Shochu焼酎
Shōchū (焼酎) is a Japanese distilled beverage. It is typically distilled from barley (mugi), sweet potatoes (imo), buckwheat (soba), or rice (kome), though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients such as brown sugar, chestnut, sesame seeds, or even carrots. Typically shōchū contains approximately 25% alcohol by volume, which is weaker than whisky or standard-strength vodka but stronger than wine and sake. It is not uncommon for multiply-distilled shōchū, which is more likely to be used in mixed drinks, to contain up to 35% alcohol by volume.
from Shōchū (Wikipedia) CC BY SA 3.0
Advice about Shochu
Enjoy Japanese Chu-hi drink !
You will see an overwhelming numbers of Chu-hi cans lined up in a rowbesides beer and wine in every convenience stores. Chu-hi is aJapanese-shochu-based cocktail, which has now become a widely acceptedbeverage nationwide in Japan with a variety of offerings such as localfruits flavors.A…(332 words)
fujimorison
Best Izakaya in Yokohama, Japan
By far my favourite izakaya is a place in Yokohama called Camp Yokohama. As its name may suggest, this particular izakaya is camping themed. Which of course means, MEAT! GOOD MEAT! CHEAP MEAAAAT!!Anything you order here is awesome, from the jumbo sausage (300 yen) to the lamb. What makes it e…(398 words)
SinKaya: Shibuya's Heavenly Secret
Shibuya's Dogenzaka has a reputation for its seedier side, albeit safe for those adventurous enough to wander its streets. One of its oldest areas, called Hyakkendana ("100 Shops"), is usually shunned by tourists and only ever used as a short-cut for locals.And it's exactly that reason why SinK…(336 words)
Umeshu and Umeboshi
When you are supermarkets, you must have seen a bunch of bottles and suger on sale these days. Yes, this time around the year is the time to make your own Umeshu and Umeboshi at home in Japan.Umeshu (梅酒) is a Japanese liqueur made from ume fruits (while still unripe and green) in alcohol and suga…(198 words)
EmiOnishi
What can you tell me about Japanese "snack" bars?
"Snack" - or sometimes called pubs, or pub snacks,- are small, Japanese style bars. They can be found in any neighborhood in Tokyo or any other town in Japan.They can be intimidating to enter for the first time as they usually have no windows and no outdoor menus or signs that give you an idea of…(209 words)
Kiuchi Brewery in Ibaraki prefecture has been making Hitachino Nest Beer since 1996. They offer over ten different kinds of beer including Amber Ale, Espresso Stout, Pale Ale, Weizen, and Japanese Classic Ale. What is also interesting is that one of their beers, the XH (a strong Belgian ale) blend …(117 words)
Start with chu-hai
Chu-hai is a popular alcoholic drink made with the potato based shochu. It is sold in cans and ranges in price from under 100 yen to around 300 yen for 350ml. The price depends on the quality and where you buy it as supermarkets will obviously be cheaper that convenience stores and vending machines…(66 words)
Nomihoudai are economical and great if you are in groups..
Normally Nomihodai are timebound. It is for 60 min or 90 min or 120 min etc and this is told /decided initially when you enter the shop. There are set of drinks which you can have as much as you like in these 60 or 120 min. Drinks not included in this list have to be purchased separately at norma…(192 words)
Try Okonomiyaki and a Chuu Hai
Okonomiyaki is an awesome Japanese dish that is basically a pancake filled with cabbage, meats, and whatever else you'd like. In the Tokyo area, okonomiyaki tends to be thinner, whereas in the Kyoto/Osaka region they get much thicker.Chuu Hais are a japanese interperation of the Highball drink …(72 words)
KurtisW
Yakatabune
Yakatabune are, literally "night ships," which are floating party boats. The vast majority are rented out to groups. Some, however, are open for individuals, couples, and small groups. Traditionally, yakatabune serve tempura as the main course. In Tokyo, one of the highlights has been anago…(173 words)
Lively Drinking Spots in Japan: Beer Gardens and Izakaya Japanese Pubs
You can find Beer Gardens atop department stores around Japan and Izakayas along any busy restaurant area in any city in the country.Although also popular with groups of friends or coworkers, you will find Japanese style pubs "Izakaya" popular with men- they serve many small dishes that go well…(220 words)
jjwalsh
See if You Like Shochu
Of the varieties of alcohol in Japan, Shochu is the most common hard liquor that is often drank on its own and is mixed in a variety of drinks. It's strength is typically in the 15-20% range and comes has a wide variety of brands to try. It tastes like sour plums. Even if you don't like it on its o…(87 words)
Gold Can Chuu hai
There is a shochu (hard liquor) maker in Japan called "Takara". They have products such as the takara cup, which is a small serving of Shochu in a plastic bottle. This company is generally not associated with higher quality liquors, and is for all intents and purposes, just a cheap buzz.They ha…(158 words)
Shochu and Awamori
Shochu - which is typically distilled from either rice, sweet potatoes, brown sugar or barley.Awamori - distilled from Thai rice, from Okinawa.(23 words)
Party because of marketing efforts
High ball is a drink mainly consisting of whisky and soda mostly served in rather tall and big glass. In Japanese market, consumption of hard liquor, like whisky have been on the constant decline over the last couple of decades while beer and Chu-hi have been continuously gaining popularity. In ord…(136 words)