We’ll be closing for our annual vacation trip to Japan from Sunday, January 22 until Friday, February 3.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to your visit today or after we return.
Many thanks!
Rick & Hiroko
Among our specialty sake (sparkling, nigori, umeshu, and yuzushu) the top sellers were…
5. Kamoizumi “Summer Snow” Nigori
With the appearance of a blanket of new snow settled in the bottle, this nigori has the refreshing character that delivers an experience consistent with its promise.
4. Ume no Yado Aragoshi Umeshu
This tasty, sweet umeshu is made with sake blended with pureed plum giving it added texture that distinguishes it from other umeshu.
3. Chikurin Hou Hou Shu Sparkling
People seem to love this slightly sweet, lightly effervescent happoshu in the small blue bottle.
2. Chikurin Hana Hou Hou Shu Sparkling
Pretty in Pink! This sparkling sake has the same light effervescence as its sibling combined with a light rose petal aroma…and it looks just plain cute too!
1. Ume no Yado Yuzu
We call it “lemonade for adults.”  This yuzu sake is so deliciously sweet, citrusy, and refreshing that people can’t stop drinking it once they’ve started.
In 2011, northeastern Japan experienced a major earthquake and its people showed their resilience to the world. New Yorkers responded by buying and drinking sake to support the brewers of the Tohoku region which was most severely affected.   And while our customers showed their sympathy for the victims of the triple disaster, their sake preferences were more expansive and encompassed a variety of styles and types.
Counting down our top ten sellers for the year just ended…
10. Kokuryu Gohyaku Mangoku Junmai Ginjo
Sometimes the things we like best are the most difficult to describe and this sake exemplifies the concept. It has a deep, dynamic, rich flavors that seem to captivate anyone who tries it.
9. Masumi Arabashiri Junmai
Masumi’s Arabashiri has almost become synonymous with the term arabashiri itself, which is the first run sake from the moromi tank after pressing. The 2011 Masumi arabashiri had more banana aromas and flavors than the previous year.
The name of sake is the same as Japanese film maker Kurosawa. Because of that, for many the name is easy to remember, and the sake is easy to enjoy too.
7. Otokoyama “Man’s Mountain” Tokubetsu Junmai
Manly name and dry taste, it is an all purpose dry sake.
6. Harushika Shiboribana Nama Junmai
It’s name translates as “Spring Deer,” and this early spring namazake is fruity and happy as one of the many deer in Nara’s famous park.
5. Akishika Bambi Cup Sake
Who can resist buying a cute bambi “one cup”?
4. Urakasumi Junmai
Urakasumi brewery is located in Shiogama where the tsunami hit. Fortunately,the brewer suffered limited damage and got back to making sake soon after. People bought this tasty Miyagi prefecture sake to support the local brewing industry.
3. Dassai 50 “Otter Fest” Junmai Daiginjo
A reliably elegant Junmai Daiginjo sake, you can count on this sake for smooth daiginjo flavor.
2. Narutotai Ginjo Nama Genshu
Move over Dassai! With bold tropical fruit and a hint of cocoa flavor, this sake goes so well with almost any dish including beef, duck, veggies, and fish. If you don’t know what you are having for dinner, this is the sake for you!
Cool package? Funaguchi. Playing Angry Bird? Funaguchi. Picnic? Funaguchi. Movies? Funaguchi. Don’t want to drink too much? Funaguchi. The mid-night drink for Santa Claus? Funaguchi. It’s the all-purpose, portable, potable, packs-a-punch brew!
Happy New Year! Our tasting line-up is a bit short this month since we’ll be heading to Japan for our annual trip in late January.  However, before that time arrives, you won’t want to miss the debut of this year’s namazake from Nanbu Bijin and a great full-bodied yet dry, all-around sake from Kan Nihonkai.
Saturday, January 7, 2012, 5-7pm
Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai Namazake (Iwate)
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 5-7pm
Kan Nihonkai Junmai Genshu (Shimane)
Please note that SAKAYA will be closed from January 22 to February 3 while we take our vacation. We hope that you’ll plan to visit us before (or after) at your convenience.
Kanpai!
Rick & Hiroko
