Drink, Cuisine in Japan

Advice about Drink

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

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

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

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

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

Yakitori; Grilled Chicken that Sake Lovers Can’t Drink Without.

Just like Londoners enjoying fish and chips with pints of beer at the pub, yakitori(焼き鳥, やきとり) or skewed chicken barbecue, is an essential delicacy for beer or sake here in Japan. You can easily find yakitori on izakaya menus everywhere in Tokyo, but I would like to recommend you visit a few…(256 words)

Hagi

Mikasa Kaikan, quality libations & comestibles in the hart of Ginza

Quality and connivence in Ginza, Mikasa Kaikan has a lot to offer. Located half a block back from Harumi Dori and 3.5 blocks from the famous Ginza 4 - Chome intersection, it's close to Ginza's high energy central shopping area, easy to find and serene all at the same time.Meet up with friends a…(216 words)

Aron

Fans of Green Tea, Listen to This Helpful Tip

Ryokucha is my favourite type of green tea. I still drink it regularly and when I used to go to school, I would drink 500 ml a day. At any convenient store or supermarket, you will have a range of green tea brands to choose from. Any of them are good. If given the choice, I would probably choose Ay…(173 words)

GenS

Shaved Ice, Iced Coffee, and Beer in Japan

Shaved Ice is a popular snack, usually only available in the winter. It is popular especially as a snack on the pool side or at the beach. You can choose from a range of syrups including melon, strawberry, and blue hawaii. My personal favorite is melon. Some Shaved ice even has ice cream on it. A v…(232 words)

GenS

All You Can Drink in Japan!

When having a party at any izakaya (Japanese pub), a common option to choose is the nomihoudai (all you can drink) option. I never thought this was unique to Japan until my foreigner friends told me they had never had an all you can drink option. If you choose to do nomihoudai, you will be able to …(260 words)

GenS

Water, Water, and many drops to drink

Omizu (mizu if you're not using the honorific "O") is the Japanese word for water. If you're visiting Japan you can be assured that the water from taps is safe to drink wherever you're visiting. However, if you really insist on paying 100 to 200 yen for a bottle of water you'll find plenty of brand…(279 words)

Joe Peters

Oktoberfest in Japan: Starting in Odaiba this Friday!

It's been 12 years already since Japan started the Bavarian beer festival, Oktoberfest in Yokohama for the first time. You can now enjoy the Munich's notorious beer festival throughout Japan such as Tohoku, Nagasaki and Tokyo (Odaiba, Hibiya, Yoyogi and Akihabara, etc.) Today I had a chance to go t…(269 words)

EmiOnishi

Taste of America presents - Escape to California! California Food & Culture

Our restaurant is having a terrific food & music event which is a great way to meet new people and enjoy a relaxing evening. Everyone welcome! https://www.facebook.com/events/717849554919293/Taste of America presents - Escape to California! California Food & Culture Night (2 great nights to j…(415 words)

Traci Pink Cow

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Kiuchi Brewery

If you're a beer enthusiast, nothing is better than a brewery tour. You get to go behind the scenes and see how your favorite brew is made and sample the freshest product.Beer enthusiasts visiting Japan should make their way out to Kiuchi Brewery, home of Hitachino Nest Beer, to have a look at …(368 words)

Petra

Deep crawl at night in Shinjuku - Golden Gai(District)

Which is the best place to visit in Tokyo at night?To experience the local and enjoy the talk with the locals?Well, one has his/her own interest so does other. And Tokyo has so many options to offer. So it's not easy to pick only one.But this is for you who might be looking for some ol…(294 words)

Zara

More important words than fortune. Words needed in the tavern

If you come to Tokyo, do you want to enter the tavern, “I-ZAKA-YA”？Only beer and sake.Table is also small.There is what you need to go to the I-ZAKA-YA of Japan.It is the word "TORI-AEZU- BI-I-RU!" and "O-KAI-K!".If you do not use these two words,You also not be eat cuisine foreve…(143 words)

asteka

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

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

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

“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)

5@example.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

Drink飲料

Advice about Drink