As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to place your order for osechi ryori, the traditional Japanese New Year meal. Brooklyn-based Japanese restaurant Wasan is accepting orders for their Wasan Osechi Box 2025. The restaurant has been sharing this cultural experience with the community for more than a decade now.

The boxes are available for pick up or delivery to select locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Prices range from $295 to $330 plus tax.

Highlights of Wasan’s Osechi Offerings

丹波の黒豆 (Tanba no Kuromame: Black Soybeans): Directly sourced from Osaka, Wasan’s owner-chef’s hometown. These carefully prepared beans are a customer favorite for their perfectly sweet and tender flavor.
栗きんとん (Kuri Kinton: Sweet Chestnuts): Naturally colored with gardenia flowers, their kinton has no artificial additives and offers a beautifully golden and health-conscious sweetness.
伊達巻 (Datemaki: Shrimp-Filled Egg Roll): By adding shrimp, they create a fluffy, light texture and a rich, balanced flavor.

Extra Special Exclusive Promotions

10% Off for December 31 Pick-Up: Everyone who picks up their orders on New Year’s Eve will receive a 10% discount. Plus, you’ll enjoy Wasan’s special toshikoshi soba, which is typically eaten on December 31, for the perfect transition to the New Year.
Sashimi Takeout Set for Two - $48: A fresh assortment of tuna, salmon, and other favorites.
Wasan Junmai Ginjo - $29: Normally $58, this exclusive offer is available for December 31 only. Pair it with your Osechi for an exceptional celebration.

Customers’ Rave Reviews

“It was incredible to enjoy authentic Osechi in New York!”
“Our entire family was delighted—Wasan’s Osechi made our New Year so special.”
“This was the best goma-mame I’ve ever had. I look forward to it every year!”
“Just wanted to say the Osechi was delicious. Honestly, it was perfect.”

Quantities are limited, so place your order now. For more details and to place your order, please visit Order Wasan Osechi 2025.

Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!

Susan McCormac 12/8/24 Susan McCormac 12/8/24

JapanCulture•NYC’s Holiday Gift Guide

Reported and compiled by JapanCulture•NYC’s Fashion Editor Jen Green

JapanCulture•NYC’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is here with a round-up of all-Japanese holiday markets or pop-up shopping events this December. This curated list will help you find that special gift while supporting local businesses or vendors in a one-stop-shopping situation.

Bin Bin Sake Holiday Market

29 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn

Sunday, December 8 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The first market this season is Bin Bin Sake’s third annual holiday market this Sunday, December 8. Holiday gifts, Japanese crafts, and delicious treats by local artists and vendors will be available for sale. There’s four six for’s jewelry, home goods like Wuhao’s tenugui and Towka’s candles, and art prints from illustrator Megan Troung, plus much more. For the foodies on your shopping list, there are some tasty gifts such as MiMAKi’s premium umeboshi sour pickled plums and fresh onigiri from HIBINO day by day.

For a full list of vendors, please see Bin Bin’s Instagram post here. In addition, there will be bottle engraving and Bin Bin merchandise, perfect for that sake lover in your life. As you shop, be sure to participate in the free sake tasting!

Niji Holiday Market

Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd floor)

Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 from Noon until 6:00 p.m.

Niji Japanese makers market is back at Japan Village for their holiday shopping event. Explore unique creations from more than 20 Japanese craft vendors for the ultimate gifts this season. Jewelry offerings range from Pucci Ropa’s handmade metal pieces to Rockin’ Wasabi’s origami jewelry and chocolateclayyy’s sculpted earrings. For home goods gifts, vendors such as HANATURAL will be selling handmade Japanese-inspired soaps along with pottery by some local potters like Namiko Kato and Hiroko Yokotagawa. Kawaii-style gifts will be available from HikariwoSagasu, Boy Oh Boy Co., and Tharaphy NY. For a full list of vendors, please see Niji’s Instagram post here.

A Night with the Makers: Holiday Edition

The Makers Guild – 51 35th Street, Brooklyn (2nd floor)

Saturday, December 7, Saturday, December 14, and Saturday, December 21 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The Makers Guild is hosting a holiday shopping series every Saturday until Christmas. It’s not just shopping; it’s an experience with live music, complimentary drinks, tastings, gift guides, and other activities. Of the participating shops, four of them are Japanese women-owned businesses that you need to be sure to check out:

Logo and right photo from n+a; bottom right photo by Jen Green

n+a jewelry was established in 2007 by Japanese sisters Noriko and Akiko Sugawara from Yokohama, Japan. Pulling inspiration from both the city and nature, while combining it their unique perspectives and Japanese sensibilities, the sisters create original and timeless designs.

Logo and left photo from Tadaima; right photo by Jen Green

Tadiama bakery has been a staple at The Makers Guild with a fan following and long lines for their delicious baked goods and intricate, beautifully garnished beverages. But it’s more than a bakery; it’s a quaint Japanese gift shop, too. With items like candles, stationery, and home décor that owner, Ayaka Ando, sources on her trips back home to Japan, you can pick up a gift for someone while you treat yourself to one of those coveted Tadiama pastries.

On December 14 Tadiama is hosting a fine coffee pop-up featuring 95RPM Coffee Roaster, serving hand-brewed coffee from this Brooklyn based micro-roaster.

IPPIN PROJECT is collective of Japanese artisans’ products that are handcrafted using traditional Japanese techniques to create high quality designs. The products they carry are not mass-produced in Japan; they are made from limited materials by skilled artisans. IPPIN PROJECT also produces custom-made furniture using traditional Japanese materials with a contemporary twist. From pottery to kitchenware and home decor to jewelry, IPPIN PROJECT offers many options for the ultimate gift.

KAJIHA’s owner Sonoko Kaneko uses natural resources to create botanical arrangements, objects, preserves, and natural-scent products in her Brooklyn studio, which is connected to IPPIN PROJECT.

Outside the hours of A Night with the Makers, KAJIHA also offers workshops where you can create your own unique gift. Spots are limited as the workshops are done in small groups for one-on-one attention with the instructor. Please check out the schedule here and consider giving a gift you’ve made yourself.

TEN TEN NYC Presents: Kawaii Holiday

Ideal Glass Studios – 9 West 8th Street, New York

Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
Ticketed time slots: December 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; December 15 at 10:00 a.m.

TEN TEN NYC is hosting THE kawaii event of the holiday season in NYC, and it’s so much more than a holiday market. Join them for a two-day celebration of Japanese “kawaii” culture that includes music, art, performance, workshops, and a market of local vendors. Immersive installations by local artists offer the perfect backdrop while the kawaii fashion challenge is a great chance to show off your festive kawaii holiday looks.

Sebastian Masuda, Godfather of Kawaii, is hosting a workshop on Saturday, December 14 as well as bringing items from his iconic Harajuku shop 6%DOKIDOKI for their first NYC pop-up! Saturday’s workshop is your chance to make a custom 12-inch teddy bear with decora materials provided by Sebastian Masuda Studio Tokyo. Tickets to this limited-seat experience also include VIP perks such as a lecture by Masuda and a photoshoot opportunity.

Other artists and designers participating in the market are Breanna Watson with various accessories featuring her illustrations, Harrison Scott with his iconic bags, Shampooty with one-of-a-kind collectibles that evoke childhood nostalgia in a cheeky way, and many more!

Come out to this Kawaii Holiday Wonderland to get festively creative, have fun, and get some shopping done.

But Wait, There’s More . . .

In addition to these holiday markets, here are two more opportunities to secure a Japanese gift this season at these month-long shopping events:

YAMMA Holiday POP UP

CIBONE 50 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn

Now through Sunday, January 5, 2025

Every day from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. (Closed every third Tuesday)

Curated by YAMMA brand director Nana Yamasaki and hosted at CIBONE in Greenpoint, this holiday pop-up features brands Yammakko, HARAPPA, Yammaman. Known for genderless and timeless pieces made from traditional Japanese cotton Aizu Momen, YAMMA brand’s styles boast clean lines and colorful combinations. Aizu Momen is durable cotton made by using a traditional craft techniques that have been preserved in old Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture.

