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.

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!

Milk Village is an ice cream parlour in Hokkaido that is strictly for adults only.

Located just a 7-minute walk away from Yudanaka station, the bar is located just beside the river connecting Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen where you can enjoy the flowing sound of nature while indulging in your warm Japanese rice wine.

It has lots of musical instruments such as acoustic guitars, electric guitars and basses that occasionally regulars and new customers who wish to play, can plug it in and let their inner Malmsteen out.

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.

If you have been wondering what kinds of wonderfully weird drink bars there are across Tokyo, some of these will give you an idea of what you will find. Drinking comes second at these places.

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.

There are several paths into the concrete jungle, so take one and enter into a new reality. The narrow walkways have intersections where you can branch off into a new part of the alleyways.

So, what’s hot (no pun intended) this summer, as far as beer gardens in the Kansai region go? This year sees the return of a few old favourites as well as the emergence of a number of new contenders to the crown.

Available in bars, izakayas and wherever alcohol is sold, umeshu is a liqueur with a unique taste of Japan.

Japan is the land of the rising sun, but it’s also land of the strange, as you’re about to find out. Step through the entrance of Shibuya’s infamous vibrator bar with me.