All posts by dragonlife

Robert-Gilles Martineau hails from Bourgogne/Burgundy, France and presently resides in Shizuoka/Japan

Public Foot Bath Hot Spring in Atami City!

If you happen to have some time free just before taking the train or just after getting off Atami JR Station, have a look at the real hot spring for a public foot bath beside the station!
A particularly popular spot for weary travelers in the most famous hot spring spa in Japan!

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Welcome to Atami Hot spring!

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The every clean and hot water gushes out directly form a natural hot spring!
Bear in mind it is emptied during the night!

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This plaque commemorates the venue of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu who spent a whole week in Atami City in March 1604 and the fact that he used this very foot bath 400 years before!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 12: Kita Shin Ishikura Gallery, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City

“Kura” (in Japanese 蔵 or 倉) means “warehouse” or “Storehouse”.
In traditional Japan, especially during the Edo Era, as most of buildings and urba/village structures were made of wood, fires were the bane of society by and large.
However well-protected a fire would consume a house or buildings and all its properties within minutes.
Hence a special building or warehouse was needed to protect goods and properties against such a catastrophe.
But erecting a storehouse solely made of concrete, stones and some metal cost a vast amount of silver and gold and only rich merchants and nobility could afford them. Even castles could not be built entirely of stone then.

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the other day as I was looking around Jirosho area in Shimizuoka, Shizuoka City for more old kuras, I almost missed this one peeking above a wooden gate!

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i decided to put on my impertinent coat on and investigate at the risk of breaking somebody’s privacy!

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It certainly looked very intriguing as it definitely seemed to be used in spite of his ancient look!

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I checked the old door, but it was locked up!

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I checked behind and found the dustbins sitting beside another door. Intriguing….

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i was about to give up when I noticed another grand door with a sign saying Kita Shin Ishikura Gallery!
Well. well…
I was still about to leave when a grand lady just came out of the smae door.
I politely inquired what the kura was all about!

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She kindly explained that at one time she was about to have the edifice pulled but friends convinced her to preserve it and even transform it into a kind a gallery space for rent!
The place inside is exquisite indeed with some very remarkable decoration made up with existing wood material inside!

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Edo time rafters!

Unluckily the inside was a bit too dark for good photographing.
The lady also mentioned that private parties and concerts were also held there.
A place I will definitely have to visit again at length!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

French Gastronomy: Lunch at Chez Mont-Pierre in Shizuoka City!

Service: Very friendly, accommodating and helpful
Equipment & Facilities: Superb cleanliness overall. Extravagant washroom. Entirely non-smoking. Separate room for families with children.
Prices:V ery reasonable considering the quality and generosity
Strong points: High class Classical French gastronomy with a modern and inventive touch. Excellent wine list.

As I said before, Shizuoka City is divided into 3 distinct wards, Aoi Ku, Suruga Ku, and Shimizu Ku. Suruga Ku south of Shizuoka JR Station is rapidly evolving into a gastronomic area to provide for a growing population and palliate for the congested Aoi Ku north of Shizuoka JR Station.

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Chef Kenichi Meguro/目黒研一さん at Chez Mont-Pierre is, without a doubt, the reference when it comes to French gastronomy in the whole of Suruga Ku!
It is a bit away from everywhere but they do own a big enough car park!

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The two single menus proposed for lunch are very good value and you definitely need to call beforehand to make sure a table is free!

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I decided to order the second menu for the sheer curiosity of it!

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Classical atmosphere!
But don’t worry, they do not ask guests to overdress for the occasion.
Actually, for all the grand impression one can really relax and enjoy the occasion at ease!

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The first appetizer!

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Gorgonzola Bavarois/Blanc Manger topped with Spring onion vichyssoise/chilled soup!

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Mini hamburger of Hokkaido Lamb, Shizuoka Ameera tomato and corn bread!

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Second Appetizer!

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Rosemary Brioche, Foie gras, poached quail egg and grilled apple!

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Truffles pudding and mushroom puree!

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Home-baked bread and high quality butter!

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The third appetizer: France meets Japan!

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Sauteed Turbo shell and scallops with potato puree in Vermouth sauce!

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Finely sliced turbo shellfish!

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Scallops!

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The potato puree and Vermouth sauce!

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A very cleverly conceived seafood pot!

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The specialty of the house:
Seasonal steamed vegetables, seasoned with “Sudachi lemon”, vegetable puree topped with a fresh salad. Three dishes in one as it also includes seafood!
All the vegetables are grown in Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Another look at the salad!

