Category Archives: 観光

美食, 蕎麦, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soba, Soba Restaurant, Tourism

Soba Restaurants in Shizuoka Prefecture (As of February 2nd, 2014)

February 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

KISHIGAMI

Service: very friendly, attentive and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Ju wari/100% soba/buckwheat noodles. Tempura. sake list!

SOBADOKORO KSHIGAMI SOBA RESTAURANT

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Utsunoya, 232-2
Tel.: 054-258-5664
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00
Closed on Mondays and 3rd Tuesday of the month (next day in case of a national holiday)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

TEUCHI SOBA TAGATA

Service: Friendly, attentive and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat from Shizuoka and rest of Ja@an used. Great use of local seasonal ingredients. Great sake and shochu list.
Entirely non-smoking!

TEUCHI SOBA TAGARA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 2-6-7
Tel.: 054-250-8555
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays and Thursday lunch
Parties welcome
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
Entirely non-smoking!

SETSUGEKKA

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities: Great overall cleanliness. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: High quality soba. Beautiful tempura. Great local sake

SETSUGEKKA/雪月花
Shimada City, Hontouri, 2-3-4
Tel.: 0547-35-5241
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Monday and third Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking for lunch!

TAGATA ZAIRAI SOBA

Service: Smiling and friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Overall extremely clean. Superb washroom if a bit small
Prices: Very reasonable
Strong points: Only native buckwheat used. Good sake and shochu list

TAGATA ZAIRAI SOBA (make sure you understand the address as Tagata is a very common name for restaurants in Japan!)
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa Cho, 3-3-4　(left of Tokai Bldg across the street)
Tel.: 054-251-0707
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed on Sundays

SOBA SAKE KAWAKATSU

Service: Friendly
Equipment: traditional. Clean. Beautiful toilets
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Very fresh ingredients. Most ingredients not only local but sef-grown or self-raised! Local sake and shochu!
Entirely non-smoking!

Sake Soba Kawakatsu
426-0034, Fujieda Shi, Eki mae, 1-8-4
Tel./Fax: 054-645-1770
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

SOBA NO MI

Service: Friendly
Equipment: a bit old but clean
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Very fresh ingredients. Old-fashioned atmosphere
Entirely non-smoking!

Soba No Mi
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Kawabe Cho, 2-2-3
Tel.: 054-251-8000
Business hours: 11:00~21:00 (or until soba are exhausted)
Closed on Tuesdays and third Wednesdays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

YOSHINO

Service: Shy but friendly
Facilities: old but clean. Traditional
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: 10 wari soba. Good list of Shizuoka sake.

YOSHINO
420-0839 Shizuoka Shi, Takajyo, 1-7-10
Tel.: 054-255-3277
Business hours: 11:00 until they run out of buckwheat!
Closed on Tuesdays

KUROMUGI

Service: Friendly
Equipment: Old but clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: 100% soba noodles (ju-wari soba). Traditional Japanese Soba Restaurant.

422-8078 Shizuoka Shi, Suruga Ku, Satsuki Cho, 8-15
Tel.: 054-287-8539
Fax: 054-287-8309
Business hours: 11:30~15:00, 17:00~21:00; 11:30~21:00 (Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
MAP(Japanese)

IWA ICHI

Service: Very friendly and easy-going.
Facilities: Very clean overall. Excellent amenities
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Soba of course, but traditional Japanese gastronomy on the whole. Excellent all-rounder.
English spoken!
Non-smoking at tables.

IWA ICHI
420-01816 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Kutsunoya, 3-4-22
Tel.: 054-293-4151
Business hours: 11:30^14:00, 17:30~22:00
Closed on Mondays

TSUDONO ZARU SOBA

Service: Very kind and a bit shy
Equipment & Facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Soba! Very Japanese atmosphere.

TSUDONO Zaru Soba
421-2121 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tsudono, 514-2
Tel.: 054-294-1005
Opening hours: 11:00~15:00 or until the soba are sold out!
Closed on Mondays (except on National Holidays)
Car parking available
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

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Takashima Brewery-Hakuin Masamune Junmai Genshu

February 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Winter is the season for strong genshu sake and Takashima Brewery in Numazu City is certainly no exception!
At least they keep the names short there! LOL

Rice: Aichi no kaori
Rice milled down to 65%
Yeast: Shizuoka Yeast NEW-5
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Dryness: + 5
Acidity: 1.6
Bottled in Decmebr 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Dry, fruity. Pears, custard, alcohol
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very fruity attack backed up with junmai petillant
Easy to drink in spite of high alcohol contents.
Complex: dry custard, chestnuts.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Changes little with food but for a deeper alcohol impression and appearance of oranges.
Sweetness/dryness tends to fluctuate inside the palate.