Niji Japanese Seasonal Shop

Tangram Flushing 133-33 39th Avenue, Flushing

Saturdays and Sundays in December from Noon until 6:00 p.m.

A second Niji market is set up all month long at Tangram in Flushing, Queens. Items range from fresh fruit from Japan to accessories, pottery, soaps, stickers, and more! HANATURAL will also sell their handmade Japanese-inspired soaps here. Bun’s Blooms brings her joyous art to stickers and keychains.

Heartfish Press is selling festive wreaths and hosting a workshop on Sunday, December 22. Here is another opportunity to create a thoughtful handmade gift that the recipient will cherish. For more details and to register in advance, please check out Niji’s website.

Susan McCormac 12/6/24 Susan McCormac 12/6/24

Meet Cookbook Author Sonoko Sakai

Cookbook author Sonoko Sakai. Photo by Rick Poon.

Book Talk and Signing: Sonoko Sakai and Wafu Cooking

Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

Admission: $25 | $20 Japan Society members | $23 Seniors, Students, and Persons with Disabilities

Japan Society is hosting a special talk and signing with bestselling author Sonoko Sakai on December 11 to celebrate the release of her newest book, Wafu Cooking: Everyday Recipes with Japanese Style. This event will be moderated by novelist and cookbook writer Sanaë Lemoine.

Thanks to our friends at Japan Society, JapanCulture•NYC readers have access to complimentary tickets to attend! Please visit Japan Society’s website and enter code SONOKOFRIEND at checkout.

About Wafu Cooking

Wafu (literally “Japanese style”) food combines flavors, ingredients, and techniques from around the planet with a distinctly Japanese personality, and this new cookbook presents 120-plus original globally influenced Japanese recipes. Sakai’s book captures the cultural exchange between Japan and the world in dishes that have come to Japan from abroad and have been “wafu-ed” to suit local tastes and in Japanese dishes that are reimagined through an American lens, reflecting the interconnected way we eat today.

About Sonoko Sakai

Author Sonoko Sakai was born in New York to Japanese parents and grew up in San Francisco, Kamakura, Mexico City, and Tokyo. Her books include Japanese Home Cooking, Rice Craft, and The Poetical Pursuit of Food. She has worked as a recipe developer, producer, creative director, cooking teacher, and lecturer. She lives in California with her sculptor husband, Katsuhisa Sakai.

From *Wafu Cooking* by Sonoko Sakai. Photos by Rick Poon.

Susan McCormac 12/1/24 Susan McCormac 12/1/24

Unique Collaboration of Michelin-starred chefs

Restaurant Yuu x Racine

Wednesday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m.

Restaurant Yuu – 55 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn

Cost: $450 per person

Michelin stars will be shining at Restaurant Yuu in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, on December 4 and 5. Chef Yuu Shimano and Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka, owner of Racine in Champagne, France, are collaborating for an exclusive dinner event.

Within six months of opening in 2023, Executive Chef Yuu Shimano’s namesake Restaurant Yuu was awarded one Michelin Star. Robb Report ranked Restaurant Yuu as the number one Best New Restaurant in America in 2024, and OAD listed it as #68 out of 598 restaurants in the Top Restaurants in North America in 2024.

Tasting Highlights

This exceptional 14-course chef’s tasting menu will kick off the holiday season; both chefs will use their distinct culinary styles to showcase the very best of seasonal winter ingredients.

Guests will enjoy five amuse-bouches, three by Chef Kazuyuki and two by Chef Yuu. This will be followed by three signature dishes from each chef. The meal will conclude with two desserts: one created by Chef Kazuyuki and the other by Restaurant Yuu’s Executive Pastry Chef Masaki Takahashi.

There will be two seatings on December 4—at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.—and a 6:00 p.m. seating on December 5. To make reservations for this unique culinary experience, please visit Tock.

About Chef Yuu Shimano

Chef Yuu Shimano trained at Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, Japan, and Lyon, France, graduating in 2002. He spent eight years in French kitchens, beginning at the two-Michelin-starred La Villa des Lys at the Hotel Majestic in Cannes before becoming the Chef de Partie of Meats and Sauces for a long stint with his mentor, Guy Savoy, a three-starred Michelin chef, in Paris. There Shimano learned to appreciate the soul of French culture and the interaction between nature and the ingredients. In 2017, he was tapped by Tokyo Restaurant Factory to open MIFUNE New York, where he served as Executive Chef for five years and earned a Michelin star. He found his style when he combined his French techniques with meticulous Japanese attention to detail and precision.

About Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka

Chef Kazuyuki Tanaka’s impressive culinary journey began in Japan, where he honed his skills at esteemed establishments such as Apicius and Hotel New Otani Saga. He moved to France at the age of 21 and trained for years at Michelin-starred restaurants around the country before opening his own restaurant, Racine, in Reims, where he earned two Michelin stars. He is the recipient of multiple prestigious accolades, including the Jeune Talent de l’Année Award (Young Talent 2015) and the Grand de demain (Future Grand Chef 2016) Award from Gault & Millau, which he earned three times. His cookbook, Racine: Un Japonais à Reims, was published in 2021.

Susan McCormac 10/21/24 Susan McCormac 10/21/24

Experience Anime-Inspired Cuisine

Anime Food Festival

Friday, October 25 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

26 Bridge – 26 Bridge Street, Brooklyn

Admission: $25 VIP (1:00 p.m. entry) | $20 General Admission

Upstairs NYC hosts a one-of-a-kind event featuring anime-inspired cuisine and the best of Japanese pop culture.

Highlights

Mouthwatering, anime-inspired Japanese and Asian food menu (price range: $5 to $15)
Special shochu and sake menu as well as special cocktails
Opportunity to meet three anime voice actors
Popular anime goods vendors and artists
Amazing Japanese taiko drum performance by Cobu
Free manga workshop
Photo booth where you and your friends can snap unforgettable memories in your costumes

VIP ticket holders will be entered into a raffle to win an anime goods.

Go in your best cosplay and enjoy! To purchase tickets, please visit Anime Food Festival’s website. Check out @animefoodnyc on Instagram to meet all the vendors.

Special Guests: Voice Actors Emily Cramer, Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld, and Laurie Hymes

Emily Cramer

1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Available to chat and for autographs, photos, and special goods

Emily Cramer is a voice actor and singer whose work can be heard internationally in commercials, animated television shows, movies, video games, dark rides, and audio dramas. Her most notable titles are currently Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS, The Winx Club, Bread Barbershop, Battle Game in 5 Seconds, EDF World Brothers, many Yu-Gi-Oh video games, and Genshin Impact. Before falling in love with voiceover, Cramer performed for many years in Broadway and national touring productions of Shrek the Musical, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, and School of Rock. To learn more, visit her website.

Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld

1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Available to chat and for autographs, photos, and special goods

Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld is a American actress best known for voicing Bonnie, Nurse Joy, Sophocles (and many others) on Pokémon; Rio Kastle, Riley, Grace and Gloria Tyler (and many others) on Yu-Gi-Oh!; Aina Ardebit in the anime film Promare; Polly Pocket in Polly Pocket; Fraw Bow and LunaMaria Hawke in the Gundam anime universe; and many other notable roles. Please visit Rosenfeld’s website for more information.

Laurie Hymes

1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Laurie Hymes is a voice actor known for voicing Lillie in Pokémon Sun and Moon, nine other characters in Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions, Liz and the Blue Bird, Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V, Regal Academy and Lupin III: The First, Transformers, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, and many more. For more information, please visit her website.

Japanese Traditional Taiko Drum Performance

Based in New York City, Cobu was created as a live rhythm performing arts group in 2000. Cobu’s founder, Yako Miyamoto, is a member of the off-Broadway hit STOMP.

Cobu combines elements of the Japanese traditional taiko drumming with rhythmic tap dancing. The extremely positive impact of the group’s performances has received rave reviews from The New York Times and The Chicago Sun Times and has touched audiences at major festivals in Boston and Chicago. Please visit Cobu’s website to learn more.

