The Drinker’s Guide to Japan: An Essential Handbook to Japanese Drinks and Drinking Culture
Oct 2026 · Random House
Ebook
256
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
About this ebook
Japanese alcohol remains one of the world’s great drinking enigmas – always alluring, sometimes intimidating and often misunderstood. The Drinker’s Guide to Japan cuts through the hyperbole and mystique with a bold, pretension-free approach that’s about real drinking and not theory: what to order, where to drink it, and how to do so with confidence, whether you’re in a neon-lit alleyway in Osaka or browsing exotic bottles back home.
Written by Tokyo-based restaurateur and Japanese alcohol expert Wayne Shennen and internationally bestselling author Jesse Fink, this book distils years of on-the-ground research and knowledge into clear, practical guidance. You won’t become an expert, but you will drink better – freed from guesswork, clumsy translations and the lingering sense that Japanese alcohol is just too complicated to even try.
Lavishly illustrated with stunning location photography from across the country, The Drinker’s Guide to Japan is both a visual journey and an indispensable companion. Like travel itself, it will open new doors – transforming Japanese drinks and drinking culture from something inscrutable, privileged and confounding into something thrilling, accessible and deeply rewarding.
Japanese alcohol remains one of the world’s great drinking enigmas – always alluring, sometimes intimidating and often misunderstood. The Drinker’s Guide to Japan cuts through the hyperbole and mystique with a bold, pretension-free approach that’s about real drinking and not theory: what to order...
Discover more
About the author
Wayne Shennen (Author)
WAYNE SHENNEN is the co-author (with Jesse Fink) of Yokocho and The Drinker’s Guide to Japan. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Tauranga. He started his career in hospitality in 2002, working as far afield as Australia, Brazil, Japan and England, and gained certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine Scholar Guild and the Sake Education Council. Shennen has worked in sake breweries in Ishikawa, Saga and Gifu prefectures and written and presented films for the Japanese Sake and Shochu Makers Association. He is regularly invited to speak about Japanese alcohol at international festivals and events for foreign dignitaries in Japan. Shennen speaks Japanese and owns and runs Rangitoto Tokyo, a restaurant and bar in Ochanomizu, Tokyo. He lives in Tokyo with his Japanese wife, Makie, and their young son, Kauri.
Jesse Fink (Author)
JESSE FINK was born in London and grew up in Sydney, Australia. He is the author or co-author of eight books, including Yokocho, The Drinker’s Guide to Japan, The Eagle in the Mirror, Pure Narco, Bon: The Last Highway and The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC. Fink’s books have been translated into 14 languages and two of his books (Bon and The Youngs) are available in Japanese. He is a frequent visitor to Japan, lives in Bedfordshire with his English wife, Alexis, and has an adult daughter, Billie, who lives in Australia.
WAYNE SHENNEN is the co-author (with Jesse Fink) of Yokocho and The Drinker’s Guide to Japan. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Tauranga. He started his career in hospitality in 2002, working as far afield as Australia, Brazil, Japan and England, and gained certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine Scholar Guild and the Sake Education Council. Shennen has worked in sake breweries in Ishikawa, Saga and Gifu prefectures and written and presented films for the Japanese Sake and Shochu Makers Association. He is regularly invited to speak about Japanese alcohol at international festivals and events for foreign dignitaries in Japan. Shennen speaks Japanese and owns and runs Rangitoto Tokyo, a restaurant and bar in Ochanomizu, Tokyo. He lives in Tokyo with his Japanese wife, Makie, and their young son, Kauri.
Jesse Fink (Author)
JESSE FINK was born in London and grew up in Sydney, Australia. He is the author or co-author of eight books, including Yokocho, The Drinker’s Guide to Japan, The Eagle in the Mirror, Pure Narco, Bon: The Last Highway and The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC. Fink’s books have been translated into 14 languages and two of his books (Bon and The Youngs) are available in Japanese. He is a frequent visitor to Japan, lives in Bedfordshire with his English wife, Alexis, and has an adult daughter, Billie, who lives in Australia.
Wayne Shennen (Author)
WAYNE SHENNEN is the co-author (with Jesse Fink) of Yokocho and The Drinker’s Guide to Japan. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Tauranga. He started his career in hospitality in 2002, working as far afield as Australia, Brazil, Japan and England, and gai...
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
