Search results for “kyoto”

Open any bottle of premium sake, and you will see a number on the label. It often reads something like 60 percent or 50 percent. That figure points to rice polishing, one of sake's defining steps. So what is rice polishing in sake brewin...

Japan has a long tradition of boxed meals. From simple rice and pickles to carefully arranged multi-dish spreads, bento culture reflects the care Japanese people bring to everyday food. Among all the bento formats available today, (幕の...

Sake begins with a quiet transformation inside a grain of rice. That transformation has a name: koji. So what is koji in sake brewing? Koji is steamed rice grown with a special mold, Aspergillus oryzae. The mold spreads through each grai...

Hiroshima stands as one of Japan's three great sake-producing regions, alongside Nada in Hyogo and Fushimi in Kyoto. Its sake carries a particular softness. Soft water, long-term low-temperature fermentation, and over a century of ginjo-...

Yakiniku is one of Japan’s most enjoyable food experiences. It feels casual, warm, and a little exciting. You sit around a grill, cook small pieces of meat, and eat them hot. The sound, smoke, and smell become part of the meal. At first,...

Akita sake is a refined sake culture from northern Japan. It comes from Akita Prefecture, a rice-growing region in Tohoku. Cold winters, abundant water, local rice, and careful brewing shape its character. As a result, the style is often...

Japanese street food hits you before you even see the stall. First comes the smell: charcoal, sweet soy glaze, and something sizzling on a hot iron plate. You follow your nose without a plan. That's how most great matsuri food memories s...

Hyogo is one of Japan’s major sake-producing prefectures, especially because of Nada Gogo. Its sake culture grew from water, rice, winter climate, ports, and brewer’s craft. The best-known examples often taste dry, firm, and clean. Inlan...

Some sweets stop you mid-bite. Tsuki no Shizuku is one of them. These Japanese candied grapes combine a crispy sugar shell with a burst of cold, juicy grape inside. The contrast is surprising in the best way. What Is Tsuki no Shizuku? Ts...

Donko nabe is a rich winter hot pot from Japan’s Sanriku coast, made with donko fish and its creamy liver dissolved into miso broth.Popular in Miyagi and Iwate, this rustic seafood stew delivers deep flavor from the sea and a warming tas...