Blog

A Visit to Mutemuka Shuzo
February 2, 2023
My first brewery visit in Kochi this past month was at Mutemuka Shuzo. The next morning...
A Visit to Suigei Brewing Co.
February 2, 2023
After visiting Kameizumi Shuzo in the morning, we were off to Suigei Brewing Co.'s Tosa...
A Visit to Kameizumi Shuzo
February 2, 2023
Kameizumi Shuzo was my second brewery visit during my Kochi Prefecture tour this past month. The...
Shochu Maker Highlight - Yachiyoden Shuzo
October 17, 2022
On my trip to Kyushu last month, Tekkan-san of Yamatozakura was gracious enough to drive around me and...
Shochu Maker Highlight - Kuroki Honten + Osuzuyama Distilleries
October 17, 2022
Shochu fans and our customers alike (the intersection is a big one) will have no...
Toshimaya Shuzo + Sake Shop
October 6, 2022
Last month, I visited Japan for the first time in three years. I did not...
Inaba Shuzo
October 6, 2022
Me and Mr. Inaba outside of Inaba Shuzo that he runs with Toji Nobuko Inaba (his...
Ken Hirata of Hawaiian Shochu Company
August 30, 2022
In the fall of 2018, I visited Hawaiian Shochu Company (HSC) in the little town...
Brooklyn Kura Tour + Tasting
May 23, 2022
The impetus for our Brooklyn trip was this: a brewery tour and tasting at Brooklyn...
A Visit to Kato Sake Works in Brooklyn
May 23, 2022
Brooklyn is hot for sake. During our first visit to New York since the pandemic,...
A Special Visit to Chichibu Distillery
January 20, 2021
 Photos by Kelly Ishikawa  It's been 10 years since Yoko and I went to Japan...
Ichinokura Sake Brewery Visit (Miyagi)
October 23, 2019
As soon as we got our beer and wine license in 2015, we stocked our shelves...