Category Archives: Shizuoka Sake

Haginishiki Brewery, Japanese sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Sake

Visit of Haginishiki Sake Brewery in Shizuoka City!

September 8, 2019 dragonlife Leave a comment

Haginshiki Brewery for the least is an off the beaten tracks sake brewery for many reasons.
First it is located in Shuzoka City, a location in Japan super famous for its sake but which in spite of 27 breweries produces only 0.5% of the total national Japanese production making their sake rare outside the Prefecture!

It was founded in 1876 above its own natural water source in Suruga Ku, south of Shizuoka Station, but its long history could have ended with the untimely death of its owner, Yoshisaka Hagiwara at the age of 62 a few years ago. But his wife, Ikuko Hagiwara had already become a certified brew master and was consequently joined by her own daughter, Ayanao Hagiwara, another certified brewmaster, making it the only mother/daughter sake master brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture! I doubt there are many such cases in the whole Japan! The latter were joined by Ayano’s husband, Tomonori Hagiwara, himself hailing from a sake brewing family in Kyushu Ayano had met at university in Tokyo. Tomonori having married into the family insured a male heir to the old family! He does participate in the brewing but is more involved in the financial running of the brewery!

The water pump still extracting underground water to be used in the making of succulent sake! You can taste the water and I can tell you it is superb!

The traditional Shinto altar!
Although Ayano has introduced computers and high tech to the running of the brewery and repaired or installed some new equipment the whole place looks more like a small museum!

You definitely need a guide to explain the similarly disorder of the place!

The visit was conducted outside the brewing season but the enormous vats are there to be admired and touched!

The bottling and the labeling is still traditional as this is a small brewery not in need of bulky equipment. When they brew the sake the whole family pitches in with the help of some seasonal hands and intern students!

More vats of various sizes! They are not all used but since they are very valuable they stay in!

These smaller vats are for top premium sake!

Behind these doors the rice is being fermnted! Sorry, no visitors allowed inside!

These very valuables glass vats are used for the very best sake! They are used in the dripping filtering process, a long and precise operation. As they don’t make these anymore they are irreplaceable!

Past the very entrance you will discover the whole palette of their brews as they do accept visits and tastings!

This pic was taken when I took a party of Canadian tourists there for a full visit and tasting event!
As this is a small brewery where everyone is quite busy all year, such visits can be only organized on reservations only and this with plenty of warning!

HAGAINISHIKI/萩錦 BREWERY

Shizuoka City, Suruga KU, Nishiwaki, 381
Tel.: 054-285-2371

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rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

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-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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Fujimasa Brewery, Fujinomiya City, One Cup sake, sake, Sake Breweries, Shizuoka Sake

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One-Cup Series 15: Fujimasa Brewery-Genkotsu

January 2, 2017 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day I had the surprise to discover a One Cup sake by Fujimasa Brewery which is located in Fujinomiya City, a long way from Shizuoka City!

Interesting and very macho name: Genkotsu, that is “The Fist”!

Advertised a “dry sake”!

Old-fashioned cap!
Incidentally this is a honjozo!

Rice: various from Shizuoka Prefecture
Rice milled down to 68%
Dryness: + 6
Acidity: 1.1
Yeast: No 6
Alcohol: 15.5 degrees
Bottled in December 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: light golden hue
Aroma: dry, smoky, oak, plums
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and smoky attack.
Dry plums.
Pleasantly warms back of the palate.
Lingers for a while before departing on a softer note of dry oranges and more plums.
Tends to turn even drier and smokier with food.
Late appearance of chestnuts and bitter chocolate.

Overall: as expected a sake fit for men’s taste although I don’t doubt many members of the so-called weak gender will appreciate its uncompromising dryness and smoky oaken notes!
Great with a hot meal!
Suggested pairings: yakitori, oden, stews, cheese.

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hana No Mai Brewery-“Kira” Junmai Ginjo “Kura Dashi”　Nama Genshu

October 6, 2016 dragonlife 2 Comments

I just had the opportunity to taste a very unusual, that is for that establishment, by Hana no Mai Brewery in Hamamatsu City, in my usual not so secret lair!