About Upstairs NYC

Formed in 2022, Upstairs NYC is a non-profit organization based in New York City dedicated to promoting friendly relations between New York and other countries. The organization focuses on fostering learning and community engagement across four pillars: arts and culture, lifestyle, technology, and food. Upstairs NYC regularly hosts panel discussions, experiential events, cultural celebrations, and socials. Their events also provide a forum for local creators to connect with future collaborators and engage with their audience.

Susan McCormac 10/16/24 Susan McCormac 10/16/24

Beer Garden at Japan Village

Japan Village Beer Garden

Friday, October 18 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Japan Village Courtyard – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn

Admission: Free

Japan Village is hosting an evening of Japanese beer, delicious food, and live music performances!

Guests can enjoy a wide selection of authentic Japanese beers and the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and experience the vibrant culture of Japan in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Miyabi Uta Project: The Western Influence on Japanese Music

There will be a special performance of Japanese songs accompanied by acoustic guitar and violin. Discover the cultural crossover that led to the vibrant genres we know today.

For more information about these events, please visit Japan Village’s website and follow them on Instagram.

Susan McCormac 10/3/24 Susan McCormac 10/3/24

CELEBRATE SAKE DAY AT KATO SAKE WORKS

World Sake Day Party

Saturday, October 5 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Kato Sake Works – 379 Troutman Street, Brooklyn

Kato Sake Works, Brooklyn’s second sake brewery, is celebrating World Sake Day with an exclusive tasting, snacks, live music, and a limited-edition World Sake Day Junmai.

Schedule of Festivities

1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy a free sake tasting on the taproom floor

2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Build-A Bottle: Design your own custom Kato Sake Works label and take home an exclusive bottle of Jikagumi filled straight from the tank

2:00 p.m.
Food Pop-Up w/ Kemushi featuring onigiri all afternoon while supplies last

6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Live music with Uncle Brother

For more information, please visit KSW’s website.

Susan McCormac 10/3/24 Susan McCormac 10/3/24

SAKE DAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES

World Sake Day 2024

Friday, October 4 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

The W Loft Rooftop – 240 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn

Admission: $65 to $80

Sake Lovers, Rejoice!

Get ready to raise your glasses and celebrate the rich traditions of Japanese sake! Upstairs NYC is teaming up with MIKA and Niji as World Sake Day by MIKA returns for its third year, offering an unforgettable sake-tasting experience. Taking place at the W Loft, this event will feature more than 50 premium sake selections from 25+ renowned brands. Immerse yourself in the intricate flavors of Japan’s finest craft sake and discover why this iconic beverage is beloved worldwide.

In addition to the tasting, enjoy a vibrant pop-up market showcasing the unique creations of talented Asian artists. This is more than just a tasting—it’s a sensory journey into the world of sake and Asian craftsmanship.

What Your Admission Includes

Tasting of 15 kinds of sake and sake cocktails
Original sake glass
Free sake and food sampling while supplies last
Explore Asian shop and food marketplace

Event Highlights

Ultimate sake selections: more than 70 premium sakes by 35 breweries, including many award-winners
Matcha sake cocktails by WESAKE X SENBIRD
Special sake cocktails designed by L'Americana and Midnight Blue owner and bartender Takuma Watanabe (from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.)
Offerings from Kochi and Ishikawa Prefectures
Mouthwatering sushi and Japanese cuisine delights
Asian Artisan Marketplace
Complimentary portrait drawing by UTGP2020 + MoMA contest award-winning artist Hiroshi Masuda
A premier rooftop space with elegant waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline
A dedicated photo booth where you and your crew can snap unforgettable memories

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Upstairs NYC’s website.

Susan McCormac 10/1/24 Susan McCormac 10/1/24

SAKE WEEK 2024 AT BROOKLYN KURA

Happy Nihonshu no Hi! The first day of October is celebrated as Nihonshu no Hi, or World Sake Day, officially designated by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association in 1978. Why October 1? October marks the beginning of the sake brewing season in Japan, perfectly sandwiched between the rice harvest in September and the beginning of winter, which is the ideal time for fermentation, the essential process in brewing the beverage.

To celebrate, Brooklyn Kura, New York’s first sake brewery, is hosting events not just today but the entire week! Visit the taproom at 34 34th Street near the Japan Village complex in Industry City, Brooklyn, to enjoy tastings and educational sessions.

Sake Week 2024 at Brooklyn Kura

Sake Revolution Podcast LIVE!

Today, October 1

6:00 p.m. – Taproom opens
7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. – LIVE Sake Revolution recording
9:00 p.m. – Taproom closes

Admission: $15 (includes admission for one, plus two tasting pours of sake)
Snacks and additional sake will be available for purchase.

John Puma (left) and Timothy Sullivan, hosts of the Sake Revolution podcast

Sake Revolution, America's first sake podcast will do a studio audience recording to mark the occasion of Sake Day. Your hosts, John Puma and Timothy Sullivan, invite you to join in the studio audience to laugh and sip along with them and experience Sake Revolution LIVE! On this very special Sake Day episode, they’ll be interviewing the master sake brewers of New York City: Brandon Doughan of Brooklyn Kura and Shinobu Kato of Kato Sake Works. They’ll explore their trailblazing journeys to producing premium sake in NYC. Both Doughan and Kato will each bring a sake for the audience to taste as they are recording, which is included in the ticket price.

In addition, audience members will be able to submit written questions to the tojis. This will be an engaging, interactive, and delicious podcast experience! The Brooklyn Kura taproom will be open before and after the recording to hang out, enjoy, and purchase additional sake and snacks to make your Sake Day complete!

Chizuko Niikawa Helton (center) of Sake Discoveries

Sake Caliente Warm Sake Night

Wednesday, October 2 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Admission: $70.77

Join this special evening of exploring all aspects of warm sake with Sake Samurai Chizuko Niikawa Helton! Niikawa Helton is a leading expert in preparing "okan" (warm sake), and you'll be amazed with the flavors, textures, and aromas that premium warm sake can produce.

All together you'll taste five premium expressions of warm sake, prepared with a delicious twist by Niikawa Helton. Each sake tasting is paired with a delicious small bite prepared by the Brooklyn Kura chefs as they launch our new fall menu. Go at your own pace and enjoy each course to the fullest.

The event starts at 6:00 p.m., but guests can arrive at any time before 8:00 p.m.

Exclusive Event for Kura Kin Members

Thursday, October 3

Brooklyn Kura will have a special evening of brewery tours and tastings offered for free, exclusively to their active Kura Kin members! Kura Kin is Brooklyn Kura’s subscription program for limited-release bottles.

At the special brewery tour, Kura Kin members can sip and taste steamed sake rice, Koji rice, Moromi fermentation mash, and even sake kasu along the way as the brewers dive deep into their brewing process. Members will also learn about “shizuku drip,” a special way to drip-press super premium sake.

Current Kura Kin Sake subscription members received invitations. Not a Kura Kin member? Join here!

The Birth of Sake Documentary Screening

Friday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m.

Admission: $16.33

Join Brooklyn Kura's first movie night as they screen the acclaimed 2015 sake documentary The Birth of Sake, directed by Erik Shirai and staring the staff and family of the Yoshida family, makers of Tedorigawa sake.

Your ticket includes entrance to the screening and a glass of Tedorigawa sake that is featured in the film! Special gourmet popcorn and additional sake will be available for purchase from the bar throughout the film.

Winner of Best Documentary Director Special Jury Mention at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival and Best Documentary Film at the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival, The Birth of Sake is a cinematic documentary that reveals the story of passionate sake-makers and what it takes to make world-class sake at Yoshida Brewery, a 144-year-old family-owned small brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture. In a world where most mass-produced goods are heavily automated, a small group of artisans must brave unusual working conditions to preserve a 2000-year-old tradition. The workers at Yoshida Brewery are an eclectic cast of characters, ranging from 20 to 70 years old. As a vital part of this cast that must live and work for a six-month period through the brutal winter, charismatic veteran brewmaster Yamamoto (65) and the brewery’s sixth-generation heir, Yasuyuki Yoshida (27), are keepers of this tradition and are the main characters who bring the narrative forward. Currently, stiff competition and the eventual retirement of experienced workers intensify the pressure of preserving quality of taste, tradition, and brand reputation for Yoshida Brewery. As craftsmen who must dedicate their whole lives to the making of this world-class sake, their private sacrifices are often sizable and unseen.

