Theme: "Nihonshu"
The second theme: ‘Nihonshu.’ Bob and his good friend and drinking veteran, Tetsu-san explore the world of Nihonshu (or Japanese sake) in Osaka. This time we take a step away from the Osaka city area to a quiet neighboring city in the prefecture called Takatsuki, which also has local brewery… How many drinks can Bob take before he falls over?
Styles of Nihonshu
If you’re talking about Nihonshu where rice is the main ingredient, you can classify it into 3 broad categories; “Daiginjo,” “Ginjo,” and “Junmai.” The difference between them is the extent the rice has been polished (or shaved down, if you will). Junmai is made from water, rice-malt and white rice where the grains have been polished down to 70%. If you’re drinking Ginjou, then it’s 60%, when you’re drinking Daiginjyou it’s 50%, ya know. Daiginjyo is pretty extravagant, eh! Ah yeah, you’ve got ‘sweet’ and ‘dry’ differences as well. What people like depends on their taste, so make sure you try a buncha Nihonshu!
*Osaka Manabu*
Staff member at "Cafe de Osaka." Loves Osaka more than anything.
For more "UMAMI" information in English:
【Umami Information Center】
http://www.umamiinfo.com/
【wikipedia】
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umami
【Location 1&3】
Nanpurakuten (in cooperation)
A laid-back restaurant in Takatsuki city, often full of chatty locals. Nanpurakuten is owned and run by Osaka Bob’s good friend and veteran Nihonshu drinker, Tetsu-san. Enjoy a range of Japanese food and drink at a reasonable price. 5 minutes from JR Takatsuki Station on foot.
Osaka-fu, Takatsuki-shi, Takatsuki-cho 1-23 | 12:00noon - 22:00 (about). Irregular holidays (Check website before visiting).
http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~nampu00/
【Guest】
Tetsu Makino
Owner and manager of Nanpurakuten, a restaurant in Takatsuki popular with the locals. World traveller, marathon runner and veteran drinker, Tetsu is always trying to introduce people to the wide selection of drinks he has available.
【Nanpurakuten’s Website】http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~nampu00/