Niigata Sake No Jin Annual Sake Festival: Episode 1
Aloha and as always, mahalo for tuning in to Doho TV right here on Hawaii News Now K5 K channel and on Hawaiian Airlines inflight entertainment. We kick off a brand new video diary series in Japan’s culinary crown jewel, the city and prefecture of Nigata. Famed for its fluffy rice, fresh fish, and fancy feasts, this breathtaking region is also a treasure trove of culture, crafts, and countryside charm. We also added a touch of Tokyo to the mix, all while raising our glasses to the Olympics of sake, the legendary sake no Jin Festival. This annual celebration where every sip brings a smile and gourmet delights are savored is just one of many fantastic, flavorful, and fun features of this tour. History, heritage, and heavenly hot springs paired with shopping, sightseeing, and savoring on this Doug TV non-stop travel sake extravaganza. Originally built in fifth century, Yujimaten shrine is dedicated to Sukawara who is enshrined here as considered at the god of intelligence. So you will see lots of Emma tablet mostly for kids who are preparing for entrance exam for university. And then to your left side is the statue of the ox. Mostly for kids who are preparing for entrance exam or want to be smarter or the parents to wish their kids to be smarter is coming to this shrine for intelligence. No. He said he wants somewhere here but no inside is get. That’s good enough. So, um this water place is to wash your hands and then mouth before you do prayer to clean yourself because and in Japan we think anything bad comes from hands or mouth. Some people cannot stop stealing or some people might have big mouth. Don’t look at me like this. Okay. So, we need to clean those two parts of body. Uh let me give you information about how to say hello to Shintaga. I know you believed in your own religion so don’t have to pray but you can just say hello. So you put small donation in the offering box there. Bow twice. First one, two means excuse me I am here and then make your wish in your mind please quietly and then after that bow deeply once to say thank you very much for your attention. So that is called kobai is in Japanese literally means red plum and then hakubai white plums. So usually and they start blooming in different timing. Okay. This is the toplet what we call emma to write down the wishes to hang so that the god can check your wishes. If you’re good enough the god will help you making your dream come true. So we started off uh day one here. This is the Yoshima Tenjin Shrine. And it is a bit cold, a chili, a bit chili, a little bit. To warm up, we’re trying the amaz. It’s uh non-alcoholic, but it’s still very good. Just in case it’s too cold, you can warm yourself up. It does warm you up. It does, right? Yeah. Let’s try this. Cheers. Cheers. Now, I understand this is actually really good for you. So, if you have a cold or something, you drink this and it’ll help you cuz it’s like got probiotics and stuff like that. So, it’s like I’m getting hugged on the inside. I know. It is a cup of hugs. A cup of hugs. Yeah, I like it. I like it. [Music] So, we discovered something new today, Melissa Chang. OMG, I’m starving. Yes, this is Suramachi. This is day one of our Sake Nojin Doa TV tour with, of course, non-stop travel. We’re here with a bunch of very thirsty people, I want to say, that’s going to be experiencing the Olympics of sake. Oh my god. Non-trademark. I just came up with them um cuz we came here in 2018. So, we got to go up Sky Tree. Of course, we went to the saw the various sites around and um did a little bit of shopping. Now, we’re here at Kushiagi Kushet. It’s brand new and it’s just opened and this is nice. We have the mix set here. And I This wasn’t originally on the plan, but I saw that they also had my favorite thing. This is guatu. This is kurug wagyu. Kurug wagyu sirloin katu steak. Oh my god, look at the marbling on that. Yes, that’s why. Oh, so healthy. Oh my god. Good thing I worked out this morning. Good thing you worked out this morning. Thank you. Good thing I slept in. So, one of the things that you want to