Overall: Very intriguing junmai genshu.
Superbly marries with food, especially izakaya heavy fare and oden.
Very pleasant to drink in spite of high alcohol contents.
Another solid and so reliable sake so typical of Takashima Brewery’s savoir-faire!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Iwata City, Japan, Japanese Culture, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Senju Brewery-Junmai Shinshu Shiboritate Muroka Nama Genshu

February 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I just managed to grab this last bottle of a limited brew by Senju Brewery in Iwata City!

It makes for another long reading:
Junmai: No pure alcohol added
Shinshu: New aske of the season
Shiboritate: Just pressed
Muroka: Unfiltered
Nama: Unpasteurized
Genshu: No pure water added

Limited to 720 liters/ a small tank only!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Bottled in November 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Light golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Dry and fruity. Pineapple, vanilla
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and fruity attack backed up with moderate junmai petillant and pleasant alcohol.
Elegant in spite of high alcohol content.
Complex: cherries, oranges, persimmons.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Changes little with food.
Actually marries superbly with heavy izakaya fare.

Overall: A solid sake for heavy food in cold winters!
Very elegant in spite of the “rough image” of a nama genshu!
Another sure value for strong sake lovers!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Buckwheat, 美食, 蕎麦, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Fujieda City, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Non-smoking restaurants, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Soba, Soba Restaurant, Tempura, Tourism

Soba Restaurant: Kishigami in Shizuoka City!

February 1, 2014 dragonlife 6 Comments

Home-cured duck soba!

Kishigami Soba Restaurant is located in a celebrated touristic area of Shizuoka City in Utsunoya famous for its many Edo Period houses and inns along the Old Tokaido Road.
It makes for the perfect stop for refreshments in the middle of nature!

It is not that difficult to reach actually.
Just take the bus to Fujieda City at platform 7 in front of Shizuoka JR Station north exit and get off at Utsunoya just before the Fuijieda Tunnel.
Cross the road and take the paved street on the right side snaking up the mountain and you will discover it in the middle of an Edo Travel Inn Village!

The menu is waiting for you outside!

100% buckwheat noodles!

Have a good look inside before choosing a table!

A traveling artist actually drew this picture of the restaurant during his only visit!

The spotless clean kitchen manned by two generations!

Traditional Japan!

A real wood fire stove!

All warm wood!

Although it is open only at lunch time the menu is really extensive!

The elder daughter, Ms. Kayoko Kishigami/岸上香誉子さん is very knowledgeable with sake and a seasonal brew by Sugii Brewery (Fujieda City) was on offer that day!

The Japanese sake from nearby Fujieda City!

Elegant earthenware and glassware!

My friend’s order!

Ten Oroshi Soba!

My order!

Kamo/Duck Oroshi Soba!

The sobayu/buckwheat noodles boiling water to add to the leftover soup and wash it all down!

A meal is not complete at Kishigami without their superb tempura!

What do we have there?

Soba Dango/Buckwheat balls!

Green leafy vegetable!

Maitake/hen-of-the-woods, ram’s head and sheep’s head mushroom!

Avery original dessert: buckwheat balls with hot sweetmeat/anko shiru!

SOBADOKORO KSHIGAMI SOBA RESTAURANT

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 観光, Fujieda City, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Statues, Tourism

Contentment? Happiness? Unconcern?

February 1, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

i found this small statue in a park by an Edo period Inn!

I wonder what the artist wanted to impress on onlookers: Contenetment? Happiness? Unconcern?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Beer, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Numazu City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Bryan Baird Newsletter (2014/01/31): Seasonal Release: Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2014

January 31, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Seasonal Release: Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2014

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

We are proud, for the ninth consecutive year, to announce the release of a most special winter-warmer ale: Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine.

Baird Beer Seasonal Release:

*Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine 2014 (ABV 10%):

The first batch of Ganko Oyaji Barley Wine was brewed back in Summer 2004 and released in February 2005. We have repeated this ‘brew-it-in-summer-for-release-next-winter’ schedule for Ganko Oyaji every year as it allows ample time for post-packaged secondary fermentation and flavor maturation — critical to beers of extremely high original gravity and alcohol strength.