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The seafood made up succulent clams!

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The vegetables and vegetables puree!

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I opted for the fish as the main course! The meat will be for another visit!

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Madai/seabream with vegetables garland and fruit sauce!

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The flowers are edible!

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The pre-dessert!

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Milk pudding and sherry wine jelly!

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The first dessert trolley!
But wait for the second coming together!

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The second trolley!
This must the best cake trolley choice in the whole Prefecture!
No less than 13 superb home-made cakes!
I suspect that many ladies among my neighbors came for this sole purpose!
Everyone around me seemed to have at least 3 (and more!) cuts on their plate!
But I chose only one.
Actually the waitress guessed my choice!

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Tarte Tatin!

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Sheer extravagant simplicity!

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And coffee as it should be served!

Yes, I did have a glass of wine (white!)!

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And don’t forget to check the section of biscuits/cakes on sale at the entrance!

Grand time the Michelin Guide visited Shizuoka!

CHEZ MONT-PIERRE
Chef: Kenichi Meguro/目黒研一さん

422-0836 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Shikiji, 1-5-27
Tel.: 054-236-0255
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed on Mondays all day & 2nd and 4th Sundays for dinner
Cards OK for dinner only
Private room for 4~8 guests
Parties welcome
Group courses available for 10~22 guests.
Car park available
Entirely non-smoking!
Call beforehand!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 11: Jirosho area, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City

“Kura” (in Japanese 蔵 or 倉) means “warehouse” or “Storehouse”.
In traditional Japan, especially during the Edo Era, as most of buildings and urba/village structures were made of wood, fires were the bane of society by and large.
However well-protected a fire would consume a house or buildings and all its properties within minutes.
Hence a special building or warehouse was needed to protect goods and properties against such a catastrophe.
But erecting a storehouse solely made of concrete, stones and some metal cost a vast amount of silver and gold and only rich merchants and nobility could afford them. Even castles could not be built entirely of stone then.

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An imposing kura!

This time I decided to visit Jirosho area in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, as it used to be a harbor at the mouth of Tomoe River. The sea access has since been built on and now the whole area is away from the sea along an extended Tomoe River mouth.

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This particular kura is in very good repair in spite of its old rain water pipes!

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Imposing windows!

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Only the wooden lintels give an idea of its old age!

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This particular one was completely isolated between other buildings and completely inaccessible!

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Some of these kuras look almost brand new like the one above!

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Since its facade has obviously just been repainted it is regularly used!

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Even the roof is in great repair!

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The roof peak has just been replaced!

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An enormous and really ancient one wholly covered with ivy!

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Although very old, it is still in good repair. The green pipes are so beautiful! Real antiques!

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Unfortunately it was completely locked out!
I couldn’t find any indications of ownership…

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Another one in good repair with a newly tiled roof!

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Note the iron holds securing the roof onto the wall!

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It is obviously used as part of a big property!

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Must be used as a real warehouse, but for what?

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I reported on this one before.
There is actually a kura fan club in Shimizu Ku who made up a map of all kuras with photos but the owners of that particular kura obtained its retrieval for privacy reasons!

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The owners apparently do not want people to know about something…

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Another kura disappearing between new buildings!

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A real pity!

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I discovered this inhabited one by chance along a narrow side street!

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Someone is using an air conditioner inside!

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But I couldn’t get access to the rest of it!

I discovered two more very interesting kuras but that is for two separate articles!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

French Gastronomy: Lunch at C’Est La Vie Restaurant in Shizuoka City!

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Excellent washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Inventive French Bistro style gastronomy. Very fresh products from Shizuoka and other Prefecture.

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Shizuoka City is divided into 3 distinct wards, Aoi Ku, Suruga Ku, and Shimizu Ku. Suruga Ku south of Shizuoka JR Station is rapidly evolving into a gastronomic area to provide for a growing population and palliate for the congested Aoi Ku north of Shizuoka JR Station.

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In Mabuchi you will find a small island of Southern France called “C’est La Vie” (“This is life”!) offering inventive and healthy French gastronomy concocted by Chef Keisuke Suzuki/鈴木啓介さん to an ever-growing clientele.

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A scene changing with the seasons!

The other day I finally had the chance to visit for lunch!

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A simple , but very cosy interior!
At lunch it would be a good idea to check on the phone first!

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There is only one seasonal menu for lunch but you can add some variations to it!
Very reasonably-priced!

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And wine is provided by the glass at lunch time!

