This time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Japan serves as the base for the essayist and novelist Pico Iyer, whose writing ranges across stories and literary profiles to accounts of travel to far-flung places. Born in England to Indian parents, he achieved early success as a writer in New York City, but soon left it all behind to move to Kyoto. What is this eloquent globetrotter's take on Japan?

While Japan is halfway around the globe from the world's traditional whisky-making centers, in recent years premium Japanese whiskies have been winning top prizes in big competitions and winning fans in many countries. But these achievements are actually the culmination of decades of passionate efforts by dedicated professionals. Our expert guest this time is Mamoru Tsuchiya, editor-in-chief of a Japanese magazine devoted to whisky. And in Plus One, the perfect ice "sphere" for whisky on the rocks.