To purchase tickets to any of the above Sake Week events, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.

American Sake Association’s Sake Day USA Sake Tasting Event

Saturday, October 5 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Admission: $75

The American Sake Association, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is hosting a sake tasting event at Brooklyn Kura to support their ongoing sake education efforts throughout the U.S.

Premium Sake Tasting
Taste sake from dozens of breweries from all over Japan. The sake will be flowing, and featured brands and varieties being poured will change every hour. Confirmed importers and brands include Mutual Trading, Niigata Sake Selections, Joto Sake, Hakkaisan, Kubota, HEAVENSAKE, Kato Sake Works, Brooklyn Kura, World Sake Imports, Kome Collective and MORE!

Culinary Delights
The tasting will also feature a great selection of food to pair with the sake along with the ever popular onigiri bar from SEN restaurant.

To purchase tickets for Saturday’s event, please visit the American Sake Association’s website.

Susan McCormac 3/21/24 Susan McCormac 3/21/24

Asian Restaurant in NoMad Hortus NYC Introduces Jazz Nights

Under the direction of Executive Chef Geo Park, Hortus NYC in NoMad offers an Asian culinary journey with a European twist. Chef Park and Managing Partner Suhum Jang (Per Se, Daniel, Jungsik) have created a menu that seamlessly blends the flavors of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Hortus NYC’s Japanese offerings include Hamachi in yuzu kosho sauce with cucumber, pickled peppers, and blood orange; and Sea Urchin Donabe, which consists of ikura and cured egg yolk over a bed of nori rice served in a clay pot topped with uni. Chef Park uses Japanese seasonal ingredients such as miso, daikon, edamame in many of his dishes. Beverages include Japanese craft beer such as Stout Echigo and Pale Ale Kanazawa, Junmai ginjo and Junmai sakeby the glass, and unfiltered rice wine. The program menu also features the Hortus Pour, a red wine, white wine, or sake that Jang has personally chosen at an approachable price point.

Hortus NYC Jazz Nights

In addition to delectable food, the stylish restaurant has a vibrant ambiance. This week they introduced Jazz Nights, a blend of delicious cuisine and soulful live jazz music, every Wednesday and Thursday evening which started March 20.

Guests can experience the harmonious performances of Japanese husband-and-wife duo Chika & Tatsuya on Wednesdays and distinguished NYC-based Asian Jazz group Jinjoo Yoo Trio every Thursday. From 7:00 p.m. until 10 p.m., Hortus NYC’s 2nd-floor lounge area will be filled with swanky music, offering guests three hours of entertainment to accompany their meal.

Upgrade your viewing experience by dining on their menu of Asian fare

Wagyu Sotbap — A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, cured egg yolk, and micro greens
King Crab Noodle — fettuccine dressed with mala cream sauce, shallots, and scallion
Truffle Donabe with wild mushrooms and cured egg yolk topped with shaved black truffle

While listening, indulge in Hortus NYC’s low-ABV cocktails

Passion on the Beach — a blend of Jinro, plum sake and rosemary
Oolong High — oolong tea, soju, lemon, and cane sugar
5th Ave — a mix of Jinro 24, Hwayo 23, tonic, mint, and lime

About Hortus NYC

The name Hortus NYC, Latin for “garden,” reflects the emphasis on freshness, and the theme of the garden runs throughout the interior. Divided into four distinct areas, the first floor is dedicated to bar dining with an open kitchen and a Chef’s Table. The second floor contains an adjoining glass-enclosed hidden garden oasis complete with lights hanging above for a warm and intimate glow in the evening as well as the main dining room, which offers exquisite views of the illuminated stained-glass windows at the Marble Collegiate Church across the street.

Plan Your Visit

Hortus NYC

Address:
271 Fifth Avenue (between 29th and 30th Streets)

Phone:
646-858-3784

Hours:
Sunday through Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Website:
hortusnyc.com

Instagram:
@hortusnyc

Susan McCormac 2/8/24 Susan McCormac 2/8/24

Fundraiser for Ishikawa Sake Breweries

New Hope: Sake Tasting Fundraiser for Ishikawa Sake Breweries

Monday, February 12 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Kura – 34 34th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn

Admission: $108.55

The American Sake Association and Brooklyn Kura have teamed up to host New Hope: Sake Tasting Fundraiser for Ishikawa Sake Breweries.

On New Year's Day 2024, Japan was hit with a major earthquake. While several prefectures were affected, the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture was the epicenter. In total, eleven sake breweries were completely destroyed, and several others have lost their entire stock of sake.

To support the Ishikawa sake industry, ASA and Brooklyn Kura are organizing a sake tasting fundraiser to send donations to the Ishikawa Sake Brewer's Association. Assistance from these funds will go directly to the impacted sake brewers.

Event Highlights

Premium Sake Tasting:
Taste sake from dozens of breweries from all over Japan. The sake will be flowing, and the featured brands and varieties being poured will change every hour.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: JOTO SAKE | SAKEMAN | SKURNIK | NIIGATA SAKE SELECTIONS | WISMETTEC
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: DASSAI BLUE | MUTUAL TRADING CO | JFC | HEAVEN SAKE | KATO SAKE WORKS
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: WINE OF JAPAN | KOME COLLECTIVE | WORLD SAKE IMPORTS | SOTO | HAKKAISAN

Culinary Delights:
Delicious flavors from a variety of well-known chefs and restaurants will be available. Enjoy a range of tastes with dishes changing throughout the night. (Subject to change)

Chef Abe Hiroki – Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu
Taka Sakeda and Jihan Lee of Nami Nori – Hand Rolls
Chef Foo Kanegae of Karazishi Botan – Chicken Wings
Chef Masaru Kajihara of Ootoya – Sesame Tofu
Sen Japanese Restaurant – Onigiri Bar
Chef Chika Hanyu of C by C Pastry – Chocolates and Dessert
Assorted Japanese savory snacks for sake sipping

Behind the Bar:
Guest bartender Kenta Goto will provide cocktails throughout the evening.

Music: DJ Aki, Executive Chef of Tokyo Record Bar, will be spinning tunes.

Raffle:
The price of admission grants you one ticket for an exciting sake goods and experiences raffle. Win sake sets, sake cups, carafes, sake classes, tastings, restaurant dinners, artwork, and more! You can purchase additional tickets at the event for only $10 each.

To purchase tickets to the fundraiser, please visit ASA and Brooklyn Kura’s Eventbrite page.

The Impact of Your Donation

Ticket sales will be collected by the American Sake Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All profits from this event will be donated to the Ishikawa Sake Brewers Association, and these funds will directly benefit the impacted sake brewers of Ishikawa.

Ishikawa Breweries Affected by the New Year’s Day Earthquake

Matsuba Shuzo
Sakurada Shuzo
Tsuruno Shuzo
Hiyoshi Shuzo
Sogen Shuzo
Kazuma Shuzo
Shimizu Shuzo
Hakuto Shuzoten
Nakajima Shuzo
Nakano Shuzo

Susan McCormac 1/19/24 Susan McCormac 1/19/24

Meet the sake Brewers at Union Square Wines & Spirits

Free Sake Tasting – Meet the Fukushima Sake Brewers

Tuesday, January 23 · 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Union Square Wines & Spirits – 140 4th Avenue (between 13th and 14th Streets)

Admission: Free

Fukushima Prefecture has won the most Gold Prizes at the century-old Japan Sake Awards for nine years in a row. Sake from Fukushima is created with unmatched craftsmanship and the finest taste. While famous in Japan, Fukushima sake is still not well known to the outside world.

