**Updated January 1st, 2021 Sponsored by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS), the Sake Future Summit was a nearly non-stop live broadcast starting at 11 AM JST on Saturday (Nov 21st) and running straight through until 6 PM Sunday (Nov 22nd). And it's 100% dedicated to kokushu (Japan's national beverages)! The Sake Future Summit's (SFS) mission is to … [Read more...]
Awamori & Shochu Glossary: Essential Vocabulary
What follows is a living and growing shochu glossary (and awamori glossary) which includes 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. … [Read more...]
Shimazake Festa 2019: Japan’s Premier Awamori Event
If you’re looking to visit Japan in the spring but want to avoid the crowds in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, definitely take a serious look at Naha, Okinawa. Aside from being pretty much as close to a tropical island paradise as the country has to offer, Okinawa boasts activities and excursions for all generations. There are beaches galore, art and music destinations, lots of … [Read more...]
Shochu Renaissance
The annual Tokyo Shochu Renaissance event is a great chance to sample a wide variety of products while rubbing elbows with the talented folks that make them. 37 distilleries will attend (36 shochu; 1 awamori) Tickets here (link in Japanese). … [Read more...]
Shimazake Festa 2019
The second annual Shimazake Festa is scheduled for April 13th and 14th at Okinawa Cellular Park Naha. This is one of the biggest awamori events of the year, and 47 distilleries will be pouring hundreds of brands. Tickets are ￥1,500 when purchased ahead of time and ￥2,000 on the day of the event. … [Read more...]