Sai Sai Jaran Jaran is a featured series here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON from the members of the all-female band SILEN SIREN (aka Sai Sai) who visit various hot spots in Japan and experience different things, the Sai Sai way.   Band bassist Ainyan enjoys a beer or cocktail, but she wants to step into the world of wine, so we will join her on her journey today as she goes to learn all about wine from the very basics. It's a clear sky today. Great weather for going for a drink during the day, am I right? We visited Fukagawa Winery Tokyo in Monzennakacho, an area located in Shitamachi, Tokyo. We were looking forward to going there because it offers the full wine experience, allowing visitors to see wine brewing up close to learn all about it. This experience is offered twice a day on weekends and national holidays at 14:00 and 16:00.   Fukagawa Winery Tokyo opened in Tokyo in 2016 as a winery where the ordinary person could go and see wine being made to fully understand its process. It has expanded its circulation in recent years and is now able to take in grapes from across Japan, including Tokyo, to craft many different wines. On the day we visited we saw the staff bottling up the wine. On average, the winery ships out around 30,000 bottles a year. The corks have illustrations of "Wine Man" on them, a character created by Fukagawa Winery Tokyo. Ainyan was fairly fond of him! Time to see how the winery works!   When you step inside, the scent of grapes is the first thing to hit your senses. The one in charge of Fukagawa Winery Tokyo is Kousuke Ueno, who was kind of enough to show us around. He taught us the process of wine making, as well as what types of grapes and tools they use. "This machine separates the grapes and stalks using the propellers. This method has been used for 150 years," explained Ueno.   There are periods when visitors can observe this machine being used to separate the grapes. It takes place between mid-August to November, so follow Fukagawa Winery Tokyo's social media for announcements and details. "Wow! It smells so good!" said Ainyan. We got to see a bucket where Cabernet Sauvignon was being made. They put in whole grapes with the skin on and add natural yeast for the fermentation process. The sweet smell of the grapes fills the air and makes you want to have a glass. Now for what Ainyan has been waiting for: taste-testing time! She learned everything about the wine making process, so it was time to taste and compare some different wines. The winery allows taste-testing until 17:00. You can try 3 types for ¥700. And of course, if there's one you tried that you really liked, you can buy it there and then. So sip, scrutinise, and select! "Please try this one first. It is wine, but it's like a lemon sour," explained Ueno, recommending that Ainyan first try the Yamanashi  Delaware Sparkling. Soak up all the notes of the drink by having a good smell first before taking a small sip. "Smells really good. This sourness really is like a lemon sour! I wonder why?" said Ainyan.   This wine uses premature grapes which gives the wine a sour taste. The sourness of this wine can play the part of lemons, so it's best paired with fried foods or meals with chicken in them. The second drink was the Yamagata Delaware Muroka. It's an unfiltered wine made from completely ripened Yamagata Delaware grapes.   Unfiltered means that the filtration process to take out visible solids and such is not used. This gives it a slightly cloudy appearance and an exquisite taste that's somewhere between wine and juice.

