CANDY TUNE, the newest idol group from KAWAII LAB., just debuted in March. On April 7, the girls released their first single, TUNE MY WAY.

 

The song promises that just as candy comes in many flavors and shapes, each member of CANDY TUNE will let their individuality shine through more going forward. TUNE MY WAY is an avant-garde rock dance number that is sure to impress new fans.

 

The track was produced by Naoki Kubo, a former member of SILENT SIREN and the sound producer for SILENT SIREN’s songs. TUNE MY WAY marks a complete change from the two songs Kubo provided for CANDY TUNE’s debut album, released in March. The song will be performed live for the first time at Mizuki Kirihara and Natsu Minami’s Birthday Festival to be held on April 8 at KeyStudio Shinjuku.

 

CANDY TUNE will hold its first solo live concert at Spotify O-WEST on June 27. Since their debut only a month ago, the group has received several offers to perform at upcoming idol events, making them a group to watch!

SILENT SIREN will release two all-time best albums on December 15, and the song list for all 64 tracks have been uploaded to the special release website! The group has also found popularity abroad, so this release won’t be something to miss if you’re a fan. 

 

Trailer

 

The fan club will also release 3,131 sets of the ‘SILENT SIREN PREMIUM BOX – 11 Years of HIstory.’ These are selling quickly, and those able to grab one will also get extra merchandise and bonuses. 

 

The group will hold their final LIVE TOUR 2021 ‘FAMILIA’ performance on December 30 before going on hiatus. Naoki Kubo, the band’s sound producer since before their debut, will be on stage as a guitarist for the show. Shinji Matsuda of THE BACK HORN will be the support drummer for the Fukushima and Osaka shows, and Yu Watanabe for the Nagoya and Tokyo shows. 

Sai Sai Jaran Jaran is a featured series here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON from the members of the all-female band SILENT SIREN (aka Sai Sai) who visit various hot spots in Japan and experience different things, the Sai Sai way.

 

In Episode #11, SILENT SIREN’s keyboardist Yukarun will try her hand at decorative fruit cutting, something she’s always wanted to try. The musician, who enjoys munching on fruits every single day, traveled to Nakano to take a trial lesson at the Fruit Academy. 

Fruit cutting is the art of cutting different fruits into pieces that are both beautiful to look at and easy to eat. At the Fruit Academy, visitors can take different courses in fruit cutting from beginner to advanced, the latter including more artistic techniques. One-day trial lessons are available for beginners, so it’s easy to give it a try. 

Bring your favorite apron, put it on, and you’re ready to start your fruit cutting experience!

Fruit and a small knife are provided. Today, the teacher is explaining how to prepare an incredible fruit platter. 

 

 

Boat-Cut Pineapple

The lesson begins with pineapple, which has been cut into eighths. Placing the skin side down, insert the knife just under the harder core and cut along it. When you reach the end, cut along the skin, leaving the center hollow. Removing the hollowed-out fruit, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and simply place those pieces back in. Alternate pulling each piece out to the left or right, and then…

Voila, the boat-cut pineapple is ready! By holding the pineapple vertically, the pieces won’t fall out. 

 

 

Kiwi and Fig Wedges

Remove the stem and the core from the kiwi and cut into six equal wedges. Cut the wedges diagonally to make a sharp corner. Place the kiwi skin side down, and insert the knife along the skin. While keeping the blade against the cutting board, move the fruit around so that the skin peels cleanly and evenly. Cut the figs into wedges and peel them the same way. 

 

 

Grapefruit Cup

Cut the grapefruit in half and remove the bottom. Placing the grapefruit on its side, insert the knife and hollow out the pulp while carefully rotating the fruit. Place the previously removed bottom piece into the center to make a cup. Scrape off the white parts of the pulp and cut it into bite-sized pieces. 

Serve the pieces in the newly made cup for a gorgeous treat!

