What follows is a list of the basic expressions used in the world of shochu and awamori. While other spellings exist, the most common (read: modern) spelling is used at the beginning of each entry. Each (Japanese) vocabulary item is followed by kanji, hiragana, and English transliteration in parentheses. Notes:*Bold words/phrases have their own entry in the Shochu & … [Read more...]
Dancyu September Edition Features Shochu
The September 2016 edition of "dancyu" trains its brilliant culinary focus on shochu, and it's on newsstands now! The Japanese language magazine is an excellent introduction to the spirit for novices, but has enough nerdy tidbits about everything from the history of the drink's development to detailed explanations about koji and how its made. One of the most interesting … [Read more...]
New Shochu Bar, HAVESPI, Opens in Shinjuku
Liquor Innovation Co., Ltd. stepped into new territory when the company opened its first all-you-can-drink shochu bar, HAVESPI, on the edge of Shinjuku's lively 3-chome (pronounced san choh may). Just a two second walk from exit C6 of Shinjuku Sanchome subway station (Toei Shinjuku Line), this sixth floor bar has enough space for 60 shochu drinkers. There's also plenty of … [Read more...]
Shochu in the Japan Times
Prolific food and drink writer, Melinda Joe, enjoyed a shochu tour on the tatami-mat floor of Shochu Zanmai in Ikebukuro. Local shochu savant, Christopher Pellegrini, was there to rummage through the crates and rustle up some gems. It all played out beautifully in the pages of yesterday's Japan Times: Distilling the Mysteries of Shochu Hopefully they do a follow-up … [Read more...]
Shochu Renaissance in Shibuya
Shidax Hall in Shibuya played host once again to one of the biggest annual honkaku shochu events held in Tokyo, Shochu Renaissance. This year's event, the 18th iteration in its history, showcased products from nearly three dozen shochu and awamori distilleries on the afternoon of April 10th. And the makers were eager to show off the versatility of the drinks they brought … [Read more...]