Neal Graham

Sake Margarita Tequila heat meets sake finesse30 ml sake30 ml tequila 30 ml umeshu30 ml simple syrup 30 ml lemon juiceDiscover other great cocktails in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX#sake #cocktails #sakecocktails

Sekino Shrine and Festival Stalls in TakaokaWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0cIZWxigZAMTakaoka Sekino Shrine (関野神社) becomes one of the liveliest spots in the city during Golden Week, with a long street of yatai food stalls, colorful banners, and families enjoying the festival atmosphere. In this video, I explore the shrine grounds and stroll down the food stall street while the wind whips…

Daitouryo (ver. 2)A Japanese twist on the classic El Presidente45 ml sake30 ml white rum20 ml lime juiceGarnish: fresh raspberries This is cocktail no. 31 in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX#sake #cocktails #sakecocktails

After the Festival – Takaoka’s Historic Yamacho-suji District Watch on YouTube: Yamacho-suji (山町筋) is one of Takaoka’s most beautifully preserved historical streets. It’s a district lined with traditional kura storehouses, wooden merchant buildings, and the distinctive architectural style that reflects the city’s Edo period prosperity. #Yamachosuji #山町筋 #Takaoka #Toyama #Japan

Takaoka Mikuruma-yama Festival 2026 – Soroiai & Shrine Blessing Watch on YouTube: Part 2 of the Takaoka Mikuruma yama Festival series captures two of the most meaningful moments of the day: the Soroiai at the Kataharamachi intersection, and the blessing ceremony at Takaoka Sekino Shrine. #Mikurumayama #UNESCO #Takaoka #Toyama #Japan

Elderflower Whiskey Sake Sour Bright, floral, and crowd‑pleasing 45 ml sake 30 ml whiskey 15 ml elderflower liqueur 15 ml lemon juice Garnish: thyme or lemon peel Discover other great cocktails in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX #sake #cocktails #sakecocktails

Japan’s most beautiful sakura walk  Part III of the Bunsui Oiran Procession captures the oiran moving slowly along a sakura-lined path with petals drifting, geta echoing, spring light everywhere. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wwys0Z536DU #Japan #Niigata #Oiran #Bunsui #Sakura

Night & Light Spiced Rum × Sake Sour A balanced, aromatic sour with warmth, citrus, and a clean sake lift. 40 ml spiced rum 40 ml sake (junmai or junmai ginjo) 15 ml lemon juice 10 ml ginger syrup 5 ml elderflower liqueur 1 dash Angostura bitters Discover other great cocktails in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX #sake #cocktails…

Bunsui Oiran Procession – Part II Every April, three oiran – Shinano, Sakura, and Bunsui – walk through the nostalgic streets of Bunsui, Niigata in a traditional gait. This video follows the 2026 procession up close, where you can hear each step and see every detail of their silk robes. Watch the full video on YouTube: #Japan #Niigata #Oiran

Sake Bloom Go! Go! Bright, floral, ginger‑forward with a subtle tequila shadow underneath. 45 ml sake (junmai or junmai ginjo)15 ml silver/blanco tequila20 ml lemon juice10 ml ginger syrup7.5 ml Suze7.5 ml elderflower liqueur Shake hard, strain into a chilled coupe.Garnish: lemon peel or ginger slice. Discover other great cocktails in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon.…

Rain, ropes, and wooden wheels. Before Takaoka’s Mikuruma‑yama can shine, they’re pushed block by block toward the Soroiai. Pure muscle, tradition, and neighborhood pride. UNESCO heritage in motion. This is Part 1. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NpMOl6fLjtQ#Mikurumayama #UNESCO #Takaoka #Toyama #Japan

Sake BecheroniBright, herbal, citrus‑spiced, and smoother than a classic Negroni.45 ml sake (junmai or junmai ginjo)30 ml Becherovka Lemond20 ml Vermouth Rosso10 ml ginGarnish: fresh thymeDiscover other great cocktails in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX#sake #cocktails #sakecocktails

Illumination at a Japanese National Treasure | Zuiryuji Temple There are places in Japan that are beautiful by day and transformative by night. Zuiryuji Temple in Takaoka is one of them. During the Spring Light Up 2026, the temple – a designated Japanese National Treasure – opens its grounds after dark, lit by lanterns that cast a warm, amber glow across centuries-old timber and stone. The…

The White Kimono 60 ml junmai gingo sake20 ml dry vermouth10 ml Luxardo Maraschino liqueur1 splash lemon juice1 dash orange bittersGarnish: lime wheel Discover other great cocktails in my book, “101+ Sake Cocktails.” Buy it on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

Japan’s Most Elegant Spring Festival: Bunsui Oiran Procession Watch on YouTube: The Bunsui Oiran Sakura Matsuri is one of Niigata’s most atmospheric spring traditions. Every April, people gather in Bunsui to watch three oiran – Shinano, Sakura, and Bunsui – walk through the nostalgic streets of Jizodo Honmachi in the elegant sotohachimonji gait, just as they did in the Edo period. This video…

A Day in Toronto | Market, Station, Squares & Streets Watch on YouTube: Experience downtown Toronto through a series of short winter clips filmed across some of the city’s most iconic locations. #Toronto #DowntownToronto #StLawrenceMarket #UnionStation #NathanPhillipsSquare #QueenStreetWest #YongeDundas