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I sat at the counter to be able to peek into the kitchen and see Keisuke at work!

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A cute smoked salmon amuse bouche to accompany my wine!

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Bread and delicious olive oil!

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I decided to combine the plate 8 organic vegetables cultivated at Gomi Farm in Yamanashi prefecture and a slice of pate de campagne and salad!

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From another angle!

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The pate de campagne! So elegant!

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I also added a very appetizing red beets veloute soup to my menu!

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Great finish with fresh cream, olive oil and parsley for culinary and artistic balance!

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There were 4 main dishes!
I opted for the Shizuoka bred Suruga Beef!

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Bear in mind that beef is still extravagant in Japan!

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Served with beautiful organic vegetables!

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More vegetables!

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The dessert plate and coffee!

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Warm chocolate cake!

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Rolled cake!

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And ricotta Bavarois!

There are still some other morsels to explore even at lunch so you can expect other reports!

C’EST LA VIE
422-8063 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mabuchi, 4-10-6
Tel. & Fax: 054-287-8115
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Cash only
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Shizuoka Prefecture Railway Lines & Stations: The Complete Guide

RAILWAY-MAP

“Official Shizuoka Railway Lines Map”
Actually, some small lines are not figured, but it will give you some general idea!

There are many railway lines in Shizuoka Prefecture. They are certainly needed for a Prefecture whose population is almost the same as New Zealand!
Here is a guide that I sincerely hope will help foreign and Japanese visitors in Shizuoka!
I will amend and update it anytime it is needed!

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JR CENTRAL JAPAN LINE: SHINKASEN

SHINKANSEN-TRAIN2

JR CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY ENGLISH WEBSITE

There are 6 Shinkansen/Bullet Train Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture, a record in Japan!
Remember that The Nozomi Super Express never stops inside Shizuoka Prefecture!
As for the Hiakari Super Express it stops at some limited stations only a few times in the day.

All Kodama Shinkasen stop at every Shinkasen Station inside Shizuoka Prefecture:
(From Tokyo) Atami-Mishima-Shin Fuji (not to be confused with separate Fuji Station!)-Shizuoka-Kakegawa-Hamamatsu.

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TOKAIDO RAILWAY LINE

TOKAIDO

This is the local train railway line crossing the whole Prefecture.
Bear in mind there are very few trains running from Atami to Shinjobara non-stop as it is an almost 3-hour trip!

TOKAIDO-TRAIN

TOKAIDO RAILWAY LINE

The Tōkaidō Main Line (東海道本線) is the busiest[1] trunk line of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), connecting Tokyo and Kōbe stations. It is 589.5 km (366.3 mi) long, not counting its many freight feeder lines around the major cities. The high-speed Tōkaidō Shinkansen runs largely parallel to the line.
The term “Tōkaidō Main Line” is largely a holdover from pre-Shinkansen days; now various portions of the line have different names which are officially used by JR East, JR Central, and JR West. Today, there are no passenger trains that operate over the entire length of the line (other than certain overnight services), so longer intercity trips require several transfers along the way.

(From Tokyo) Atami-Kannami-Mishima-Numazu-Katahama-Hara-Higashi tago no Ura-Yoshiwara-Fuji (not to be confused with Shin Fuji!)-Fujikawa-Shin Kambara-Kambara-Yui-Okitsu-Shimizu (not to be confused with Shin Shimizu!)-Kusanagi-Higashi Shizuoka-Shizuoka-Abekawa-Mochimune-Yaizu-Nishi yaizu-Fujieda-Rokugo-Shimada-Kanaya-Kikugawa-Kakegawa-Aino-Fukuroi-Iwata-Toyoda-Tenryugawa-Hamamatsu-Takatsuka-maisaka-Bentenjima-Arai-Washizu-Shinjyobara.

IZU PENINSULA

Izu Peninsula includes two main routes
1) Atami City-Ito City-Shimoda City
Can be traveled through via the Odoriko Train from Tokyo and Super View Odoriko Train from Ikebukuro/Shinjuku/Tokyo and via the Izu Kyuko Trains from Ito City.

IZU-KYUKO

IZU KYUKO LINE ONLINE
(From Atami) Atami-Ito (JR LINE)
(From Ito) Ito (Izu Kyuko Line)-Minamiito-Kawana-Futo-Jogasaki kaigan-izu Kogen-Izu Okawa-izu Hokkawa-Izu Atagawa-Katase Shirata-Izu Inatori-iamaihama Kaigan-Kawazu-Inazusa-Rendaiji-Izukyu Shimoda

2) Mishima City-Shuzenji
A single line from Mishima City (next to Mishima JR STation) to Shuzenji.