 

 

Cutting Shine Muscat (Grapes)

While it’s completely fine to eat these grapes whole, cutting them brings out more of their natural sweetness. After cutting off any stems, cut lengthwise with force. It’s easy to get a clean and crisp cut. Yukarun couldn’t help but look a little smug!

 

 

Flower-Cut Piones (Grapes)

To peel these purple grapes, carve the skin on the wider side with a cross. Peeling these four sides back, the fruit becomes a flower! Play with these pieces gently to really make them stand out, and when you’re ready, stick a toothpick in the backside and place it anywhere you like for a tasty decoration. 

 

Leaf-cut Apple

After cutting the apple in half and then into thirds, insert a knife into the edge of the skin side and make a slit, tilting the knife back and forth like a seesaw. Turn the apple over and make a cut on the other side, eventually connecting them. Repeat this step a few times. Finally, stack the pieces on top of each other and play with them until they resemble a fall leaf!

 

 

Apple Carving

Finally, the fruit carving begins! Actually, fruit carving is a traditional craft from Thailand, with these decorative pieces often prepared for entertainment and hospitality. This specially-shaped carving knife is held and used just like a pen. 

Cut an apple into six pieces. Then, cut horizontally and vertically across the skin. Insert the tip of the blade into one of these cross-sections and carefully remove pieces of skin in an alternating pattern. When you’re finished, you’ll be left with a gorgeous grid pattern!

Placing all of the fruits she prepared onto a platter, Yukarun’s work is done! The trick to fruit cutting is to make sure that each cut is precise and sharp. By lining up the pieces with the sharper edges facing outward, the finished product looks like it was made by a pro!

The teacher commented that Yukarun did a great job for her first-ever fruit cutting attempt, and praised her proper technique. So, how did you like it? 

 

“I’ve been wanting to give this a try forever, and it was a blast! It was great to learn how to peel certain fruits to make them taste even better. I can’t wait to try this at home! Even before digging in, the way it looks just puts me in a good mood. My favorite part was carving the apples, so I’ll keep practicing until I’m a pro!” (Yukarun)

 

Yukarun had such a great time, she bought a carving knife on her way home. If you’d like to give it a try, be sure to stop by the Fruit Academy for a trial lesson!

 

 

Photo: Haruka Yamamoto

Text: Sayoko Ishii

Last Thursday, SILENT SIREN performed at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA in Tokyo for Symphonic Concert 2021, a special collaboration show with the Tokyo New City Orchestra who have performed with countless international opera singers, international ballet groups, with the Paris Opera Ballet, and more.

 

The concert was held with a live audience and saw SILENT SIREN perform with the 50 orchestra members. During the show, SILENT SIREN announced a new date for their 10th anniversary concert which had to be cancelled last year due to COVID-19. The new date is scheduled for September 25 and the venue is Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall in Tokyo.

 

SILENT SIREN Kirara Revenge ~Sai Sai 10th Anniversary Festival~

 

Premium pre-sale tickets are now available exclusively to members of the official SILENT SIREN fan club, Sai Sai Family.

 

 

Photo：Makiko Takada

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.

 

In Episode #10, SILENT SIREN drummer Hinanchu wanted to go and stay at a hotel in Tokyo, so she decided to take a trip to sequence MIYASHITA PARK, a new hotel inside Shibuya’s new landmark shopping complex MIYASHITA PARK which itself opened in August 2020.

The newly-reborn MIYASHITA PARK is a four-storey shopping complex with stores located on the first three floors and the top floor being home to the park. The park houses a range of exercise and sports sites like a skate park and bouldering wall as well as the green area and even a Starbucks. This park is so spacious that it’s easy to forget it’s right next to busy Shibuya Station. It has been open for three months now and is already adored by the community.

sequence MIYASHITA PARK is an 18-storey hotel that stands on the north side of MIYASHITA PARK. It can even be accessed from the complex’s fourth floor park which leads visitors to the lobby lounge. The park side of the hotel is also home to a cafe called VALLEY PARK STAND.