To introduce New Yorkers to the delights of Fukushima sake, the Fukushima Trade Promotion Council is hosting two free sake tastings at Union Square Wines & Spirits on January 23 and 24. Nobuhiro Hosoi, Sake Master and President of Kokken Brewery, and Nobuo Shoji, Sake Master and President of Yumegokoro Brewery, are traveling from Fukushima to pour sake for New Yorkers. There will be seven different brands from three different breweries on January 23 and eight brands on January 24 to enjoy.

Featured Sake on January 23

Junmai Kokken from Kokken Brewery
Yamahai Junmai Kokken from Kokken Brewery
Junmai Daiginjo NARAMAN from Yumegokoro Sake Brewery
NARAMAN Junmai-shu Muroka Binhiire from Yumegokoro Sake Brewery
Aizu Chujo – Junmai Ginjo Yumenokaori from Tsurunoe Shuzo
Aizu Chujo – Junmai from Tsurunoe Shuzo
Aizu Chujo – Junmai Ginjo Yuri from Tsurunoe Shuzo

Featured Sake on January 24

Daiginjo Kokken from Kokken Brewery
Tokubetsu Junmai Kokken Yume no Kaori from Kokken Brewery
Uka Black Label Organic Junmai Daiginjo from Ninki Brewery
Uka Dry Organic Junmai Daiginjo from Ninki Brewery
Uka Sparkling Sake Organic Junmai Daiginjo from Ninki Brewery
Masakura Kimoto Junmai Ginjo from Daishichi Sake Brewery
Kimoto Umeshu from Daishichi Sake Brewery
Tenmei Junmai Hi-ire Orange Label from Akebono Sake Brewery

Enjoy a 15% discount on the featured sake that will be poured and 10% discount on all Fukushima sake on the days the tastings.

Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are appreciated. Please visit the Fukushima Trade Promotion Council’s Eventbrite page to RSVP to the January 23 tasting and/or the January 24 tasting.

Susan McCormac 1/9/24 Susan McCormac 1/9/24

DIY Matcha Workshop at a-un Brooklyn

Nina Tea Salon “Matcha Tea DIY Workshop”

Sunday, January 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 11 at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 25 at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

a-un Brooklyn — 156 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn

Admission: $35 plus tax

Welcome to Nina Tea Salon 2024

Nina Tea Salon presents a “Matcha Tea DIY Workshop” at a-un Brooklyn, a Japanese restaurant by the owner/chefs of Wasan Brooklyn. Using the finest premium matcha imported directly from Japan, Nina Tea Salon invites you to enjoy the beauty of authentic Japanese culture. Be enchanted by the harmonious pairing of this exquisite tea with handmade, seasonally inspired traditional desserts.

In these 30-minute sessions, Nina will guide participants on how to make a bowl of light matcha tea at home for yourself and your loved ones!

Three Levels of Learning

Level 1 — Preparation and tea-whisking technique
Level 2 — Purifying utensils
Level 3 — Combined techniques of Levels 1 and 2

The serene ambiance, the lingering aroma of freshly whisked matcha, the symphony of flavors, and the atmosphere both tradition and innovation will surely captivate your senses.

Seating is limited, so register by using this Google Form.

About A-un

The phrase "a-un no kokyuu," literally translating to the "breath of a-un," originates from an ancient Japanese idiom. This expression signifies a silent communication between two individuals who understand each other without the need for words.

Sake sommelier Toshi Koizumi and chef Kakusaburo Sakurai opened Wasan East Village in 2010 and Wasan Brooklyn in Park Slope, Brooklyn, five years later. Together they opened a-un Brooklyn last year. Over the years, as restaurant owners, they have found their a-un, strongly reaffirming the sheer joy and importance of serving the local community through their cuisine.

Susan McCormac 12/7/23 Susan McCormac 12/7/23

The 2023 JapanCulture•NYC Holiday Gift Guide

We are back with our annual Japan Culture NYC’s holiday gift guide and this year we are focusing on some of our favorite women-owned businesses!

Nico Neco Zakkaya

263 E. 10th Street, New York 10009
Monday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.; Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

First established as an Etsy shop in 2015, Nico Neco Zakkaya New York’s brick-and-mortar store opened in 2019. Siming, the owner, had previously lived in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kagoshima before moving to New York. She missed aspects of Japanese life, specifically its stationery and zakka, a Japanese word that means “encompassing all things that enhance your home, lifestyle, and appearance.” The word zakkaya in the shop’s name is derived from that because Siming believes that “these small, yet meaningful details can truly elevate your life, create memories, and even spark inspiration.”

This shop carries a range of options for the perfect gifts that are carefully curated and sourced from Japan. They offer everything from stationery to crafting tools to household items such as incense burners and other ceramics. Their selection of stamps, seals, stickers, and washi tape make great stocking stuffers. Nico Neco Zakkaya sells planners and planner supplies, but please act fast as they are quickly selling out for 2024! While there, you can also pick up your gift-wrapping supplies and thank you cards to send after the holiday season.

If you are unable to get to the shop, you can also order online. Be sure to get those orders in as soon as possible to ensure delivery for the holidays.

M.M. LaFleur

Bryant Park Showroom – 130 W 42nd Street, Floor 13, New York, NY 10036
Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Closed Monday.
Upper West Side location – 182A Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023
Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Closed Monday.
Upper East Side location – 1225 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10128
Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Closed Monday.

M.M. LaFleur’s founder and CEO Sarah LaFleur teamed up with Miyako Nakamura, former head designer at Zac Posen, to launch the brand in 2013. Their clothing is created around three design principles: functional details, comfort, and style with today’s woman in mind. Known for their high-quality basics, they create polished pieces made for real life by offering features like machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant fabrics.

M.M. Lafleur sells everything from clothing, outerwear, footwear and accessories like jewelry, belts, and cold weather knitwear. Please check out their 2024 gift guide for ideas. Also, check out their calendar of events because there are some upcoming holiday events in stores for the month of December. There’s nothing like breakfast with Mrs. Claus, complimentary hot cocoa, and live music to enhance your shopping experience.

If placing online orders, please see their holiday shipping cut-off dates here.

Seicho

Online only:

Website
Etsy shop

Seicho is a New York-based Japanese calligraphy artist whose name translates to “Quiet Butterfly.” She first picked up a calligraphy brush around the age of six, but her talent grew in college. Studying under Seifu Makino, a well-known master calligrapher in Kyoto, enhanced her skill even further, which led to winning many prizes and having her work exhibited all over Japan. In 1996, she became a master calligrapher herself, and two years later she moved to New York and has shared her talents here ever since.

You can purchase beautiful calligraphy and unique gifts through Seicho’s online shop. She offers five different custom-order calligraphy gifts with names written in both kanji and katakana, including our personal favorite: a custom kanji sake masu! All items come wrapped in beautiful Japanese paper (except decorative envelopes and stickers).

Like all online shopping, we recommend placing your order at your earliest convenience.

MaKaRi Japanese Antiques and Fine Art

97 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Since 2009 MaKaRi Japanese Antiques and Fine Art has had a shop on Third Avenue that specializes in quality antiques, contemporary art, and housewares from Japan. Owner Yuko Nose, who is originally from Tokyo, has lived and had other businesses in New York for decades. With MaKaRi, she loves mixing contemporary pieces with antiques in her inventory.

The shop offers pottery from various Japanese artists to other housewares such as tea pots, glassware, tenugui, and antique furniture. The website also offers a gift guide as well as digital gift cards, which are always a great gift for the person who is hard to shop for or someone you need to send a gift to outside the NYC area.

Atlantic Grace

115 W. 29th Street, Suite 902, New York, NY 10001
Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

One of JapanCulture•NYC’s sponsors is Atlantic Grace, a Japanese esthetic salon, which they call a Japanese relaxation and beauty house. This woman-owned business specializes in Japanese beauty treatments such as painless hair removal, facials, teeth whitening, and face tightening, using state-of-the-art technology from Japan. Their experienced Japanese technicians and estheticians provide safe, gentle, and effective treatments for both women and men.

