Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /2)

March 18, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

On March 17th was held a special sake tasting at MIRAIE Community Hall in Shichiken Cho under the auspices of Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., a major wine and sake distributor in Shizuoka City, featuring sake made with Homarefuji rice by the seven breweries located in Shizuoka City!

The second tasting was a Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu ku, Shizuoka City!
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: + 3
Acidity: 1.3
Bottled in March 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Greens, apples, cloves, honey, eucalyptus
Body: fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed by junmai petillant.
Very complex.
Banana, custard, shiso (perilla).
Tends to show many new facets.
Lingers only for a little while before departing on notes of oranges.

Overall: very enjoyable sake.
Would be most appreciated by ladies.
Untypical sake in Shizuoka.
Would pair well with light starters, asparagus and most probably with bitter chocolate.

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery-Kihei Tokubetsu Junmai Homarefuji (with Hasegawa Wayoushu Co., /1)

March 17, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The first tasting was a Tokubestu Junmai brewed by Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery in Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku under the brand name of “Kihei”.
Note that the tasting order was made according to the table order of the day!

Rice: Homarefuji
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: Almost transparent
Aroma: Light and fruity. Banana, green apples, rice
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: dry, fruity, slightly acidic attack baked up with moderate junmai petillant but strong alcohol.
Lingers long in mouth.
Marshmallows, dry melon, straightforward.
Departs on notes of dark chocolate and coconuts

Overall: Straightforward sake.
Uncomplicated.
Would do well heated and paired with heavy izakaya fare!

HASEGAWA WAYOUSHU/長谷川和洋酒

420-0065 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shintoori, 1-1–26
Tel.: 054-251-9685
FACEBOOK

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

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Japanese Festivals, Shimada City, Tourism

Japanese Festivals: The “Big Three” in Shimada City!

March 17, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

There are many known and not so known reasons to keep an attentive eye on the City of Shimada in Shizuoka prefecture, the more for it with the noticeable increase in foreign tourists thanks to the increasingly busy Fujisan Shizuoka Aiport in The same City of Shimada!

Tourists disembarking from the Airport should spare a minute to look at a big billboard outside Shimada Railway Station as it is written in no less than three languages, English, Chinese and Korean, depicting the three major festivals held in this City!

The Shimada Taisei (Obi Festival)!

This Festival has been held since 1695 and is one of the so-called three strangest Festivals in japan!
It is being held every years!

Photo taken on 1th of October 2013!

The big attraction of course is the parade held with the 25 “Oyakko” dressed in attire of yore carrying umbrellas and long wooden swords draped with expensive traditional cloth!

But there is still more to watch, especially the “floats fights” and the children dances!
For complete reports consult HERE (1), HERE (2), HERE (3), HERE (4), HERE (5), HERE (6), and HERE (7)!

The last Shimada Taisei (Obi Festival) was held in 2013, and will be held in 2016 and 2019 (Rugby World Cup Year which will include venues in Shizuoka Prefecture!)!

The second big festival is the “Kanaya Tea Festival!

Kanaya used to be a city of its own before it was recently merged with Shimada City, but it has preserved its own true identity.
Every two years no less than 1,000 “Tea Gilrs/Cha Musume” of all ages and status parade along the main street to celebrate the budding of the tea leaves every two years in the second week of April!

Photo taken on the 13th of April 2014!

Actually almost the whole population of Kanaya is taking part!
But there are many more opportunities for great pictures and videos!

Even young schoolgirls beating the drums like men!

The kanaya Tea Festival will be next held in 2016, 2018 and 2020 (the Year of the Tokyo Olympics!)!
For full report consult HERE (1), HERE (2), HERE (3), HERE (4) and HERE (5)!

The third big festival is the Shimada Mage Matsuri (Women Topknot Festival)!

It is a festival held to commemorate the creation of a lady topknot worn all over Japan said to be created by Tora Gozen, a courtesan native of Shimada!

Photo taken on the 21st of September 2014!

On the third weekend of September 50 girls and ladies parade all around Shimada City with their hair/topknot done in the traditional Japanese fashion!

This festival is held every year, but the 50 different participants are always different!

For full report consult HERE!

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Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Golden Ale (New Version!)

March 16, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Just tasted a new version of Aoi Brewing’s Golden Ale at AOI BEER STAND in Shizuoka City!

