Yoshida Rui no Hokkaido Minatomachi Meguri Episode 6

The sixth instalment of bar poet Rui Yoshida's tour of Hokkaido's port towns! This time, we are going to Yoichi! Yoichi is located at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula, which juts out into the Sea of Japan in Hokkaido. During this coldest season of the year, bar poet Rui Yoshida wanders around in search of delicious sake and snacks. Accompanying him will be the well-known HBC announcer Kanako Muroya. Once again, there were many wonderful encounters. In summer, visitors can enjoy picking cherries and grapes in the orchards and enjoy freshly landed seafood around the port. But even in winter, there are many attractions that can only be experienced in the harsh cold. Masataka Taketsuru, known as the father of Japanese whiskey, was one of those who were attracted to this region, which closely resembles the cool climate of Scotland. At the paid tasting corner of Nikka Whisky's Yoichi distillery in the town, you can find a lineup of whiskies that you can rarely taste. There was also a single cask of malt whiskey made from a single barrel and bottled only. The single cask, matured for 25 years, was a glowing amber color, and both Rui and Ana Muroya were simply intoxicated by its mellow taste... Whenever they find a good sake, they inevitably want some tasty snacks to go with it. As they strolled around the town, they found a place where fish and other seafood were smoked in the cold air. Salmon, crab, scallops, herring, even potatoes and carrots. After tasting the concentrated flavor of the smoked fish, the two of us felt the urge to drink again, so we went to town for the night. The izakaya they passed through the curtains of was a restaurant full of human kindness that boasted of its home-style dishes. They were very satisfied with dishes that warmed their cold body from the inside out, such as sea urchins and chives with eggs. The owner had worked as a bartender at a Tokyo hotel for 20 years, and the restaurant offers more than 20 kinds of cocktails. The restaurant is full of winter charms of Yoichi that can be enjoyed only because of the cold weather. (Source: Japanese = hbc.co.jp || Translation = iniquitous at kisskh)