conversation to liven up a cup of sake (esp. in the context of a tea ceremony)

A popular pub "Memories Yokocho" was established on Pasta Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from Ben Thanh subway station in a popular local area. The interior is a reproduction of a retro Japanese izakaya street, with a back alley-style counter on the first floor and neo-izakaya style table seating on the second floor....

Noge is one of the best drinking areas in Japan with more than 600 restaurants in the Sakuragicho - Hinodecho Station area, with many standing bars and small stores where natural interaction can easily occur. In recent years, with the increase in tourists and the popularity of "bar hopping," the area has been visited by a diverse range of people. To make this interaction more enjoyable and safe...

It would be a shame to do away with "drinking nication." However, drinking parties are not only fun, but also involve failures and stress. Therefore, members of the Japan Society of Professional Engineers, Sanwa Shuzu, and Kyushu University are jointly developing a "Drinking Party Rulebook". In addition, to drinking...

American venture BarrelRM has developed a technology that allows bourbon to be aged in 30 hours, instead of the two or more years it used to take. Developer Sean Kelly immerses charred white oak chips in a tank and precisely adjusts temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels to achieve a 7...

Miss SAKE, a general incorporated association, is now accepting applications for the "2025 Mrs. SAKE" award. Launched in 2013, Miss SAKE selects an ambassador to promote the appeal of sake and Japanese culture both domestically and internationally. With support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Miss SAKE has been selected from around the world...

The 17th Wine Auction was held in Toranomon, Tokyo on March 8th and 9th, 2025. The most notable item was Domaine Leroy's Musigny 2015, which sold for a hammer price of 6.4 million yen (including fees), beating the previous record...

Sake Management Advisor The Japan Sake Association (JSA, Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson: Junko Kondo), a general incorporated association that holds SAKE EXPERT® certification seminars and issues certification both in Japan and overseas, is committed to "transforming sake from a local to an international drink!"

Alcoholism Treatment Support App On February 13, 2025, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved Japan's first alcoholism treatment support app. This app supports psychosocial treatment for patients aiming to reduce their drinking. Patients can monitor their daily drinking volume and physical...

"Tsukidashi" and "otoshi" refer to light dishes served in Japanese cuisine and essentially mean the same thing. "Tsukidashi" is often used in the Kansai region, while "otoshi" is often used in the Kanto region, but there is no clear difference between the two. The origin of the word "tsukidashi" is unknown, but it was already in use during the Edo period...

The production of stuffed toys of "Pi-Po-kun," the mascot character of the Metropolitan Police Department, will resume. The factory that had been in charge of manufacturing the toys closed in March 2024 due to aging craftsmen, and production has been halted.

The taste of alcohol changes dramatically depending on your mental and physical state, temperature, and the food you pair it with. While cold beer and lemon sours bring out the bitterness and acidity, offering a refreshing feeling, red wine and ale beer tend to bring out their aroma and richness at room temperature. When pairing alcohol with food, it's important to consider the flavor...