VALLEY PARK STAND can be used by non-guests at the hotel too and is open from morning to night time. The windows tower from the floor to the ceiling, allowing plenty of natural light into the cafe. There’s plenty of seating areas with table seats, sofas, and benches.

MIYA PITA CHICKEN SHAWARMA ¥900 | FRENCH FRIES & COCKTAIL COMBO ¥800 (Tax Included)

VALLEY PARK STAND is a cafe themed on a fictitious valley park, acting as one big park situated in the middle of bustling Shibuya. Adventuring through the valley park is best done with one of the cafe’s signature “MIYA PITA” pita sandwiches in hand.

The cafe offers a selection of coffees, pastries, and pitas for lunch and breakfast. In the evenings, customers can switch to the bar to enjoy something alcoholic. Their original craft cocktails are very popular and are made by a bartender who honed their craft while working in New York.

 

Hinanchu ordered the “Park & Pomegranate Bellini.” Normally hotel cocktails are small, but the ones served at VALLEY PARK STAND are much more generous.

The cafe even sell their own merchandise, from mugs to tumblers and even picnic blankets so you can have a picnic in MIYASHITA PARK if the weather calls for it!

 

For more information about VALLEY PARK STAND, check out our full breakdown here.

 

VALLEY PARK STAND
Address: sequence MIYASHITA PARK 4F, 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 7:30-23:00 (Last Orders 22:30)
TEL: 03-6712-5442

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valleyparkstand/

 

The hotel check-in lounge can be found on fourth floor, the same as VALLEY PARK STAND. Check-in uses a new unmanned self-service system so all you need to do is follow the instructions.

Guest rooms are simple but the furniture and fixtures are of high quality. Hinanchu stayed in the 4-person “BUNK BED 4” room. Prices vary depending on the season, but it can cost less than ¥5,000 for one person to stay in a 4-person room which is a bargain!

The wide windows in guest rooms look out across MIYASHITA PARK. Depending on the hotel room you’re in, you’ll also be able to see landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. The windows also read “Hi, TOKYO!” on them which makes for the perfect photo opportunity.

All rooms are also fitted with reading material by young authors. If you scan the QR code next to their piece, you can learn more about them and even make a donation.

Check-in is at 17:00 and check-out is 14:00 so guests can enjoy their stay leading into the early afternoon of the next day. The MIYASHITA PARK shops open at 11:00, so after checking-out, guests can go straight to shopping or lunch.

 

So, how did you find MIYASHITA PARK, Hinanchu?

 

“I’ve always lived in Tokyo, so I never imagined I’d stay in Shibuya, but you can really feel like a queen staying here! Despite it being smack bang in the middle of Tokyo, it’s right next to the park which feels good. I definitely recommend it to those who live in rural areas that want to come and play in Tokyo since places like Shibuya and Harajuku are close by. The hotel is littered with art and stylish design, so it’s not simply a stay but a creative experience too which I think will be popular with foreigners. I want to come here again on my own for a relaxing time!”

On the fifth floor of the hotel is the restaurant and bar Dōngxī Restaurant & Sakaba which offers both breakfast, and dinner. The new entertainment restaurant and bar SOAK is also opening on November 13.

 

If you’re thinking of staying in Tokyo or Shibuya, be sure to look up sequence MIYASHITA PARK.

 

Photo: Kayo Sekiguchi
Text: Sayoko Ishii

Translation: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

 

SILENT SIREN dropped their 10th anniversary album mix10th digitally on Tuesday, and the hotly-anticipated record finally hit shelves physically on Wednesday (September 2).

The band released a new music video for their song she which was written and composed by SILENT SIREN vocalist and guitarist Suu, who wrote the track when visiting Los Angeles at the start of the year on her break while overlooking Santa Monica beach. The video is a melancholic solo performance by Suu on acoustic guitar, imagined underwater.

 

mix10th album cover art by up-and-coming illustrator Hime

SILENT SIREN have received congratulations for their 10th anniversary from all corners of the industry, from fans to musicians, idols, comedians, YouTubers, and other supporters of Sai Sai. Here’s to another 10 successful years.

