As it does every year, the tax authorities released numbers on how much alcohol was taxed in Japan. Volume measurements are in kiloliters (1 kiloliter = 1,000 liters = 264 gallons). This list does not include every taxable category of alcohol available in Japan. CategoryVolume (kl)vs 2018Shochu Otsurui (honkaku/single-distilled)424,82096.1%Shochu Korui … [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...]
Miyazaki Shochu Nonjoruno
November 2nd is the designated day once again for Shochu Nonjoruno, the premier showcase for Miyazaki shochu. This outdoor tasting will feature most (if not all) of Miyazaki Prefecture's distilleries, and ticketed guests will be able to taste liberally from the brands that they have on display. Larger distilleries such as Kirishima and Unkai will definitely be there, and … [Read more...]
Shochu Street
This annual three-day shochu festival begins on Shochu and Awmori Day, November 1st. There's no limit to how many people can walk through the festival area which takes place in the Tenmonkan shopping and nightlife district in central Kagoshima City. However, if you'd like to partake, then you must buy some of the cheap drink tickets at the various smaller tents. They'll … [Read more...]
Shochu Nonjoruno (Miyazaki)
The annual Miyazaki Shochu Nonjoruno festival will again take place outside in the shopping arcade about a 10 minute walk from Miyazaki train station. Ichibangai Arcade is the name of the area that you need to look for. Here's a link to the official site (Japanese). Arrive early to get a ￥1,000 ticket (ie. a refillable cup) to the festivities and sample shochu to your … [Read more...]