Like other new versions their Golden Ale they didn’t come with a new name!
The ingredients are the same, but more skills have been used into its brewing!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt, Pilsner malt, Munich malt, Australian galaxy hop, Sylva hop
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.3%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: light orange color
Aroma: dry and fruity. Citruses, bread.
Taste: Very refreshing, deep, dry and fruity attack.
Citruses, mandarine oranges (mikan).
Sharp and satisfying (“sukkiri” in Japanese).
Lingers long enough for tue tasting before departing on a drier but fruity note.
Stays true to first impressions all the way through.
Varies little with food.
Oranges will insistently come back with every sip.

Overall: Another long-seller in the offing!
Dry and fruity beer for all genders and all seasons!
More complex than expected, the true proof of a great beer!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00, 17:00~26:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP
FACEBOOK

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi Naka Building, 5F
Tel.: 054-293-9331
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00 (Mon.~Thurs.), 17:00~27:00 (Fri & Sat.), 17:00~24:00 (Sun.)
Parties welcome (reserve!)
Credit Cards OK
FACEBOOK

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Fish, Fish Species, Japanese Gastronomy

Japanese Fish species 18: Shimaaji/Striped Horsemackerel

March 12, 2015 dragonlife 4 Comments

Shimaaji, or Striped Horsemackerel is one variety of Aji/Horsemackerel-Saurel.
Although the season is said to be in Summer, the taste varies little with the time of the year.
Striped Horsemackerel caught by anglers off the Izu Peninsula, shizuoka Prefecture, are said to be the best in Japan.
It is known under the other names of Ookami, Kose and Katsuoaji.

In English it called Striped Horsemackerel, Saurel or White Trevally.
White Trevally, Pseudocaranx dentex, is a jack of the family Carangidae widespread in tropical and warm temperate areas between 40°N and 47°S, in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has a deep body, and a greenish colour with metallic overtones and a dark spot above the gills. The fins are yellow.
In New Zealand, this trevally is known by the Māori as araara, and is generally confined to waters north of Cook Strait, although it sometimes reaches as far south as Otago in the summer.

It is a great fish to serve as sashimi, either in simple slices as above,

Or the whole fish as Tataki/tartare!

In Shizuoka, where the fish is usually served still alive, the bone and heads will served later deep-fired. Superb snack!

The fish is easy to manipulate to make beautig\ful maki with daikon as above!

The sushi nigiri will have photograpers on constant alert!

See what I mean?

Of course aji can be enjoyed grilled with a simple seasoning of soy sauce or ponzu!

Like most white-fleshed fish it can deep-fired in batter and breadcrumbs at home!

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Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Pale Ale (New Version!)

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Just tasted a new version of Aoi Brewing’s Pale Ale at AOI BEER STAND in Shizuoka City!

It is a new version of their Pale Ale although they didn’t come with a new name!
The ingredients are the same, but more skills have been used into its brewing!

Served on tap
barley, Maris Otter malt, Crystal malt, Australian galaxy hop, Kent Holding hop
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.6%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep persimmon color
Aroma: Fresh and dry. Bread
Taste: Refreshing, dry and very fruity attack.
Complex with a great balance between acidity and fruitiness.
Citruses, bread.
Acidity and umami tending to compete in turns for recognition with fruitiness.
Otherwise stays true to first impressions all the way through.
Lingers long enough in palate for true tasting before departing on an even drier note with nuts.

Overall: very impressive improvement on an already top-class craft beer!
Very complex with dryness, fruitiness and umami constantly fighting for supremacy.
Another log-seller for all genders and seasons intheoffing!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

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Bars, Izakaya, Shizuoka City

Bar: 13 Anchorz in Shizuoka City!

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very easy–going and friendly.
Equipment & facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom. 2 floors
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Better than average pub/bar food. Drinks, of course!

The “drinking scene” in Shizuoka City has been changing pretty quickly recently and an area worth a second and third look is a new alley tucked on the first floor of a building called Imakoko in Shichiken Cho Aoi Ku) in the a street just parallel to Showa Street.

Among the bars, restaurants and izakaya you will discover a quaint place with an even stranger name, “13 Anchorz”!

With a sign like that you can’t go wrong! LOL

The place was open on January 11th this year as indicated on this sake bottle!

You can’t miss it with such a view inside!

Written in English!
Reasonable drinks and food.
Opened late ad closed late!

The young owner, Kyoken Sugiyama/杉山陽平さん, after a stint in the Japanese Self Defense Army did spend quite some time in Ireland before deciding to open his impossible to classify establishment as it is a combination of a bar and izakaya!

One can sit at bar, especially welcome when you are on your own!

Or you can sit at a table with company, or on the 2nd floor for more privacy!