Ganko Oyaji 2014 is brewed with an all-English malt bill that includes floor-malted Marris Otter, Rye, Amber and a touch of Roast Barley. A Kettle addition of Japanese red cane (akato) sugar contributes extra food for yeast fermentation without adding more in the way of body and sweetness — there is plenty of both of those in this high original gravity ale (23.9 Plato). The malt sweetness is balanced beautifully by generous additions (90 calculated IBUs) of five American-grown hop varieties: Millenium, Nugget, Sorachi Ace, Chinook and Simcoe. As always, we krausen (blending of a portion of peak fermentation beer into the beer destined for packaging) at packaging to produce a robust secondary fermentation and totally natural carbonation.

Ganko Oyaji is an ideal after-dinner or before-bed restorative. It promises to condition nicely for months and years to come. It is available for immediate shipment (bottles and kegs) to Baird Beer retailers throughout Japan. It begins pouring from the taps of Baird Taproom pubs on Saturday, February 1.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Environment, 静岡美食, 観光, Fujieda City, History, Japan, Japanese Culture, Manhole covers, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 23: Fujieda City

January 30, 2014 dragonlife 3 Comments

Beautiful mint Fujieda City manhole cover!
They actually come into two colors

The same, a bit old, near Fujieda JR Station south exit!

Another beautiful mint with a different background color!

The same again, a bit old, near Fujieda JR Station south exit!

The same, without the colors!

The one without the color is usually found in the middle of roads!

A sewer manhole cover with Fujieda City motif in the center!

An older type!

A round fire hydrant manhole cover!

Another rectangular fire hydrant manhole cover!

Another rectangular older type fire hydrant manhole cover!

A little beauty!

A gas manhole cover. Probably for private use as the symbol is not that of Fujieda City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Bistro, Coffee Shops, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Non-smoking restaurants, Photography, Recipes, Recommended Lunch Restaurants, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Salmon & Mozzarella Cheese Panini, Spinach Quiche & Onion Rings Lunch at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

January 30, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

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!

Yesterday I was in a hurry and I needed a hot and filling lunch, so in such a case the direction was again BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

The item that drew my eyes was a bit strange. It just meant “Salmon & Mozzarella Cheese Panini, Spinach Quiche & Onion Rings Lunch”!
Reasonably priced and just enough!

The whole lunch set!
Now, what did we have there?

Can you guess?
Of course, you can!

The panini are crunchy and precisely cooked! Not that easy, actually!

The salmon, cheese, and dill make for a healthy combination!

The onion rings for the satisfaction!

The spinach quiche being crustless, it was both light and yummy!

With a fresh vegetable Caesar’s salad as usual!

And lemon tea to washh it all down!

Revigorating!

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

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, sake, Sake Brewery, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Oni Koroshi Honjozo Genshu

January 30, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The “Oni Koroshi/Kill a Goblin” made by Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City is probably the most famous Oni Koroshi in Japan and actually was the main brand sake of the same brewery.

It is a very dry sake originally aimed at male drinkers but times have certainly changed and everyone is enjoying it!

For the history amateurs!
If you want the translation just ask! LOL

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 17.1 degrees
Dryness: + 9
Bottled in September 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Dry. Nutty.
Chestnuts, cherries, milk coffee
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry attack backed with pleasant alcohol.
Fruity: Apples, cherries
Alcohol not as strong as expected.
Lingers only for a while warming up the back of the palate.
Changes little with food but for a mellower turn backed with stronger alcohol.
Turns mellow with soft nuts once away from food.
As a nurukan/lukewarm shows drier but fruity facets. Turns then very dry but pleasant.

Overall: A sake for all seasons, especially with food. Can be enjoyed any temperature.
Another sake to bring at a BBQ or a raucous party!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Health, Hygyene, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Education, Non smoking, Non-smoking issues, Pavement signs, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Non Smoking Japan: Half Measures in Fujieda City Streets

January 29, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Whereas some cities in Shizuoka Prefecture like Shizuoka, Hamamatsu or Yaizu do try to create a non-smoking environment on their street pavements, the City of Fujieda is only reminding smokers to litter the streets with their fag ends/cigarette butts…..

Mind you, the signs are everywhere, especially around the JR Station.
Prohibiting littering the pavements is good but at the same time such a warning tends to comfort smokers into their habits………………

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 観光, Festivals, Izu Peninsula, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Festivals, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

Japanese Festivals: Nue barai Matsuri in Izu Nagaoka, Shizuoka Prefecture-第４９回鵺ばらい祭

January 29, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

The picture of the day: a smiling face inside a monster’s mouth!

