Prefecture Profile: Exploring Oita with Chris Johnson
Jun 21, 2024
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Chris Johnson, The Sake Ninja, shares his 3-year experience in rural Oita, Japan. Topics include local customs, food culture, hot springs, and sake tasting. Tales of the Seven Hells, sumo wrestling, and drinking games add to the charm of Oita. Explore what this region has to offer with insights from a Sake expert.
Oita Prefecture is renowned for its hot springs, scenic landscapes, blowfish dishes, and vibrant autumn foliage, making it a must-visit for sake enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Chris Johnson, the Sake Ninja, shares his experiences living in rural Oita, highlighting the region's charms, local customs, food culture, and the production of traditional Japanese spirits like sake and shochu.
Deep dives
Introduction to Oita Prefecture and Introduction of Special Guest Chris Johnson
Today's episode features a deep dive into Oita prefecture, known as the 'onsen capital of the world,' by introducing special guest Chris Johnson, the national sales manager for World Sake Imports and a renowned 'Sake Ninja.' Chris shares his experiences living in Oita as part of the JET program, delving into the region's rich sake and culinary traditions.
Discovering Oita's Unique Attractions and Sake Profile
Oita prefecture boasts diverse attractions, including the famed 'seven pools of hell' in Beppu, renowned for its hot springs and scenic landscapes. It is also recognized for its shime saba, blowfish dishes, and scenic views that draw visitors for vibrant autumn foliage. Oita is historically significant for its production of both shochu and sake due to favorable climate conditions, making it a destination for exploring a variety of traditional Japanese spirits.
Exploring Sake Pairings and Recommendations for Visiting Oita Prefecture
The podcast delves into sake pairings, suggesting dishes like chicken piccata and Caesar salad to complement the fruity notes of sake from Oita. The conversation extends to Oita's culinary and natural highlights, encouraging sake lovers to visit the region for its coastline, mountains, and diverse fish cuisine. The episode closes with insights from guest Chris Johnson on events and his Sake Ninja persona, inviting listeners to explore his sake journey and enrich their appreciation for Japanese culture.
Episode 168. We are off to explore the sake scene in another region of Japan! This time it is beautiful Oita Prefecture! As we don't know much about Oita, despite there being 33 sake breweries there, we needed to phone-a-friend. Luckily for us, our buddy Chris Johnson (aka The Sake Ninja) lived for 3 years in rural Oita on the Jet program. Chris gets us up to speed on the charms of Oita as well as the local customs and food culture. We also hear tales of Onsen that are so hot, they are known as the Seven Hells as well has compulsory sumo wresting and a drinking game or two thrown in for good measure. We also taste Wakabotan sake, a newly exported Oita brew. Let's explore together what Oita has to offer! #SakeRevolution