This Week in Tokyo – 12 October 2021
Welcome to ‘This Week in Tokyo’, a review of the Maction Planet week that was and a look ahead to what’s coming up in the city. Hosted by Mac, our Founder and Lead Guide, you can check out photos from our tours and read insights into our explorations as we get under the skin of the World’s Greatest Metropolis, and beyond! This week: Harvesting in Hino; Noh in Oyama; Dog Ema; Slapping on Jeff Whisky and Kanosuke IPA DE.
Harvesting in Hino: It’s rice harvesting season in Japan, and this year I got to participate, reaping Baba-san’s rice field (pictured) that was sown in the spring. It’s hard work, but highly rewarding. Baba-san’s rice is 100% organic – sun, water and soil are the only elements that input into the delicious end product. We had an incredible day with sublime weather, a festive music performance and a watercolour art class. Thank you to Etsuko for her incredible organisation.
Noh in Oyama: In the early Edo period, tensions between various religious factions on Mt. Oyama were resolved by the shogunate through the unlikely solution of ordering the staging Noh productions twice a year. Fast forward to today: Noh performances are held every year in Oyama on two consecutive weekdays in early October, part of the Fire Festival at Oyama Afuri Shrine. This year, on 5 and 6 October, was the 40th time the event has been held in its current form. The Noh stage has the spectacular backdrop of the Oyama mountains.
Dog Ema: Dog owners can show their love for their pets at Oyama Dera by purchasing dog-shaped ema votive tablet and drawing a dog face on one side, writing their wish on the other. This one stood out, for obvious reasons.
Slapping on Jeff Whisky: A historic partnership, days in the making, can now be revealed: I am the guest slapper in Jeff Whisky’s latest masterpiece, in which he reviews Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Check out his very insightful tasting notes (Hugo Boss in a bush) and highly entertaining presentation (one of the best on WhiskyTube), as well my slap direct from the heart of Tokyo, above: After that, return to Kanpai Planet to learn the story of the Hibiki brand through my review of the first-ever Hibiki Whisky here: https://youtu.be/YGRoj0SXftU
Kanosuke IPA DE: Kanpai Planet is proud to present one of the world’s first reviews of Single Malt Kanosuke Distillery Exclusive #001 – the first single malt distillery exclusive from the Kansouke Distillery. What makes this special? It’s been finished for 14 months in casks used to barrel-age a Double IPA from Rise & Win Brewing in Tokushima. So are beer and whisky a match made in heaven? Watch of find out!
Maction Planet runs bespoke Private Tours and Experiences in Tokyo, and beyond. To book yours, or to purchase a gift card, contact us at info@mactionplanet.com
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