky next!
It was our true pleasure to visit the Hitachino Brewery in Japan last week where Hitachino Nest is brewed.
This video flips through Jiro Gastronomy, a full-color book of 60 pieces of sushi served at famed Tokyo restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. Get ready to drool...
Join us at the Trappist in Oakland for Japan Beer Fest on Jan 24, 2016 for 20+ Japanese craft beers and Ramen Shop fried rice!
We are hosting a free Haku Shoyu tasting on Saturday, December 5, from noon-3 p.m. Taste the magic and get inspired to make something delicious with them.
Our second free tasting with Tokyo-based Horiguchi Coffee featuring Flower and Juicy #2, and single-origin Ethiopia and Kenya blends.
A good friend of mine is in Tokyo right now and he wanted a shortlist of places to eat. As a tourist, you usually do want to be armed with a list from someone you know of where to dine while traveling. You don't want...
Growing up, I would visit Japan about once every two years or so. It would always be to see our extended family, who all lived in the Tokyo area....
When we mentioned to Mr. Akio Watanabe, owner of Bar EST! in Tokyo that we were heading to Niigata, he recommended that we visit Bar Owl. It was one of those things that we told him we would do but Yoko and I didn't actually...
I'd like to start with a little background on the small town of Tsubame-Sanjo. This manufacturing town in Niigata Prefecture produces most of Japan's stainless steel items. If you are enjoying a little cake with a tiny fork in Tokyo or stirring a cocktail...