Left: Unfiltered Yamagata Delaware / Right: Filtered Yamagata Delaware

For the third glass, Ainyan ordered the filtered Yamagata Delaware to test the difference between it and the unfiltered version. "The filtered one has a good balance of flavours and is refreshing. The unfiltered one has a smooth juiciness to it. They're both delicious, but I like the unfiltered one more!" said Ainyan. Her fourth glass was an unfiltered red wine: the East Bay Assemblage Red B. The grapes used are a combination from Hokkaido, Nagano, and Aomori. It really is an assemblage! "The red wine has such a different taste and colour depending on the type too! This dark red wine is close to what I usually drink!" said Ainyan with a happy smile. At the end of the session, Ainyan had tried 10 wines and bought two bottles! She was delighted with her experience, saying: "I was surprised how different each and every one of the wines I tried at Fukagawa Winery Tokyo were. I think I'm getting hooked on the appeal of unfiltered, natural wines."   With Christmas and New Year around the corner, now is the season to indulge in wine. If you're in Tokyo this December, pay a visit to Fukagawa Winery Tokyo for a full wine experience.     Writer：Yuki YokooPhotographer：Kayo Sekiguchi  

Asakusaーone of the hottest spots in Tokyo for sightseeing, ever-bustling with Japanese and foreign tourists and travellers alike. This ancient district is famous not only for its sights, like Sensō-ji (the oldest temple in Tokyo) and the Nakamise-dōri shopping street leading up to it, but for its bountiful offering of gourmet restaurants.Today, we're taking a look at Taikenkei Dining -WASHOKU-, a restaurant which opened in Asakusa on November 19 this year. If you're looking for the full package when it comes to experiencing Japanese food culture, WASHOKU has customers covered. Not only do they serve food, like traditional Kyoto obanzai, but they offer cultural experience plans too where you can learn to make sushi or dress up in a kimono and walk the old streets of Asakusa.WASHOKU's concept when it comes to both lunch and dinner centres around enjoying Japanese-style food that is colourful. And that rings tantalisingly true with their kaleidoscopic obanzai, which is formed of 12 vivid bite-sized delights. Obanzai is a traditional style of Japanese cuisine that comes from Kyoto, made up of mostly seafood and vegetables. The obanzai served at WASHOKU was conceived under the guidance of nutritionists, and so is packed full of healthy nutrients for the body. Not only that, the ingredients selected are all domestic to Japan, and are of a very high quality.The obanzai I ate included fried beni haruka sweet potato which is sourced from Ishida Farmsーa sweet potato growerーin Katori, Chiba. It had a moist texture and rich sweetness. When I sank my teeth into it, I was flushed with feelings of the fall season.   Other foods in the assortment included sashimi, scallop and yuzu, saikyo-yaki Kyoto-style grilled fish, and more. Each mouthful of the selection offered its own distinct and unique flavours.The obanzai is served with miso soup too with which you get to choose a miso ball from a variety of flavours to put into your bowl. I went for the sesame seed miso ball.The miso ball is made from miso paste and various ingredients. Once placed into the hot water, it melts and turns into miso soup. The sweet light-brown miso was perfect for warming up my chilly self.Dinner also features a dessert menu, as well as courses with an all-you-can-drink option, so I recommend these options for people who want to relax and take their time with their dining experience.   As I mentioned earlier, WASHOKU also offers a variety of experience-based plans. This includes a sushi class where you can learn to make your own hand-rolled sushi.There are two types of "temari" hand rolled sushi you can make: the regular type, which makes use of tuna, salmon and other classic sushi toppings, and the high quality type, which uses more high-end ingredients like uni sea urchin eggs, caviar, gold leaf, and more. And for foreign customers, the restaurant has prepared a handout detailing the history of Asakusa and recipes, as well as souvenirs for them to take home.The MMN team of course had to have a go at making our own sushi, but it proved quite difficult. You have to get the right amount of sushi rice to roll, then actually roll it perfectly into a ball before topping with your ingredients. But the sushi I made was actually really delicious! To attend this class you have to book in advance, so if you've never tried making your own sushi before or have an need some guidance, then we can't recommend it enough.As well as food-related experiences, WASHOKU provides customers with three different plans to experience Japanese culture. The first of these is the rickshaw ride, where you board a rickshaw pulled by a runner and are taken around the various sites of Asakusa. The 'Excursion Around Asakusa Course' takes you to the most popular spots around Kaminarimon, while the 'Sky Tree Course' takes you all the way to the Sumida River, and you also get to see Tokyo Skytree and various other attractions in Asakusa.The Edo Kiriko plan gives you the opportunity to cut your own Japanese glass to drink from. You can drink from your glass if you reserve the plan with lunch or dinner.Finally, you can rent a kimono. Select your favourite from the shop and have a professional dresser get you readyーwith both your kimono and your hair. After you're dolled up, you can take a stroll around Asakusa to get a real feel for Japanese culture.   