Story by Angel Santiago
Japantown hosted a sake and beer walk on Saturday held at three locations where San Jose residents got a literal taste of Japanese culture.
The three businesses taking part in the event were Jack’s, 7Bamboo and Jtown Pizza Co.
The locations were all one block away from each other, giving guests the opportunity to spend time at all venues.
On the serving table, there were different liquors labeled with their respective names, flavors and some facts about each one.
Guests got the opportunity to get a small glass cup and a wristband to get to taste an array of beers and sake.
Sake is a Japanese beverage made from fermented rice, according to a Britannica article.
Event server Jim Pollak who has worked in the beer industry for more than 30 years said he’s always had a love for Japanese culture.
“We could study wherever we wanted, and I love Japan and then got into Asia in general,” Pollak said.
Event attendee said she found out about the Sake Walk through her friend and came in her kimono dress. “Since I was a really little girl, probably from like four years old, I've been really just fascinated with Japanese culture,” Turner said.
A kimono is a robe worn in Japan and is commonly used in festivals or weddings but has also become commonly worn outside of those occasions. The kimono robe also symbolizes long life and good fortune.
Turner said the art, culture and history of Japan has been a longstanding interest of hers.
“I started [a] kimo collection, now I have quite a few,” Turner said. “I learned to put them on and then events like this. “I like to bring the team on and wear them just to make people smile and have something nice.”
