The TWTT Podcast team is back for a new year after a 2 month break.

In this episode Julian, Maki and Simone are kicking-off the TWTT Podcast for 2024 with a casual chat about what each of them have been doing since they last caught up in December last year.

It's been a busy start to the year with sake events already in full swing for 2024, not only in Japan, (where Julian and Maki are based) but also in Australia, (where Simone is based and has recently been hosting some fun sake focused events to kick off the new year).

Julian talks a little about his visit to Shoryaku-ji Temple, known as the 'birth-place' of modern sake. Maki shares her experiences from some recent Tokyo-based sake events and Simone chats about her January visit to Sydney, where she was involved in a number of events with special guest from Tokyo, Marie Chiba.

It's a short and sweet episode from us this time round. We're a little rusty, after the 2 month hiatus, but it was great to get back together via our laptops and have an enjoyable chat about some fun sake events and hear what each of us has been up to. 

When we look back to when the whole TWTT Project & concept began - in the depth of COVID, lockdowns and border closures - it's wonderful to see sake events in Japan, and other parts of the globe, back in full swing.

We hope you enjoy listening to our sake banter, and wherever you are in the world, we hope there is a fun sake event headed your way soon!

This episode was recorded on 14 Feb 2024

A huge thank you to our subscribers at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links from this episode:

* Donate to Noto Peninsula Earthquake Relief

* Shoryaku-ji Temple

* Bodaisen Bodaimoto

* Bringing Sake to the Table

* Australian Sake Festival

* Eukeka! Tokyo (Instagram)

* Gashue Sake Pub, Tokyo

* Ikkon no Keifu, (documentary)

* Miwa Shuzo, Gifu

In this episode, the final episode for 2023, Maki, Simone and Julian reflect a little on some of their sake moments from this year.

They also chat with Chris Hughes and Harald deRopp and hear a little about their sake year of 2023.

Chris and Harald are no strangers to those who have attended Zoom room sessions of the TWTT Project.

Both Chris and Harald, alongside Maki, have been the dedicated TWTT Translation Team of 2023.

Chris is known for his work with JSS and Sake on Air Podcast, he is also a WSET Sake educator and has worked with a number of sake breweries in various roles.

Harald has a day job that is unrelated to sake, but once he is off the work clock, he is well and truly on a mission to fly the flag high and hard for sake! He's a loved member amongst the TWTT community and greater sake community and if there's ever a sake festival or event happening in Japan, it's usually on Harald's calendar!

We really enjoyed our chat, reflecting on some enjoyable sake moments from 2023, and it was a lovely way for us to sign off on the TWTT Podcast for this year.

We hope you enjoy listening to our chat as much as we enjoyed having it.

A huge thank you to everyone who has listened to our little Podcast and to everyone who has supported TWTT.

To all our sake family and friends, and to everyone...

Take care 

This episode was recorded on 12 Dec 2023

A huge thank you to our subscribers at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links:

https://yamaguchisake.com/author/admin1204182/
https://www.gokyo-sake.co.jp/
https://www.instagram.com/kiichimatsushiro/
https://www.chiyomusubi.co.jp/about/index_eng.html

https://iinumahonke.com/

https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/21/

https://sakeworld.com/sin/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsuko_no_Sake

https://www.kodamajozo.co.jp/en/company/

https://shinkame.com/

http://fumigiku.co.jp/

https://www.sake-toko.co.jp/en/company/
https://sakeonair.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers

https://www.prowein.com/https://www.sake-toko.co.jp/en/company/

In this episode Simone and Julian catch up with their good friends Etsuko Nakamura and Jason Adamson, from Sake Tours Japan.

Etsuko Nakamura - Sake Tours Founder / Tour Leader

Etsuko Nakamura is a Sake Samurai, Advanced Sake Professional certified by The Sake Education Council and a Government Certified Bilingual English Guide [Registration Number: EN02400]. Etsuko owns and operates sake tours under enakamura Inc, Registered Travel Agency No. 3 – 7490 approved by the Government of Tokyo.