do, of course, when you have kushiag or kushi katsu, which is fried everything, by the way, for those that don’t know, is have a dipping sauce. And why don’t you go ahead and pick what’s going to be your weapon of choice. I’m going to just grab the closest one to me. I don’t even know what I’m picking. I believe that’s the croc if I’m not mistaken. Dip it in the safest looking safest looking sauce. I can hear it in my head. It’s crunching. It’s not It’s not a hard crunch. It’s a delicate crunch. Delicate crunch. Wow. So, it’s a little powder and then of course you get it to the Yeah. And it And it’s so tender in here. It’s actually really moist and tender. Okay. Sold. I’m sold. I’m going to try Well, I love me some ebie. So, I’ll do some ebie. Ebie shrimp. Little bit of dip here. Little crunch. Yeah. And it fills your head. It fills my head. My head is filled. Um, you can tell they put a lot of focus on the panco they’re using and the oil because it is so wonderful and light. Yeah, it’s very light anything. I think that as my guest, Melissa 808, queen of the internet, I will give you the ikura laden kushiaga here. Oh my god, look at that. It’s I think it’s a layer of mayonnaise all the and mayonnaise with ikura. Doesn’t get better. Oh wow. It’s salmon. Wow. My gosh. Salmon folks. Hence the ikura on top. Again, lightly battered. So, as I understand, that’s one of the specials here at Kushiag Kush. And you know, we have a lot of things that we have to try. Oh my gosh. So, let’s move to what I call the main event. This is the kucatu. It’s one of my favorite things in the world as I understand it. Portugal taught Japan tempura. Really? Yeah. It’s actually from the Portuguese, but of course, as Japan does, elevates everything to another level. So, we have, of course, tempura. We have katsu. But it was a level of specific genius and wisdom. They decided to like, let’s put steak. Let’s katu steak. I love that. Wagya steak. So they give us here this beautiful egg and it’s a very special kind of very light panzoo. Yeah. Okay. So let us take our steak. I’m shaking because I’m hungry. Oh my god. So this is the Kro Wagyu sirloin here at Kushiag Kushet. [Music] Wow. Oh my god, that is so luxurious. My god. I feel like I’ve had a kahala katu experience. Yeah. Wow. Or wleiki maybe. It’s so soft. The sirloin. You can tell that meat is like super high quality. Oh my gosh. Combined with their attention to detail with the panco. Panco. It really just it just enhances every part of this. And of course, Japan is known for having wonderful meats, steaks. So good. Wow. Hano. Wow. M [Applause] pure joy and happiness here at Kushiagi Kushet. You got to try this. This is so good. Folks, as always, Mal for tuning in to a special TV travel sakino tour with Melissa 808. [Music] Wow. So, we’re here. This is end of our first full day here in Tokyo and we’re having amazing tanyaki. Let’s start this off the right way. We’re here for Saki Noin. Uh it’s so nice to be back on our way there and of course we have sake her ginyakai. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Oh, that’s good. Smooth. That’s some good stuff. Dangerous. It’s dangerous. Hits your palette and just releases. Yeah. And then lingers like a sustained note. Oh, you sound like a professional. When did you get your Somalia? Uh, well, you know, I’ve been working on the side. I didn’t want to tell you, you know. Figure pop it out. I I’m impressed. Wow. I learned new adjectives. I’m so excited to be on our way to S Island tomorrow. Sushima. Wagyu beef stew. Wagyu beef stew. Oh my. Crazy. M. Oh my god. [Music] These mushrooms were cooked on the grill. Mhm. With love and care. M very uh methodically. Wow. It is so silky. Oh my god. Right. Just melt in your mouth. You can gum this. You don’t need teeth. It’s so soft. So, we’re eating big chunks of meat and there’s no knife on the table. Good point, Colleen. Sauce is so good. Sauce. Want some rice? That just ketchup. Wow. Very delicious. Very good. [Music] Yes. Thank you. Kaido anchovi butter on top of the scar off. Wow. And dip in soy sauce. Okay. Anchovi butter. Anchovi butter. And