An unofficial guide to Yamaguchi Prefecture and its nihonshu
On my recent trip to Oita prefecture, I went into a local liquor shop and asked for the most "Oita" sake they had, and this is what was recommended. Nishinoseki, from Kayashima Shuzo in eastern Oita, is apparently the top-selling sake brand in the prefecture, and can be found all over the place in northern... Continue Reading →
It is now summer vacation for school kids in Japan, and as my son is in his first year of elementary school we've been thrown into the world of trying to keep a six-year-old occupied. One of our strategies was to take a trip to Oita prefecture, home of onsens, aquariums, and a bit of... Continue Reading →
This sake from Yatsushika Shuzo is a rarity for me on two counts. First, it's my first sake from Oita prefecture in Kyushu. I've visited Oita many times, but oddly never picked up a brew there. It's a serious oversight! Second, it's a ginjo that isn't a junmai. This class of sake is increasingly being... Continue Reading →
On Saturday, May 19th I took a three hour course for "Sake Navigator" certification from the Sake Service Institute (Japanese Link)( (SSI). It was a really interesting day, and worth discussing. First, some background. SSI is a Japan-based international organization dedicated to promoting Sake and offering education on the topic. It is also Japan's leading Sake... Continue Reading →
Yamaguchi Sake 