Book a service or gift a bundled package to your loved one. You deserve a gift this busy holiday season, too, so consider treating yourself to a treatment to help relieve the holiday stress. Check out their holiday special, which offers a bundle of two facial-treatment sessions and one teeth-whitening session.

Photo and graphic courtesy Atlantic Grace

Riverside Wrapping Co.

Online shop

December pop-up schedule:

Saturday 12/9 - Sunday 12/10 at the Brooklyn Museum from 11:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 12/16 - Sunday 12/17 at the Museum of the City of New York from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 12/16 - Sunday 12/24 at Japan Village for the Niji Holiday Makers Market (Times listed in link)

What started as gift wrapping business in 2022, certified gift wrap coordinator Emi Tachibana’s business has evolved to include handmade jewelry using mizuhiki, the ancient Japanese artform of decorative knots. Born in China and raised in Tokyo, Emi has lived in New York since 2016, perfecting her skills at traditional Japanese crafts. She’s a familiar face who can always be found at various artist pop-up markets in the city throughout the year. Be sure to find her at one of the holiday markets listed above.

Riverside Wrapping Co. is best known for her intricate mizuhiki earrings hand-crafted with modern touches like pearls and delicate chains. From simple knots to cat-shaped mizuhiki and mini flowers hanging from gold chains, check out her selection of earrings that work for many occasions. Emi will be featuring new styles for this holiday season.

During the Riverside Wrapping Co.’s pop-up at the Niji Holiday Makers Market, Emi will have New Year Shimenawa Kazari for sale in collaboration with Heartfish Press. Another local woman-owned business, Heartfish Press is run by artist/graphic designer Hijiri K. Shepherd. Her letterpress studio offers prints and cards along with her recent dried floral designs. These one-of-a-kind Shimenawa Kazari are limited quantity; be sure to pick yours up before they sell out.

If placing orders online from Riverside Wrapping Co., please do so by December 17 for shipping or December 22 for pick up at Japan Village.

MEINFINITY Kimono Bags

Also available at the Niji Holiday Makers Market, MEINFINITY kimono bags by founder/creator Akiko. What started as a hobby in 2021 developed to an official business this past January. Akiko was first inspired by the way non-Japanese people worldwide wore haori or kimono as jackets styled in a fashionable way instead of the traditional, proper way kimono is worn in Japan. All the bags are made from upcycling vintage kimono and silk obi with straps made from vintage obijime that Akiko carefully sources in Japan. Sourcing vintage kimono fabrics and repurposing them into bags gives the kimono a second life. Often selling at pop-ups in Japan, MEINFINITY made its NYC debut last summer at a previous Nijii Makers Market and is thrilled to return with new designs and silhouettes this holiday season.

At this pop-up, MEINFINITY will be featuring their classic styles like the original silhouette, Square Bag, the Crossbody style, and Phone Bag while debuting the newest silhouette, The Baguette! Each bag is from a different cut from vintage kimono or obi, which means no two bags are exactly alike, making this an exclusive, one-of-a-kind gift. The bags come in a variety of looks from pastels, metallics, and bold large graphics. These bags are the ultimate accessory that combine traditional Japanese kimono with modern fashion, the perfect gift for that accessories lover in your life.

Angel’s Share

45 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until Midnight

The legacy of Angel’s Share continues in a new location and under new ownership. Erina Yoshida, the daughter of Tony Yoshida, who opened the original Angel’s Share in 1993, is at the helm. In 2012 Erina started working with her father and served as COO of Japan Village when it opened in 2018. After the iconic Stuyvesant Street location of Angel’s Share closed in March 2022 due to a rent hike, it had an eight-month pop-up at Midtown’s Hotel Eventi. It was Erina’s idea to reopen Angel’s Share in a new location and to keep the same staff. Determined to do this on her own, she pulled from her own savings and received loans from friends. Searching for the perfect location, she finally found it in a landmark building on Grove Street in Greenwich Village and created this new 65-seat location with some familiar elements. The iconic cherub mural and antique chandeliers recreate Angel Share’s recognizable look.

Well known for its craft cocktails, this incarnation of the acclaimed bar features three of the old favorites from the East Village location along with 24 new cocktails as well as a food menu with small plates. A visit here would make a perfect holiday date. Just in time for the holidays, Angel’s Share is also launching new merchandise such as totes, baseball caps and t-shirts. This merchandise will be available for purchase at the new location, and it’s possible to buy it in the waiting room area without visiting the actual bar. If you have someone in your life who was devastated when Angel’s Share closed in 2022, something from this new merchandise line would be a memorable gift.

Bessou

Market 57, Kiosk 9 at 25 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Monday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

The loose translation of “Bessou” means “home away from home.” Founder Maiko Kyogoku created a menu that allows her to share her family’s Japanese comfort food traditions in reimagined ways. Having grown up in New York in a restaurant-owning family, Maiko has always been familiar with food and hospitality. After spending 15 years running operations for Daniel Boulud, the Bromberg Brothers, and the Thompson Hotel group, she opened Bessou in 2016. Currently Bessou is part of Market 57, a food hall and market curated under the guidance and mentorship of The James Beard Foundation.

Along with the kiosk at Market 57, Bessou has an online shop with a selection of great gift ideas. There’s a Holiday Feast at Home for four people which not only makes an amazing gift, but if you are hosting friends or family over the holidays but don’t want to cook, this would be perfect! There is a Holiday Popcorn Gift Box just launched for this holiday season. It features innovative flavors such as nori crunch, miso caramel corn, shiso sour cream, and soy butter. Other pantry items including furikake, miso marinade, chili oil, and black garlic are sold individually or bundled. For the home chef in your life, the bundled set would be useful. They also sell baseball caps, t-shirts, and totes.

Different Roads to Learning

Online resource

Our final business is not Japanese-related, but it is run by one of the most important women leaders in New York’s Japanese American community. Different Roads to Learning is a company that provides educational resources for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is one of JapanCulture•NYC’s sponsors. Its founder and President, Julie Azuma, is a tour de force who brings people in the Japanese and Japanese American community together.

Julie grew up in Chicago to Issei parents who were incarcerated during World War II. After moving to New York City, Julie worked with Yuri Kochiyama, Michi Weglyn, among others in the Redress Movement in the 1980s. She serves on the boards of multiple nonprofits and organizes many fundraising and networking events, in addition to running her business.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 36 children in the US has autism. Chances are you may know someone who will benefit from the products that Julie’s company provides.

One of Different Roads to Learning’s newest educational products is the Photorealistic Visual Schedule. With its full-color, photorealistic communication cards, the visual schedule makes tasks and expectations easier to process and is a great tool to help children with autism plan for the New Year. Another educational game is Mighty Mind, which develops creativity and helps children understand visual and spatial relationships. With the purchase of one of these products, Different Roads to Learning will offer free shipping in the Tri-State area.

We hope our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide has not only given you great ideas for everyone on your holiday gift list but introduced you to a few amazing women-owned local businesses as well. Happy Holidays!

The 2023 JapanCulture•NYC Holiday Gift Guide was researched and compiled by JCNYC Fashion Editor Jen Green with an assist from Susan McCormac. Follow Jen on Instagram to get year-round inspo.

Susan McCormac 11/30/23 Susan McCormac 11/30/23

Holiday Sake from Fukushima Prefecture

Fukushima Sake for the Holidays

Friday, December 1 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Minoru’s Sake Shop at Landmark Wine and Spirits – 208 W. 23rd Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

Admission: Free

To introduce New Yorkers to the delights of Fukushima sake, the Fukushima Trade Promotion Council is hosting a free holiday sake tasting at Minoru’s Sake Shop at Landmark Wine and Spirits in Chelsea

Tasting session participants will receive a 10% discount for purchases of Fukushima sake.

Enjoy Six Different Brands from Six Different Breweries

Minowamon Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo from Daishichi Sake Brewery
KEN Daiginjo from Suehiro Brewery
Odayaka Junmai Ginjo from Niida-Honke
NARAMAN Junmai-shu Muroka Binhiire from Yumegokoro Sake Brewery
Kokken Yamahai Junmai from Kokken Brewery
Lychee Nigori from Homare Brewery

Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are appreciated. To register, please visit the Fukushima Trade Promotion Council’s Eventbrite page.