then dip it in the ponzoo. Well, this is ponzoo. Perfectly cooked. Thumbs up. Winner. Yeah. This is too good. It’s too good. Oh my god. Thank you. That’s enough. Thank you. I better share. That’s fantastic. That’s finely chopped garlic. Oh, he is going to make garlic fried rice. Melissa, I don’t think he’s going to do the onion volcano, though. I’m waiting for the shrimp tail to be flung into my plate. And the spinning egg. Oh, the spinning egg. Spinning egg. Oh yeah. I got to try it straight up first. Oh my god. Wait. Oh my god. This four of us are pieces. Perfect. Medium rare. Oh my god. Cheers. Oh wow. That’s just perfect. The salt and pepper gives it a little bit of that crunch on the outside, but everything is just buttery. Beautiful. You don’t need teeth. You don’t need teeth. Chewing is optional. You can’t eat steak anywhere else but Japan. I mean, it’s like it’s all ruined. I mean, we always say ruins for everybody else. I’m going to put some onion on a piece. Delicious. M. Throw onion on there. Okay. These garlic chips cooked to perfection. Wow. Yeah. See if I can pull this off. This is too good. It is so silky. Oh my god. Exceptional. Yeah. Cook to perfection. Mahalo again. Mahalo. Day one. Day one. Day one. Nontop travel. Don’t forgot TV. Saki no. Aloha. Aloha. Cheers. So let’s see what we have here. Now, this is the wonderful fish market, which of course I think everyone knows how much I love seafood. Look at all this sushi. Uniong zani snow crab. Ois. [Music] All right, we got the boys. We got the boys over here. How’s it going, guys? What you What you Oh, hey, you got a full basket. What’s going on over here? Oh, just looking over everything. I know. Like, how can you not? I want to just everything here. I really want to just buy and we just ate on the train. I know. Okay. If you had to pick one, which one would it be? I think we’re going to go with this one. Okay. Yeah. Seems got chew total inside. Got ebie. Giito scallop. Oh, this is a good one. 1,350 yen is like roughly about $8. I know. It’s amazing. $600 at home. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. I always look about. It’s so true. People don’t realize. I ignore it. And the quality is so good here. Amazing. It’s just unbelievable. So, is this for for some of the stuff for dad? For brother Eddie? Uh, no. I think I think a couple things for him, but Okay. Okay. Yeah. This is for even for like my parents, too. We got to start thinking of them before we start eating everything. Or we just eat and we don’t tell them nothing. That too. It happens in Japan. Exactly. It stays in Japan. It stays. How about for you? What would be your your pick? I think the same thing. Same one. Yeah. Cannot beat that total one. Let me tell you, which would you like? The one. We got crab down there. We have sea over there. Uni can go around. We just got to Nata. I have Maui in the house. And yes, Maui represent here. And uh a veteran of the Sakino Jin, the original 2018 Sakino Jin. Lynn next to me here. Now, this is the scallop. Please go ahead. I’ll show you butter scallop. I’m impressed. Good. Wa. The men have it down. Yeah. We don’t take bite. We just We just swallow the whole thing. Good. Good. Good. Good. You know, I’m not advocating this, but I have known ex how Christy, you need a shot of number one. Am I That’s how That’s exactly how. It’s a show you butter, man. And it has all the juices from the scallop. It’s the best part. That’s the best part. You guys have all been to Japan before. Mhm. Mhm. Okay. Have you been to Nigata before? No. First time? Yes. Okay. Okay. And what made you uh decide that you want to jump on board with this tour? Oh, mommy, you the first trip. They made it so good. They saw it so good. They were the stars of the show, let me tell you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was really good fun. Um and then we did the snow festival one. Yeah. Just last year. Yeah. So, what are you looking forward to most on this on this trip? Being away from work. This is true. This is a good answer. Being away from work. Where do you work? Lucid Motors. Okay. Okay. And they’re