Enjoy Japanese Chu-hi drink !
You will see an overwhelming numbers of Chu-hi cans lined up in a rowbesides beer and wine in every convenience stores. Chu-hi is aJapanese-shochu-based cocktail, which has now become a widely acceptedbeverage nationwide in Japan with a variety of offerings such as localfruits flavors.A…(332 words)
fujimorison
Drink Chu-hi Izakaya Fruits Shochu Convenience store Beer Wine
SAKE 101: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SAKE
A trip to Japan would not be complete without a little sake tasting! But unless you are an avid sake drinker, it can be hard to know where to begin.To help you navigate the world of sake, we’ve done plenty of research in Japan: from consulting with sake connoisseurs, to sake tastings and sampli…(1032 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Sake (Rice wine) Restaurant Drink Visit Japan Travel Tokyo Kyoto Izakaya
Another Way of Doing a Toast: "Otsukare (-sama)"
As everyone knows and some other senpais comment, it's usually the case with a toast that we say "Kanpai" ( as you say "cheers") before we begin to drink at a party. But we have another way of doing a toast.In a casual setting where we go out for a drink after work before going home, we someti…(297 words)
maxnino
Toast Drink Greeting Phrase
Komeda Coffee: the First Trend to Start in Nagoya
Komeda Coffee is a chain cafe that originated in Nagoya, and has since spread across the country. I often joke with my friends that Nagoya is the last place to be informed of the latest fads, but this time around, Nagoya became the trendsetter. Of the more than 400 stores nation-wide, in Aichi …(320 words)
Misa
Coffee Nagoya Food Tokyo Summer Drink May Castle Toast Cafe
I opened a craft beer bar in Tokyo
I recently opened a new craft beer bar in Tokyo and I thought an article re the process of this would be interesting. After the forced closing of my previous beer bar in Aoyama (the building was being demolished to make way for a redevelopment) I was in a situation where I had to relocate the b…(1288 words)
Adstev73
Tokyo Beer Food Visit City Japan Summer Drink Building
6 Interesting Japanese Manners & Customs
Have a comprehensive look at what you MUST know before traveling to a new place.Learning the manners and customs of the country you are traveling to is imperative to impress and socialize with the locals. Plus, it is part of your travel manners. Doesn’t it sound more educated and literate when a …(580 words)
Lara
Japanese Etiquette Interesting Japan Japan Restaurant Food Trip English Drink Eat
Umeshu and Umeboshi
When you are supermarkets, you must have seen a bunch of bottles and suger on sale these days. Yes, this time around the year is the time to make your own Umeshu and Umeboshi at home in Japan.Umeshu （梅酒） is a Japanese liqueur made from ume fruits (while still unripe and green) in alcohol and suga…(198 words)
EmiOnishi
Umeboshi Umeshu Drink Salt Fruits Shochu Onigiri (Rice ball) Sugar Japanese plum
'SKIP Ferret & Cafe' in Okayama
When I recently heard that Okayama City now has a ferret cafe, I knew I had to go. Although I'm not especially "into" ferrets, I enjoy interacting with animals of all kinds, so news of this cafe caught my attention.Apparently there are only a few ferret cafes in the country; I found online refe…(486 words)
Andrea Miyata
Okayama Lunch Animal Cafe Cafe Tokyo Visit City Drink Shop
Explore a back street of Shibuya, and you’ll find secret restaurants.
