Blog

Otokoyama “Man's Mountain” Sake (December 2024)
November 21, 2024
Otokoyama Brewery in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Photos by Yoko Otokoyama or Man’s Mountain sake has always...
A White Christmas Two Months Late
November 21, 2024
What: Mid-winter ryokan getaway tripWhere: Seiryuusou ryokan, Shimonita, Gunma Prefecture (about 3 hours from Shinjuku...
Tokyo DisneySea Food Report
October 25, 2024
Unfortunately (fortunately maybe), I don't have the pictures to prove it - but I ate...
The Gyoza Dog at DisneySea
October 25, 2024
In Japan, a must-do destination was DisneySea. Yoko blogged about it a while back, and...
What is Onikoroshi Sake? Interview with Fumiaki, Matsuura, Owner and Toji of Matsuura Shuzo
October 21, 2024
I first heard about Matsuura Shuzo in our friend Hannah Kirshner’s book Water, Wood, and...
Onikoroshi “Demon Slayer” Sake (November 2024)
October 21, 2024
This month's Onikoroshi sakes enjoyed at our latest staff outing at Hog Island Oyster in...
Swan Song for Bartavelle: A Fundraiser
September 22, 2024
Join us for an afternoon of food, drinks, and friends to celebrate Bartavelle and our...
Spotlight on Jozen Honey-Derived Yeast Sake: Interview with Takaki Matsumoto of Shirataki Shuzo
September 14, 2024
Shirataki Shuzo makes sakes that embody the tanrei-karakuchi (light and dry) style of Niigata. You...
Bees + Blooms: Honey and Flower Derived Sake Yeast (October 2024)
September 14, 2024
Honeybee on a plum blossom in Oakland on a spring day. Photo by Yoko Some of...
Awamori Festival
September 2, 2024
It was a exceptionally warm and sunny day in Oakland for our first ever Awamori...
Shochu Gumi n.020: September 2024
September 2, 2024
On my recent trip to Japan, with my daughter in tow, I was able to...
Interview with Wataru Hosokawa Director of Overseas Business Development at Amabuki Shuzo
August 15, 2024
Visit the Amabuki Shuzo weekdays 9a-12pm, 1-5pm. Photos courtesy of the brewery. Both bottles this...