Susan McCormac 11/21/23 Susan McCormac 11/21/23

Japan Society Reruns Holiday Cooking Online Workshop

Thanksgiving, Japan Style

Available through November 30

Online Cooking Workshop

Free

Give your Thanksgiving feast a Japanese spin this year with shio koji butter-brined turkey, blistered green beans and shishito peppers, and Japanese sweet potatoes. In this online workshop presented by Japan Society, Maiko Kyogoku, owner of Bessou, a modern Japanese comfort food kiosk at Market 57, will teach a variety of festive recipes that bridge cultural traditions, using ingredients perfect for the season.

This year, dazzle guests at your holiday feast with a menu bursting with the flavors of Japan. Please note: This workshop was recorded on November 2, 2021. Some information may have changed since the time of recording.

To register for YouTube access and the recipe card, please visit Japan Society’s website.

Susan McCormac 11/17/23 Susan McCormac 11/17/23

Japanese Restaurants in NYC Earn Michelin Stars

Michelin released its 2023 New York guide on November 7, and of the 71 restaurants on the list, 20 are Japanese. Well, technically two of the restaurants are considered French, but they are run by Japanese chefs. (I’m taking liberties in the name of All Things Japanese in New York City.) Sushi Noz and odo earned promotions from one star to two, while Sushi Ginza Onodera, which closed this summer, and East Village sushi outpost Kanoyama failed to make the list.

Famed sushi restaurant Masa continues to sit atop the list with three stars. As usual, most of the Michelin Guide entries are pricey sushi spots, while a few serve kaiseki fare. Tempura Matsui and Torien are the lone tempura and yakitori restaurants, respectively.

If you’re not into spending $600 on sushi, you’ll find the more practical Michelin Bib Gourmands at the bottom of this list.

Here are the 18 Japanese and two French/Japanese restaurants with Michelin stars for 2023:

Three Stars ("Exceptional cuisine")

Masa
Type of Cuisine: Sushi
10 Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center
Website: https://www.masanyc.com/
In February of this year, Marian Bull reported in Food & Wine that not only is Masa the most expensive sushi restaurant in the US, “it is arguably the most expensive restaurant, period.” Despite an omakase price tag of $750 (exclusive of beverage and tax), Masa has consistently earned three stars since 2006, when the Michelin Guide started covering New York City restaurants.

Two Stars (“Excellent cooking”)

odo (up from one star in 2022)
Type of cuisine: Kaiseki
17 W. 20th Street
Website: https://www.odo.nyc/
In addition to crafting high-end seasonal kaiseki for lunch and dinner, Chef Hiroki Odo hosts art exhibitions in THE GALLERY, which is attached to the restaurant.

Sushi Noz (up from one star in 2022)
Type of cuisine: Edomae Sushi
181 E. 78th Street
Website: https://www.sushinoz.com/
Experience omakase at an eight-seat, 200-year-old hinoki counter run by Chef Nozomu Abe, who was inspired by the fish from his grandfather’s Hokkaido seafood company.

One Star ("High-quality cooking”)

Hirohisa
Type of cuisine: Kaiseki
73 Thompson Street
Website: https://www.hirohisa.nyc/
Chef Hirohisa Hayashi uses exceptional ingredients for an incredible seasonal kaiseki experience.

ICCA
Type of cuisine: Sushi
20 Warren Street
Website: https://icca.nyc/
Chef Kazushige Suzuki serves only fish from Japan for his omakase and tasting menu.

Jōji (new)
Type of cuisine: Sushi
1 Vanderbilt Avenue
Website: https://www.jojiny.com/
Chef George Ruan leads an omakase experience that pairs premium sake and fine wines with seasonal ingredients.

Kosaka
Type of cuisine: Sushi
220 W. 13th Street
Website: https://www.kosakanyc.com/
The Michelin Guide says Kosaka “offers a stellar omakase in an elegant setting.”

l’abeille
Type of cuisine: French (with Japanese sensibilities)
412 Greenwich Street
Website: https://www.labeille.nyc/
Executive Chef Mitsunobu Nagae is a veteran of Michelin-starred restaurants, including Château Restaurant Joël Robuchon in Tokyo.

Noda
Type of cuisine: Sushi
27 W. 20th Street
Website: https://www.noda.nyc/
Chef Shigeyuki Tsunoda serves a 20-course omakase twice a night.

Noz 17
Type of cuisine: Sushi
458 W. 17th Street
Website: https://www.noz17.com/
At this companion restaurant to Sushi Noz, Chef Junichi Matsuzaki, Chef Nozomu Abe’s protégé, serves a thirty-course, Edomae-style sushi tasting menu in this seven-seat space in Chelsea.

Restaurant Yuu (new)
Type of cuisine: French contemporary, Japanese
55 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn
Website: https://www.yuunewyork.com/restaurantyuu/
An alumnus of Guy Savoy in Paris and Mifune in Manhattan, Chef Yuu Shimano serves French dishes that highlight Japanese ingredients. A recent addition to the emergence of Japanese business in Greenpoint, Restaurant Yuu is the only new Brooklyn restaurant to receive a star this year.

Shion 69 Leonard Street
Type of cuisine: Edomae Sushi
60 Leonard Street
Website: https://www.69leonardstreet.com/
Formerly of Sushi Saito in Tokyo (three Michelin stars) Executive Chef Shion Uino creates an Edomae-style experience in an intimate setting.

Sushi Amane
Type of cuisine: Sushi
245 E. 44th Street
Website: https://www.sushi-amane.com/
The Michelin Guide reports that daily fish deliveries to Sushi Amane allows “guests to experience the freshest and most seasonally minded product possible.”

Sushi Ichimura (New)
Type of cuisine: Sushi
412 Greenwich Street
Website: https://www.sushiichimura.nyc/
Legendary Executive Chef Eiji Ichimura, formerly of David Bouley’s Brushstroke and earned two Michelin stars at Uchu, helms this omakase experience at l’abeille.

Sushi Nakazawa
Type of cuisine: Sushi
23 Commerce Street
Website: https://www.sushinakazawa.com/new-york
Everyone’s favorite former Jiro Dreams of Sushi apprentice continues to earn accolades of his own.

Sushi Yasuda
Type of cuisine: Sushi
204 E. 43rd Street
Website: https://www.sushiyasuda.com/index.html
The Guide lauds Sushi Yasuda for its “classically assembled sushi,” saying, “Each item is handled with care, highlighting their robust flavor.”

Tempura Matsui
Type of cuisine: Tempura
222 E. 39th Street
Website: https://www.tempuramatsui.com/
Tempura Matsui is the first authentic Japanese restaurant in New York that focuses only on tempura.

Torien
Type of cuisine: Yakitori
292 Elizabeth Street
Website: https://torien-nyc.com/
Chef Yoshiteru Ikegawa presents a 13-course yakitori experience devoted to all parts of the chicken.

Tsukimi
Type of cuisine: Kaiseki
228 E. 10th Street
Website: https://www.tsukimi.nyc/
“Tsukimi” means “moon viewing” in Japanese, and this seasonal Japanese kaiseki restaurant pays homage to the mid-autumn harvest festival.

Yoshino
Type of cuisine: Sushi
342 Bowery
Website: https://www.yoshinonewyork.com/
This LES sushi spot is named after the chef’s father’s hometown in Nara Prefecture.

Bib Gourmands (“good quality, good-value cooking”)

Michelin defines “good value” as spending around $49 or less—excluding tax and gratuity—for two courses and a glass of wine or dessert. The Guide considers these restaurants “places that serve phenomenal meals that don’t break the bank.”