IZU-HAKONE

IZU HAKONE LINE ONLINE

Mishima-Mishima Hirokoji-Mishima Tamachi-Mishima futsukamachi-Daiba-Izunita-Baraki-Nirayama-Izunagaoka-Takyo-Ohito-Makinoko-Shzenji

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GOTEMBA LINE

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

GOTEMBA LINE ONLINE

This a line linking Kozu City in Kanagawa Prefecture to Numazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture. It crosses Shizuoka Prefecture from Numazu City to Suruga Oyama Station:
Numazu-Ooka-Shimo Togari-nagaizumi Nameri-Susono-Iwanamai-Fujioka-Minami Gotemba-Gotemba-Ashigara-Suruga Oyama.

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MINOBU LINE

MINOBU

MINOBU LINE ONLINE

This is a line linking Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture to Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture.
It crosses Shizuoka Prefecture from Fuji City to Inako in Fujinomiya City:
Fuji-Yunoki-Tatebori-Iriyamase-Fujine-Gendoji-Fujinomiya-Nishi Fujinomiya-Numakubo-Shibakawa-Inako

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GAKUNAN RAILWAY LINE

GAKUNAN

GAKUNAN RAILWAY LINE ONLINE

The Gakunan Railway Line (岳南鉄道線) is a Japanese railway line between Yoshiwara and Gakunan-Enoo, all within the industrial area of Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. The line does not have any official name. This is the only railway line Gakunan Electric Train Co., Ltd. (岳南電車株式会社) operates. The operator company was established on April 1, 2013 as a subsidiary of the former operator Gakunan Railway (岳南鉄道), a subsidiary of Fuji Kyuko.

Yoshiwara-Jatco Mae-Yoshiwara Honcho-Hon Yoshiwara-Gakunan-Harada-Hina-Gakunan Fujioka-Suda-Kamiya-Gakunan Enoo.

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SHIZUOKA-SHIMIZU RAILWAY LINE (SHIZUTETSUDO)

SHIZUOKA-SHIMIZU

Shizuoka-Shimizu Railway Line English Site

This is mainly a very practical commuter line between Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku and Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku:

Shin Shizuoka (Cenova Department Store)-Hiyoshicho-Otowacho-Kasugacho-Yunoki-Naganuma-Furusho-Ken Sogo Undojo-kenritsu Bijutsukan Mae-Kusanagai-Mikadodai-Kitsunegasaki-Sakurabashi-Ireoka-Shin Shimizu (the last one not to be confused with Shimizu JR Station!).

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OIGAWA RAILWAY

OIGAWA-SL

OIGAWA RAILWAY ONLINE

The Ōigawa Railway (大井川鐵道) is a railway company in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The company is commonly known as Daitetsu (大鐵). The company belongs to Meitetsu Group. The first section of its lines opened in 1927.
There are two railway lines operated, Ōigawa Main Line and Ikawa Line. Both lines primary function as sightseeing lines. The former line is known for its steam locomotive trains, while the latter is the only rack railway line in Japan.

Kanaya (next to Kanaya JR Station)-Shin Kanaya-Daikancho-Higiri-Goka-Kamio-Fukuyo-Owada-Ieyama-Nukuri-Kawane Onsen Sasamado-Jina-Shiogo-Shimoizumi-tanokuchi-Suruga Tokuyama-Aobe-Sakidaira-Senzu

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ŌIGAWA RAILWAY IKAWA LINE

SENZU-IKAWA

ŌIGAWA RAILWAY IKAWA LINE ONLINE

The Ikawa Line (井川線) of the Ōigawa Railway is the only rack-and-pinion railway operating in Japan.
The line originates at Senzu Station in Kawanehon, Shizuoka, the end station of the Ōigawa Main Line, and terminates at Ikawa Station in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. The line has 61 tunnels and 51 bridges along its 25.5 kilometer length. It is the second trunk of the Oigawa Line leaving from Kanaya Station.

Senzu-Kawane Ryogoku-Sawama-Domoto-Kawane Koyama-Okuizumi-Abt Ichishiro-Nagashima Dam-Hiranda-Okuoikojo-Sessokyo Onsen-Omori-Kanzo-ikawa

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TENHAMA LINE

TENNOHAMA-TRAIN-1

Tenhama Line Japanese site
Related Article (English)

This is truly touristic Railway Line that runs from Kakegawa JR Station to Shinjyohara JR Station. It includes 11 Meiji Era Stations registered as Cultural Assets!