As for the drinks, you may choose your own bottled beer or bottle of wine and open it yourself or order it (you might have to wait some time though as Kyoken’s food is quite popular)!

Have a good look at the drinks and their “companions” at the bar!

I had a menacing Mexican IPA for a start!

Have a good look at the menu!
The ladies will love this soft blue cheese called Fourme D’Ambert (France) served with honey nuts and bread!

Now, this the dish I would recommend to all (coming into 3 different sizes!)!

Fish and chips made with mahi mahi fish from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Arguably the best fish and chips in Shizuoka City!

Great when washed down with American Anchor Steam Beer!

Expect me to visit the place again soon as the music is also terrific!

13 ANCHORZ

owner: Kyoken Suzuki/鈴木洋平さん
Shizuoka City, Aoi ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, Imakoko Bld., 1F
Tel.: 090-8452-4503
Opening hours: 19:00~27:00 (from 15:00~ on Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
FACEBOOK

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Baird Beer, Craft Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Baird Beer-Morning Coffee Stout (Tasted at Hug Coffee Espresso Roaster in Shizuoka City!)

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I just discovered that it was possible to conduct the tasting of at least 9 craft beers by Bryan Baird’s brewery, namely Baird Beer Co. in a small cafe & bar in Shizuoka City!: Hug Coffee Espresso Roasters!

Bryan Baird’s recent visit to Hugs Coffee Espresso Roasters!

It all happened during Bryan Baird’s visit to the cafe when hey struck a deal to create and market a seasonal limited beer!

Morning Coffee Stout!

Name: Baird Beer Morning Coffee Stout, No beer, no coffee, no life!
Bottle contents: 330 ml
Barley, barley malt, sugars, coffee beans (provided by Hug Coffee Co.), yeast
Double fermentation
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 7%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. Milk coffee color
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: very dark brown
Aroma: discreet, dry coffee
Taste: very deep and dry attack.
Very refreshing but solid and satisfying.
Coffee beans surging strongly all inside the palate.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
Stays true to first impression all the way through.
Varies little with food.

Overall: Intriguing and eminently enjoyable craft beer!
Mind you, you end up torn between coffee and beer!
A must for flavored beer lovers!

HUG COFFEE ESPRESSO ROASTER

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenma Cho, 8-1-1, Sunrose Bldg., 1F, No. 1-2-8
Opening hours: 12:00~24:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK

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Bars, Cafes, Shizuoka City

Cafe & Bar: Hug Coffee Espresso Roasters in Shizuoka City!

March 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: easy-going and smiling
Equipment & facilities: All a bit narrow but very clean. Excellent washroom shared on 2nd floor of same Sunrose building. Non–smoking
Prices: reasonable~ a little expensive
Strong points: 34 coffees and teas, craft beers, light food and bagels

Hug Coffee Company in Shizuoka City has three cafes/shops/bars in town, all different in style and concept.
They are increasingly becoming popular with all genders and ages for their convenience.
My favorite is the one called Hug Coffee Espresso Rosters (also called “sangouten”, meaning “3rd shop”!) between Cenova Department Store 109 Building for many reasons.

It reminds me of my psychedelic years and the staff is cool and sometimes outright zany.
Actually the Lady In Charge, Miyako Suzuki/鈴木京さん is a god friend of mine.
First of all smokers are kindly asked to pry their trade far away for the shop!

All drinks are made on site to satisfy all cravings!

But the main attraction is their beers including no less than 9 brews by Baird Beer, the most famous craft beer Company in Shizuoka prefecture!

They even serve a very limited (hurry, as it is only seasonal, although they plan to serve it every year!) Morning Coffee Stout made in collaboration with Bryan Baird and their own coffee!
Tasting report coming soon!

Bryan Baird’s recent visit to Hugs Coffee Espresso Roasters!

You will surely understand why you can expect many craft beer tasting reports in the near future!

HUG COFFEE ESPRESSO ROASTER

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tenma Cho, 8-1-1, Sunrose Bldg., 1F, No. 1-2-8
Opening hours: 12:00~24:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK

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Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Grass Wheat Ale (Done at Beer Junkie MOTEL in Shizuoka City!

March 8, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

I took the opportunity of both visiting Beck Co Ltd’s latest establishment, namely Beer junkie MOTEL in Shizuoka City, and tasting Aoi Brewing’s latest craft beer!

Grass wheat Ale! this is basically a Belgian Wheat Ale-style brew!
Aoi Brewing is also owned by Beck Co. Ltd, which means that you can drink their brews at Beer Junkie MOTEL, AOI BEER STAND, Beer Garage and Growstock, although this particular brew is only available at Beer Junkie MOTEL for the moment!

