Recently, the outbreak of the corona virus has raised concerns for the health & safety of populations on both side of the Pacific. Here at Hokusei North America, we are continuing our normal operations, while monitoring any potential guidance issued by governmental bodies in the U.S., Japan, and Oregon. Should there be any changes to our operations, we will [...]
We are following up last month's news post with another one about beer (a favorite topic of ours). Zwickwemania is an Oregon craft beer event that will take place in Portland this year on Saturday, Feb 15. Now in its 12th year, Zwickwemania is essentially a "brewery open house" event, when hundreds of breweries around the state of Oregon open [...]
For years, Japanese consumers have enjoyed Oregon beers exported to Japan, and have often come to Oregon to drink craft beer "at the source". At the same time, various Japanese and Oregon brewers have made a number of friendships, resulting in working together on various beer-related projects. To strengthen the beer bond between Japan and Oregon, the "Fuji to [...]
2019 was a busy year for us at Hokusei North America. During the last 12 months, we have had the pleasure of starting new business relationships and the honor of continuing to serve existing partners. We've seen our business extend its growth and have worked with increased the number of partners with whom we've worked. It has been a pleasure [...]
During the month of December, there are a number of events held in Portland to celebrate the Holiday Season. Some of the best know Portland Christmas activities include the lighting of the massive Christmas Tree in Pioneer Square, the Christmas Ship Parade, Zoo Lights, The Festival of Lights at the Portland Grotto, and visiting Peacock Lane. However, perhaps one of [...]
During the Holiday Season, the Portland Japanese Garden will host koto harp concerts for garden visitors. For those unfamiliar with a koto, it is a thirteen-string plucked zither, introduced to Japan from China through the Korean Peninsula in the 7th century. The koto creates a beautiful sound unlike any other. These concerts offer a rare opportunity to listen to the [...]
Earlier this month, Chris Hodge, Sales Director for Oregon Fruit Products (OFP), visited Japan as part of Oregon Governor Brown's trade mission. During his visit to Japan, Mr. Hodge visited a number of Japanese breweries and met with a number of brewers to discuss OFP's fruit purees for fermentation. As importer of OFP's purees in Japan, Hokusei arranged brewery visits [...]
On November 15 (Fri), the Japan America Society of Oregon (JASO) will host a Japanese movie night, featuring "A Tale of Samurai Cooking -- A True Love Story". Originally released in 2013, this movie is a tale about a young samurai and his adjustment to working in a kitchen and with the help of a young maid, the development of [...]
Starting in late-September, Hokusei North America and its parent company Hokusei Products launched sales of Oregon Fruit Products’ (OFP) fruit puree for fermentation products in Japan. Collectively, the Hokusei group reached out to a number of breweries in Japan’s burgeoning craft beer industry, and subsequently received a number of orders for purees. […]
Earlier this month, famed Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya opened a new store in downtown Portland. Centrally located near Portland's Director Park (and new Visitor's Center), Kinokuniya offers a wide variety of books, stationery, and gift items. According to Kinokuniya, the store will offer art and comics from Japan as well. This store is Kinokuniya's second Portland area location, the first store [...]