The name, ”煌”/”Kira”, could be roughly translated as “bright” and is increasingly used in names.
The sake was sold in Cenova Department Store, Shizuoka City, not in the bottle, but from a tank into a bottle to be closed in front of the customer!
It is a junmai (no pure rice alcohol blended in) ginjo nama (unpasteurized) genshu (no pure water blended in!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice blended to 60%
Alcohol: 18~19 degrees
From the tank on October 1st, 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: light, dry and fruity. Discreet. Dry plums, pears
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and fruity attack backed up by puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: dry plums, pears, dry custard.
Lingers for a while warming up the palate before departing on notes of chestnuts, sweet oranges and dry sweet potato.
Varies little with food but for a drier note.
Turns a little sweeter with rise in temperature with sweet potatoes taking the lead.

Overall: a very unusual sake for Hana No Mai Brewery, which should actually appeal more to adults thantheir usual brews.
Best enjoyed slightly chilled on its own.
Would make a superlative aperitif!
Suggested pairings: grilled fish, yakitori.

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery- Tenko Junmai Nama Genshu Muroka

July 4, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

It’s been some time since I tasted a sake brewed by Suruga Brewery in Shizuoka City!
Although still a very new brewery, at least in name, it is already getting recognition nationally!

It goes for one of its long name as it describes the brewing process:
Junmai: no pure rice alcohol added/blended.
Genshu: no pure water added
Nama: unpasteurized
Muroka: unfiltered

Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 1.6
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Shizuoka yeast
Bottled in June 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Pears
Body: Fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Apricots, dark chocolate and milk coffee appearing late with a sweeter note.
Disappears quickly.
Changes little with but for a slightly drier note.

Overall: A sake for strong sake lovers!
Perfect with izakaya food or BBQ.
Easy to drink in spite of its high alcohol contents.
Gains to be drunk slowly and carefully as it can suddenly reveal fleeting facets!

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Shizuoka Sake Brewers List (Regularly amended)

May 16, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Here below is the list of all 29 “kura”/breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture, which were “working” as of May 2014 (with some nuances and notes attached!)
They are listed in a “traditional” order.
Official business names of Breweries are also included. Keep in mind that some breweries also produce brands for individual shops or distributors: “Miwa No sato” and “Ashikubo” by Fujinishiki, “Toro No sato” by Haginishiki, etc. as well as seasonal limited sake with different names.

SHIZUOKA CITY:

1) Suruga Brewery (Suruga Ku Ku): Tenko (also includes: Abekaido, Umifune No Yamahai, Chuemon, Hagi no Kura)

2) Sanwa Brewery (Shimizu Ku): Garyubai (also includes Hagoromo No Mai, Shizugokoro, S-Pulse Brand, Sayo No Mai, Okitsu, Tesshu, Hoosu)

3) Haginishiki Brewery (Suruga Ku): haginishiki (also includes: Toro No Sato, Minami Alps, Surugayoi)

4) Kumpai (Suruga Ku): Kumpai (also includes: Tenryo No Taki, Meguriai, Shizuka, Daikichi, Kogarashi No Mori, Abe no Shizuku, Ra, Sakura, Tsubaki, Resienkashu, Momiji)

5) Masuichi (Suruga Ku): masuichi　(includes: Tsurugi)

Following the early death of the owner/brewer thw brewery has gone dormant although it keeps its license. Still has some sake for sale in its tanks!

6) Shizuoka Hiraki Brewery: Kihei. Technically, not entirely a Shizuoka Brewery as the original “half” Hiraki Brewery is a brewery in Okayama prefecture owned by Hiraki Company (owned by the totsuka Family in Kakagawa City), a distributor for Tokyo, Nada and ther regions’ major sake,lqueurs, etc.

7) Eikun Brewery (Shimizu Ku): Eikun (also includes: Sumpu No Takajo, Iroha, Kohaku, Hiyaoroshi, Midori no Eikun)

8) Kanzawagawa Brewery: Shosetsu (also includes: Yamada Nishiki, Gin Ginga,Aki Agari)

YAIZU CITY:

9) Isojiman Brewery: Isojiman (also includes: Shumpu, Aiyama)

FUJIEDA CITY

10) Hatsukame Brewery(Okabe): Hatsukame (also includes: Arabashiri, Midori, Kame, Okabe Maru, Kame Shirushi, Kiwami 35, Hyogetsu)

11) Aoshima Brewery: Kikuyoi (also includes Matsushitamai 40, Matsushitamai 50)

12) Shidaizumi Brewery: Shidaizumi (also called Shirasagi, Aoi No Tsuki))