Yesterday I traveled all the way train from Shizuoka City to Izu Nagaoka Station by train and took the the local bus to Yu Rakkasu Park to attend an unusual Matsuri/Japanese Festival!
I managed to arrive one hour before the start of the festivities which allowed me to have a good location at the location and its people!
As in any festival the locals were selling food to the visitors!

Okonomiyaki and karaage!

A local specialty, big deep-fried gyoza!

The stage!

I saw the students from Nagaoka Junior High School arriving directly from their school!
The lady in the middle is Ms. Kamoshita, Director of the Izu No Kuni City Tourism Bureau who had faxed me the details of the vent!

Mount Fuji was looking after us all the time!

The program clearly indicated for everyone’s benefit!

One of the great staff in attendance who kept me informed me all afternoon!

A great hapi/festival coat!

Great kids from Nagaoka Junior High School!
So well-mannered, ever smiling and enthusiastic!
Years ago the festival used to be performed by adults. Now it is exclusively enacted by Nagoka Junior High School!
And from this year boys and girls are equally represented!

the drummers practicing before the event!

The “nue/鵺”!
The nue is a monster of old Japanese lore. Check the NUE LORE HERE!
It is monster with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger and a snake as a tail in Izu Nagaoka.
The legend was brought a lot time ago to Izu Peninsula from Kyoto by a Lord’s wife.
It is a monster/spirit thought to be a bringer of misfortune and illness.
This festival is held every year to make sure it does not appear to mistreat the local inhabitants!

Great kids again including some big boys!

One of the very old drums used during the festival!

A last practice!

But before the Nue Dance we witnessed a Japanese archery/Kyuudou/弓道 demonstration, which an integral part of the festival, held by the local Japanese Archery Association!

These two gentlemen might be of a grand age but they did not miss their target!

Male archers!

And female archers!

The nue did not stand a chance!
The target made of paper was subsequently shredded into small pieces to be distributed among the onlookers for good luck!
I got mine, which might come useful when facing the home dragon!

By then the nue dancers had got ready and were coming out of the changing room!

Some of the costumes had to be carried by hand!

Samurais!

I would like to thank these two young ladies who were so kind to answer this strange foreigner’s questions!

Peace!

Getting ready in the cold wind!

The choreographer giving his last advice!

And the dance starts!

The nue and its minions ready to pounce!

The fever went up a grade with the drumming!

The nue’s minions are taunting the samurai!

Mind you the kids inside are no monsters!

The nue has crept among its minions!

The minions first attempt to frighten the onlookers!

There must be some kind of hierarchy among the minions as a few carry big tail snakes!

The minions are attacking!

Why have they stopped?

This is the reason!

The samurai have come to defend the onlookers by first loosing arrows!

But the nue’s minions are undaunted and chase the samurai who have to unsheathe their swors!

All the while the nue is looking at the action from a safe distance!

Nothing frightening about these two sweet young ladies!

While the nue kept looking at the action I crept behind it for some photoes!

Big and horrible tail!

Nasty head!

The samurai were starting to get the upper hand!

Take that!

The nue’s minons were getting killed one by one!

The nue’s minoons had all been cut down!

The Nue still did not intervene!

Things seemed to be all but lost…

But this is when the Nue finally came into the fray!

The drummers lustily encouraged the samurais!

But the onlookers started throwing beans at it!

The Nue roars back into the fight!

But the samurais show no fear!

The Nue is struck with fear!

The samurais have started their killing dance!

The Nue has no chance!

The Nue is finally down!

The Town and its citizens are saved again this year!

Well done, lads and gals!

The onlookers picking the beans which contributed to the demise of the Nue!

The two choreographers who teach the kids every year!
They are brothers and volunteers.
As the second generation of choreographers they confided that they are aiming at teaching the next generation to make sure the Festival outlives them!
Well done, gentlemen!

All the while local geishas working at the hot springs establishments had been stoically waiting for their turn in the cold!

And they graciously danced for all!
Don’t ask me why I chose this particular lady! LOL

The Nue mascot!

Looking forward to my next visit to Izu Nagaoka!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Health, Hygyene, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Education, Non smoking, Non-smoking issues, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism, Travel

Non-smoking Japan: The Shinkasen Bullet Train Contradiction!

