Category Archives: Japan

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

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2013/11/14): New Seasonal Release: Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale

November 14, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

New Seasonal Release: Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

As we move deep into the autumn season and inch closer to winter a brisk nip in the air has arrived. To the beer enthusiast, this is the signal to break out the heavy hitting, higher alcohol brews from the cellar. We are doing just that with today’s release of a supremely complex and quietly potent Belgian-style ale: Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale.

New Baird Beer Seasonal Release:
*Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale (ABV 8.5%):

If the genius of British brewing is full flavor in low-alcohol session-able ales, the brilliance of Belgian brewing lies in powerful high-alcohol beers that manage yet to be bright and effervescent. This is exactly what Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale manages to be. It is sprightly potent.

One key to achieving strength in beer without heaviness is to substitute a portion of the malt grist with a highly ferment-able sugar. This is precisely what we have done with Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale — adding Japanese akato (red) sugar to our kettle boil in place of 15% of the mash malt. A small portion of rye malt in the grist serves to accentuate the spicy character imparted by fermentation with our Belgian yeast strain. The hopping is bold and complex — we combine six varieties (Galena, Citra, Wakatu, Tradition, East Kent Golding, Fuggle) in the kettle and re-introduce all of them to the beer post fermentation in a dry-hopping addition.

Momiji Imperial Belgian Red Ale is dangerously quaffable, but we recommend a sipping and savoring approach. It is draught-only (no bottles) and available for immediate shipment from our Numazu brewery. It begins pouring from our Taproom taps tonight (Thursday, November 14).

Tonight also marks the Taproom debut of a special single-hop hand-pump real ale: Fuggle ESB (5.5%). Fuggle, of course, is one of the two classic and storied English aroma hops (the other being Kent Golding). What better way to feature it than in a classically brewed English-style Extra Special Bitter. Fuggle ESB is available exclusively at our Taproom pubs.

Cheers!

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company
Numazu, Japan
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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: 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

レシピ, Beef, 牛肉, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Hamburgers, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Blue Cheese and pineapple Hamburger Lunch at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

November 14, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

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!

It seems I can’t keep away from Hamburgers these days in spite of my being French!
So the other I felt compelled to check the menu at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, again!

Now, what did I order?
Blue Cheese and Pineapple Hamburger Lunch Set!

AS usual extra lettuce for good balance!

The Blue Cheese and Pineapple Hamburger!

For a closer look of the hamburger!

I love the way they secure the whole edifice wit a wooden stick bearing their name!

These hamburgers are always so well balanced! Plenty of lettuce again!

And fresh tomato!

Now, this is true blue cheese, piquant and tasty with salt of the cheese compensated by the sweetness of the fried pineapple ring!

And succulent high class beef, with a good bite!

And plenty of French (Belgian) fries!

And a pot of tea served as it should be to wash it all done!

See you again there!

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

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism, Wall Painting

Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 121~140!

November 13, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

No 121) Beach and Surf!

SYNOPSIS

The other day in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, just as I was about to cross the bridge over the Tomoe Riverjoining S-Pulse Street and Jirouchou Street I noticed a long low wall on my left covered with paintings apparently left there by illustrious unknown amateurs!

No 122) Fish Under the Surface!

No 123) Soccer Kids by “Ringo Kaori Kato”!

No 124) Light on the Pier at Night by “Michiko”!

No 125) Fishing Goddesses

No 126) Fountain by “Miyao”!

No 127) Road to the Sea by “Mari”!

No 128) Raining Flowers by “Moe”!

No 129) Shimizu Gull!

No 130) Oranges at a Kotatsu!

No 131) Soccer-playing Fish!

No 132) Red Sun Beach!

No 133) Dolphins Searching for the Light (and impeded by a ladder!)!

No 134) Starfish on the Beach!

No 135) Red Seahorses by “HF”!

No 136) Walking through High Leaves and Flowers (and being impeded yet by another ladder!)!

No 137) Irises By S.K”!

No 138) Goal keeper by “Aimi & Sasaki”!

No 139) Sea Coral and Starfish by “Yukari N”!

No 140) Undersea fantasy!

No 140) White Corals!

