Ryo Iwa– Author –
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Maturibayashi Watermelon (まつりばやし)
Maturibayashi watermelon is a large, sweet Japanese melon known for its crisp texture and rich flavor. It shows up every summer in Japanese markets, and people look forward to it all year. You may never have heard of it before. But one c... -
Kyoto Sake (京都の酒)
Kyoto sake is known for smooth texture, fragrant sake aroma, and an elegant finish. The center of this regional sake culture is Fushimi, a historical brewery district in southern Kyoto. Soft water, Kyoto brewing tradition, and the city’s... -
Tokubetsu honjozo (特別本醸造酒)
Tokubetsu honjozo is Japanese sake made with rice polished to 60% or less, plus a small amount of brewed alcohol. It tastes clean, dry, and smooth. It works chilled, warm, or at room temperature. “Tokubetsu” means special, while “honjozo... -
Seme sake (せめ)
Seme sake is the final press sake collected at the end of sake pressing. Because brewers apply stronger pressure at this stage, the liquid often tastes richer, deeper, and more intense than earlier fractions. This is the last cut of the ... -
Nakadori sake (中取り)
Nakadori is the middle press sake collected after the first rough run and before the final heavy press. Because it comes from the most stable part of sake pressing, it often shows clean aroma, balanced flavor, and a smooth... -
Densuke watermelon (でんすけすいか)
Densuke watermelon (でんすけすいか) is a premium black-rind watermelon grown exclusively in Toma, Hokkaido, Japan. Produced in limited quantities of under 4,000 fruits per year, it stands out for its smooth dark rind, dense red flesh, an... -
Arabashhiri Sake (あらばしり)
Arabashiri is the first sake that flows out during pressing. Because it comes from the earliest stage, it often tastes lively, fresh, and slightly wild. Many enthusiasts chase it each winter for that brewery‑fresh feeling. Thi... -
Tsuki no Shizuku (月の雫)
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... -
Muroka sake (無濾過日本酒)
I first tried muroka sake at a small bar in Osaka. The glass looked slightly golden, not perfectly clear. I paused for a moment. Was this normal? Then I took a sip, and the answer came quickly. The flavor felt wider, deeper, and surprisi... -
Urajiro manju (うらじろまんじゅう)
Not every Japanese sweet makes it into travel guides. Urajiro manju is exactly the kind of thing you stumble across in a small confectionery tucked into a Yamanashi mountain town, buy one out of curiosity, and then find yourself thinking...