If you want to visit Shibuya and find a secret place where few tourists are seen and only locals are around, I'd like to recommend the Hyakkendana area in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka town. Hyakkendana means “100 stores” and this used to be the busiest area in Shibuya more than a half century ago. Actually …(512 words)
Hagi
Shibuya Mount Fuji Yamanashi Tokyo Restaurant Drink Sushi Food Wine
Nomihoudai: All you can drink (but not too much)
Nomihoudai - all you can drink - is a very customary service in a Japanese pub. The service usually includes all of the drinks in one part of the menu, usually beer and some mixed drinks, and sometimes wine. Nomihoudai usually has a time limitation, such as 2 or 3 hours. But as is common in Japa…(195 words)
mikekato
Drink Nomihoudai (All you can drink) Beer Izakaya Wine
Chigasaki Beach for your Japan Travel
Have you ever been to a city call “Chigasaki”？ It is located central Kanagawa Prefecture between Fujisawa and Hiratsuka city with population of little over 236,000 people and a population density of 6,610 person per square kilometer.I had an opportunity to visit the Chigasaki city taking JR Tok…(301 words)
AustinA
Japan Travel Travel Tokyo City Yokohama Visit Drink Kamakura Kanagawa Chigasaki
“Renoir” Ginza, The Most Luxurious Coffee Shop in Japan
I remember walking into my first “Ginza Renoir” coffee shop (Kissaten in Japanese) in 1988 and wondering what the heck was going on!First of all, I must admit I am a huge fan of “oshare” which is usually translated as “dressing up” or “dandy-ness”. I have a different view of the word “Oshare”, ho…(846 words)
Ginza
Coffee
Coffee shop
Drink
Etiquette
Shop
Mayonnaise
Business
Japan's Strange Love for Strange and Unusual Snacks
The Japanese are well-known for their love of outrageous, sometimes excessive, and even downright silly, creativity. This creativity can produce both extraordinary and peculiar results.Japanese snacks are no exception. Article upon article has been written about them. Instagram and Facebook are…(415 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Food Japan Snacks Drink Seasonal Kit Kat Unusual
C.C. Lemon!!!
I love C.C. Lemon!I always keep at least one in my fridge, so I always feel I miss it when I go overseas from Japan.It's a lemon soda (like lemonade), sweet and sour with lots of vitamin C's in it, so I feel like drinking C.C. Lemon especially when I feel a bit tired, and after I drink it, …(180 words)
maxnino
Convenience store Drink
Absinthe in Japan: Bar Tram & Bar Trench in Ebisu, Tokyo
Ebisu in Tokyo is home to two of the best absinthe bars in Japan."Bar Tram has been open since 2003; Bar Trench, 2009. They are both run by Takuya Itoh and Rogerio Igarashi Vaz, two highly devoted absinthe aficionados whose mission it is to educate and illuminate others about “la fée verte” (th…(137 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tokyo Ebisu Drink Absinthe
Izakaya: An Insider's Perspective
It can be a little difficult to explain the concept of an “izakaya” in English. They are likened to pubs or bars, essentially being establishments focused on serving alcoholic drinks. However, that’s not all there is to an izakaya. As a former izakaya waitress, I'd like to debunk a few common misco…(591 words)
Sakura
Izakaya Drink Food English Children May Business Karaoke School Work
Japan's Special Soft Drink Flavors
Ever since coming to Japan I've visited convenience stores regularly, not only cause its convenient of course, but because of all the seasonal special drinks they offer. I've had Fanta plenty of times in America, but the flavors were always orange or grape. As soon as I got off the plane here I was…(314 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Drink Convenience store Strawberry Apple Seasonal Fanta Soft Drinks Tokyo Milk
Urth Caffe in Daikanyama
Recently, I went to Urth Caffe in Daikanyama with my friends. This cafe is known for its organic ingredients, especially its organic coffee. I drank their Earl Grey Boba Tea, which was mouthwatering especially during the hot summer month of July. Although it is a big cafe with many seats, it is ext…(112 words)
RieS
Tokyo Restaurant Drink Tea Coffee Summer
Cheapest Places for Karaoke in Japan
Karatetsu is my go-to karaoke place. The reasons are clear. 1. Cheap2. Carries one of the most number of songs, which is perfect for someone like me who enjoys singing songs in English.The prices are pretty mind-blowing in comparison to places like Shidax or Big Echo that charge 650yen/30mi…(338 words)
GenS
Karaoke Singing Japan Cheap Party Drink Trip English view Yen
Sushi, the fast food of Japan
Sushi, is the traditional fast food in Japan. It is finger food in fact. Yes, you read me well: you do not need any chopsticks to eat sushi. Your fingers are all enough. So, to me, a 4 Michelin star sushi place, is quite similar to giving Michelin stars to a Mac Donald (yes, I am exaggerating, …(335 words)
Claire
Sushi Tokyo Drink Beer Ginza Lunch
Anime Street! Let's go to Asagaya!