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, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Hawaiian Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Loco Moco, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

American Gastronomy: Hawaiian Loco Moco at Aloha Table in Shizuoka City!

November 13, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: Friendly and smiling
Facilities and equipment: Great cleanliness overall. Superb washroom on same floor
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Hawaiian gastronomy

I have wanted to visit Aloha Table since the Den Bldg was renovated at lunch but I had been discouraged by the long queues until I came a bit later yesterday and finally could find a seat!

The entrance is located on the second floor!

Apparently the original restaurant is in Waikiki, Hawaii!

I had a good look at the menu posted outside first!

Loco moco, that’s what I wanted!

A little geography lesson is always useful!

Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing!

The drink bar!

Menus clearly announced everywhere!

Very simple in concept but appetizing!

Special mark for the free drink bar: consomme soup, lemonade and white wine! As much as you want!

Good-balanced lunch!

The meat patty is very tender and really tasty. A good mark for the sauce, too! Breaking the egg yolk and mixing it with sauce is a pleasure!

And the rice is excellent, too. Not always easy! Eat the whole with a spoon!

Next I must try the Garlic Soft Shell Shrimps!

ALOHA TABLE Hawaiian cafe & Dining
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 4-6, Den Bilg, 2F
Opening hours: 11:00~23:00 (Lunch until 17:00)
Non smoking until 17:00!
HOMEPAGE

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, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Life in Japan, Markets, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Organic Vegetables from Shizuoka Prefecture with Aritsune Akutsu!

November 13, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

My market of the day!
Top left to right: green kohlrabi, dark orange-violet carrots, golden carrots, black daikon.
Bottom left to right: Hinosai turnips, red ginger.

Aritsune Atsuku is the link that all true producers wish to make their vegetables known and sell them.
Aritsune is always on the look out for producers who grow great organic vegetables and help them sell them with the ones he and his produce themselves.
He has a shop, “Real Food market” in Baban-Cho (report to come soon!), Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, but toady he was selling the products of 5 farmers from Fujieda City and Fujinomiya City on the basement floor of Isetan Department Store in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, to try and reach a larger clientele and persuade consumers that the quality of the healthy vegetable he was selling was worth their price!

Aristune has a true passion for healthy food and organic vegetables in particular, although he is not a vegetarian.
Let’s have a look at what he was selling today!

Hinosai turnip and red daikon!
Not only he promotes good organic vegetables but also ones that are still rare in Japan!

Red daikon and golden carrots!

Golden carrots!

Romaine lettuces!

Red ginger!

Reasonable prices for such rare organic vegetables!

Dark red violet carrots in the middle!

Violet Mustard leaves and Pak Shi Coriander!

Green kohlrabi!

Violet daikon!

Another type of violet daikon!

Organic rice!

Customers could taste them raw or buy them steamed with rice onsite!

You can find and buy the same at:

REAL FOOD MARKET AKUTSU
Aritsune Akutsu
Mobile: 080-6902-0456
E-mail: akutuaritune@gmail.com
420-0864 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Baban-Cho, 91
Tel. & Fax: 054-221-4046
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Tuesdays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 牛肉, 美食, 酒, 野菜, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 駅弁, 魚, 魚海の幸, 農業, Fish Markets, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Izakaya, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Life in Japan, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, sashimi, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka marine products, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Shizuoka Seafood, Shizuoka Traditonal Handcarfts, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism

Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 2: Shizuoka City JR Station

November 13, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

What is this fish called at Parche Market inside Shizuoka City JR Station?
Scroll down for the answer!

Shizuoka City JR (Japanese railways) Station is a fairly big one, even by Japanese standards as it situated in the very middle of Japan and sees untold numbers of travelers!

North Exit!

Shizuoka City is divided into three distinct Wards: Aoi Ku in the North, Suruga Ku in the South, and Shimizu Ku in The East.
When I arrived in Shizuoka City in 1976 it was still a shambles of a station all wooden planks and steel frames. But in 1977 it saw its first face-lifting with the creation of Parche Department Store above the Station.

South exit!

