Author | Lightnews

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 4d

Walk to the Gorilla Building | Tokyo’s Wildest Landmark

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/yVqOHmoOD4Q

Today I’m back in Sangenjaya in Tokyo, tracing a route to a landmark that’s as surreal as it is beloved: Tokyo’s iconic Gorilla Building.

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 7d

New Telegram channel for my Neal Walks posts:
t.me/nealwalks

Check it out!
Let's go! 🚶

Neal Walks

Embark on a tranquil journey with my POV walking videos. Immerse yourself in the exploration of streets and hidden gems.

t.me

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 7d

New Telegram channel for my Sake Cocktail posts: t.me/sakecocktails

Check it out!
Kanpai! 🍸

Sake Cocktails

Raise your glass and come on a journey through the wonderful world of sake cocktails. Kampai!

t.me

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 9d

Are you tired of packing the same old lunch every day? Do you dream of meals that are both delicious and nutritious? If so, get ready to transform your mealtimes, because the Japanese School Lunch Cookbook is here!

www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCN3SJS

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 9d

Little Venice

1 2/3 oz sake
5/6 oz Bourbon whiskey
5/6 oz sweet vermouth

Cocktail no.16 in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

#sake #cocktails

Instagram.com/sakecocktails
Instagram.com/thenealgraham

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 11d

Brawl in Shibata - The Final Battle of Shibata Festival 2025 新発田まつり

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/xSBaTUjsupI

The streets of Shibata ignite with tradition and tension as I watch three neighborhood floats return home in a ritual known as Kaeri Daiwa (帰り台輪).

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 18d

Taiko Drumming at Kambara Matsuri 2025

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/iZQrctc3l5Q

Step into the heart of Niigata City’s summer spirit with this powerful taiko drumming performance by Bandai Nagamine Elementary School’s “Wado” group at the 2025 Kambara Matsuri.

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 23d

Haisai (a riff on the Maitai)

1 1/2 oz white rum
3/4 oz gold rum
3/4 oz dark rum
1 1/2 oz sake
1/3 oz Cointreau
1/3 oz lemon juice

Discover other great cocktails in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

#sake #cocktails

Instagram.com/sakecocktails

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · 25d

Uozu Tatemon Festival 2025: Giant Lantern Floats!

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/IalyHaRqPs0

The night comes alive in front of Suwa Shrine as Tatemon teams push, pull, and parade their towering lantern floats through the heart of Uozu.

Subscribe:
YouTube.com/@nealgraham

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Oct 5

The Far East Side

2 oz sake
3/4 oz elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz tequila
1/4 oz lemon juice
3 + 1 green shiso leaves

Discover other great cocktails in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

#sake #cocktails

Instagram.com/sakecocktails

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Oct 3

Connect:
YouTube.com/@nealgraham
www.instagram.com/thenealgraham/
www.instagram.com/neal.walks/

#魚津たてもんまつり #UozuTatemonFestival #Toyama #Uozu #Japan #JapaneseFestivals

Neal Graham

Embark on a tranquil journey through the heart of Japan with my POV walking videos. Immerse yourself in the serene exploration of quaint streets, vibrant neighborhoods, lush parks, and hidden gems tha...

YouTube.com

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Oct 3

Uozu Tatemon Festival - Daytime Walk

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/Wpq2RNG7t48

Before the lanterns are lit and the floats parade, there is a quiet kind of magic. In this daytime walk, I explore the floats in their unassembled state - wooden frames towering in silence, waiting for nightfall.

1 2

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 28

Blackberry Sake Sidecar 2025

3/4 oz triple sec
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 oz homemade blackberry gin liqueur
1 oz sake
1 dash plum bitters

Discover other great cocktails in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

#sake #cocktails

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 26

Subscribe:
YouTube.com/@nealgraham
www.instagram.com/thenealgraham/
www.instagram.com/neal.walks/

#葛塚まつり #KuzutsukaFestival #Niigata #Japan #JapaneseFestivals

Neal Graham

Embark on a tranquil journey through the heart of Japan with my POV walking videos. Immerse yourself in the serene exploration of quaint streets, vibrant neighborhoods, lush parks, and hidden gems tha...

YouTube.com

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 26

Kuzutsuka Festival 2025 Final Night

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/hKasCihu7y8

It’s the final night of Kuzutsuka Matsuri in Toyosaka, Niigata. Floats collide in a dramatic battle. Then the teams return to Inari Shrine for their final performances.

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 21

Kuro Martini

1 1/2 oz sake
1 oz blackberry gin liqueur
1 oz grape juice
1/2 oz lemon juice

Discover other great cocktails in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

#sake #cocktails

Instagram.com/sakecocktails
Instagram.com/thenealgraham

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 19

Kuzutsuka Festival 2025 Night 2

Watch the video on YouTube:
youtu.be/C3049gZzEjg

It’s the 2nd night of Kuzutsuka Matsuri in Toyosaka, Niigata, Japan. I wait in the main intersection as, one by one, four neighborhood teams arrive to perform.

YouTube.com/@nealgraham

#葛塚まつり #KuzutsukaFestival

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 14

Sake Cosmo Bulk

1 oz sake
1 oz whiskey
1/2 oz sakura liqueur
1/2 oz lemon juice
garnish: lemon slice

Discover other great cocktails in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

Instagram.com/sakecocktails
Instagram.com/thenealgraham

#sake #cocktails

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 12

Subscribe:
YouTube.com/@nealgraham
www.instagram.com/thenealgraham/
www.instagram.com/neal.walks/

#葛塚まつり #KuzutsukaFestival #Niigata #Japan

Neal Graham

Embark on a tranquil journey through the heart of Japan with my POV walking videos. Immerse yourself in the serene exploration of quaint streets, vibrant neighborhoods, lush parks, and hidden gems tha...

YouTube.com

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 12

Kuzutsuka Festival 2025 Night 1

Watch:
youtu.be/Kb0re36yXZM

Step into the first night of Kuzutsuka Matsuri in Toyosaka, Niigata, Japan. At Isurugi Shrine, it begins with a quiet blessing ceremony. Then four neighborhood teams arrive, guiding their towering lantern floats into the shrine grounds.

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 7

Keiba

1 oz sake
1 oz whiskey
1/2 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz lime juice

Discover other great cocktails in my book, "101+ Sake Cocktails." Buy it on Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM6WY9NX

#sake #cocktails

Instagram.com/sakecocktails
Instagram.com/thenealgraham

1

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 5

Lantern Float Procession at Suibara Festival 2025 - 水原まつり

Watch the video on YouTube
youtu.be/iv3-tZ1g2H0

Join me as I observe the intensity and artistry of the Tōrō Raimu lantern procession, at Suibara festival in Agano city, Niigata, Japan. The teams perform one by one along the main street.

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 4

youtu.be/d8lmD7Daars

Tokyo Night Walk: Bar Alley Stroll in Sangenjaya

YouTube video by Neal Graham

youtu.be

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 2

youtu.be/kmYhlxhBs-8

Fireworks & Giant Lantern Floats at Uozu Tatemon Festival | 魚津たてもん祭り花火

YouTube video by Neal Graham

youtu.be

Neal Graham @nealgraham.bsky.social · Sep 2

youtu.be/o-XLtC31K-Q

Fighting Mikoshi at Nuttari Festival 2025 - 沼垂祭り

YouTube video by Neal Graham

youtu.be