Packed with historical breweries producing some of the most distinct and high-quality sake in Japan, Niigata’s sake history dates back hundreds of years.

There’s more to the area than the renowned temple. Being a convenient Kintetsu or Keihan train ride from Osaka, and south of Kyoto city itself, it’s well worth the trip to Fushimi. The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive is that it’s a quaint, picturesque and peaceful place, compared to the hustle and bustle of Kyoto city, or even Fushimi Inari—at least it was when I visited.

Japanese Sake. Used for religious ceremonies, court festivals and drinking games, it has been an essential element in Japanese culture and tradition for a long time. However, it also has a dark side.

Located near the JR Shinjuku Southeast Exit, this restaurant rests near a bridge leading into the Takashimaya Department Store. Countless sets of nostalgia grace the walls of the restaurant, all commemorating the illustrious career of pro-wrestler turned politician, Antonio Inoki.

Fukushima prefecture is located in Japan's northern Tohoku region. When planning a trip to Fukushima, don't miss out on any of these top things to do and see.

The Sake Festival is a two-day long event that offers sake from all over Japan. Therefore, you have the opportunity to try sake from places as far apart and diverse as Okinawa and Hokkaido. But, don't forget all that local sake too!

As a “theme park” for Japanese rice wine (sake), Ponshukan is located inside three major JR stations in Niigata — Niigata, Nagaoka, and Echigo Yuzawa. In each of them, you will be able to fill your heart with not only rice wine, but also rice-related products, pickled foods, and interesting take-home items.

Easily accessible from Tokyo via the Joetsu Shinkansen, there are plenty of reasons to pay this part of the country a visit - and not just for the bucketloads of winter activities! Wondering what Niigata has to offer? Here are 15 of the best things to see and do in this part of Japan.

When visiting Japan, how should one choose the best sake to enjoy their drinking experience? The following is a quick run-down of the brewing process and sake types, as well as some recommended methods for choosing and tasting sake.

Home to some of the best and oldest sake breweries throughout Japan, Hiroshima Prefecture holds an annual sake festival in the town of Saijo. It serves as a huge sake sampling venue with more than 1000 kinds of sake from breweries all over the country.

Time to brew some umeshu. While there are many recipes available online, here is the one my host mom gave me that I think is the best.

On a pleasant Sunday in June, I participated in a unique one-day rice planting experience with my son. Even for Japanese, the average person rarely gets to plant rice themselves, so I’d like to share my experience.