Sakagura Tour—trial run September 2011

I have just returned from a trial run of part of the Sakagura Tour, 2012, and am excited to share with you photos of some of the places you will be visiting.

Our tour started with two nights at Hotel Granvia http://www.granvia-osaka.jp/english/index.html in Osaka.
We ate our evening meals in two delightful Izakayas:

First one is ‘Kamunabi’ Michelin ☆ in 2011

Edamame

Trout sashimi from Biwako

Osuimono(Soup) with Hamo, Pumpkin gnocchi and Matsutake mushroom

Nodokuro Sagohachizuke

and here are the delightful staff:

The owner chef Idogawasan and his wife:

The next night we went to
'Kan-no-Miho'

The owner Mihosan and her sister:

and this is what we ate:
The starter is Eggplant & Jako, Shimeji mushroom & sweet corn, Spanish mackerel & potato

Chamame (kind of soy bean) tofu

Sanma (Horse mackerel)

Sea urchin & avocado

Chilli Renkon (Lotus)

Spanish mackerel & mushroom

finishing with Takikomi gohan

While staying in Osaka we made a day trip to the KUBOHONKE Brewery (SUIRYU, DOBU) in Haibara, Nara Prefecture, where we were received by Master Brewer, Kato-san. Here we are outside the brewery.

This brewery is over 300 years old and is surrounded by many beautiful buildings of similar vintage.

to be continued......