Beer (ビール) is the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan and widely consumed at homes and drinking establishments nationwide. Four companies currently dominate the market: Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo. The standard type of beer sold at izakaya, bars and restaurants is light lager beers with with an alcohol content of around five percent. In addition, regional craft beers have become highly popular in recent years.
History
The Dutch started brewing beer for their own use in Nagasaki during the Edo Period. The first brewery to serve the Japanese market was founded in 1869 in the international port town of Yokohama by a foreign businessman. After changes in ownership, it started producing Kirin-branded beer in 1888. Meanwhile in Sapporo, the government built a beer brewery and established the Sapporo Beer brand in 1876 as part of its efforts to develop the island of Hokkaido. Accordingly, Yokohama and Sapporo vie for the title of birthplace of Japanese beer.
The popularity of beer increased sharply in the second half of the 20th century, and beer has long since overtaken sake as the nation's favorite tipple. In recent decades, some Japanese beers have also gained popularity overseas.
Cherry Blossom season is going to finish soon and it's getting warm in Tokyo.
I can't wait for the summer!!!!!
By the way, there are so many guests staying with us repeatedly and one lovely guests who does drawing, he came back with his very new Manga a few weeks ago for the first time in more than 1 year.
Mr. Andik from Indonesia
This manga is named "LAY-LAY CAT", it's an easy short comic that suits even for people not from English speaking country.
Hello everyone! This is your favorite blogger, Hoka, writing once again. This year, spring comes early and Sakura has already fully bloomed! The other day, Sakura Hotel team has brought our guests from different countries to have a picnic at the famous Chidorigafuchi park. The guests comes from all over the world! They are from Italy, Singapore, USA, and the Netherlands.
Hanami literally means "flower viewing", however, it commonly refers only to cherry blossomviewing. Cherry blossom viewing is easy: Simply enjoy the intensity of the many blossoms by looking at a single tree or a group of trees. From a distance, the trees appear as beautiful clouds, while the beauty of single blossoms can be enjoyed from a close distance.
Cherry blossoms are also especially beautiful in combination with a castle, temple or shrine. In some places the blossoms are lit up in the evening, which makes an amazing sight.
Hanami can be just a stroll in the park, but it traditionally also involves a picnic party under the blooming trees. Hanami parties have been held in Japan for many centuries, and today are held in public and private gardens and parks across the country. Famous cherry blossom spots can get very crowded, and the best picnic spots are fought after.
In especially popular places it is common practice to reserve a picnic spot long before the party is held. The typical practice is to spread one's picnic sheet early in the morning and either mark it with the group's name and party's starting time or to have somebody positioned there during the whole day until the rest of the group arrives after work. But note that in some parks it is forbidden to leave sheets unattended.
Hanami Manners
Treat the trees carefully. Do not pull on or shake branches. Do not pick blossoms. Don't climb the trees. Don't stand on the trees' roots.
Take proper care of your garbage. Note that some parks do not have garbage bins. Be prepared to take your garbage home.
Check and respect local rules. They differ from park to park. Many parks do not allow barbecuing. Some have a curfew in the evenings. A few do not allow alcoholic beverages.
Design Festa 47th is to be held at Tokyo Big Sight on May 12th (Sat.)and 13th(Sun.).
Design Festa is an international art event and a celebration of the arts at which anyone regardless of age,nationality, talents or language can exhibit.
Estamos a 1 de Abril y ya se están cayendo las flores de los árboles de Sakura (cerezos).
Este año se han adelantado un poco, lo normal es que los primeros días de abril aún queden más flores en Tokio pero en algunos sitios ya han comenzado a salir las hojas verdes.
Por cierto, aprovecho para comentar que en unas pocas horas me voy una semana de vacaciones, lo siento mucho pero no voy a estar disponible para contestar mensajes ni comentarios durante unos días. Si tienen dudas, en cuanto llege el día 8 de abril comenzaré a contestarlas, como siempre muchas gracias por leerme!
Este árbol de la foto hace unos días estaba así de bonito y hoy está casi verde. Pronto les pondré fotografías de un mismo árbol con una semana de diferencia para que puedan comparar como cambian.
La cena de hoy: Medusa con pepino. Las medusas no aportan grasas, y su contenido en proteínas es escaso, aunque son ricas en colágeno, por lo que se les atribuyen propiedades curativas siendo un alimento ligero y apetecible. Estas de la foto están aderezadas con encurtido picante y sésamo, están buenísimas!