Before Parche was open there was not communication between the north and south exits and you had to pay a platform ticket if you were in a hurry, but now, the exits are only 30 second walk from each other and that fact has helped develop the southern half of the city.
The station and its surroundings have since seen a lot of modifications resulting in a fairly modern and clean railway station.
It is worth visiting as it includes so many shops and stores.
I will spare you from the ubiquitous chain diners, coffee shops et al and show you what is worth a stop or at least the reason for it!

Great sandwiches at Subway, just on the right side of the northern exit. I know it is a big franchise chain but the vegetables used are local!

The Shizuoka Tourism Office on the north exit right between the two entrances.
English spoken there at least on weekdays!

The Shinkansen/Bullet Train Tracks Entrance!

The Tokaido Railway Line Tracks entrance!

There are many automatic tickets machines but you can buy and reserve your tickets at the Japan East Railway Line Ticket Booth. English spoken!

Or you could buy the same tickets and reserve tours at The Tokai Tours Company across. English spoken there, too!

You have many direct accesses to the Parche Department Store for all kinds of shopping on the 5 floors!

Bellmart Convenience store where you can buy English newspapers!

Let’s visit the right half of the ground (first) floor of the station first!
I recommend the fresh sandwiches at Cafe Danmark!

Soup Stock Tokyo. Great in winter!

Tokaiken Company Booth: Ekiben/Railway Lunch Boxes!
A must for a long travel as they sell more than a dozen different boxes all containing local food! A great way to discover the Shzuoka gastronomy!

The right side of the station is owned and administered by ASTY Company.
You can enter the complex through 3 different entrances.
Let’s go and see what’s inside!

GRAND SHOP selling all kinds of local food souvenirs!

Belgian Manneken Waffles!

Green Tea Madeleines at Laurier!

Bagels at Bagel & Bagel!

Traditional local Wagashi cakes called Abekawa Mochi!
Great for vegans!

Healthy Japanese food at Osozai Cafe!

Sumpu Raku Ichi!

This shop is a must visit as it sells food and crafts from Shizuoka City and its surroundings!

A multitude of local food souvenirs!

Enormous fresh wasabi with its stems and leaves!

Shizuoka Sake, beer and soft drinks!

the right prat of Sumpu Raku ichi Shop is dedicated to local crafts!

So many of them and regularly changing that it is worth a report of its own!

Saboten Restaurant/Shop for tonkatsu!

Traditional local Japanese gastronomy at Sunchuan Togeppou!
Arguably the best restaurant in the whole station!

Soba/buckwheat noodles restaurant!

Japanese restaurant specializing in Japanese seafood and fish gastronomy!

Japanese-style Western food at Tokyo Nashi Goren!

Coffee, cakes, biscuits, wine, cheese and what else at KALDI!

Some very interesting traditional Japanese apparels at Kyoto Raku Fu Shop!

Japanese izakaya: Roydo!

Hachokura Izakaya: Great local seafood!

Udon noodles and local sake!

Shizuoka and Nagoya-style ramen!

Non-smoking cafe: Platini!

Sankyu Izakaya serving oden and great Shizuoka sake!

Taisaku Izakaya: good seafood and Shizuoka sake!

Yoshineka Shop sells the best Shizuoka himono/sun-dried fish!
Did you know that Shizuoka Prefecture produces half of all himono in Japan?

Great bento there!

Umibouzu Izakaya: Great oden and Shizuoka sake there!

Now let’go to the left half of the edifice and enter Parche Shokuzaikan/Parche Food Market!
Even if you don’t buy anything, it is worth more than one good look!
So much true local food there!

Shizuoka Green Tea!

Shizuoka Wasabi and derived products!

Abekawa Mochi wagashi!

Compose your own sushi lunch there!

Japanese brochettes at Nihonichi!

Takoyaki/octopus dumplings at Takosen!

Organic food at Natural House!

Let’s enter the real (and large) supermarket!
Fruit and vegetables!

Dried and preserves seafood!

Very cheap and tasty sushi bento/donburi!

Great fresh fish and seafood market!
More than half is caught off Shizuoka Prefecture shores!

All these fish were caught in Shizuoka Prefecture!

The answer to the quizz:
Yagara/Trumpet fish caught in Suruga Bay!

One of the best meat delicatessen in town!