Kakegawa-Kakegawa Shiyakusho-Nishi Kakegawa-Sakuragi-Ikoi No Hiroba-Hosoya-Harada-Towata-Enshumori-Enden-Tootoumi Ichinomiya-Shikiji-Toyooka-Uenobe-Tenryuu Futamata-Futamata Honmachi-Nishi Kajima-Gansuiji-Miyaguchi-Fruits Park-Miyakoda-Tokoha Daigaku mae-Kanasashi-Kiga Koukou Mae-Kiga- Nishi Kiga-Sunza-Hamanako Sakume-Higashi Tsuzuki-Tsuzuki-Mikkabi-Oku Hamanako-Ona-Chibata-Oomori-Asumo Mae-Shinjohara.

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ENSHU RAILWAY LINE

ENSHU-RAILWAY

ENSHU RAILWAY LINE ONLINE

The Enshū Railway Line is a commuter line running north from Shin Hamamatsu, Naka Ward through Nishi Kajima, Tenryū Ward, all within Hamamatsu City.
(From Hamamatsu): Shin Hamamatsu (not to be confused with Hamamtsu Station)-Dai Ichi Doori-Enshu Biyoin-Hachiman-Sukenobu-Hikuma-Kamijima-Jidosya Gakko Mae-Saginomiya-Sekishi-Enshu Nishigasaki-Enshu Komatsu-Hamakita-Misono Chuo Koen-Enshu Kobayashi-Enshu Shibamoto-Enshu Gansuiji-Nishi Kajima.

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IIDA LINE

IIDA

IIDA LINE ONLINE

The Iida Line (飯田線) is a Japanese railway line between Toyohashi Station in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture and Tatsuno Station in Tatsuno, Nagano Prefecture, operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). The line links eastern Aichi Prefecture and southern Nagano Prefecture through northwestern Shizuoka Prefecture. It goes through steep mountains as well as cities such as Iida and Ina. The line was originally four different private railway lines, the first of which opened in 1897. The line has an unusually high number of stations, some of which have since lost their nearby communities due to depopulation. Traveling the entire length of the 195.7 km line by local trains takes six hours.

Serviced (bear in mind that trains don’t stop everywhere! Check the stations on the IIDA LINE ONLINE!) stations inside Shizuoka Prefecture (South to North):
Izumma-kamiichiba-Urakawa-Hayase-Shimokawai-Chubu Tenryuu-Sakuma-Aizuki-Shironishi-Mukaichiba-Misakubo-Ozore-Kowada.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Morimoto Brewery-Ikioi

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Brew Master Hitoshi Morimoto brews all his sake by himself at Morimoto Brewery in Kikugawa City!
That certainly leaves him plenty of freedom to try his hand at some unique creations.
The more for it as he keeps the making of such nectars as secret as possible for the sole pleasure of titillating his fans!

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He also has a lot of fun with English translations!

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Even though, he never forgets to promote his locality!

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Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in November 2013
Limited to 120 bottles (large, that is only 216 l.!)
All other information is a secret in his own words!

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Discreet and elegant. Banana
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Well-rounded attack backed up with pleasant alcohol.
Elegant, gentle, almost sweetish.
Complex.
Oranges, persimmon, milk coffee, plums.
Disappears quickly leaving another interrogation mark. Insistently calls for the next cup.
I don’ know what would happen if I drank it with food. There is too little of it made to risk it!
Furthermore it is a very complex sake which tends to show new facets with every sip.

Overall: A rare nectar to enjoy while you can!
The kind of sake you hoard in secret for your sole use!
If you are lucky to find one of the few bottles, stop thinking and buy it!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Food & Drink Bloggers in Japan (amended regularly)

The number of foreigners and Japanese nationals who write about the food and drinks in Japan in English (or at least answer comments in English) has remarkably increased lately.
I thought it was about time to start some kind of round-up to help people discover these deserving foodies and their blogs!The list below is far from exhaustive, but I’m planning to update and announce it regularly!
Of course if you know more foodies residing in Japan, do please direct them to me and I will introduce them gladly!