At the end of March 2014 opened a fantastic street called Asagaya Anime Street, a place where anime creators and fans of anime can come together and create an experience like no other.Located only about 4 minutes by walking from Asagaya station, Asagaya Anime Street is like a little mall design…(650 words)
Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo
Anime Tokyo Drink Visit Event Museum Coffee Game Manga Movie
Fresh Coffee at Japanese Convenience Stores
Japan has many coffee shops, chains like Starbucks or Doutor and old Japanese style cafes called kissaten. Coffee is also available from vending machines everywhere, both hot and cold canned coffee. The many convenience stores offer a variety of coffee products, now also including freshly brewed co…(256 words)
David
Convenience store Coffee Cafe Vending Machines Coffee shop Drink
SinKaya: Shibuya's Heavenly Secret
Shibuya's Dogenzaka has a reputation for its seedier side, albeit safe for those adventurous enough to wander its streets. One of its oldest areas, called Hyakkendana ("100 Shops"), is usually shunned by tourists and only ever used as a short-cut for locals.And it's exactly that reason why SinK…(336 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Shibuya Restaurant Izakaya Tokyo Drink Food Beef Shochu Beer Cuisine
Tea Time with a Little Monkey Magic!
Many Yokohama residents are familiar with Monkey Magic Teahouse, the well-known tea restaurant with its attractive wooden interior and marvelous tea selection in the heart of Chinatown. But most don't know about its sister store, the comfortable, affordable Goku Tea Bar on an unassuming side street…(304 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tea Yokohama Chinatown Monkey Restaurant Drink Traditional Yen Bar Relax
Sake should drink hot or cold?
When you try sake, many people have image to have”Hot sake”(atsukan) butmost good sake should be enjoyed slightly chilled. Cheaper sake is served warm.Also If it’s cold winter, you would like to have hot sake to get warm.There are grade of sake. It’s call Daiginjo is the highest quality (ve…(108 words)
yukorose
Drink Kyoto Sake (Rice wine) Wine Hiroshima Niigata Winter
Beware of a hangover
Happoshu, for all intents and purposes, is cheaper beer; or more specifically, "beer flavored malt beverage". Taxes on beer are somewhat high in Japan, and many are not willing to pay around 3$ U.S for a pint of beer even in a can. The solution is Happoshu, imitation beers that have as many varieti…(146 words)
KurtisW
Drink Beer Dietary supplement
The One and Only Bikkle!
Have had your Bikkle Today?One of the unique soft drinks that you should try while you're in Japan is Bikkle. Just the name alone is a great reason to try it, but you'll also be wowed by the taste, too.It is a yogurt-based drink that tastes a lot like the orange cream popsicles you maybe en…(102 words)
Nate
Convenience store Drink
Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant)
As you may know, one of the most used modes of transportation in japan is the train. In the midst of your travel, I am fairly confident that you’ve come across a small “Soba” (noodle) shop within the train station. The first thought I had in my mind was how traditional this establishment is for…(552 words)
AustinA
Train Restaurant Train station Tokyo Summer Drink Ticket Kyoto Winter Food
“Sushi Zanmai” in Yokohama Chinatown (Open 11:00 a.m. till 5:00 a.m.)
I would like to highly recommend Sushi Zanmai Yokohama Chinatown branch with the following reasons. (1) English menu is available.(2) You can order by piece. Simple billing!(3) Their Sushi Chef, Mr. Mashima (please call him Mathie) is the best! He has been constant in his devotion to le…(226 words)
Suetsumuhana
Yokohama Sushi Chinatown Visit Drink Beer English Sake (Rice wine) Kanagawa
Watch out for misleading labels in Japan
There have been some convenient, but very misleading trends in consumerism in Japan leading non-Japanese reading visitors and residents to making annoying and sometimes dangerous mistakes.For example, above you can see a だし Dashi (soup stock) vending machine right next to a normal drink machi…(185 words)
jjwalsh
Drink Easily Mistaken Misunderstood May Children Juice style Fish Kirin Cocktail
Tourist Tip #7: DON'T!
