December 2020

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Kyoto is a prefecture rich in cuisines and famously known as the “food capital.” While Kyoto is popular for Japanese sake, it is home to a historical winery as well. Tamba Wine is a wine manufacturing company that locates in Tamba, Kyoto.

Tamba Wine was established in 1979 by Tetsuo Kuroi who was formerly a CEO of a lighting equipment manufacturer. Kuroi was surprised by the delicious foreign wines that he tasted abroad, but felt that the same beverage tasted differently in Japan. He soon realized that the local food culture, which is naturally established by the local smell, lifestyle, climate, and spices, was very important. He then decided to create wines that match the food culture in Kyoto, as he established Tamba Wine in collaboration with Takaaki Yamasaki, who was a manager of a vineyard in Tamba. Masahiko Okawa later joined the project as a technical brewer.

Initially, wines at Tamba Wine were made using grapes for raw consumption that are cultivated at Yamasaki’s vineyard. After Yamasaki’s son, Takahiro Yamasaki, studied wine in Germany for three years, the company began cultivating Vitis Vinifera and much other variety. Tamba Wine currently cultivates 49 varieties, carefully considering their compatibility with Japanese cuisine. Tamba Wine’s “Toriino” received a gold award at the Monde Selection in 1984, at which Tamba Wine’s wines that are cultivated and brewed to match the Japanese cuisine was globally recognized.

When you visit Kyoto, please try Tamba Wine’s delicate taste of wine. If you would like to enjoy the Japanese wines at home, Gato Mikio Shoten’s Tohka Wine and Ichiyougama’s Wine Cup would enhance your experience, both of which express Japanese artisanship. You may also consider FD Style’s high-quality Wine Opener or Sunami Toru Shoten’s Binkago with which you may present the wines as a gift. Please have a look at these items on our website.

Gato Mikio Shoten’s Tohka Wine
https://www.shokunin.com/en/gato/tohka.html
Ichiyougama’s Wine Cup
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ichiyou/wine.html
FD Style’s Wine Opener
https://www.shokunin.com/en/fdstyle/wine.html
Sunami Toru Shoten’s Binkago
https://www.shokunin.com/en/sunami/binkago.html

References:
https://www.tambawine.co.jp/history/
https://magazine.vinetree.jp/posts/6072893/
https://cavewine.net/contents/5252

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While the best time to see the red leaves is over in many places in Kyoto, the leaves in Rurikoin Temple are still about to be colored. The quiet temple in Yase, at the foot of Mount Hiei in Kyoto, is a special temple accessible only during the spring and autumn seasons. For this year, the site is open to tourists until December 20th.

The drawing room in Rurikoin was designed and constructed by Sotoji Nakamura, an artisan widely known as the expert of sukiya style buildings. In front of the drawing-room, there is the “Garden of Ruri,” which was created by the family of Sano Touemon. The carpet of moss is so beautiful that it is often described to be “shining in ruri (ultramarine).” The scenery of the garden reflected on the tables and the floor in the drawing-room is truly fascinating as well.

Other than the Garden of Ruri, the “Garden of Yamaroji” and the “Garden of Garyo” are also unique and breathtaking, the latter depicting a dragon flying towards heaven using water and stones. The main gate to the temple is gorgeously decorated by the leaves that surround, and in the approach to Rurikoin, there are more than 100 types of red leaves that together create a wonderful atmosphere. You may also visit the antique restaurant “Kikakutei” or visit the “kamaburo (steam bath)” that is unique to Yase.

After enjoying the otherworldly panorama at the long-established temple, please visit our showroom in Sanjo Street on your way back. It locates inside Sacra Building, a modern architecture which formerly served for Fudo Chokin Bank and is also registered as the country’s Tangible Cultural Property. You may have a look at the various pots for the winter season that we exhibit, as well as the items that are only available at this showroom. We are looking forward to your visit.

Rurikoin Temple
https://goo.gl/maps/8EXrrjBwPSspianU8
Shokunin.com Sanjo Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/sanjo.html

References:
https://souda-kyoto.jp/travel/spot/spot.html?spot_seq=0001333
https://souda-kyoto.jp/travel/koyo/index.html?idk=0001333
http://things-to-do-in-kyoto.com/discoverkyoto/rurikoin-temple-the-place-with-the-best-view-in-kyoto/