13) Sugii Brewery: Suginishiki (also includes: Fujimai, Touryuumou, Kinnosuke, Taru no Sake)

SHIMADA CITY:

14) Oomuraya Brewery: Wakatake (also includes: Nagai Ki No Hashi, Oikawa Han Kajika, Tansei, Suruga Tansei, Aoimiyagi, Suruko, Shizuoka Oden No Sake, Onna Nakase, Shiro, Take no Kaze, Fuuko, Oyakko, Numazu Uogashi Sushi, Rock Sake, Kaon, Aki no Nama Ippon, Najimi, Sanbyakuton, Juubei, Miya no Mizuku, Shiro, Sagaradako, Hanaoto, Totakozen, Yumei no Tsurubashi, Tenbishi, Shimada Juubei, Namikozo, Okinasagi, Rendaikoshi)

KIKUGAWA CITY

15) Shiromatsu Brewery: Matsuwaka (actually buys its sake and sells under its label)

16) Morimoto Brewery: Sayogoromo (also includes: Sayogoromo No Uta, Kojyo, Aeru No Sato, Sakuretsu Karakuchi, Ma, Shachou No Irasuto, Jizake Koubo-Fujihomare, Sayo no Sanzoku)

OMAEZAKI CITY:

17) Ishikawa brery: Takamatsu (includes: En’yotakamatsu) (actually buys its sake and sells under its label)

KAKEGAWA CITY:

18) Yamanaka brewery: Aoitenka (also includes: Shin’en, Funaseme, Oniaoi, Yokosuka, Yamanaka)

19) Doi Brewery: Kaiun (also includes: Iira, Takatenjin, Hasei Shokiji, Sakura Hana, Hana No Ka, Yumejikomi, Enshyuu No Shiki, Kaiun Den, Komotaru, Enshyunada, small cask)

IWATA CITY:

20) Senjyu Brewery: Senju (also includes: Senjyushirabyoushi, Senjyu Kuromai, Honami, Maiguruma, Sawayaka 16, Blue Bottle, Nadeshiko, Tsurubara, Jubilo Label)

FUKUROI CITY:

21) Kokkou Brewery: kokkou (also includes: Denichiro, Mori no Ishimatsu, Kinzan)

HAMAMATSU CITY:

22) Hana No Mai Brewery: hana No Mai (also inckudes: Hoho, Tsuu, Shizuka No Mai, Yamada Nishiki, Karakkaze, Hikuma No Uta, Keichu, Susono-private label, Enshu no Gin, Ra-Uogashi-private label, Sushi Tetu-private label)

23) Hamamatsu-Tenjingura Brewery: Shusseijyou (also includes: Ginro, Tenjin,Tobinkakoi, Shussei no Tokuri, Ten, Tengu, Ryu, Mu Jun)

FUJINOMIYA CITY:

24) Fujimasa Brewery: Chiyo No Mine (also includes: Genkotsu, Fuji no Kasagumo, Fuji no Uta, Kin Label, Shiro Label, Hiya, Chiyonomine, Hyoutan Tokkuri)

25) Fuji-Takasago Brewery: Taksago (also includes: Tago No Ura, Raku, Soleil, Aragoji, Utafuku, Sunshu Nakaya, Chinkoku No Yama, Kura No Megumi, Homare Fuji)

26) Fujinishiki Brewery: Fujinishiki (also includes: Ashikubo, Miwa No Sato, Fujigasumi, Homarefuji, Mononofu No sato, Juku, Tokaido Chu, Samutsukuri, Aoi Tokugawa Sandai, Sui, Maboroshi Shiro, Abekawa, YuYU, Odoriko, Umiya Azura, Izu Yama Yama)

27) Makino Brewery: Fujisan (also includes Jirotyou)

Numazu City:

28) Takashima Brewery: Hakuinmasamune (also includes: Shirasago, En)

GOTEMBA CITY:

29) Negami Brewery: Kinmei (also includes: Fugakusen, Gotemba Wakamizu, Wakajun, Fukotagu, Kintaroo no sato, Izumi no Yakata)

Izu City:

30) Bandai Brewery: Arabashiri(also includes: Ban’you, Wakitaya, Kuromaizake, Amagi, Fujihomare, Izu no Sato, Arabashiri)

NOTES:

1) Kikugenji (formerly of Toyoo Brewery) even sold in Shuzenji, Izu City, is no longer a Shizuoka sake but from a Nada brewery who bought the name before Toyoo Brewery was absorbed by Bandai Brewery in 2003 to be able to sell in its place of origin!