Etsuko began Sake Tours in 2008 and believes in giving guests an experience rather than just a tour. She has toured more than 300 sake breweries around Japan and enjoys creating and leading customised tours for special interest groups.

Jason Adamson - Tour Leader /Marketing / Photographer

Jason has been living in Osaka, Japan since 2011. He has a Masters in Gastronomic Tourism from Le Cordon Bleu and is an Advanced Sake Professional having studied under John Gauntner and the Sake Education Council. Jason takes care of all the website, photos and marketing at saketours.com and when not travelling around Japan drinking sake and eating food - he is curating new tours, taking photos, making videos and feeding the internet. He also is part of the team at Sake Industry News.

In the early days of TWTT The Project, Etsuko and Jason were regular Zoom room attendees, as COVID and border closures had put a stop to sake tourism. We don't see them much in the Zoom room anymore, and all for good reason...

Now Japan's borders are open again and sake tourism is growing in popularity and demand, which means these guys are busy planning and running sake-focused tours to some amazing destinations all over Japan.

We chat a little about their own personal sake journeys as well as the birth and evolution of Sake Tours, and sake tourism in general, as well as their future plans for their tours.

We hope you enjoy listening to our chat with Etsuko and Jason as much as we enjoyed having it.

This episode was recorded on 23 Nov 2023

You can follow Sake Tours on Instagram @sake_tours or find her website in our links list below.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links:

https://saketours.com/

https://www.chiyomusubi.co.jp/

https://kaiunsake.com/english

https://rihaku.co.jp/

https://sake-world.com/sin/

https://sake-world.com/sake-professional-course/

In this episode, Simone and Maki catch up with Hannah Kirshner and see what's been happening since they visited her in Yamanaka Onsen in September 2022.

Hannah Kirshner is author and illustrator of the beautiful book titled Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town. Her reporting has appeared in publications including The New York Times and Food & Wine, and on the Proof podcast from America’s Test Kitchen. She’s a Solutions Journalism Network Climate Initiative fellow, and winner of an International Gourmand “Best In The World” award for writing on Japan. Kirshner grew up on a small farm outside Seattle, studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Hannah was introduced to the TWTT community during the second season of TWTT - The Project, for session #33. The feature brewery for that session was Matsuura Shuzo, where Hannah currently works as a part-time seasonal kurabito.

Hannah also featured on TWTT's sister project, Meet the Artisan, where she introduced the audience to local Yamanaka woodturner, Takehito Nakajima.

Hannah spends her time between Yamanaka Onsen, where she is currently renovating two houses, and New York, where her husband's business is situated.

Through her process of writing Water, Wood and Wild Things, (where she got to know many of the local artisans and craftspeople), working at the local sake brewery, and tackling the process of renovating not only one, but two houses in the town, Hannah has made Yamanaka more of a home, rather than a home away from home, and has become a member of the community in this small rural town.

We hope you enjoy listening to our chat with Hannah as much as we enjoyed having it.

You can follow Hannah on Instagram @sweetsnbitters or find her website in our links list below.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at ⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links:

https://hannahkirshner.com/

https://shishinosato.com/en/

https://www.americastestkitchen.com/podcasts/proof

https://www.ishikawatravel.jp/en/spots/yamanaka-onsen/

https://www.instagram.com/washubar_engawa_yamanakaonsen/

http://takehitowoodworks.com/

https://kyotofoodie.com/how-to-make-hoshigaki-japanese-dried-persimmons/

In this episode, the TWTT team catches up with good friend Justin Potts.Justin was our special guest for Episode 4, back in December, 2022, when he had just started a job that saw him pack up his Japan-based family and move back to his native US to begin an epic new adventure, playing a leading role in setting up a new American sake brewery, and Arkansas's first ever sake brewery, Origami Sake.We heard a little about the beginning of that journey in Episode 4, but having been in semi-regular contact with Justin since then, and also following the progress of Origami Sake, we wanted to touch base with him to chat about where things are at one year on from his first day with Origami Sake.When we last spoke, the brewery was basically a shell.... Now, they are an operational brewery and have released their first 2 sake to the people of Arkansas. We spoke a little about what has happened since we last caught up, Origami's first products and their process, the brewery's short term goals and vision for the future... and more.It's always an absolute joy to chat with Justin, and no doubt we will want to do so again in the future to hear more about this progressive journey of his, and to share some of that journey with you!We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed chatting with Justin!