HOKKAIDO TRIBE

(Hokkaido Island)

Hokkaido Kudasai by Melinda
Meishu no Yutaka by Carlin
The Best of Sapporo by Ben!
Handshakes And Hellos

TOHOKU TRIBE
(Northeastern Japan: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima)
Cooking with Mama Miyuki in Sendai
A Picky Eater’s Guide To Sendai Grub

KANTO TRIBE

(Eastern Japan: Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa)

I lOST My Heart in Japan by Fujiko Toyashi in Tokyo
Japan-Australia
Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo
Life in the Land of the Rising Sun by Kate Minor in Saitama
Cooking in Japan
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
Watch Japan by Mike Kato in Tokyo.
Erik in Nihon
Adventures in Japan
TOKYOBLING BOG
Japan-Hub.Com
Japan Eat’s Videos
Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton
Watch Japan in Tokyo
Little Japan Mama in Tokyo
Japan Eats (featured on request)
47 Japanese Farms Through The Eyes of Its Rural Communities By Sara and Roshni in Tokyo
Eating Out in Tokyo with Dominic
Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass by Melinda Joe in Tokyo
Tokyo Foodcast by Etsuko Nakamura in Tokyo
Tokyo Food Page
Sake World by John Gauntner in Tokyo: The inernational Reference for Japanese Sake!
Tokyo Terrace by Rachael in Tokyo
Gaijin Tonic in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture
Nonjatta by Chris Bunting in Tokyo
The Soul Of Japan in Kanagawa Prefecture
Sake, kimono and Tabi In Tokyo
Tokyo Kawai, Etc… in Tokyo
Blue Lotus in Tokyo
The Japanese Food Report by Harris Salat in Tokyo
The Sake Chronicles in Tokyo
Watashi to Tokyo by Mari Kanazawa in Tokyo
Japanese Food-Food Lover’s Guide by Yukari Yamamoto in Tokyo
Gaijin Life by a Canadian gentleman in Tokyo (in Japanese)
Leo’s Japan Food Blog in Tokyo
Eating Out In Tokyo With Jon
Fugu Tabetai in Tokyo
Japan Style in Tokyo
COCO’s Oriental Kitchen by angela Cooper in Tokyo
Free Online Japanese Food Recipes in Tokyo
Reminiscence in Tokyo
Cooking Japanese Style By Naoko, in Tokyo
Japan Farmers Market in Tokyo by Joan
Ramen By Shoe
Rameniac
In Praise of Izakaya
Onsen Addict
Follow Rory
Food For Life by a Myanmar resident
Good and Bad Japan’s Blog
Hello Sandwich
Japan Newbie
Japanese Snack reviews

CHUBU TRIBE

(Central Japan: Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi)

Navigating Nagoya by Paige
Passport, Tickets and a Suitcase by Hiedi in Shizuoka City
Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonbayashi in Shizuoka City!
Damonde Life by Matt Ryan in Hamamatsu & Enshu, shizuoka Prefecture
Mangantayon in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Gourmet, Shizuoka Sake, Shizuoka Sushi, Shizuoka Shochu in Shizuoka Prefecture
Bryan Baird’s Beer & Brewery in Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture
A Modern Girl from Niigata and all over Japan!

KANSAI TRIBE

(Western Japan: Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Kyoto, Wakayama)

Aki San In Japan (Osaka)
Heart of Japan (Hyogo Prefecture)
MANNIYOT by Manokan in Osaka
Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
Yellin Yakimono Gallery by Robert Yellin in Shizuoka Prefecture, just moved to Kyoto!
Colorfood Daidokoro in Osaka (English & French)
Nagaijin in Osaka
Kyoto Foodie in Kyoto
Our Adventures in Japan by K and S Minoo in Osaka
Japan Food Addict by Mai in Kyoto
Kyoto Food Page
Osaka/Kobe Food Page

CHUGOKU

(“Central Country”: Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi)

“Made in Matsue” in Shimane prefecture
San’in Monogatari by Buri Chan in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
Get Hiroshima Blog in Hiroshima
The Wide Island Review, The JET Programme Webzine Of Hiroshima Prefecture (includes food & drink articles)

SHIKOKU

(Shikoku Island: Kagawa, Kochi, Ehime, Tokushima)

Obachan’s Kitchen & Garden Balcony in Kochi Prefecture
Still Clumsy With Chopsticks in Kochi Prfecture (Continuation of Obachan’s Kitchen & Garden Balcony)
Rocking in Hakata by Deas Richardson

KYUSHU

(Kyushu Island: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Saga, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima)

Finding Fukuoka
Food from Fukuoka, Kyushu and Japan by Fumiko Soda
Fukuoka Sake Guide by Daisuke Ito
Quixotidienne in Kagoshima Prefecture
Christine Molero in Kyushu & elsewhere
Alishan on the Move in Fukuoka

OKINAWA

(Okinawa Archipelago)

HWN Pake in Okinawa in Chatan, Okinawa
I’m sorry to say that Nate has just passed away and that his blog has disappeared, but I’ll keep it there as it is in his memory!
English Bento Box
Dojo Bar in Naha
Eating Okinawa
Okinawa Hai!
Total Okinawa

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

French-Italian Gastronomic Collaboration with Aquavite & C’Est La Vie in Shizuoka City!