SILENT SIREN have released their new music video for Tenohira. The song was written and composed by band bassist Ainyan and features on their upcoming 10th anniversary album mix10th which will be released on September 2, 2020.

The illustration in the music video is included in the 48-page picture book featured with fan club editions of the upcoming album. The piece, which celebrates the band’s 10 years together, was drawn by Ainyan and is titled Yakusoku (Promise). Ainyan is an avid illustrator who made her artist debut with her book Nyan Nyan Nyanta no Daihenshin which won the first CHICORA BOOKS Character Picture Book Award.

SILENT SIREN are set to release their new song Answer on music streaming and download platforms on August 7 in the lead up to the anniversary album. On the same day, their performance for their special mix10th live stream will be archived on LINE MUSIC.

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.

 

In this long-awaited next entry to Sai Sai Jaran Jaran, Suu tries her hand at making senbei rice crackers, something which she has been wanting to do. She paid a visit to Soka Senbei Garden in Soka, Saitama, a place famous for senbei.

Let’s get straight to it! Inside the facility is an area for people to experience making their own homemade senbei. You don’t have to book a space in advance either to make the senbei. It costs just ¥500 per person (before tax) to get involved. They even lend you a happi coat free of charge to put you in the Japanese chef mood even more.

They have everything you need for making the perfect senbei including griddles, sauce, tongs, brushes, and a press.

To begin, you pick up the senbei dough with the tongs and place it on top of the griddle.

After three seconds on the heat, flip the dough over. Then it’s a matter of rise and repeat until it’s fully cooked. As it cooks, the dough will continue to rise.

Once cooked and risen, take the press and push down on the senbei for one second. You don’t need to worry about the senbei breaking or cracking—put your back into it and push down with some force to flatten it out.

Once the senbei has hardened, remove the press and flip it again after four seconds, then go in for another press. Do this multiple times too until your senbei takes on shape and a nice brown colour, but make sure it doesn’t burn!

Once both sides are browned, the senbei is ready.

Next, lay it on the tray next to the griddle, pour over the sauce, and leave it to dry. This tare sauce has dashi in it, so the senbei becomes a rich soy sauce senbei.

“It’s crunchy and delicious when it’s cooked fresh,” said Suu, who took no time at all to have a bite of her senbei. “The dashi really works for the flavour of the tare.”

You can also put your senbei in a little bag to take away with you. “The senbei began to rise really suddenly which took me by surprise and got me in a fluster, but it was a lot of fun going through the process of making one from that thin dough,” said Suu.

Soka Senbei Garden also has its own garden cafe. The most popular item on the menu is the “Soka Senbei Soft Cream,” a soft serve ice cream that has senbei tare in it and is topped with a senbei. You won’t find a soy sauce flavoured ice cream like this anywhere else. The ice cream costs ¥350 (before tax) when order to have in.

At the end of her time there, Suu went to check out the senbei souvenirs. The shop sells over 80 kinds of senbei and Japanese confections, including their classic Soka Senbei. You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store spoilt for choice!

The staff can explain each senbei to you so you know what you’re buying.

Some of the shop’s recommendations are the white chocolate-filled “Soka Senbei Choco” and “Golden Smile” (both ¥600 before tax). The sweet taste of the chocolate combined with the saltiness of the senbei is a match made in heaven. Suu got to try one herself. “It’s a bit like crunchy chocolate, but you can really taste that authentic senbei flavour. It’s a fresh take!”

The “Golden Smile” has a chocolate base and is smooth, while the “Soka Senbei Choco” has a crunchy texture.

The one that caught Suu’s attention was the crunchy “Okoge Senbei” which is made with scorched rice. The staff member told Suu that this one makes for a great breakfast when dipped in soup.

The shop sells all kinds of okoge senbei, including the normal one, sakura shrimp, and more (all ¥390 before tax).

ーーHow was your time at Soka Senbei Garden, Suu-chan?