A huge thank you to our subscribers at ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links:

https://origamisake.co/

https://www.kidoizumi.jp/en/about/

http://isbellfarms.com/

https://sakeassociation.org/

https://sakerevolution.com/episode/live-the-american-craft-sake-festival-2023-whitney-isbell-jones-of-isbell-farms/

In this episode the TWTT crew chat with Wolfgang Angyal, President of Riedel (The Wine Glass Company) in Japan.

Wolfgang Angyal was born in Kufstein, Austria, the village that is home to the headquarters of the wine glass company Riedel.

Angyal first came to Japan in 1985 while he was working in the hotel industry in Austria. He travelled to Osaka as a representative of his country in the 28th WorldSkills Competition, where he won the gold medal in the Restaurant Service category.

His first experience of Japan was enough to entice him to return, which he did 3 years later. In 1988, he worked as a guest lecturer at Tsuji Academy in Osaka and the following year, he began working for Riedel.

Angyal has played a huge role in the development of Riedel's 2 sake specific glasses, the Daiginjo glass and the Junmai glass.

In this episode, we talk a little about that journey, the glasses themselves, and more, in what was a most enjoyable conversation.

We hope you enjoy listening to our chat with Wolfgang as much as we enjoyed having it.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at ⁠Patreon⁠

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links:

https://www.riedel.com/en-au

https://www.riedel.co.jp/

https://en.sake-times.com/how-to-drink/riedels-new-junmai-sake-glass-worlds-best

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netsuke

Follow Wolfgang on Instagram: @w.j.angyal

Follow TWTT Podcast on Instagram: @tastewiththetoji

In this episode, Simone, Maki and Julian bust out their ceramic sake-ware and chat with TWTT's Yakimono Guru, Robert Yellin.

No Stranger to the TWTT audience, and well known to many pottery collectors, and 'Sake Today' readers around the world, Robert has been residing in Japan since 1984.

Robert has been a valued core member of the TWTT community since its founding year, 2020. In that same year, Robert helped to launch TWTT's sister project, MTA (Meet the Artisan). Fewer and far between compared to TWTT session, the MTA sessions introduces potters and artisans from Japan, all whom create sake vessels amongst other beautifully crafted vessels and creations.

Pottery was not what initially brought Robert to Japan, but somehow, slowly but surely, his path led him to become one of the world's leading experts on Japanese pottery.

What started with curiosity, appreciation and a humble personal collection, turned into a deeper curiosity, tireless and continuous research, endless appreciation, a deep connection and respect, a bigger personal collection, an online store, lectures, articles and book publications, all which led to him opening the most beautiful gallery space in Kyoto - showcasing a rotating and stunning collection of ancient treasures and modern masterpieces.

Robert's knowledge is extensive and his passion is infectious. It's always a joy chatting all things pottery - AND sake, (and drinking sake), with him. We hope you enjoy our chat!

If you're travelling to Kyoto, be sure to pay a visit to Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery, right on the Philosopher's Path, not far from Ginkakuji, (the Silver Temple).

A huge thank you to our subscribers at Patreon

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Robert's website: https://japanesepottery.com/

Follow Robert on Instagram: ry_yakimono_gallery_kyoto

In this episode, Simone, Maki and Julian pick up where they left off in Episode 12 and continue their conversation with Tamagawa Toji, Philip Harper.

In this second half of the conversation with Philip, we chat a little about the impacts of COVID, the brewery's use of Yeast #1, Junmai vs Aruten and more.

More info on Philip can be found in our show notes from Episode 12.

We will be sorting through some of the edits that are still on the cutting room floor and releasing them in video format to our subscribers over at  ⁠Patreon⁠.