All three of these plans are just ¥3,500 per person, and all require reservations which you can book online.So, if you're looking for a taste of Japanese food and culture, why not take a trip to WASHOKU when visiting Asakusa for an all-in-one experience?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Airbnb have announced a major long-term partnership to support the Olympic Movement which will run from 2020-2028. During this period, Airbnb will offer unique accommodation and experiences, and experience tours hosted by Olympians and athletes will also take place.   The partnership will create hundreds of thousands of new Airbnb hosts over the the nine-year period from July next year, allowing for visitors to enjoy longer stays, accommodating families, and more. This will enable community residents to generate extra income while accommodating overseas visitors and proving them with local experiences. In turn, it means those visiting from overseas will be able to engage more with the local culture and community. Both occupied and vacant homes will be utilised. The IOC and Airbnb will also launch Airbnb Olympian Experiences which will provide direct earning opportunities for athletes by promoting sports, allowing for people to train together with elite athletes and Olympians. At the press conference for the announcement of the partnership, gold medalist Saori Yoshida said: "A lot of athletes today devote themselves completely to the games, so a lot of them struggle to find their next career after retiring. These Athlete Experiences will widen the activities of all athletes; not only retired competitors, but those who weren't able to make it as far as the Olympics too. I'm very thankful for that. I believe it will raise the standard of the games for kids, and will serve to brighten and bring excitement to the whole of Japan. I hope that these efforts bring a tremendous boost to the sports world and will have everyone taking an interest in sports."   Tokyo 2020 will officially launch next summer, and with this partnership, people may just be able to enjoy the Olympic Games together with the athletes themselves, allowing for fans to feel closer to the games and the Olympians. Airbnb's involvement also gives visitors from overseas to enjoy Japan and the Olympics in an unprecedented way. If you're travelling to Japan for Tokyo 2020, be sure to book with Airbnb.

Sakura, Chiba is home to important cultural heritage and even what is also known as the "Samurai Town". Now you can stroll around the beautiful old streets of Sakura dressed as a Samurai, attend a relaxing zen session and even take part in a tea ceremony as part of a limited period tourist plan. The Samurai tour is mainly aimed at foreigners, however Japanese people who are curious about samurai culture are also more than welcome to join.    Sakura Castle Samurai Stroll In 2016, Sakura became one of the four cities of the Hokuso region to be designated as a Heritage site under the title “An Edo Travelogue through Four Hokuso Cities" for its preservation of the old Edo culture. Old buildings full of secrets can be spotted all over the town, creating the old atmosphere of the Edo period. Embrace the elegant remnants of the Edo period with a relaxing stroll in Samurai clothing. Who knows what you might discover.Your relaxing stroll will be led by a tour guide who knows a lot about the history of Sakura. This is a wonderful opportunity to take beautiful pictures of the historical Samurai house (Bukeyashiki). Your tour guide will also show you Hiyodorizaka, which is a natural path lined with a dense forest of tall bamboo trees where Samurai are said to have often pass by. Every year, the bamboo and wooden sword martial arts sessions in the program are also very popular.    ◇ Running:October 26 November 9, 23 December 14, 21January 11, 25 February 8, 22March 12, 28April 9, 25May 9, 16   ◇ Times: 9:30 ー 12:30 *The program will still run in bad weather excluding stormy or severe weather.◇ Prices:¥6,500 per person (Includes lunch voucher and entry to the samurai house)* ¥6,000 per person when you purchase tickets as a group of 3 or more.◇ TicketsReservation Website: https://www.govoyagin.com/jaApply Directly to Sakura City Tourism AssociationTEL: 043-486-6000Email: sakurashi-kankou@catv296.ne.jp* Phone calls will be answered in Japanese only.   Zen Meditation and Tea Ceremony in the House of a Feudal LordThere are also guided zen meditation and tea ceremony sessions which are available for a limited period only. These guided zen meditation and tea ceremonies will take place in the Kyuhottatei ー one of Japan's most preserved traditional-style feudal lord residences. This luxurious Edo-style mansion was built 130 years ago and is classified as an Important Cultural Property.     ◇ Running:October 16, November 7, 19December 6, 18   ◇ Times: 9:00 ー 12:30 *The program will still run in bad weather excluding stormy or severe weather.   ◇ Prices:¥10,000 per person (Includes lunch voucher, entry to the Kyuhottatei and tea ceremony participation fee.)   ◇ TicketsPlease enquire directly to the Sakura City Tourism AssociationTEL:  043-486-6000Email Address: sakurashi-kankou@catv296.ne.jp* Phone calls will be answered in Japanese only.   If you are curious about Edo Samurai culture, you won't be disappointed by this program.