“This was my first time making my own senbei from scratch. I had a lot of fun! The staff were really kind, they teach you a bunch of different things. It’s a really fun time, so be sure to give it a try yourselves too.”

 

Suu bought some senbei souvenirs for her fellow band members and headed back on the road home.

 

SILENT SIREN’s Suu Makes Her Own Senbei Rice Crackers

 

Here at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON, we post news and information about Japan in six languages. Our aim is to deliver a variety of content related to Japan for those who love and enjoy Japanese culture.

 

Right now, people across the globe are in self-isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The same goes for Japan too, so we’ve taken this opportunity to create a new series on the website to show how we’re spending time at home here in Japan. The future is yet uncertain, and we hope for normality to return for all of us soon. We created a new articles series called Stay Home with which we hope to take your mind off the situation, even for just a little bit, to help you feel calmer. It might give you some tips on what you can do while spending time at home.

Today, we are joined by the members of all-girls band SILENT SIRENーwho have their own featured series here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPONーto see how they’ve been spending their time indoors.

 

Stay Home With SUU

1: Smoothies Everyday

I love bananas, so I mix a bunch of them with some berries to drink♡ I wanna try making lots of different smoothies!

 

2: Chilling With My Pet Dog Komeko

I’ve been home a lot so Komeko is always sat with me lovingly♡

 

3: Reading

Since I’m at home more now, I’ve been doing lots of reading. I’ve been thinking of getting or making a new bookcase that’s bigger than the one in the photo.

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

A positive mindset! Since you’re at home, find things to do that you normally wouldn’t be able to otherwise♡

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

I’ve kept my spirits up by cooking at home, listening to music, watching movies, trying out different scents, and recently I’ve been rearranging the place. I think this unexpected time is the time to do things we weren’t able to before, so I want everyone to enjoy their at-home time too!

 

Stay Home With Hinanchu

1: Takeout From Places I Never Go

Since I can’t really go out, I’m making fun with eating, being greedy, and indulgence.

 

2: Changing The Mood Of My Home Entrance

Since I can’t go out, moods tend to build up when I’m home, so I’ve aired it out a little to feel refreshed.

 

3: Plenty Of Playtime With My Pets

My cats are great at being home alone when I’m out, but I get to play with them lots while I’m indoors, so much so that they never seem to get tired of it.

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

I’m making an environment that makes me feel refreshed, even if just a little, by rearranging my home, decluttering, and cleaning. I’ve used this opportunity to get into feng shui, so it could be fun for people to look up the directions in their house and enjoy some feng shui too.

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

Know that you are absolutely not alone if you’re going through a tough or lonely time. Everyone is feeling the same. So let’s all be lively and positive while we’re at home and we might just discover something new about ourselves! Another good thing to do might be to make a list of all the places you want to visit when the world returns to its peaceful self! Let’s all work together and get through this, okay?

 

Stay Home With Ainyan

1: Foam Roller Full Body Massage

It’s easy for your body to become stiff as you spend more time at home, so I’ve decided to loosen up everyday by massaging my armpits, thighs, and back. It hurts pretty bad since you loosen up by using your whole body weight!

 

2: Clearing The Veranda And Making My Own Terrace Seat

Since we can’t go outside, I’ve cleaned my room to make myself feel good and have brought the outside air indoors. I spend my time sat on the veranda relaxing and enjoying something to drink.

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

I look on social media for tips on how everyone is having fun at home and try out different things!

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

It’s important in these times to think about what you can do at home and enjoy it, so I want to keep on posting about what fun things I’m up to indoors too.

 

Stay Home With Yukarun

1: Rice Pot

I’ve always cooked rice for myself, but what I’ve been addicted to since last year is making rice in a pot! It’s super delicious and surprisingly easy to make♡

 

I can’t get enough of that moment of happiness when I lift the lid off the pot♡

 

2: Healthy Treats

Being at home so much tends to result in not getting enough exercise.

But I still want to eat a sweet treat, so I made some gluten-free scones using soy flour.

