Journal

Blog

Stories of makers, ingredients, places and the decisions behind Japan's most compelling drinks.

BORN

Born Tokusen Junmai Daiginjo Wins Gold at Kura Master 2026

Kura Master, the annual sake competition held in France, announced its 2026 results, with Born Tokusen Junmai Daiginjo (Katokichibee Shoten, Fukui Prefecture) earning a Gold Award in the Junmai Daiginjo (36–50% polishing ratio) category. Another label from the brewery, Born Ginsen, also received Gold in the same category. This recognition reflects an enduring commitment to quality. Born Tokusen Junmai Daiginjo previously received Platinum Awards in both 2021 and 2023, demonstrating a consistent resonance with juries of French sommeliers and gastronomy professionals over multiple years.

Drink

Beyond Whisky

The presence of Japanese whisky on a back bar was once a mark of distinction. Names like Hibiki, Yamazaki, and Hakushu possessed a rare magnetism. Yet, as Bangkok's cocktail landscape has evolved, these revered spirits have become a distinguished standard rather than a revelation. For those looking toward the next chapter of Japanese distillation, a quiet shift is taking place: the emergence of Japanese craft gin.

Drink

A Shochu by Nature, a Liqueur by Law

Asagiri, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture. Founded in 1878, Tsutsumi Distillery introduced Gokujo Tsutsumi to the world, yet the label does not bear the word “shochu.” Under Japan’s Liquor Tax Law, this bottle is classified as a liqueur. And yet the base spirit is made from rice and rice koji. It is a traditional Kuma rice shochu distillate, aged for more than ten years in Oloroso sherry casks.

Drink

The Rise of the Mindful Drinker

On a Friday night at a packed bar counter, the number of guests opting for an elegantly crafted non-alcoholic beverage has noticeably increased. In many dining groups, it is now common to find one or two individuals who choose not to consume alcohol. They are not looking to end the evening early; they are fully immersing themselves in the atmosphere and the culinary journey, just like everyone else. The evolving challenge for modern gastronomy is ensuring that the menu thoughtfully accommodates this mindful choice.

Drink

An Unbroken Legacy

At the 2026 edition of Kura Master, the annual Japanese sake competition held in France, KID Muryozan Junmai Ginjo (Heiwa Shuzo / Wakayama Prefecture) was awarded a Gold Medal in the Junmai Daiginjo (36–50% polishing ratio) category.

Drink

Crystal Bubbles, the Depth of Kijoshu

In a single glass, the methodology of Champagne meets the uniquely Japanese culture of kijoshu. SAKE HUNDRED’s “Shinsei” is a modern sparkling Junmai Daiginjo that unites these two design principles in one bottle.

Drink

The Global Tapestry of Sake

In 2025, Japanese sake achieved a quiet yet profound milestone. Export value grew by 6% year over year, with volume gracefully climbing 8% to approximately 33,500 kiloliters. Today, sake reaches a remarkable 81 countries and regions, weaving its way into diverse global cultures.

Drink

Crafting for the Global Stage

Kano Sake Brewery’s KISS of FIRE, the First Sake Selected for the Nobel Prize NightCap December 2012, Stockholm. At the celebratory NightCap party following the Nobel Prize award ceremony, a bottle of Japanese sake stood alongside Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon. It was the first sake ever to be officially selected for the party. […]

Bar

Umami in the Glass

The Fifth Taste in Cocktails, and Kouji’s Place Behind the Bar in 2026 For generations, the architecture of a cocktail relied on four pillars: sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and saltiness. Today, umami—the fifth taste—is quietly establishing itself as a defining element within the glass. According to a survey conducted in early 2026 by the U.S. drinks […]

Drink

Thailand’s Shift into a “Super-Aged Society”

The Quiet Transformation of Bangkok’s Premium Beverage Culture A Country Where One in Five Citizens Is Now Over 60 In 2026, Thailand crossed a major demographic threshold. People aged 60 and above now account for more than 20% of the population, placing the country in the category internationally known as a “super-aged society.” At first glance, […]

Age Verification