Served on tap
Wheat, wheat malt, Pilsner malt, Austrlian Galaxy hop, lemon grass, coriander, orange peel, nutmeg
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.2%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep lemon color
Aroma: Dry and fresh aroma, herbs
Taste:Very refreshing, dry and fruity attack with some pleasant acidity.
Complex: lemon, herbs, coriander.
Stays true to first impressions all the way.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
Varies little with food but for an accentuated acidity.
Marries superbly with pub and izakaya fare, especially meat!

Overall: A craft beer destined to become a regular/long-seller although it runs the risk to be exhausted and unavailable from time to time.
A discovery for all genders and seasons!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

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Bars, Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

“Beer Junkie MOTEL” Bar in Shizuoka City!

March 7, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very friendly and smiling! Some English spoken!
Equipment & facilities: Very clean overall. Superbb washroom
Prices: Reasonable~slightly expensive
Strong points: Own craft beers and foreign brews on the tap. Traditional beer hall/pub food

I finally managed to visit Shizuoka City’s newest bar,namely Beer Junkie Motel the other day!
It is Beck Co. Ltd’s fourth establishment with Growstock, AOI BEER STAND, Beer Garage on top of Aoi Brewing!

It is located in a side alley fo Shichiken Cho between Aouba Park Street and Shichiken Cho Street, an area which is witnessing a booming rebirth this year.

It consists on the first floor of two bars, one along the open kitchen, the other facing the bay window.
There is a special space on the 2nd floor exclusively for two small groups (maximum 4 each).
The counter is equipped with a state-of-the-art beer tap system serving 4 or 5 beers brewed by Aoi Brewing and two foreign craft beers changing regularly.

Manager Koji Yamamaoto/山本剛史さん and his charming staff, Miss Ayasa Mitsui/三井彩裟さん!

The beers of the day!

It will often include Aoi Brewing’s latest brew sold only there!

Aoi Brewing’s latest craft beer: “Grass Wheat Ale”, a Belgian-style Wheat Ale concocted with lemon grass! Report coming soon!

Apart of great beer, wine and soft drinks including home-made ginger ale and lemonade are also available.
Traditional and home-made food is served aplenty but bear in mind that the menu will be changed regularly!

Home-made meat pie!

Made on site, it is already proving very popular!

Grilled lamb chops!

Special plate! Not in the menu!

expect more reports soon as some of Aoi Brewing’s craft beers will only be served there!

Beer Junkie MOTEL

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Craft Beer, Japanese Gastronomy

Aichi Prefecture Craft Beer: Morita Kin Shachi Brewery-Weizen

March 4, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

AOI BEER STAND owned by Aoi Brewery in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, has the merit to offer on tap other craft beers from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan, but you do have to hurry as they usually served only one keg before switching to another brew!

This time I sampled another interesting craft beer by Morita Kin Shachi Brewery in Aichi Prefecture: Weizen!

Served on tap
Barley, barley malt, hop, live yeast.
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 5.5%
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Long head. Creamy. White
Clarity: Slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep lemon~orange color
Aroma: Dry aroma. lemon
Taste: Very refreshing, deep, dry and fruity attack.
Lemon, citruses.
No acidity in spite of strong dryness!
Stays faithful to its first impressions and lingers long enough for true tatsting.

Overall: very refreshing and tasty weizen!
Very easy to drink.
Definitely better than a thirst-quencher!
A beer for all seasons and genders!

MORITA KIN SHACHI HOMEPAGE

AOI BEER STAND
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den bill, 1F
Tel.: 054-260-5203
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00
Credit cards OK

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Nishinomiya-Oibessan Shrine (西宮おいべっさん) in Shizuoka City!

March 2, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Along the Tenmacho Street, not far from Cenova Department Store in Aoi KU, Shizuoka City stands an old Shinto Shrine dedicated to the God of Merchants and Fishermen, Oibessan also known under the names of Ebessan and Ebisu!

Although it was last rebuilt in 1856, it is said to date back as afar as the 8th Century.
It is under the jurisdiction of the Nishinomiya Shrine in Tokyo.

It is a comparatively simple shrine in a very quiet place, unassuming at first glance, but if you know how to look you will discover some interesting details!

The roofed hand washing stone basin and a couple of old trees which have somehow survived!

Have a good look at the small roof!

The right hand side lion guard (“koma inu”)!

And its companion on the left side!

The main shrine building!

The rice straw garland (“shimenawa”) and the bell rope but no money offerings box (“saisenbako”)?