Freshly-baked scones are the flavour of happiness♡

 

3: Doing My Nails

Since I can’t get to a nail salon, I’m enjoying enjoying some self nail care!

 

Whatever I go to do I can always see my fingertips, so simply making my nails look pretty is enough to lift me up.

 

4: Stretches

I’m making a conscious effort to move my body as much as possible at home.

 

Wearing leggings that I can train in all the time at home means I can stretch right away there and then, so I definitely recommend doing the same♡

 

What’s your secret to spending time at home?

It’s important to enjoy the things you can do now while at home for so long, be it doing your nails, trying new makeup, so on♡

 

Please give a message to those reading this article

I’m sure a lot of people are feeling down right now with how life as we knew it has changed so drastically. But it’s in these times when we need to stay positive, so let’s all smile and get through this together!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Japanese all-female pop rock band SILENT SIREN, and to celebrate, they are releasing a 10th anniversary album entitled mix10th. The album was originally set to hit shelves on May 13, 2020, but the band revealed on their official website that the release date has been extended to September 2, 2020.

The band members and staff posted the following comment on the official SILENT SIREN website.

 

For the first part of the 10th anniversary celebration, SILENT SIREN released the music video for ‘Kikasete wow wow o’ which hit 1 million views in two weeks. The song was written by Sho Kiryuin of Golden Bomber which and is already streaming and available for download. We are all thankful for the incredible response we have received from everywhere. We have also prepared the next two things for the anniversary.

 

However, due to the current situation as of late, we are currently unable to make those things a reality. We have arrived at the conclusion that as of right now, we are unable to deliver ‘mix10th’ to the standards we desire.

 

After many discussions with the band members and staff, we have made the difficult decision to delay the release date. We understand how disappointing this must be for all of the band’s fans who have so anxiously been awaiting the album’s release, but we ask kindly for your understanding.

 

To make up for it, we are releasing the album’s CD covers as well as details of the track list. We ask that you wait just a little bit longer for the September release. Right now, we are living in a period of patience and endurance, so let’s all ensure we conquer it. Please take good care of yourselves.

 

ーFrom the SILENT SIREN members and all the staff

 

(Comment translated from Japanese by MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

The album is currently available for pre-order, but orders and shipping differ between shops and online stores, so be sure to check with them before purchasing.  

The album contains 13 tracks, including plenty of new songs, such as Up To You feat. Aimi from Poppin’Party which was released last year as a single.

2020 marks the 10th anniversary of Japanese all-female pop rock band SILENT SIREN, and to celebrate, they are releasing a 10th anniversary album entitled mix10th on May 13, 2020.

The 13-track album will include songs such as Shigatsu no Kaze which was released digitally last year and was used as the ending theme for the virtual YouTuber drama series Watanuki-san Chi No, HERO which was also released digitally in 2019, and OVER DRIVE.

The album will be released in three versions: First Press Limited Edition, Regular Edition, and Fan Club Edition. The First Press Limited Edition is coupled with a DVD which features live highlights taken from the band’s concert “SILENT SIREN Nenmatsu Special Live 2019 HERO” which was held at Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium on December 30 last year. It also comes in a tall-size case and features a special photo book with photos of the band today, who have grown into fully-fledged adults since forming.

 

The Fan Club Edition also includes a DVD, but this one features a making-of the visuals for mix10th as well as an interview with the band. It also comes with the book Yakusoku written by band member Ainyan which marked her debut as and author and even took the top spot in the 1st CHICORA BOOKS Character Picture Book Publication Awards. This edition is also coupled with an original 10th anniversary clear bottle.

 

Pre-orders for all three editions are now open. Fan Club Edition copies are limited in stock, so make sure to order yours quick if you’re part of Sai Sai’s fan club.

 

Silent Siren – “mix10th” Teaser Trailer

The album’s track Kikasete wow wow wo will be released digitally on March 20, 2020. The song was written by Sho Kiryuin of Golden Bomber.

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 Yokoo

Photographer：Kayo Sekiguchi