Chefs Keisuke Suzuki/鈴木啓介さん & Masaru Aoki/青木青木優さん!

On Sunday February 23rd (Official Mount Fuji Day, incidentally!) I had the pleasure to attend a collaboration dinner in Aquavite Italian Restaurant, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City associating French Chef Keisuke Suzuki/鈴木啓介さん of C’Est La vie Restaurant (Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City) and Italian Masaru Aoki/青木青木優さん!

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The menu!
These days Shizuoka Prefecture, and Shizuoka City in particular, witnesses many of these superlative collaborations between talented Chefs of all ages and wonderful cuisines covering the whole world! This is helped by an unequaled supply of fresh products from Shizuoka Prefecture and neighboring Prefectures. Ask Tokyo restaurants where they get their ingredients?
Now, what did we enjoy on that night?

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Drinks first of course, but what did we eat?

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Otona no kappa ebisen/”Adult” shrimp grissoni home-made mayonnaise (Italian) and Sakura ebi/Cherry shrimps consomme Jelly seasoned with ginger!

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Freshly baked bread of course!

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C’Est La Vie’s Vegetables Appetizers Symphony. either steamed or pickled. 40% of from Yamanashi Prefecture, 60% for Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Warm vegetable Appetizer by Aquavite: Stuffed cabbage with Scallops, Petit Vert Brussels Sprouts and Ham!

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What’s inside the cabbage?

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Scallops again steamed together with the cabbage!

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The guests!

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Meat dish by C’Est La Vie!
Lamb fillet baked in herbs crust, organic Kitaakari potato puree, Fried ham, onion confit and eringe mushroom roll and green peppercorn sauce!

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Aquavite’s pasta dish: bicolor lemon-flavored pecorino ravioli!

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Collaboration dessert based on Shizuoka matcha tea and oranges: Aquavite’s macha ice cream and baked orange slice, C’Est La Vie’ matcha chocolate cake and oranges confites!

Looking forward to the next collaboration!

AQUAVITE
420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
FACEBOOK
Credit Cards OK
Non-smoking private room available!

C’EST LA VIE
422-8063 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mabuchi, 4-10-6
Tel. & Fax: 054-287-8115
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Entirely non-smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Hagoromo Legend Statue in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Not far from S-Puls Dream Plaza in Shimizu, Shizuoka City, a new bridge crosses the Tome River.
At bot end you will see a difefrent statue of a deity-like woman!

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The bridge bears the name of Hagoromo Bridge/はごろもはし!

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it was completed in March 1993!

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As for the second statue, it is magnificent. It is a pity that the background is somewhat ugly!
But I deserves many pictures!

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now, what is the story/legend of Hagoromo?

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Hagoromo or 羽衣 means “Winged Veil”.
The 1200 year-old legend has many versions.
As for our local version, which is the most famous in Japan, it happened on the beach of matsubara in Miho, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City.
The deity/天女/”Tenjyo” lights down on the beach in the shape of bird. She turns into a human woman leaving her wings in the shape of a veil while she bathes in the sea.
An old man espies her and hides her veil lest she disappears again.
The deity who cannot fly back to heavens marries the old man and gives him a son to please him.
The old man takes pity on her and gives her back her veil that the deity puts to fly back to heavens.

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Naturally the last line of the legend is where it varies from region to region!
Every year a Noh Dance is enacted on the beach of Matsubara to relate the legend!

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Do walk along the bridge.
Th e statues are not that big but they are beautiful!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Giant Wheel Mount Fuji in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Took this picture todaynear S-Pulse Deam Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Mount Fuji seemed in a somber mood for not being able to ride the giant wheel!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Sushi Mount Fuji at S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

If you want to pay a visit to S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City take free limousine bus from Shimizu JR Station right exit!
The place is worth visiting for many things,especially local gastronomy!