Unusual and exquisite wooden crane, a symbol of good luck!

The main building hides and older original shrine at its back!

An old crest (“mon”)!

A seabream (“tai”), a symbol of plenty!

The Ebisu god!

The older shrine at the back!

An old stone lantern with a cloud motif!

Another stone lantern at the far back with a deer motif!

The oldest tree at the shrine!

The older shrine from the back!

Typical architecture!

Good-bye, Oibessan!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Beer, Beer Brewery, Japan

Japan Beer Breweries List (regularly updated!)

March 2, 2015 dragonlife 13 Comments

CONTRIBUTORS

BEER CRUISE NET/THE reference site in Japanese!
BEER ZEN Journal for Craft Beer
JAPAN BEER TIMES
MARTINEAU ROBERT-GILLES
TRANSPORTER Beer Magazine

Micro Breweries List (Prefecture Geographical Order North to South)

北海道 Hokkaido (19)

オホーツクビール Okhotsk Beer
大雪地ビール Taisetsu Ji-beer
ノースアイランド North Island
開拓使麦酒 Kaitakushi Beer
小樽ビール Otaru Beer
鬼伝説地ビール Onidensetsu Ji-beer
大沼ビール Onuma Beer
網走ビール Abashiri Beer
釧路サンセットビール Kushiro Sunset Beer
富良野地麦酒 Furano ji Beer
帯広ビール Obihiro Beer
石狩番屋の麦酒 Ishikari No Banya Beer
月と太陽BREWING Tsuki To Taiyou BREWING
野地麦酒 Susukino Jibiru
ピリカワッカ Hokkaido Beer Pirkawakka
小樽麦酒 Hokkaido Brewing
おたるワイナリービール Otaru winery Beer
ニセコビール Niseko Brewing
はこだてビール Hakodate Beer
————
青森県　Aomori (2)

バイコードリンク Baiko Drink (麦雫 Mugi Shizuku)
奥入瀬ビール Oirase Beer
————
岩手県 Iwate (6)

ベアレン Baeren
銀河高原ビール Ginga Kogen Beer
いわて蔵ビール Iwatekura Beer
ステラモンテ Stella Monte
夢花まき麦酒醸造所 Yumehanamaki Brewery
Iwate ken, Hanamaki City, Azuma Cho, 5-3, 2F
Tel: 0198-29-5840 (no site)
遠野ビールＺＵＭＯＮＡ ZUMONA BEER
————
宮城県 Miyagi (4)

仙南クラフトビール Sennan Craft Beer
鳴子の風 Naruko No Kaze
やくらいビール Yakurai Beer
松島ビール Matsushima Beer
————
秋田県 Akita (3)

あくらビール　Aqula Beer
田沢湖ビール Tazawako Beer
田沢湖湖畔の杜ビール Tazawako Koran no Mori
————
山形県 Yamagata (3)

地ビール月山 Ji Biru Gassan
将棋のさと果実むら Shogimura
天童ブルワリー Tendou Brewery (桜桃ビール sakura Momo Beer)
————–
福島県 Fukushima (3)

みちのく福島路ビール Michinoku Fukushima Ji-beer
ななくさビーヤ Nanakusa Beer
猪苗代地ビール Brewery Inawashiro
————
茨城県 Ibaraki (4)

常陸野ネストビール Hitachino Nest Beer
牛久ブルワリー Ushiku Brewery (Chateau Kamiya)
やみぞ森林ビール (大子ブルワリー) Yamizo Mori No Beer (Daigo Brewery)
しもつまビール Shimatsuma Beer
————
栃木県 Tochigi (6)

那須高原ビール Nasu Kogen Beer
プレストンエール Preston Ale
Kawachi-gun Kaminokawa-cho Oaza Nakahara 421 Joyful Honda 2F
TEL: 0285-55-2259　FAX: 0285-55-2265 (no site)
うしとらブルワリー Ushitora Brewery
ロマンチック村　Romantic Village Brewery
栃木マイクロブルワリ Tochigi Micro Brewery
宇都宮ブルワリー Utsunomiya Brewery
————
群馬県 Gunma (7)

オゼノユキドケ Ozenoyukidoke
川場ビール Kawaba Beer
月夜野クラフトビール Tsukiyono Craft Beer
呑龍夢麦酒 Daniel House
赤城高原ビール Akagi Kougen Beer
四万温泉エール Shima Onsen Ale
嬬恋高原ビール Tsumagoi Kougen Beer
————
埼玉県 Saitama (7)