Great fried food at reasonable prices for immediate consumption!

Japanese traditional cakes!

Uogashi Conveyor Sushi restaurant!
Quite good for such a restaurant!

Raggenmeyer, an excellent bakery!

And don’t forget the flowers!

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, 美食, 静岡県, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Life in Japan, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

Recommended Lunch Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture: Japanese (November 2013)

November 12, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

tempura at Setsugekka in Shimada City!

Many people only have time to visit restaurants at lunch and it is certainly not easy to find a restaurant with a better lunch with all those cheap diners around!
Here is the fourth installment of a series of reports on recommended lunch restaurants in Shizuoka Prefecture which will be classified as follows:
-French
-Italian
-Western (American, European, et al)
-Japanese
-Asian
-Vegan & Vegetarian
-Ethnic
-Healthy

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!

KIIRO IZAKAYA

Service: Very kind and smiling
Equipment and Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. No shoes allowed inside. Very clean washroom
Prices: Reasonable considering the enormous portions!
Strong points: Pork and tonkatsu!

KIIRO
Shizuoka City, Aoi ku, Takajo, 2-3-2, Sun City Takajo, 1F
Tel.: 054-254-0453
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~22:30
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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

EKIMAE MATSUNO SUSHI

Service: Very friendly, attentive and informative
Facilities: Overall clean if a bit old-fashioned
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Mainly local fish and seafood. Local sake. Always ready to improvise!
Entirely non-smoking!

EKIMAE MATSUNO SUSHI/駅前松乃寿
Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 3-3 (Just in front of Shizuoka JR Railway Station
Tel.: 054-252-0123
Business hours: 11:00~21:00
Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Entirely Non-Smoking!

TOMII

Service: Professional and attentive
Equipment: Great overall cleanliness, superb washroom
Prices: Slightly expensive
Strong Points: Refined Japanese gastronomy. Great list of Shizuoka Sake.

TOMII
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg, 1F
Tel.: 054-274-0666
Business hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays

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)

SUMPU NO NKUDOKORO

Service: Friendly, attentive and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful and modern gender-separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable (wayuu is not cheap anywhere!)
Strong points: Almost completely local ingredients. High class beef and pork. Great local sake and shochu list! Non-smoking at lunch time!

Sumpu No Nikudokoro
Shizuoka Sodachi
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Oote Machi, 2-15, MRK Bldg., 2f (across Cenova Dept. Store above 7 eleven convenience store)
Tel.: 054-251-4129
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~23:00
Closed on third Wednesday of each month
Credit Cards OK
Reservations highly recommended for dinner!
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

NARUKAWA SUSHI

Service: Professional and very friendly. Keen to please customers
Facilities: Very clean overall. Great washroom
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Extensive usage of local fish. Shizuoka sake.

NARUKAWA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 1-5-2
Tel.: 054-221-1689
Business hours: 11::30~13:30, 17:00~02:00
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Jpanese)

IZAKAYA HACHOKURA

Service: Friendly
Facilities: Clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Lots of fresh local fish and produce. Great range of sake and shochu.

HACHOKURA/八丁蔵
Shizuoka City, Kurogane Cho 48 (inside Shizuoka JR Railway Station), Asty West Building
Tel.: 054-255-8180
Opening hours: 11:00~22:30
Credit Cards OK
Parties welcome
Smoking allowed

KOGAWA HARBOR (YAIZU CITY) CANTEEN

Service: Friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Tradional and clean
Prices: Very Reasonable
Strong points: All fresh fish from Kogawa (Yaizu) fishing harbor!

Kogawa Fishing Harbor Canteen/小川港魚河岸食堂
425-0033 Yaizu Shi, Kogawa, 3392-9
Tel.: 054-624-6868
Business hours: 07:00~14:00
Open all year round except for the New Year and mid-summer O-Bon

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

CHIGUSA

Service: shy but very friendly
Facilities: traditional but very clean
Prices: reasonable for eels (eels are very expensive in Japan)
Strong points: Eels! Only local fish used! Great view on Hamana Lake

CHIGUSA ちぐさ/千草
Hamamatsu City, kita Ku, Mikkabi Cho, Mikkabi, 1148-10
Tel.: 053-525-0218
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 16:00~20:00
Closed on 31st of December and 1st of January only
Reservations strongly recommended
Take-outs OK!
Cards OK
Non-smoking at lunch time
Car park available (30 spaces)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)

UKIDONO

Service: Friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Superb cleanliness overall and beautiful washroom
Prices: Slightly expensive but good value
Strong points: Superb Japanese gastronomy in a beautiful setting. Great list of Shizuoka sake!

