the country of japan is a libra. it’s easy to see that both sides of the scales are represented in the japanese culture, which is an interesting blend of old fashioned (sometimes absurdly so) and cutting edge technology, policy and fashion. tokyo is the fashion pulse of the world. it’s where the trend hunters look to find the trend setters.

as of late, i’m a japanophile—here’s why: 1) we’ve just started exporting our COCKTAIL CANDLES to japan! 2) i’m obsessed with japan’s KANGEN WATER. 3) the other day in the big apple, i watched a japanese woman extinguish her cigarette on the sidewalk, and then pick it up and place it in the trash. who does that? 4) japan is all about the environment… they’re only the only country in the world to require the labeling of GMO food. during a trunk show at HENRI BENDEL, my japanese customer asked me not to put a henri bendel sticker on the tissue wrap because it was’nt necessary. by not using a sticker she’d help the environment that little bit… A STICKER! it should be noted though, that my darling japan does actually support some policies i’m less than thrilled about, such as their ruthless blood lust for whale meat (one of earth’s most sacred animals). but by and large, i’m just smitten with all things japan. i can’t wait to get to tokyo for my next vacation!

enter yuri kato—light years ahead of the curve, she founded COCKTAILTIMES.COM eons ago. one of the few prominent females in the bar industry, she has now turned her focus to traditional publishing with her new book JAPANESE COCKTAILS.

so what’s inside? well yuri has done a great job of listing traditional japanese libations, along with some of her original creations too. from the Hinomaru and the Echo Julep, all the way to the Yuzu Bath. not only that, but she gives all sorts of interesting tidbits on japanese culture—which gives me even more reasons to love japan: 1. CANNED COCKTAILS are sold in vending machines everywhere! 2. ALCOHOL is usually lighter in percentage, and cocktails are mixed with less alcohol as a general rule. (as the world’s #1 lightweight, i’m all over that. it would be nice to go out for a drink without getting smashed off of it. what is wrong with a light buzz? in america, we just have to overdo everything—including the percentage of alcohol in our alcohol) 3) LOVE MOTEL: how cool is that… you just walk in and rent a room with your honey—no stigmas. it’s totally acceptable!

it’s a slick book—well photographed and designed, along with some fantastic facts and recipes. you don’t have to be a japanophile to appreciate JAPANESE COCKTAILS. ($15.00) kampai!

by it at URBAN OUTFITTERS