こぶし花ビール Kobushi-hana Beer
麦雑穀工房マイクロブルワリー Mugizakkoku Kobo Microbrewery
COEDO（コエド）
氷川ブリュワリー Hikawa Brewery
ベルビア Bell Beer
発泡酒　武蔵野 Happoshu Musashino
小川地ビール Kogawa Jibiru
————
千葉県 Chiba (4)

ロコビア Loco Beer
ハーヴェスト・ムーン Harvest Moon
九十九里オーシャンビール Juukuri Ocean Beer
安房麦酒 Anboo Beer
————
東京都 Tokyo (17)

隅田川ブルーイング Sumidagawa Brewing
Tennoz Ale (T.Y. Harbor Brewery)
NIDE BEER
多摩の恵 Tama no Megumi
スプリングバレーブルワリー Spring Valley Brewery (Kirin C. Craft Brewery
宮多麦酒 Miyata Beer
ストレンジブリューイング Strange Brewing
ヴィルゴビール Virgo Beer
CAMPION ALE
十条すいけんブルワリー Jujosuiken Brewery (Berr + +)
赤坂ビール Akasaka Beer (Hoppy)
MT Craft Brewery
羽田ブルワリー Handa Brewery
中野ビール工房 Nakano Brewery
うしとら　Ushitora (Tochigi Prefecture Ushitora’s Pub House in Tokyo)
高円寺麦酒工房 Kouenji Brewery, 阿佐谷ビール工房 Asaya Brewery, 荻窪ビール工房 Ogikubo Brewery (all under 麦酒企画 Beer Kikaku, Kirin Company
KAMIKAZE BEER

———–
神奈川県 Kanagawa (13)

横浜ビール Yokohama Beer
BAY BREWING YOKOHAMA by Yokohama Brewing Co.
ヨロッコビール Yorocco Beer
湘南ビール Shonan Beer
鎌倉ビール Kamakura Beer (also includes 江の島ビール Enoshima Beer, Hayama Beer and 横須賀ビール Yokosuka Beer
サンクトガーレン Sankt Gallen Brewery
厚木ビール丹沢のしずく Atsugi Tanzawa no Shizuku
さがみビール Sagami Beer
箱根ビール Hakone Beer
ブリマー・ブルーイング Brimmer Brewing
クラフトビア　ムーンライト Craft Beer Moonlight
THRASH ZONE
足柄ハッピーモルト Ashigara Happy Malt
———–
山梨県 Yamanashi (5)

富士桜高原麦酒 Fujizakura Kogen Mugishu
アウトサイダー・ブルーイング Outsider Brewing
ふじやまビール Fujiyama Beer
甲斐ドラフトビール Kai Draft Beer
タッチダウンビール Touchdown Beer
———–
新潟県 Niigata (9)

胎内高原ビール Tannai Kogen Beer
スワンレイクビール Swanlake Beer
エチゴビール Echigo Beer
日本海夕陽岬ブルワリー Nihonkai Yuhi Misaki
八海山泉ビール Hakkaisan Izumi Beer
妙高高原ビール Myoko Kogen Beer
新潟麦酒 Niigata Beer
薪小屋ビール Makigoya Beer
ホクセツラガー NOBUスペシャルリザーブ Hokusetsu Lager NOBU Special Reserve by Hokusetsu Brewery
———–
富山県 Toyama (5)

オオヤブラッスリー Ohya Brasserie
城端麦酒 Johana Beer
宇奈月ビール Unazuki Beer
銀盤酒造 Ginban Brewery
北陸発酵工業(株) 立山エール Hokuriku Brewery Tateyama Ale
———–
石川県 Ishikawa (3)

奥能登ビール日本海倶楽部 Okunoto Beer Nihonkai Club
白山わくわくビール (有)農業法人わくわく手づくりファーム川北 Shirayama Wakuwaku Beer by Wakuwaku Tezukuri Farm Kawakita
加賀地ビール Kaga Jibiru
———–
福井県 Fukui (3)

越前福井ビールDIOS Echizen Fukui Beer Dios
若狭ビール　Wakasa Beer
三方地ビール Mikata Jibiru by PAMCO
———–
長野県 Nagano (12)