Neworld has teamed up with Asakura, Fukuoka-based tea manufacturing company Seichajo Yamashina to offer an all-new tea-tasting course. Reservations opened on September 25 and can be made via telephone call. Yamashina Tea Stall first opened its doors to the public back in 1947 in the city of Asakura, Fukuoka. This long-standing tea shop oversees every aspect of their original blends, from the tea leaf selection to the roasting. The shop's representative, Koya Yamashina, is a tea professional, having worked as an instructor on Japanese tea as well as an established Japanese tea critic. He has travelled up and down Kyushu―one of the five main islands of Japan where Fukuoka sits―which has enabled him to select only the best tea for the shop, considering the taste, smell, season, place of production, and growers themselves. Yamashina Tea Stall promises a fun and authentic experience when it comes to Japanese tea, for the very fact that it has had its hands on so many different types. That's where their new program comes in to play, where they will pair different Japanese teas into different wine glasses―provided by Tokyo glass makers Kimura Glass―for tasters to get the best out of the tea, including the flavours and fragrance. Let's take a look at the course. Piccolo 6oz Flute & Yama no Asatsume This brand of tea is called Chiran Yama no Asatsume and it comes from Kagoshima Prefecture. It's grown in Ushirodake, an area in Kagoshima with a high altitude, the only place it can be grown. It has a distinct fresh and sweet fragrance. The tea is served in a 6oz Piccolo glass which is a popular glass for champagne. Its delicate rim and form makes it the perfect shape to enjoy the full taste of the tea. Garson 3oz Grappa & Yame Gyokuro Yame Gyokuro is known as one of the most luxury teas in Japan. Served in a Garson glass, it has a thin, long shape, making it ideal for smelling the gentle aromas of the gyokuro tea and for enjoying its smooth, sweet taste. Pivo Orthodox 63224-210 & Sun Rouge Sun Rouge is an extremely rare variety of tea grown on the distant island of Tokunoshima which is south of Kagoshima. It is served in a classic champagne glass, much different from the flute-type champagne glasses. The liquid is allowed to spread over a wider surface, letting you take in the distinct beautiful purple colour of the tea while enabling the fragrance to dance around the elegant glass.   This is just a snapshot of the many drinks this course has to offer. If you're looking to experience Japanese tea in style, then why not try out this course? They even sell sets of glasses and tea so you can take them home with you!

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, a highly prestigious and magnificent 4-star hotel located in Shinjuku, is now serving an all-new "luxurious" family package which includes a tea ceremony experience and much more. It is currently running from July 20 to September 1. The rooms offered in the accommodation plan are the hotel's popular Wide Twin Rooms located on the Premier Grand club floor. Use of the Club Lounge is included in the package. The Wide Twin Rooms include two roomy queen-size beds which span 1.53 meters wide which allow parents to sleep comfortably with their children. Rooms also feature their own bathroom facilities.   The package also includes a check-in simulation for children aged 6-12 years where they can get a feel for what it's like to check-in. They will fill in their own check-in cards with parents and receive a ticket for the tea ceremony experience. They will be able to take their card home with them and take a commemorative photo. The tea ceremony experience will be held on the hotel's 10th floor in the "Shofuan," an authentic tearoom that has been in the hotel since it opened in 1971. Parents and children will receive proper instruction from the tea ceremony teacher before pouring their own tea, allowing them to learn about traditional Japanese culture and etiquette. They will receive a special certificate of completion at the end.   If you're travelling to Japan as a family this summer then enjoy it in luxury at Hotel Keio Plaza Tokyo.