2) Fuuki in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City are not a sake brewery but an alcohol brewing and bottling company from the Nada area, although one of their casks is displayed at Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City. They represented (and might even still) the biggest oke-gai in the Prefecture.

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Shidaizumi Brewery-Shinshookoshi

March 6, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

This is an extraordinary sake!
It is made with rice cultivated exclusively in Izu since the Meiji period and sold there only.
That is, if you do not know a good sake/wine shop who can produce it out of the back storeroom!
I can’t really tell where I got it, but if you find it, just do not hesitate!

Mr. Mochizuki, owner of the Shidaizumi Brewery in Fujieda City wanted to to give it to Ryuuma, a Japanese hero of the Bakufu and Meiji Periods if he still lived!

Exclusively made with Aikokumai rice cultivated in South Izu Peninsula!
It is not staed as such but it must definitely be a Junmai ginjo!

Rice: Aikokumai (South Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in February 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Strawberries
Body: Fluid
Tasting: Dry and fruity attack.
Complex and surprisingly elegant. Strawberries.
Lingers for a while warming up the palate before leaving with hints of dry almonds and oranges.
Tends to take on a drier turn with food, but on the other hand tends to become sweeter as soon as drunk away from food with strong hints of milk coffee and dark chocolate.

Overall: A very unusual sake in Shizuoka Prefecture, but this is not surprising considering the rice being used.
Nevertheless far more complex and elegant than expected, thanks to great brewer’s skills proving that any good rice, whatever its origin, can be concocted into superlative sake!
A rare sake that you will have to search in South Izu Peninsula unless you have the right connections!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hatsukame Brewery-Kame Jirushi Ginjo Nama

February 21, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Hatsukame Brewery in Okabe, Fujieda City brews a lot of classics at all level and when you are looking for such nectars at a good liquor shop the distinctive labels make them very easy and fun to find!
This particular brew is called “Hatsukame Jirushi” or the “Mark of the Turtle” because it bears a small golden turtle mark in the middle upper part of the label!

They also have the kindness to clearly indicate it is a nama/unpasteurized to be kept refrigerated!

Rice: Oyama Nishiki (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.40
Bottled in January 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Oranges, pineapple. Alcohol
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and very fruity attack backed up with pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Pears, persimmons, hints of oranges.
Disappears fairly quickly on a sweeter note with faint almonds and more oranges.
Changes little with food, but for a drier turn and more almonds.
Quickly switches back to other facets once away from food.

Overall: A sake conceived to be enjoyed with heavy izakaya fare in particular.
Both elegant and reliable. Laides and gentlemen like enjoy it alike!
Would definitely make a great support to aneal, BBQ or parties!
A great suggestion for a souvenir!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sugii Brewery-“Yaoyorozu”Yamahai Junmai Homarefuji

February 14, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sugii Brewery has been brewing this particular brand for some time and it is noteworthy for more than reason.
First of all it is a Yamahai, a variety of sake than many breweries conscientiously ignore as it is difficult to master its natural fermentation.
Interestingly enough “Shizuoka Yamahai” is tarting to get some deserved attention from the rest of Japan as many Shizuoka breweries have made it their challeng to tackle it.
And the results are certainly striking!

Another interesting aspect is that the rice is Shizuoka-grown Hoamrefuji, which is steadily earning its lettres de noblesse (fame)!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 70%
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 2.0
Bottled in Novemeber 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. bananas, custard.
Body: Very fluid
Taste: Dry deep attack.
Little junmai petillant.
Complex. Tends to show new facets in slightly wild and unpredictable fashion.
Fruity: dry oranges. Later dark chocolate and milk coffee.
Welcome acidity.
Disappears quickly enough with hints of dry coffee beans.
Becomes momentarily drier and deeper with food.
Takes on a sweeter turn immediately after food with strong hints of milk coffee.
Superbly marries with any food.