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Shizuoka Prefecture and Shimiu Ku, Shizuoka City in particular is celebrated all over Japan for its seafood and sushi in particular!

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just by the entrance of the sushi restaurant arcade you will discover this gastronomic and artistic of Mount Fuji which became a World Cultural Heritage last year!
It would become an interesting challenge to guess what sushi are represented there!
They are all models of real sushi assembled together as a quaint Mount Fuji!

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Even the chefs’ aces are real sushi copies!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Pizzeria Regina in Shizuoka City!

Service: Shy but attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Overall very clean. Excellent Washroom. Entirely non smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Wood oven baked pizzas. Lasagna. Wine list

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These days, it has become easy to find high quality pizzas baked in ovens using wood only in Shizuoka City!

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It is both open at noon and night, allowing guests for a great trial at lunch before taking more time at dinner!

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Although they have a smaller menu for lunch on weekdays, on week ends you can order from the regular menu!

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And an extra reason to visit is that it is entirely non-smoking!

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The inside is unpretentious with a counter with 4 seats, one main room with 6=8 seats at table, a larger table for 4 on the other side of the counter and a party room for 8+ guests!

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They exclusively use “nara no ki/楢の木”/Japanese oak in the oven!

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The chef prepares his own leavened dough every day for super light pizzas!

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Here in it goes!
What did I choose among the 15 pizzas on the menu?

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Pizza Preziosa!

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At 18 cm diameter each pizza is a full meal by itself!

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But their lasagna is also a must!

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Have a good look at it before starting!

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Only high quality, pasta, cheese and meat there!

The first of many visits!

PIZZERIA REGINA
420-0034 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 2-3-8, Murakami Bldg., 1f (by the crossroads between Aoba Park and Showa Street)
Opening hours: 12:00~14:00, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Wedenesdays
cash only Entirely non smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Mortadella and Roquette Truffle flavored Pork Rillettes panaini at BLUE BOOKS cafe!

Service: Very friendly, smiling and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Superb washroom in same building separated from the cafe.
Prices: Reasonable for such big servings!
Strong points: Very generous cafe/bistro multi-genred gastronomy. Great variety. Great products. Entirely non-smoking in very modern atmosphere. Great books!

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Yesterday was another cold day. I was in a hurry for lunch, so the right place once again was BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

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i needed something filling, balanced, tasty and healthy.
There was a new feature on the menu that fit my wish:
Roquette Salad, Mortadella and Fuji no Kuni Pork Rillettes Panini, an American-Italian dish made with local products!

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For 200 yen extra they also proposed a green smoothie! Perfect!

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Alright what did we have there?

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Onion rings!

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Very hot vegetable gratin!

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Carotte rape/shredded carrot salad!

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The panini with so many fillings!

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From another angle!

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Very tasty Shizuoka-bred pork rillettes, a great combination with the mortadella soft ham, the cheese and roquettes!

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The green smoothie!

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Really tasty and healthy!

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And a salad as usual for superb balance!

To be continued,… You bet!

BLUE BOOKS cafe
420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki-Cho, 4-6, Den Bldg 1F (5~10 minutes walk straight ahead from Shizuoka JR Station North Exit, around the corner at the large crossroads)
Tel.: 054-280-7644
Opening hours: 11:00~14:30 (lunch), 14:30^17:30 (cafe), 17:30~23:00 (dinner)
Entirely non-smoking!
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hatsukame Brewery-Kame Jirushi Ginjo Nama

Hatsukame Brewery in Okabe, Fujieda City brews a lot of classics at all level and when you are looking for such nectars at a good liquor shop the distinctive labels make them very easy and fun to find!
This particular brew is called “Hatsukame Jirushi” or the “Mark of the Turtle” because it bears a small golden turtle mark in the middle upper part of the label!

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They also have the kindness to clearly indicate it is a nama/unpasteurized to be kept refrigerated!

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Rice: Oyama Nishiki (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.40
Bottled in January 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity. Oranges, pineapple. Alcohol
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and very fruity attack backed up with pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Pears, persimmons, hints of oranges.
Disappears fairly quickly on a sweeter note with faint almonds and more oranges.
Changes little with food, but for a drier turn and more almonds.
Quickly switches back to other facets once away from food.

Overall: A sake conceived to be enjoyed with heavy izakaya fare in particular.
Both elegant and reliable. Laides and gentlemen like enjoy it alike!
Would definitely make a great support to aneal, BBQ or parties!
A great suggestion for a souvenir!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pierre.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