When dreaming about future trips to Japan, what comes to mind? Eating sushi, climbing Mt. Fuji, or seeing a beautiful maiko performance perhaps? This list will remind you to not forget to experience the amazing Japanese alcoholic beverages at its best in Japan. You might have tried Japanese sake or beer outside of Japan before, however, tasting some authentic drinks when visiting the country can teach you so much about the culture of the places you visit.
At Greco Annarita, a member of the bell service team at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, recommends the best Japanese drinks you cannot miss in Japan. Since Annarita joined The Capitol Hotel Tokyu a year ago, she has welcomed all guests as part of the bell service team, guiding visitors around the hotel facilities and providing information to guests. She believes that this is the perfect job for her as she really enjoys communicating with people and feels rewarded when she can build relationships with guests who come from all over the world.
Umeshu, Plum Wine with Orange
Umeshu, plum wine, is sometimes served as an aperitif at fancy restaurants with authentic Japanese dishes. Even though you can try it at some Japanese restaurants outside of Japan, you’d never know that there are countless kinds of plum wine in Japan such as plum wine with black sugar, strawberry and green tea. Annarita’s favourite and recommended combination is the plum wine with orange, as it’s sweet but flavourful and the alcohol percentage is not too high.
Fruit Sake
Thinking about what fruit sake could be like, you might imagine a cocktail with a fruity flavour, however, Japanese fruit sake is different from a cocktail. The fruit sake is produced with seasonal and local fruits such as peach, apple and grape. It is processed using the same method as Japanese sake, allowing you to experience unique and luxurious flavours.
Japanese Whisky
Annarita can’t help but admit that the most delicious whisky in the world is made in Japan and she was actually really surprised at how delicious it was when she tried it for the first time in Japan. Japanese whisky is already very popular outside of Japan and is expensive and rare to find. However, Annarita says that it’s worth trying if you love whisky because of the amazing taste, quality and feeling of authentic Japanese craftsmanship when drinking it.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu has produced an original whisky with the Ichiro’s Malt & Grain. This whisky is the brainchild of one of the bartenders at the hotel after visiting the distillery in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture a year ago. Blending five major whisky’s from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the US, with Ichiro Malt as a key flavour, the exclusive and flavourful whisky is available at The Capitol bar. Only 180 bottles have been produced. Those who wish to taste it will enjoy such elegant flavours from the barrel incense as well as fruity flavours such as berries and blackcurrant. The label was designed with inspiration from the poem ‘Gekka Dokushaku’ (Have a drink under the moon by myself) by Rihaku. Art by Rihaku was also displayed at the bar at old Capitol Tokyu Hotel.