UKIDONO
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi, 11-1, Fugetsuro
Tel.: 054-2520131
Business hours: 11:30~15:00; 17:00~22:00 (until 21:00 on Sundays)
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK

CHOJIYA

Service: Friendly and informative
Equipment & Facilities: Old but very clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Traditional japanese food in a traditional environment full of history!

CHOJIYA
421-0103 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Mariko, 7-10-10 (Take the bus going to Fujieda from North Exit Platform No 7 at Shizuoka JR Station. Get off at Marikobashi Iriguchi stop!)
Opening hours: 11:00~19:00
Closed on Thursdays and last Wedenesday of the month
Entirely non-smoking!
HOMEPAGE (English)

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!

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Shizuoka Shochu Tasting: Takashima Brewery-TBL Eau-de-vie Rice Shochu

November 12, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Takashima Brewery, which is primarily a sake brewery in Numazu City, Eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Is making itself another name with its superlative shochu. Using thier sake white lees, they have already put no less than four different brands on the market!
TBL stands for Takashima Brewery Limited and Eau-de-vie (“Life Water”) is French for Life Spirits!

At 255 alcohol (not 25 degrees) it is pretty heady but normal as far as alcohol content is concerned!
My dear friend Sissi will be glad to hear about another shochu from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Rice Shochu made with ginjo sake white lees as well as rice and rice kouji.
Yeast: Shizuoka NEW-5
matured for 1 year
Alcohol: 25%

Clarity: Extremely clear
Color: Transparent
Aroma: Comparatively mild and discreet. Dry. Fruity: notes of bananas and custard.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Strong well-rounded dry attack warming up back of the palate.
***Tasted at room temperature: Dry and fruity.
Complex. Faint bananas and dry almonds.
Strong and pleasant alcohol.
very elegant approach. Disappears quickly on a softer note with more dry almonds.
***Tasted on ice: Reveals new facets as it gradually warms inside the mouth.
Bananas, macadamia nuts, hints of dark chocolate.

Overall: Extremely elegant sake white lees (riceis a different license!), typical of Takashima Brewery!
Can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own or poured over plenty of ice.
Great with Perrier or any high quality mineral water.
No need to mix it with anything else!
A shochu for all seasons and both genders! Shochu loving ladies will find it very elegant!

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Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 1: Shuzenji in Izu Peninsula!

November 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The only real Wasabi Shochu in the whole world by Bandai Brewery in Shuzenji!

If you wish to visit the Izu Peninsula, especially away from the beaten tracks, Shuzenji Station should be your starting point!
Wherever you come from in Japan or Shizuoka Prefecture, first go Mishima City and change trains from the JR Railway Line to the Private Izu Hakone Senzu Line which will take you all the way to Shizenji, its final destination.
Shuzenji is a, if not the, major hubub in Izu Peninsula whose hot springs have been famed for unknown centuries.

Shuzenji Hot Springs sign in front of the station.

But when it comes to discover and buy local products for really original gifts and souvenirs, Shuzenji Station is the best place as it provides for all in small enough space to enjoy browsing!
Let me take you on a quick tour!

Shuzenji Station seen from the outside.

What’s that small food booth by the entrance?

Local ekiben/railway bentos, 7 of them! A must for your meal on your way back!

There are two entries to the shop. Pick yours!

But you are already hungry?
No problem, there is a hot food stand inside the souvenir shop!
Once you feel revived, we can start shopping!

Izu Peninsula is by definition is surrounded by the sea. Now, how about some nori/dry seaweed seasoned with wasabi? Incidentally, Shizuoka Prefecture produces no less than 80% of the whole Japanese wasabi crop!

