From Our Window Recently one of us here at drinkingjapan.org used the barely open window of opportunity for travel and relaxation to visit Hoshino Resorts’ KAI Anjin, which is located in Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture. Hoshino Resorts is an upmarket hotel chain, and from our experience at KAI Anjin, its reputation is well deserved. Though the … Continue reading Hoshino Resorts’ KAI Anjin and after-Bath Refreshment
Category: Trips
Oldest Winery in Tokyo: Tokyo Winery
Back before the coronavirus became a thing, I had stumbled upon Fukagawa Winery (深川ワイナリー） after having dinner with coworkers at Uosan Sakaba (魚三酒場) near Monzen-nakacho Station. Not to digress, but Uosan Sakaba is a legendary seafood izakaya (居酒屋）serving large-portions of fresh fish at rock-bottom prices. The waitresses are sometimes a little rude and the facilities … Continue reading Oldest Winery in Tokyo: Tokyo Winery
A Sake Brewery Like No Other: Yoikana Shuzo (善哉酒造) in Matsumoto City, Nagano
In November of 2020 we took a short one-night trip to Matsumoto City, a castle town in Nagano Prefecture. It takes a little less than three hours from Tokyo Station on the Chuo Line Express Train called Azusa to get there. The city is famous for its castle, which is one of the few original … Continue reading A Sake Brewery Like No Other: Yoikana Shuzo (善哉酒造) in Matsumoto City, Nagano
A Day at the (Boat) Races: Heiwajima, Tokyo, Japan
On race days, you can take a free shuttle bus from Omori Station in Tokyo. Gambling and alcohol often go hand-in-hand. Even though logic would dictate that you should stop betting (or you shouldn’t even be betting at all), a little bit of alcohol may give you a false sense of invincibility and good fortune. … Continue reading A Day at the (Boat) Races: Heiwajima, Tokyo, Japan
Have a few hours to kill in Narita? Why not visit a sake brewery or two? Part 2 – Terada Honke Brewery
As we mentioned in our last posting, there are two sake breweries near Narita, the other being Terada Honke Brewery, which is within walking distance—about five minutes—of Nabedana Kouzaki Brewery. We stopped in and purchased a bottle of their sparkling sake, Daigo no Awa, which we tasted well chilled that evening. There are few people, … Continue reading Have a few hours to kill in Narita? Why not visit a sake brewery or two? Part 2 – Terada Honke Brewery
Have a few hours to kill in Narita? Why not visit a sake brewery or two? Part 1 – Nabedana Kouzaki Brewery
When we think of Narita, many of us conjure up an image of the big international airport that services Tokyo, and, in so doing, overlook the other attractions deserving of our attention. Narita is far more than just an airport — it is the site of an impressive Buddhist temple, Naritasan, which is a popular … Continue reading Have a few hours to kill in Narita? Why not visit a sake brewery or two? Part 1 – Nabedana Kouzaki Brewery
Trip Report Part 2: Akigawa Keikoku Valley and Nozaki Shuzo (Brewery) in Akiruno, Tokyo
In perhaps one of her less memorable hits, Madonna chanted “Time goes by so slowly...Time goes by so slowly....” That sentiment accurately describes the Akigawa Keikoku Valley, an area that is technically part of Tokyo but a place entirely different from the typical image of a concrete jungle. Time, indeed, goes by so slowly. The … Continue reading Trip Report Part 2: Akigawa Keikoku Valley and Nozaki Shuzo (Brewery) in Akiruno, Tokyo
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