信濃ビール Shinano Beer
志賀高原ビール Shiga Kogen Beer
オラホビール OH!LA!HO BEER
ヤッホー・ブルーイング Yo-Ho Brewing (Yona Yona and 信州ナチュラルビール shinshu Natural Beer)
軽井沢高原ビール Karuizawa Kougen Beer (owned by ヤッホー・ブルーイング Yo-Ho Brewing)
南信州ビール Minami-shinshu Beer
木曽路ビール Kiso Ji-beer
ＡＪＢブルワリー AJB Brewery
穂高ビール Hotaka Beer
塩嶺麦酒 Enrie Beer by チロルの森　Tyrol Forest
地ビール白樺･蓼科 Jibiru Shirakaba.tateshina
諏訪浪漫ビール Suwa Roman by 麗人酒造(株) Reiin Brewery
———–
岐阜県 Gifu (3)

飛騨高山麦酒 Hida Takayama Brewing Agriculture Corporation
博石館ビール Hakusekikan Beer
地ビール飛騨 Ji Biru Hida (古里古里の国 Korikori no Kuni, 下呂麦酒 Gero Gensen, 宮川朝市 Miyakawa Asa Ichi)
———–
静岡県 Shizuoka (13-1)

御殿場高原ビール Gotemba Kogen Beer
米久(株)　森のビール工場 Yonekyu Mori no Biru
バイエルンマイスタービール Bayern Meister Beer
反射炉ビア Hansharo Beer by 蔵屋鳴沢 Kuraya Narusawa Brewery
ベアードビール Baird Beer
浜松天神蔵　Hamamatsu-Tenjingura Beer (ceased production on march 31st, 2015)
Aoi ブルーイング社　Aoi Brewing
マイン　シュロッス Mein Schloss
サムライ　サーファー　ビア　Samurai Surfer Beer
オラチェ　ウインド　バレー　ビア　Orache Wind Valley Beer (includes 熱海ビール Atami Beer and 箱根七湯ビール Hakone Shichitoo Beer
宇佐美 Usami (includes 伊豆の地ビール Izu no Jibiru and defunctヨーロピアン地ビール European Jibiru)
伊豆高原ビア　Izu Kogen Beer
伊豆の国ビール Izu No Kuni Beer by 時之栖 Toki No Sumika
———–
愛知県 Aichi (8)

盛田金しゃちビール Morita Kinshachi Beer
ワイマーケットブルーイング Y-Market Beer
Hyappa Brews
安城デンビール　Anjo Den Beer
知多マリンビール Chita Marine Beer
ローレライビール Loreley Beer
一宮ブルワリー Ichinomiya Brewery
かいぶつ島ビール Kaibutsushima Beer
———–
三重県 Mie (8)

モクモク地ビール Mokumoku Ji-beer
伊勢角屋麦酒 Isekadoya Beer
長島地ビール Nagashima Jibiru
馬上ビール Ageuma Beer
かめやま地ビール乾杯のうた Kameya Jibiru Kampai no Uta
伊勢ポートビール Ise Port Beer
火の谷高原ビール Hi no Tani Kougen Beer
エール工房de伊賀 Ale Kobo de Iga
三重県伊賀市山出920 Mie Prefecture, Iga City, Yamade 920
Tel.:0595-21-3606 (no site)
———–
滋賀県 Shiga (3)

長浜浪漫ビール Nagahama Roman Beer
びわこいいみちビール Biwako Iimichi Beer
近江ブルーメンビア Oomi Blumen Beer by Blumen No Oka

———–
奈良県 Nara (1)

曽爾高原ビール Soni Kougen Beer
———–
京都府 Kyoto (6)

Kyoto Brewing
黄桜ビール Kizakura Beer
京都府周山街道 Kyoto-Fu Shusan Kaido
京都町屋麦酒 Kyoto Machiya Beer by キンシ正宗 Kinshi Masamune
一乗寺ブリュワリー Ichijyouji Brewery
丹後地ビール Tango Jibiru
———–
大阪府 Osaka (5)

大阪國乃長ビール Osaka Kuninocho Beer
箕面ビール Minoh Beer
道頓堀地ビール Doutonbori Jibiru
市岡ビール工房地底旅行 Ichioka Beer Brewery Chitei Ryoukou by ニックタナカ Nick Tanaka
堺収穫麦酒 Sakai Shukaku Beer
———–
和歌山県 Wakayama (1)

ナギサビール Nagisa Beer
———–
兵庫県 Hyogo (9)

白雪ブルワリービレッジ長寿蔵　Shirayuki Brewery Choushukura
揮八郎ビール Kihachirou Beer
六甲ビール Rokko Beer
スターボードブルーイング Starboard Brewing
丹波篠山ジグザグブルワリー Tanba Sasayama Zigzag Brewery
兵庫県篠山市福住191-1, Hyogo Ken, Sasayama City, Fukusumi, 191-1
Tel.: 079-557-1263 (no site)
明石ビール Akashi Brewery
出石城山ビール Izushi Shiroyama Beer
城崎ビール Shirozaki Beer
あわぢびーる Awaji Beer
———–
鳥取県 Tottori (1)