The shop is full of artifacts to remind you this is wasabi land! (actually the second land in Shizuoka Prefecture, as wasabi was first grown in Utougi/有東木 in Shizuoka City!)

When it comes to wasabi related processed products, it is just an embarrassment of choices!

Now, something for the vegans and vegetarians, Kuromai Daifuku/Black Rice Buns/黒米大福, Soba Daifuku/そば大福, Mame daifuku/Soy Beans Buns/豆大福 and more!

Jam Sticks made with fruit cultivated in Izu Peninsula whose fruit is another major product!

For vegans and vegetarians again: Kuromai Udon/黒米うどん/Black Rice Udon, and Shizenjyou Soba/自然薯/Wild Yam Soba!

More wasabi-related processed products!

Japanese sake line-up (of the more reasonable prices) from Bandai Brewery, the only sake brewery in Shuzenji and Izu peninsula!

Forget the bottle on the left… the bottles in the center are shochu from local rice by Fujinishiki Brewery (located nesr Mount Fuji), a white loquat wine bottle by Bandai Brewery and some fiey shochu by the same!

The only real Wasabi Shochu in the whole world by Bandai Brewery in Shuzenji!

Real wines by the Naka Izu Winery, the only wine-producing compabny in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Again, more wasabi-related processed products!

This is only a small round-up, and I’m sure you will find more to your liking!

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Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 101~120!

November 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

No 101) Abstract River and Field!

SYNOPSIS

No 102) Heda Bay in front of Mount Fuji by “A.T”!

No 103) Tea hand-picking in front of Mount Fuji!

No 104) Sea Ghosts by “Rina”!

No 105) Tasty Strawberry!

No 106) Tropical Sea Landscape by “Sakura & Ine with T”!

No 107) Smiling Red-haired beauty by “Satsuki”!

No 108) Hunting Astride a Shark!

No 109) Dantesque Sky!

No 110) Palm Tree!

No 111) 1998 World Soccer cup Champions France!

No 112) Oranges!

No 113) Walking Among Fish!

No 114) Dolphins na Flower by “Ai”!

No 115) Shimizu Tanabata Festival by “Keiko”!

No 116) Flying Fish!

No 117) Fireworks viewing from the harbor in front of Mount Fuji by “Chiemi & Yasuko”!

No 118) Fantastic Ship by “Arisa”!
Another favorite of mine!

No 119) Soccer-playing Kids!

No 120) Hagoromo Veil by “Yuka”!

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Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 81~100!

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

No 81) Summer nature by “BERTH MO”!

SYNOPSIS

No 82) “Red in blue” by “Tomoki”!

No 83) Blue Whales by “Katsuyama Ayano”!

No 84) Trick or Treat!

No 85) Bleeding Angel by “Imano Mai”!

No 86) Whale, Fish 6 Shellfish!

No 87) Summer Flowers by “Yoshi With C”!

No 88) Color Fish by “HARU & M”!

No 89) Red Balloon and Mount Fuji!

No 90) Greedy Fish!

No 91)

No 91) Busy Pets!

No 92) Girl Resting her Feet after Berry Picking by “Yuri”!

No 93) Coral Fish by “L.M”!

No 94) Sea monsters by “Asako”!

No 95) Matsuri by “Ayako”!

No 96) Fish love by “Aruka”!

No 97) messy Cooking by “Chika”!

No 98) Undersea Princess by “Takayo”!

No 99) Abstract Sea wWrld by “Fufu”!

No 100) Monster Fish!

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Japanese Gastronomy: Tsubaki Zaka Kubota in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly and attentive
Equipment & facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom. Parking
Prices: Appropriate to slightly expensive
Strong points: Fusion Japanese-western gastronomy making good use of fresh products. Traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Being located in a residential area of Suruga Ku abut Shimizu Ku Tsubazaki Zaka Kubota is not easy to find even from Undojyomae Station on the Shizutetsu Line, so you may be better off going there by taxi.

it was established six years ago by Mr. Kubota and his wife inside an enormous traditional Japanese house where most of the original atmosphere has been preserved.
You can sit either on tatami or on chairs in diverse rooms which also includes a counter bar. This is a busy place so do reserve on the phone beforehand!