January 29, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

Shinkasen platform, 8th carriage, Shizuoka JR Station!

There is a big contradiction in common transport betwee local trains and Shinkansen Bullet Trains in the Shizuoka Prefecture and in all the stations between at least Tokyo and Osaka!

Poster found at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Tokaido Local Line in Shizuoka JR Station reminding commuters and passengers that the whole area including the platforms are non-smoking!

All local lines, including the Tokaido Line trains have been non-smoking for quite a while and the responsible authorities have been quite aggressive about it with a flurry of new signs being stuck everywhere.

Sign seen in Shiuzoka JR Station!

Bi-lingual, so no arguing, that is unless you want discuss the grammar!

Same sign inside Fujieda JR Station!

The non-smoking “box) on the Shinkasen platform inside Shizuoka JR Station.

Now, why are the rules not only different but confusing for the Shinkansen trains!
Interestingly enough it seems that the East Japan Railways have a different attitude as they seem to be the only line (between at least Tokyo and Osaka, and further?).
I recently rode Shinkasen trains moving east/north from Tokyo and they are all entirely non-smoking!

At least smokers on the Shinkasen tracks in Shiuoka JR Station have been asked (only very recently) to damage their health on their own cubicle at the very far side of the platform in front the 16th carriage door!
By the way what do they mean by “for adult smokers only”?

The only problem is that the 16th carriage is non-smoking!

Non-smoking signs are posted above heads and….

and at your feet, but….

Only the No 8 carriage is indicated as smoking allowed,…

But once you are inside the train you find out that the No 8 carriage is non-smoking!

Now somewhere in the middle of the train a map clearly indicates that carriages 10 and 15 are smoking allowed, a fact which is not advertised on the platforms!

Smoking allowed in carriage No 10 (Green Car=First Class!)!

Smoking alllowed in Carriage N0 15 (Second Class!)

From past experience I can tell you that cars No 9, 11, 14 and 16 had better avoided too as the smoke has a way to pervade into them!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bath, 静岡県, 観光, Foot Bath, Hot Springs, Izu Peninsula, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Hygiene, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Public Hot Spring Foot Bath in Izu Nagaoka, Izu Peninsula!

January 28, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Izu Nagaoka, now part of Izu No Kuni City in Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture is a nationally known hot spring spa/resort and I had to visit it today to cover a local matsuri/festival (report coming soon!).
The place where the matsuri was held is called Yuu Rakkusu Koen/Hot Water Relaxing Park.
I was wondering about the meaning of the park’s name.
It took me little time to discover why!

The sign means “Health Pleasure walking Road”, or the equivalent!

Bathers certainly had a great time in the cold wind!

Th hot water flows directly from a subterranean hot spring!
And it is hot, at least 40 degrees Celsius!

Incidentally smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited!

One foot at a time?

It was founded by the city 14 years ago as proven by the feet print of the then mayor of the Village before it was merged into Izu no Kuni City!

The reason why it is called a Health Pleasure Waking Road!
Visitors are invited to walk barefoot on three different surfaces covered with stones of different sizes and shapes!
A bit tough to me, but they go to length to explain the benefits!
You would certainly need a long bath after that!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bath, 静岡県, 観光, Foot Bath, Fujieda City, Hot Springs, Japan, Japanese Culture, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Public Hot Spring Foot Bath in Fujieda City!

January 28, 2014 dragonlife 8 Comments

Shizuoka Prefecture has the greatest number of hot springs and hot springs spas in Japan.
But recently another type of hot spring bath is getting increasingly popular: public hot spring Foot baths!

One day the Municipality of Fujieda City which sponsors the foot bath would do well to translate in English those explanations and instructions as they are certainly worth it!

Don’t worry the brown color is the real color of the water which is constantly changed although the water flows only in daytime!
Just take your shoes and socks/stockings off and dip your tired in the water for great healthy relaxation!

This sign, among others, explicitly says that smoking is strictly forbidden!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Bars, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 観光, Food Humor, Fujieda City, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Urban Art: FITS Bar in Fujieda City!

January 28, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I was walking along the streets in daytime Fujieda City yesterday when I discovered this establishment not far from the JR Station north exit!

I cannot guarantee the quality of that bar/izakaya although the menu posted outside seemed to mean that the prices were quit reasonable, but the art outside is certainly worth a second and third look!
It is somewhat Halloween-inspired and very unusual in concept for Japan although the humor is very strong there!