All Japan News Blog
2025-10-08
When Did Sake Brands Become Established?
Medieval Japan is when sake breweries rapidly expanded in Kyoto. According to the mid-Muromachi Era (1336 - 1573) records from 1425, when Kyoto was home to 342 sake breweries. The largest brewery wit...
2025-10-01
Sake Nation: “Sake Party held in a Japanese Pleasure Boat”
By Kosuke Kuji   “Yakatabune” (Japanese pleasure boat) is a dining and entertainment venue unique to Japan. Yakatabune in Tokyo is especially popular among foreign tourists. During the summer firewor...
2025-09-24
Varying Temperatures Generate Changes in the Aroma and Flavors of Sake
Aromatic Sake ― Chilling Aromatic Sake to excessively low temperature makes this fruity aroma less notable, while excessively high temperature loses the light and refreshing flavor. Therefore, the id...
2025-09-17
Tokyo Jizake Strolling (through the city of Atami)
By Ryuji Takahashi   Atami is a popular destination for sake fans who enjoy bar hopping. Atami, a city renowned for its hot springs and seaside resorts, used to be a popular getaway destination. The ...
2025-09-10
What is Yeast Starter?
Alcohol in Japanese sake (ethyl alcohol) is produced by the function of microorganisms called yeast.  Yeast starter is yeast cultivated purely in large quantities inside a mixture of steamed rice, ri...
2025-09-03
Sake Nation: “Massive Wildfires and Sake Breweries in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture: Part III”
By Kosuke Kuji   The largest wildfire in Japan in 50 years scorched Ofunato city, Iwate prefecture. Aid was sent to many heavily afflicted victims from throughout Japan and worldwide. Thank you very ...
2025-08-27
Japanese Sake as a Seasoning
Boiled Sake – Japanese sake is boiled to cook the alcohol off. The aroma of alcohol burning off enhances the umami flavor.      Sake Hot Pot – Large quantities of sake poured in with water when prepa...
2025-08-20
Tokyo Jizake Strolling (A Stroll to the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple: Part 2)
By Ryuji Takahashi   The last report detailed my visit to the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. This report describes my visit from Edogawa to the Tora-san Memorial Museum in the Katsushika-Shibamata are...
2025-08-13
What Type of Sake is Nama-zake?
 “Nama-zake” (sake not sterilized by heat) refers to sake not pasteurized once from pressing the fermentation mash to shipment, also referred to as “Nama-shu” or “Nama-zake.” According to the Japanes...
2025-08-06
Sake Nation: “Massive Wildfires and Sake Breweries in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture: Part II”
By Kosuke Kuji   The largest wildfire in Japan in over 50 years that scorched over 7,166 acres afflicted Ofunato city, Iwate prefecture, on February 25, 2025. Motoshoei Kitanihon Suisan Co., Ltd., a ...