By Ryuji Takahashi Shinbashi is a renowned business district where many shops line the streets, reminiscent of the Showa era (1926-1989). One venue familiar to many is the New Shinbashi Building, a large multi-tenant shopping mall on the Hibiyaguchi side of Shinbashi Station, occupied from the first basement floor to the fourth floor by many restaurants, a ticket broker, massage parlors, and shops...
Non-glutinous Japonica rice is used to brew sake, also consumed as a staple. Many rice varieties are grown in Japan, all suitable to brew sake. Rice most suitable to brew sake is referred to as “rice suitable for sake-brewing.” The variety of rice suitable for sake-brewing must satisfy three conditions: Large grain size, white core, and low protein content. The most representative brands of “rice...
By Kosuke Kuji The damage became apparent as the morning dawned on January 2. A tsunami hit Suzu city, Noto Peninsula. The morning market in Wajima, a renowned tourist spot, burned up in flames.The footage showed fire damage, eerily reminiscent of fires in the coastal region of Miyagi prefecture, hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Noto Peninsula is home ...
The ingredients used to brew sake are ‘rice’ and ‘water.’ The production region of sake rice is said to be Southeast Asia. Japan grows mainly Japonica Rice. Sake is brewed from non-glutinous rice. Large grains of sake rice are polished to brew sake. Therefore, producers take great care since rice ears fall easily. Over 100 rice brands suitable to brew sake circulate in the market. However, th...
By Ryuji Takahashi I visited Shibamata Taishakuten Nichiren-shu Buddhist Temple early in the New Year. It’s been thirty years since I moved to Tokyo, yet I’ve never visited the temple once. Since I’ve never seen the film series, “It’s Tough Being a Man,” I was convinced I had no reason to visit. I was proven wrong however. Shibamata Taishakuten is a reputable Nichiren Buddhist Temple built by tw...