Overall: Although obviously conceived to be drunk with food, it is a thoroughly enjoyable sake on its own with intriguing facets enticing you to the next cup and the nest one beyoond.
A very dangerous sake in a sense as you don’t tire of it and feel obliged to discover a new facet!
A challenge, and a successful one at that be it on the brewer’s side or the drinker’s!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Shidaizumi Brewery-Tokubetsu Honjozo Hyakumangoku

February 6, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I have always been wondering at the wisdom of creating a honjonzo.
After all it is certainly more difficult than making a straight junami as you have to blend the aforementioned junmai with pure sake alcohol.
In fact many a brew master has agreed it is a lot of work for making a sake sold at a lower price…
Mind you I do not complain, especially considering the extravagant rice millage practiced by Shizdaizumi Brewery in Fujieda City!

Rice: Hyakumangoku (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
Dryness: + 6.0
Acidity: 1.1
Bott;ed in November 2013

Clarity: very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Discreet, elegant, fruity. Coffee beans, vanilla
Body: fluid
Taste: Soft, dry. elegant attack with strong coffee beans and dry dark chocolate.
Complex. Pleasant alcohol. Disappears quickly with hints of dry nuts.
Take an even drier turn with food.

Overall: An intriguing and elegant sake.
Eminently enjoyable on its own although obviously conceived to accompany food.
I actually made a point to drink it with dates and sweet biscuits and discovered that its accentuated dryness beautifully married with the sweetness of the cakes!
It just proves you ind you I could drink that particular brew all night long!ought to drink any sake in many combinations as far as food is concerned.
Mind you, I could drink that particular brew all night long!

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Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Takashima Brewery-Hakuin Masamune Junmai Genshu

February 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Winter is the season for strong genshu sake and Takashima Brewery in Numazu City is certainly no exception!
At least they keep the names short there! LOL

Rice: Aichi no kaori
Rice milled down to 65%
Yeast: Shizuoka Yeast NEW-5
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 1.6
Bottled in Decmebr 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Dry, fruity. Pears, custard, alcohol
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very fruity attack backed up with junmai petillant
Easy to drink in spite of high alcohol contents.
Complex: dry custard, chestnuts.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Changes little with food but for a deeper alcohol impression and appearance of oranges.
Sweetness/dryness tends to fluctuate inside the palate.

Overall: Very intriguing junmai genshu.
Superbly marries with food, especially izakaya heavy fare and oden.
Very pleasant to drink in spite of high alcohol contents.
Another solid and so reliable sake so typical of Takashima Brewery’s savoir-faire!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Senju Brewery-Junmai Shinshu Shiboritate Muroka Nama Genshu

February 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I just managed to grab this last bottle of a limited brew by Senju Brewery in Iwata City!

It makes for another long reading:
Junmai: No pure alcohol added
Shinshu: New aske of the season
Shiboritate: Just pressed
Muroka: Unfiltered
Nama: Unpasteurized
Genshu: No pure water added

Limited to 720 liters/ a small tank only!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Dry and fruity. Pineapple, vanilla
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed up with moderate junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Elegant in spite of high alcohol content.
Complex: cherries, oranges, persimmons.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Changes little with food.
Actually marries superbly with heavy izakaya fare.

Overall: A solid sake for heavy food in cold winters!
Very elegant in spite of the “rough image” of a nama genshu!
Another sure value for strong sake lovers!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Soba Restaurant: Kishigami in Shizuoka City!

February 1, 2014 dragonlife 6 Comments

Home-cured duck soba!

Service: very friendly, attentive and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Ju wari/100% soba/buckwheat noodles. Tempura. sake list!

Kishigami Soba Restaurant is located in a celebrated touristic area of Shizuoka City in Utsunoya famous for its many Edo Period houses and inns along the Old Tokaido Road.
It makes for the perfect stop for refreshments in the middle of nature!

It is not that difficult to reach actually.
Just take the bus to Fujieda City at platform 7 in front of Shizuoka JR Station north exit and get off at Utsunoya just before the Fuijieda Tunnel.
Cross the road and take the paved street on the right side snaking up the mountain and you will discover it in the middle of an Edo Travel Inn Village!

The menu is waiting for you outside!

100% buckwheat noodles!

Have a good look inside before choosing a table!

A traveling artist actually drew this picture of the restaurant during his only visit!

The spotless clean kitchen manned by two generations!

Traditional Japan!

A real wood fire stove!

All warm wood!

Although it is open only at lunch time the menu is really extensive!

The elder daughter, Ms. Kayoko Kishigami/岸上香誉子さん is very knowledgeable with sake and a seasonal brew by Sugii Brewery (Fujieda City) was on offer that day!