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation with Philip as much as we enjoyed having it.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at Patreon

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Useful links:

https://www.sake-tamagawa.com/en/

https://sake-festival.com.au/melbourne

https://www.amazon.com.au/Insiders-Guide-Sake-Philip-Harper/dp/4770020767

In this episode, Maki and Simone are once again joined by Julian Houseman, and they chat with Philip Harper, from Kinoshita Shuzo in Kyoto Prefecture.

No stranger to fans of sake, Philip is the only non-Japanese Toji (head sake brewer) in Japan. Originally from the UK, Harper was born in 1966 and came to Japan to teach English when he was 22.

Currently in his third decade of brewing, having begun working at a sake brewery back in 1991. He joined, Kinoshita, (producers of Tamagawa sake), where he works as the Toji, in 2007.

Last month, (July 2023) Philip Harper visited Melbourne, Australia for the Australian Sake Festival, held at Queen Victoria Market, where Simone got to meet him in person for the first time.

This was Philip's second time in Australia but first visit to Melbourne and this is just one of the many things we chat to him about in this episode.

Harper was a guest in the Zoom room for the TWTT Project for session #19, back in October 2020.

(correction: in Episode 11 of TWTT The Podcast, I mentioned that the TWTT session with Philip was in 2021).

That session back in 2020 went for a whopping 5 and a half hours... and maybe then some, so it came as no surprise that this podcast chat with Philip saw us deep in conversation for over 2 hours. Rather than cutting a whole lot of content and leaving it on the editing room floor, we have decided to split this conversation into 2 episodes.

We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation with Philip as much as we enjoyed having it.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at Patreon

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Other links from this episode:

https://www.sake-tamagawa.com/en/

https://sake-festival.com.au/melbourne

https://qvm.com.au/

https://supernormal.net.au/

https://sakenet.com.au/

https://www.amazon.com.au/Insiders-Guide-Sake-Philip-Harper/dp/4770020767

https://sake-world.com/

In this episode, Maki and Simone are once again joined by Julian Houseman, and they chat with the lovely Eiko Kodama, from Kodama Jozo in Akita Prefecture.

Kodama Jozo was founded in 1879 in picturesque Katagami City, Akita Prefecture, northwest of Japan. 

Originally, the Kodama family started their business by making soy sauce and miso for local consumers.  Production of these quality “fermented” food products represented by “Yamakyu” brands still remains an important part of Kodama Jozo’s business.

It was the second generation of the business that began brewing sake at Kodama Jozo. In 1913, Tomokichi Kodama began making sake by the name 'TAIHEIZAN' (太平山). This brand name comes from towering mountain in Akita City, Mt. Taihei (“Great Peaceful Mountain”) which for centuries has been the area’s spiritual symbol.

Eiko Kodama is married to the 5th generation, and current, president of Kodama Jozo, Shinichiro Kodama.

Both Eiko and Shin have been guests on the TWTT Project twice: for session #12 in August 2020, and again for session #61 in October 2021.

Earlier this year, Simone had the fortunate pleasure of visiting the Kodamas at their brewery in Akita Prefecture.

Earlier this month, Eiko made her first trip to Australia, visiting Melbourne, (Simone's hometown), for the Australian Sake Festival, held at Queen Victoria Market.

We chat to Eiko about her first time in Australia, the Australian Sake Festival, her family's sake and brewery, and learn a little about what she was doing before marrying into a sake brewery family.

It's always a delight to chat with Eiko, and we hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed having it.

A huge thank you to our subscribers at Patreon

More information about Taste with the Toji - The Project can be found on our website: https://tastewiththetoji.com/

Music by: Kazuyoshi Sato (Koikawa Shuzo)

Other links from this episode:

https://www.kodamajozo.co.jp/en/

https://sake-festival.com.au/melbourne

https://australiansakeawards.org.au/en/

https://qvm.com.au/

https://komeyui.com.au/melbourne/

https://www.supersake.com.au/

https://www.philipperestaurant.com.au/

https://sakeassociation.org/2019/07/a-history-of-sake-brewing-in-brazil/