All types of drinks are offered including wine, beer, sake with a couple of local ones, shochu, fruit juices et al.

The gastronomy, although predominantly Japanese, is more of a fusion concept combining Japanese and Western trends making ample use of very fresh products, be they vegetables, meat or seafood!

Bonito/katuso sashimi and tartare.

Sorry for the general blurriness of the pictures but it is comparatively dark with muted colors making photography vey hard but contributing to a cozy atmosphere!

Bonito is a Shizuoka trademark as fish and sea food!

Vegetables kakiage!

Japanese salad made with Japanese yam and cucumber!

Sauce and raw egg yolk for the salad!

Watarigani crab cream sauce spaghetti!

As good as in Italy!

Oyster chawanmushi!

Stir-fried pork and leeks!

mushroom risotto!

Steamed and stir-fried cockles and kushinsai!

Coffee served as it should be!

TSUBAKI ZAKA KUBOTA
427-8007 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Sei Ichi iro, 487-2
Tel.: 054-245-4886
Opening hours:
Lunch (on reservation only): 11:00~15:00
Course at 2,100 yen
Dinner (reservations advised): 17:00~22:00
A la Carte or courses4,200~6,300 yen
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE/BLOG

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Soba Buckwheat Noodles Restaurant: Tagata Zairai Soba in Shizuoka City!

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

The other day two friends of mine who actually plan to study professionally the art of making soba suggested we all went for lunch to a new small soba restaurant which served buckwheat noodles exclusively made with Japanese buckwheat!
Of course I just couldn’t refuse discovering such a place knowing than more than 80% of soba we eat in this country are made from imported buckwheat flour!

It is clearly indicated that the place serves only zarai soba/在来蕎麦/native buckwheat noodles!

Of course all the noodles are made on site and are so reasonable. Even the local sake is reasonable! Remember that in Edo times sake was almost exclusively served at soba restaurants!

Such a clean place!

You do have to be a bit patient as noodles are prepared only upon order!

Soup/broth for the noodles with grated wasabi and chopped scallions!

My friends had ordered the lunch set so they shared their mushrooms musubi/rice balls with me!

As well as some beautiful tamagoyaki served with grated daikon!

My first serving of buckwheat noodles!
By the way the correct way to eat them is to first taste one without any seasoning then eat the rest dipping the soba into the broth (not too much, mind you!)!

Really appetizing, aren’t they?

Served on a beautiful earthen ware plate with the character ta/田 for “field” which is the first Chinese character of the restaurant place Tagata/田形!
On the left you will notice another beautiful earthenware pot containing the soba yu/蕎麦湯/hot water in which the same noodles were boiled to be added an drunk with whatever broth you have left!

My second serving!

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

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmai Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Origarami Nama Genshu

November 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

When you are looking for Negami Brewery you need to be on a constant look out and still benefit from a lot of luck!
I found it in S Pulse Dream Plaza of all places and there were two different types, one of nigori/white lees and one of ogarami/little white lees. As there was only one bottle of the latter I didn’t hesitate.

The other interesting aspect was the label which described the brewing in great detail!

The only indication of the Negami Brewery Brewery Negami brand is found in the seal at the bottom left of the label!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Milled down to 50% for the koji rice and 60% for the sake rice
Genshu: No water added
Nama; Unpasteurized
Yeast: Shizuoka yeast and brewery yeats
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Shubo/Starter: June 28th~August 6th 2013
Moromi/Main mash: August 6th~September 11th
Pressed on Septmebr 11th 2013
Bottled in September 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Discreet and elegant. Alcohol. Fruity: plums, dry persimmons
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Strong well-rounded attack backed up with pleasant alcohol and puissant junmai petillant.
Dry and complex.
Disappears fairly quickly.
Very fruity: plums, dry persimmons with notes of custard, dark chocolate and raisins.
Surprisingly stands up to food with a sweeter note, but definitely more enjoyable on its own.
Both delicate and assertive in spite of high alcohol content.
Overall: A discovery! And such a rare sake to boot!
Extremely enjoyable and sophisticated.
Makes for a superb aperitif best drunk at room temperature to discover all its changing facets.
Would do brilliantly with cheese and desserts, too!
Pity it is so limited!

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