It has been forty-six years since Henry Winkler jumped the shark in an episode of the American sitcom Happy Days (1974-1984). Well, it was really the stuntman who actually did the jumping, but let’s not quibble. Decades on, it still resonates, not necessarily because Henry and the shark were especially histrionic or engaged in meaningful … Continue reading Fuku-no-hire-zake Shunbanro (ふくのひれ酒 春帆楼): A Curious Cup
There is an interesting debate taking place in Japan at the moment centered around the issue of “overtourism.” Distilled down to its very essence—and we like distillation here at drinkingjapan.org—it is simply a matter of locating the Goldilocks Zone, determining the ideal number of inbound tourists. This number, should it exist, will prove neither too … Continue reading In Search of the Goldilocks Zone
We were attracted to this sake by its label art: like metal to magnet, the image of the beguiling bird depicted thereon prevented us from opening the bottle with our customary alacrity. We stared at it for quite some time contemplating it as art before our thoughts turned to the bird itself—the kingfisher—which led us … Continue reading A Sake Named Kawasemi (Kingfisher)
It is not often that one comes across a Japanese Cabernet Franc. This varietal is closely identified with the Middle Loire Valley, especially places like Chinon AOC, and Bordeaux, where it is often a blending partner with the more muscular Cabernet Sauvignon, but in this offering by Votano Wine one can see that in the … Continue reading Votano Wine’s Cabernet Franc 2020
There was a time when gin was not widely available at drinking establishments in Japan, and we are not talking about the distant past, either. Today, however, there is a gin boom taking place. New entrants are flooding the market, and it seems as if it will not be long before the saturation point is … Continue reading Sasshu Craft Gin
Hotel Gajoen On June 27, 2023, a major wine-related event was held at one of Tokyo’s most attractive hotels—Hotel Gajoen, which is located in Meguro. The Portuguese Wine Grand Tasting, which was organized by Wines of Portugal, supported by the Embassy of Portugal, and facilitated by the indefatigable Yumi Tanabe, President, “Sakura” Japan Women’s Wine … Continue reading The Portuguese Wine Grand Tasting at Gajoen
Hey, Manet, where's the shochu? We do not know whether Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond series of novels, was revealing any skeletons in British intelligence’s closet with his protagonist’s aversion to stirring (“Shaken not stirred.”), but we have always appreciated the utility of both of these manual maneuvers. We witnessed some of … Continue reading Shaken and Stirred
Drinking Japan 