大山Gビール Daisen ‘G’Beer
———–
島根県 Shimane (1)

松江地ビールビアへるん Matsue Beer Hearn
———–
岡山県 Okayama (6)

独歩ビール Doppo Beer
Dream or Real Door
作州津山ビール Sakushu Itsuyama Beer
吉備土手下麦酒 Kibidote Sagaru Beer
真備竹林麦酒 Mabi Takebayashi Beer
吉井高原ビール Doi Kougen Beer (formerly Doitsu Mori Kronenburg)
———–
広島県 Hiroshima (1)

海軍さんの麦酒 Kaigun San no Beer
———–
山口県 Yamaguchi (2)

山口地ビール Yamaguchi Jibeer
山口萩ビール Yamaguchi Hagi Beer
———–
香川県　Kagawa (1)

<strong>さぬきビール Sanuki Beer
————
愛媛県 Eihime (2)

梅錦ビール Umenishiki Beer
道後ビール Dogo Beer
———–
高知県　Kochi (0)

None
———–
徳島県　Tokushima (1)

Ａｗａ新町川ブリュワリー Awa shin Cho Kawa Brewery
———–
福岡県 Fukuoka (5)

門司港レトロビール Mojiko Retro Beer
オークラブルワリー Okura Brewery
ブルーマスター Brewmaster
博多地ビール杉能舎 Hakata jibiru Suginoya
ジ・ビール矢部川 Ji Biru Yabegawa
———–
佐賀県 Saga (1)

有田麦酒 Arita Beer
———–
熊本県 Kumamoto (3)

阿蘇ビール Aso Beer
熊本クラフトビール Kumamoto Craft Beer
熊本県熊本市東区御領6丁目8-32 Kumamoto Ken, Kumamoto City, Goryou, 608-32
Tel.: 096-389-0722 (no site)
不知火海浪漫麦酒 Shiranu Ikai Roman
———–
宮崎県 Miyazaki (3)

ひでじビール Hideji Beer
綾の地ビール Aya no Beer
霧島ビール Kirishima Beer
———–
鹿児島県 Kagoshima (5)

城山ブルワリー Shiroyama Brewery
薩摩ビール Satsuma Beer
<strong>霧島高原ビール Kirishima Kougen Beer
伝兵衛ビール Denbe Beer
濱田酒造(株)鹿児島県いちき串木野市湊町4-1 hamada Brewery, Kagoshima Ken, Ichikikushikino City, Minato machi, 4-1
Tel.: 0996-36-5771 (no site)
サツマゴールド Satsuma Gold
———–
大分県　Oita (2)

ゆふいん麦酒 Yfuin Beer
油屋熊八麦酒 Yuyanohachi Beer
大分農業文化公園 Tel.: 0977-28-7111 大分県杵築市山香町大字日指1-1
Oita Nougyou Bunka Kouen (no site)
———-
長崎県　Nagasaki (0)

None
———-
沖縄県 Okinawa (5)

ヘリオス酒造 Helios Brewery
コザ麦酒工房 KOZA Brewery
ニヘデビール Nihede Beer
宮古島の地ビール miyakojima no Jibiru
石垣島ビール Ishigaki Beer
———–

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fujinomiya City, sake, Sake Brewery

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Fuji-Takasago Brewery-“Karakuchi”

March 1, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

As a general rule I always take notes when drinking sake in a Restaurant or bar in Shizuoka Prefecture (and very often elsewhere!) as some of the same sake are impossible to find elsewhere because they are brewed on order.
I found this particular one at Uogashi Sushi restaurant inside the ASTY Mall in Shizuoka City JR Station!

It is a sake just called “Karakuchi/Dry” by Fuji-Takasago in Fujinomiya City/
There are no indications as toward its status although I suspect it is a honjozo.
It certainly tasted better than expected proving once again the high quality of Shizuoka sake in general!

Alcohol: 14~15 degrees
Bottled in September 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: assertive. Dry and fruity. Pears.
Body: fluid
Taste: Dry and fruity attack.
More complex than expected. Pears, almonds, apricots, coffee beans.
Lingers on for a little while before departing on s drier note.
varies little with food but for a sweeter turn although it will quickly reassess itself to an even drier note.

Overall: very solid and reliable dry sake.
Superb choice for sushi, considering its very reasonable price.
To e enjoyed with izakaya heavy fare, sushi and BBQ!

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