The Japanese sake from nearby Fujieda City!

Elegant earthenware and glassware!

My friend’s order!

Ten Oroshi Soba!

My order!

Kamo/Duck Oroshi Soba!

The sobayu/buckwheat noodles boiling water to add to the leftover soup and wash it all down!

A meal is not complete at Kishigami without their superb tempura!

What do we have there?

Soba Dango/Buckwheat balls!

Green leafy vegetable!

Maitake/hen-of-the-woods, ram’s head and sheep’s head mushroom!

Avery original dessert: buckwheat balls with hot sweetmeat/anko shiru!

SOBADOKORO KSHIGAMI SOBA RESTAURANT

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Utsunoya, 232-2
Tel.: 054-258-5664
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00
Closed on Mondays and 3rd Tuesday of the month (next day in case of a national holiday)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Oni Koroshi Honjozo Genshu

January 30, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The “Oni Koroshi/Kill a Goblin” made by Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City is probably the most famous Oni Koroshi in Japan and actually was the main brand sake of the same brewery.

It is a very dry sake originally aimed at male drinkers but times have certainly changed and everyone is enjoying it!

For the history amateurs!
If you want the translation just ask! LOL

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 17.1 degrees
Dryness: + 9
Bottled in September 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Dry. Nutty.
Chestnuts, cherries, milk coffee
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack backed with pleasant alcohol.
Fruity: Apples, cherries
Alcohol not as strong as expected.
Lingers only for a while warming up the back of the palate.
Changes little with food but for a mellower turn backed with stronger alcohol.
Turns mellow with soft nuts once away from food.
As a nurukan/lukewarm shows drier but fruity facets. Turns then very dry but pleasant.

Overall: A sake for all seasons, especially with food. Can be enjoyed any temperature.
Another sake to bring at a BBQ or a raucous party!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Shizuoka Sake tasting: Kumpai Brewery-Junmai Nama Genshu Fukuro Tsuri Shibori

January 19, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Kumpai might be the smallest brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture but they certainly produce some supreme nectars!

Incidentally the Ichikawa family produces their own labels!
You can see that 2014 is the Year of the Horse!

The s\name of this sake makes for another long reading:
Junmai: No alcohol added
Nama: unpasteurized
genshu: no water aded
Fukuro Tsuri Shibori: the sake was poured inside cloth sacks hung over a tank to let the sake flow out naturally

Rice: Hyakumangoku
Rice milled down to 55%
Dryness: 0
Alcohol: 18 degrees
Bottled in Decmeber 2013

Clarity: Very clean and smoky (white lees)
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Dry. Fruity
Hints of French Pernod, thick nashi pears
Body: Fluid
Taste: Strong attack backed with puissant junmai petillant.
Alcohol softer tan expected.
Strong bubbly feeling.
Soft and complex: liquorice, pears, nashi.
Very easy to drink in spite of its nama and genshu status.
Changes little with food but for a sweeter turn.

Overall: A thoroughly enjoyable limited quantity sake that might be very difficult to obtain (I ordered it directly from the brewery!)!
Chilled, it makes for a superb aperitif.
Could easily replace a liqueur!
Should definitely please ladies in spite of its “rough” status!
If you must eat with it, do try it with blue cheese or chocolate!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kansawagawa Brewery: Shosetsu Junmai Shiboritate Nama

January 16, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Winter is a great time to taste all those shiboritate/just pressed sake as they will also give you a good idea of what to expect from a brewery every year!

People usualy tend to have difficulties rememembering the difficult name of kansawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, but their brand name, Shosetsu, is famous all over Japan!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in December 2013

Clarity: very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive, fry and fruity
Taste: Well-rounded attack. Dry and fruity. Complex.
Apples, pears, apricots, macadamia nuts.
Discreet junmai petillant.
Disappears fairly quickly with late hints of macadamia nuts, almonds and oranges. Coffee beans appear later.
Comparatively elegant and easy to drink for a nama/unpasteurized sake.
Takes on a drier turn and more junmai petillant with food.
Elegantly marries with food.
Insistently calls for the next cup!

Overall: A very fine sake, subtler than expected for a nama.
Chilled, makes for a superb aperitif.
Beautifully drinks with any food, although thoroughly enjoyable on its own!
A sure value!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,