DOMODOMO
Type of Cuisine: Sushi
138 W. Houston Street
Website: https://www.domodomonyc.com/

Nami Nori
Type of Cuisine: Temaki
33 Carmine Street
Website: https://naminori.nyc/

Shalom Japan
Type of Cuisine: “Authentically inauthentic Jewish and Japanese food”
310 S. 4th Street, Brooklyn
Website: https://shalomjapannyc.com/

Soba-ya
Type of Cuisine: Soba Noodles
229 E. 9th Street
Website: https://sobaya.square.site/

Tonchin
Type of Cuisine: Ramen
13 W. 36th Street
Website: https://www.tonchinnewyork.com/

For a complete list of all the New York restaurants that earned stars—not just the Japanese ones—please visit Michelin’s website.

Susan McCormac 11/15/23 Susan McCormac 11/15/23

Discover the tastes of Miyagi at Japan Village

“Tastes of Miyagi”

Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Kuraichi – 267 36th Street, Brooklyn

Admission: Free

The Miyagi Prefectural Government, in collaboration with Kuraichi and Japan Village, will host the “Tastes of Miyagi,” an event that aims to introduce the local sake of Miyagi Prefecture to New Yorkers. This three-day free tasting will feature different sake products each day and take place at Kuraichi, a specialty sake and Japanese spirits shop at Japan Village.

For a limited time, customers who purchase any sake from Miyagi will receive a free furoshiki (Japanese traditional wrapping cloth) and will be eligible to purchase the very rare and precious Date Seven sake.

Featured Sake Products

Katsuyama Junmai Ginjo KEN
Tanaka 1789ｘChartier Blend 001 Vintage 2018
Hoyo “Kura no Hana” Fair Maiden
Hoyo “Manamusume” Farmer’s Daughter
Tokubetsu Honjozo Sake, Atago no Matsu
Tokubetsu Junmai Sake “The Connoisseur” Hakurakusei
Genshu Urakasumi
Himezen Sweet Junmai

Image from @japanvillagebrooklyn on Instagram

“Tastes of Miyagi” Food Booth

November 18 from 12:00 p.m. (one day only!)

In conjunction with this event, there will also be a special one-day “Tastes of Miyagi” food booth inside the Japan Village food court, where customers can purchase Miyagi’s special local cuisine and pair these dishes with Miyagi’s sake.Offerings include harako-meshi, a seasoned rice bowl topped with cooked salmon and roe, and kaki-fry, deep-fried oysters.

For more information, please follow Visit Miyagi on Instagram.

Susan McCormac 11/13/23 Susan McCormac 11/13/23

A Unique Stay at Henn na Hotel

A Blend of Quirkiness and Comfort in Midtown’s Garment District

Noted for its animated dinosaur in the lobby, Henn na Hotel in Midtown Manhattan stands out as a unique and inviting space, perfectly situated near Herald Square and Penn Station. This boutique hotel with 92 rooms offers an intimate atmosphere and excellent customer service.

Prime Location for Anime Enthusiasts

If you're planning to attend Anime NYC from November 17 through November 19, Henn na Hotel's proximity to the Javits Center is ideal. The convenience of being only a 17-minute walk away from the venue makes it the perfect accommodation choice for those looking to maximize their time at the con. Plus, the Japanese-inspired amenities will keep the spirit of Anime NYC throughout your stay.

A Peek into a suite on the 18th Floor

Full disclosure: Henn na Hotel offered me a stay in one of their suites on the 18th floor for an honest review.

The suite décor is minimalist but still exudes comfort, featuring a plush, king-sized bed that promised a restful night's sleep. The pull-out couch and an extra pillow and duvet in the closet are great if you’re staying with a group. The room has a desk and complimentary WiFi, perfect for posting your Anime NYC reels to Instagram at the end of the day.

One distinctive touch is the shoji screen-like doors that separate the bedroom from the sitting area, providing an authentic touch of Japanese design. The suite also boasts modern amenities that epitomize luxury and innovation, including TVs in both spaces, a fridge, a deep soaking tub, and—the pièce de resistance—the Toto toilet.

A highlight of the suite is the LG Styler steam closet, a fascinating addition that sanitizes, deodorizes, and freshens clothes without chemicals. I couldn't resist testing my jacket in the cool infrared lighting.

While the suite has ample outdoor space, it’s worth noting that there’s no outdoor furniture. Despite this, the opportunity to step outside and get a breath of fresh air was a nice experience.

Dining Delights at Gosuke Restaurant

For a taste of Japan without leaving the hotel, Gosuke Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience. For the sushi lover, the menu features a reasonably priced omakase option as well as a variety of Japanese comfort dishes such as katsu curry and sukiyaki.

During my visit, I opted for the shrimp shumai, a vegetable roll, and a piece of hamachi sushi. With an Orion beer to start and a glass of sake to finish, the meal hit the spot.

A Quirky Stay Is the Best Stay

The word henna (変な) means “weird” or “strange” in Japanese. While a hotel with a T-Rex in its lobby might not feel normal, Henn na Hotel seamlessly blends quirkiness with comfort, making it a standout choice for those attending Anime NYC or anyone seeking a unique stay in the city.

Henn na Hotel
235 W. 35th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001
212-729-4366
Hello@HennNaHotelNY.com
https://www.hennnahotelny.com/
IG: @hennnahotelny

Susan McCormac 10/27/23 Susan McCormac 10/27/23

Final JAPAN Fes of 2023

JAPAN Fes

Saturday, October 28 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

East Village – Astor Place (Broadway and Lafayette Street)

Admission: Free

The final JAPAN Fes of the year is tomorrow, October 28. More than 60 Japanese vendors will provide most delicious Japanese street fair experience in New York. JAPAN Fes is also welcoming two special vendors from Japan. One is from Hokkaido and will serve a luxurious kaisen-don (seafood bowl); the other is a traditional kokeshi doll maker from Fukushima. Don’t miss this one-day-only opportunity!

As usual, you’ll be able to purchase fluffy takoyaki, award-winning ramen, savory okonomiyaki, and more amazing Japanese treats!

Select Vendors

The Boiis Co. – Mochi-filled desserts
Catmint Wheel Cake – Imagawayaki (Taiwanese dessert influenced by Japan)
C Bao – Teriyaki chicken buns
Exciting Manga – Vandel Marchen
Japanklyn – Clothing inspired by the cultures of Japan and Brooklyn
J-Spec Wagyu Dining – Wagyu Philly cheesesteak
Kare Girls – Grilled pork onigiri
Karls Balls – Takoyaki
Kuu – Ikayaki (grilled squid)
the last call - Yakitori
Mao’s Bao – Takoyaki bao
Menya Jiro – Kagoshima tonkotsu ramen
Mingei Japan – Vintage kimono
MoCA – Sushi hand roll
moqi – Mochi-infused treats
mumu bath shop – Cherry blossom candle
Nakamura NYC – BBQ chashu bowl
Oconomi – Okonomiyaki
Odango Masa – Dango (mochi balls on a skewer)
Ombrato – Craftworks from Japan
Onigiri Town - Onigiri
Takosan Yakisoba – Yakisoba
Tang Hulu – Ichigo ame (strawberry candy on a stick)
Toribien – Karaage
Twisted Potato – Wasabi-flavored potato on a stick
wuhao newyork Tenugui Art – Japanese tenugui and furoshiki
Yakitori Tatsu – Yakitori meat and vegetable skewers

For the full list of vendors and more details, please visit JAPAN Fes’s website.

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About Chef Yuu Shimano

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M.M. LaFleur

Seicho

MaKaRi Japanese Antiques and Fine Art

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Angel’s Share

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F﻿ukushima Sake for the Holidays

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Three Stars ("Exceptional cuisine")

Two Stars (“Excellent cooking”)

One Star ("High-quality cooking”)

Bib Gourmands (“good quality, good-value cooking”)

“Tastes of Miyagi”

Featured Sake Products

“Tastes of Miyagi” Food Booth

A Blend of Quirkiness and Comfort in Midtown’s Garment District

Prime Location for Anime Enthusiasts

A Peek into a suite on the 18th Floor

Dining Delights at Gosuke Restaurant

A Quirky Stay Is the Best Stay

JAPAN Fes

Select Vendors

LEARN MORE

Fukushima Sake for the Holidays