An invitation to get to know Japan in Sydney

Japan and its unique culture continue to fascinate thousands of Australians, and whether it be food, fashion, beauty or traditional arts, more and more are seeking it out at home.

The Ultimate Japanese Staycation Guide takes a tour of the Japanese cultural scene in Sydney, which is responding to what the Japanese would describe as a ‘love-call’ from everyday Aussies with fresh, authentic stores, food trends and more. See how easy it is to slot a taste of everyday Japan into the Australian lifestyle, and make it more multicultural than ever before – get set to begin your Japanese staycation in 3…2…1…

SAKE

Word to the wise: eat, drink and enjoy!

What you need to know about drinking sake, from a true connoisseur

Sydney’s Izakaya Masuya is known for its amazing line-up of tapas-style dishes and boutique sakes. The owner of Izakaya Masuya, Mr Ken Sadamatsu, spoke to G’Day Japan! on how best to enjoy Japan’s traditional rice wine at an izakaya…

On the best way to enjoy sake, and matching food with it:

‘There are different ways to enjoy sake. A lot of the time, the choice on how to drink it is a personal one; if you’re a sake connoisseur, you might just drink your sake cold in a ‘masu’ – a square wooden cup.

When you’re drinking something high-end like a daiginjo sake, enjoy its aroma and taste by serving it in a wine glass. ‘Dassai’, a boutique daiginjo sake from Yamaguchi Prefecture, is quite fruity, and a suitable choice for beginners.

Aussies love hot sake, and it goes well with warm foods like hot pots and steak – especially the Australian Wagyu beef.’
And when it comes to cold sake? ‘It’s best to enjoy it with cold dishes, like sashimi and sushi.’

Why drink at an izakaya:

‘There aren’t a lot of people in Japan who are knowledgeable about gin or whisky, just like Australians don’t know much about sake… But in both countries, drinking is about enjoying your drink and having a good time.

The word izakaya means a place to drink. It’s like the Spanish tapas bars; they serve great food to eat, but the main purpose of going out to one is to enjoy drinking. Whether you’re in Japan or here in Sydney, Aussies can be assured that at an izakaya, they’ll have a great time with some great drinks.’

So there you have it: all about great drinks, tasty food and good times, it’s safe to say that izakaya are a perfect match for the Australian culture. Visit one on your Japanese staycation in Sydney, and eat, drink and enjoy!

The Ultimate Japanese Guide Staycation