Kanpai Japan is a month-long introduction and celebration of Japanese food and drink culture organized by the Center for Japanese Studies at Portland State University (PSU) in collaboration with partner organizations across the city. The kick-off event is an evening of food and drink at Portland Japanese Garden. This will be followed by a month of events including:

• Sake education dinners and special cellar dinners featuring Japanese food and drinks at Zupan’s Markets (tickets required)
• Sake education dinners and special cellar dinners featuring Japanese food and drinks at Zupan’s Markets (tickets required)
• Free public lectures on Japanese food and drink culture at PSU

The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) puts into practice Portland State University’s (PSU) motto “Let Knowledge Serve the City” by offering public programs addressing the complexity of Japan and the Japanese American experience. As an academic institution, we have a special duty to address all aspects of Japan and the Japanese American experience, and we guard our independence in selecting programs. These programs, which are designed to be accessible to specialists and non-specialists alike, are open not only to students, staff, and faculty, but also to the greater Portland community. By fostering cross-cultural understanding, the CJS is committed to nurturing the next generation to become leaders in business, the public sector, and the arts. Many students take advantage of PSU’s renowned Japanese language program to become proficient in Japanese. The CJS provides a forum for academic activities and the free exchange of ideas, and is a source of expertise for all in the area.

At Bamboo Sushi, we serve flavor-forward, delicious fare and thoughtfully consider our impact on people, place, and planet. From transparency in our sourcing practices to supporting our employees and enriching the communities we live in – our mission is to be a restaurant of purpose. Our sustainably sourced and largely gluten free menu features minimalist nigiri essentials like King Salmon topped with citrus, olive oil, and sea salt yakumi, signature rolls like the legendary Green Machine and Unicorn Roll, and fan favorite plates like Miso Glazed Black Cod, Hamachi Sizzle, Whitefish Tiradito, and the Wagyu Burger. Bamboo Sushi is a proud partner of Portland Japanese Garden.

Joto is Japanese for “highest level” and describes the makers of our sake and our aspirations as their importer. A longtime partner of Portland Japanese Garden, Joto Sake is the exclusive importer for multi-generational, family-owned breweries whom they identify and approach after trying their sake in Japan and reading about their brands in Japanese food and beverage publications. Our jizake (local) breweries are located throughout Japan, producing sake in small batches with locally-raised indigenous rice varieties, offering flavors and styles ideal for a range of cuisines. Our passion for breweries that have rich and wonderful histories makes them fun to learn about and explore.

Kuze Fuku & Sons is a one-stop destination for Japanese gourmet products. Based in Oregon, Kuze Fuku & Sons produces high-quality sauces, jams, drinks, and all kinds of products. Having over 160 stores in Japan, Kuze Fuku & Sons also imports best-sellers in their stores to deliver the “trend of Japan” to the US Market. Kuze Fuku & Sons and St. Cousair is a proud partner of Portland Japanese Garden.

SakéOne was established in 1992 as a premium Japanese saké importer, committed to representing some of Japan’s most acclaimed saké producing prefectures. In 1997, SakéOne began producing some of the highest quality craft sakés in the United States by utilizing the unmatched water from the Willamette Valley and top-notch rice grown in the renowned Sacramento Valley. SakéOne’s brewery and tasting room are located in Forest Grove, Oregon. Today, under the masterful lead of Toji Takumi Kuwabara, SakéOne continues to be the leader in brewing craft saké in the US and is committed to broadening the enjoyment of premium saké worldwide. Kanpai!

Founded by John Zupan in 1975, Zupan’s Markets is a local and family-owned gourmet market that has served Portland’s food-loving community for more than 45 years. Zupan’s Markets has three locations that focus on quality, selling everything from the best meats and wines to the freshest produce, baked goods, gourmet deli products, specialty foods, flowers and more, always emphasizing locally-sourced, artisan products when possible. For more information, visit https://www.zupans.com.