Nobody wants to do the wrong thing when visiting a foreign country, and with Japan regarded as one of the politest countries in the world, there are plenty of wrong things that one can unintentionally D'oh!I posted a "Tourist Tip #5: Five Don'ts to Do" list a while back, and thought I would exp…(495 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tourist Tip Etiquette Guide Taxicab Train Drink Beer Party
HANAMI (a MUST-DO)
THE thing to do in Japan during the spring is hanami. Even as a Japanese who has lived and grown up in Japan, I am still astounded by the beauty of the cherry blossoms. It can be difficult to estimate when the cherry blossoms will fully bloom, because the condition changes depending on the temperat…(212 words)
RieS
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Park Drink Sake (Rice wine) Cherry blossom Beauty Cherry Grilled meat barbeque Apple Spring
It is ok to drink in public in most of Japan
In Tokyo and all of Japan, there are not many laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public, whether it's on the sidewalk or in a park. Some parks, such as Shinjuku Gyoen park, prohibit, but if there's no signs posted, then it's fine. However, it's best to be considerate of others and not g…(83 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Park Etiquette Shinjuku Drink Beer
Recommended Craft Beer in Japan
Question: What craft beer in Japan do you recommend?My personal favourites: anything from Baird Beer, Brimmer Brewing, Coedo, Yona Yona, and whatever's on tap at Antenna America. Check out my website for links, addresses, and event information:http://www.abrewcadabrew.comFor a comprehensi…(55 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beer Drink Event Visit
Best Izakaya in Yokohama, Japan
By far my favourite izakaya is a place in Yokohama called Camp Yokohama. As its name may suggest, this particular izakaya is camping themed. Which of course means, MEAT! GOOD MEAT! CHEAP MEAAAAT!!Anything you order here is awesome, from the jumbo sausage (300 yen) to the lamb. What makes it e…(398 words)
GenS
Yokohama Izakaya Drink Beer Sake (Rice wine) Kanagawa Shochu Camping Barbeque Nomihoudai (All you can drink)
Manga Starbucks
From one little coffee shop in Seattle Washington in 1971, a coffee empire unlike any empire ever seen was born. Their cafes can be found in sixty five countries, with more than sixteen thousand locations. Their products are also sold ubiquitously from convenient stores to grocery markets, and in …(269 words)
Alex
Kamakura Manga Starbucks Train Drink Building Food Coffee Cherry
Cajun & Creole Cooking and Craft Beer at Nawlins BBQ House, Yokosuka
Sushi. Natto. Takoyaki. We all love Japanese food, but sometimes that inexplicable mood hits hard and you've just got to have some good old fashion BBQ. Thanks to Nawlins, Yokosuka’s first Cajun and Creole restaurant, you can satiate that craving any time you please. Nawlins serves delicious sl…(341 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Beer Yokosuka BBQ cooking Drink Restaurant Food Yokohama
I opened a wine bar in Tokyo
I recently opened a wine bar in the Omotesando area of Tokyo, a very stylish area of the city. I'd like to post a brief outline of the process I went through in establishing the bar below. The property I sourced the property through a friend. It is a two storey building, built in the late…(833 words)
Adstev73
Tokyo Wine Business City Drink Food Building Beer Winter view
Maid Cafe experience
Take a sneak peek at Maid Cafe --- yes, I've been curious but not motivated enough much so far.But as a professional Tokyo tour guide, I needed to have the experience before I take guests there. So I went with seven other guide friends.There are tons of maid cafes in Akihabara, different co…(363 words)
Zara
Maid Cafe Tokyo Akihabara Play Drink English Kawaii
Authentic Ceylon Tea in Yokohama, Japan
One of the many things I love about Yokohama is its number of fantastic cafes. a particularly unique one I enjoy going to is Sinha Ceylon Tea House, located near Bashamichi Station, who specializes in leaf teas imported from several regions in Sri Lanka.They offer over thirty varieties of hot a…(321 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Bashamichi Yokohama Cafe Food Drink