obviously missing you right now. Probably. Probably. Probably. He’s just so humble. This is the second time we’re doing this. So, what are you looking forward to? Redoing the whole thing. Redoing the whole thing. It was such a wonderful. So, in other words, drinking sake. Lots of saki. Is that I’m sorry. Sightseeing. Sight. Oh, yeah. Sightseeing. I meant to say sightseeing. My bad. My bad. Drinking. drinking responsibly. I don’t have to drive. Do you like soccer? I like everything. You like everything. I love that. And how about for you? I spend time with family. You know, now I understand too we’re also celebrating a very special momentous occasion. Retirement. Yes. Well, it was a long career, but it was good. How long were you in the force? Uh 25 years. 25 years. Maui MPD. MPD. Our friend over here has got the oysters ready for you. So, we’re going to transition. Okay. Okay. So, he’s going to give you the oysters and you have a choice of ponzoo or showyu. And I can’t think of any better way of enjoying grilled oysters and it being cold like it is right now. Rain just dumping all over us. And you guys have steaming hot oysters. So, please go ahead. Okay. Oh, I hear some I hear approval. Positive experienc folks. Let’s uh continue to TV non-stop travel. Sakino Jin tour. Folks, we are back. Hola. On S Island, the legendary Taribune boats have been spinning and splashing through these sparkling waters since the late 1800s. Used by clever local fishermen to sneak into narrow coes and snag seaweed and shellfish. Today, these tub turn boats would be the first immersive activity for our 808 entourage. Who the wind shield factor is real. It’s going to be a fast boat ride. Bonet. Here we go. Fastest boat ride ever. Oh my god. Is there a heater? They’re leaving already. Leaving us already. Got to wait to come back. Hey, there’s two of boats. Smile, Clifford. Smile, Arthur. Hey, hold it from the bottom. She said right. Sideway. [Music] Smile. Yay! Once the rest of the group got back, it was Melissa, Sharon, Georgia, and my turn to hop into these spinning, splashing, super sized barrels of the sea. With every second slipping by, the temperature dropped, dipped, and downright dove, treating us to an unexpected, undesired Arctic-like event. Hey, Island. Oh my god, Paul is a solo solo ramming speed. I went with him last time. All right, we are freezing on here. Oh, m Oh, hello. Okay. Are you having fun? I am. It’s like um let’s race. Okay, race. Okay. speed. But we have more people. I know it is. Yeah, but I you know I outweigh all three together so it doesn’t matter. No, this is great. I love S Island. I love And look, we have blessings coming down. Oh my god. Shannon Bar umbrella. We’re getting awfully close. I hope we don’t bang into your tub. I know. So, MLS 808, how’s it going? We’re going to melt. You’re going to melt? Oh, no. She reminds me of that nursery rhyme robo dove out three minute ago. Yeah. the tree back. And they’re going extra slow and that’s going to start hailing pretty soon, I think. See, as everybody over there laughing at us, just laughing. Haha. All the warm people. Oh my gosh. It is ice. It’s ice on us. I believe the terminology is called hail. So, wow, it is raining on us, but actually it is ice. I’m so glad I packed my Unilo heat tech. Hey Melissa, do you have Uniqlo Heat Tech on right now? Thank god I have Unilo Heat Tech on. Thank god you have. Although I thought we were good friends, you didn’t get me any Unilo heat tech. I I too relax Heat Tech. Next time. Next time. Next time. Okay. That sound that we’re hearing. Is that hail? Is that hail on us? Oh my god. [Music] Success. Success here at S Island.
Episode 1 of Doko Ga TV’s new video diary takes us from the quiet paths of Yushima Tenmangū Shrine to the lively flavors of Tokyo Skytree’s Kushiage Kushitei. 🌸 On Sado Island, we hop into Tarai Bune tub boats before ending the night with sizzling teppanyaki at Mon Cheri Ton Ton. Part one of our journey to Niigata’s Sake no Jin festival on Non-Stop Travel’s Niigata Sake No Jin Annual Sake Festival Tour.
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