Category Archives: Photography

Design, Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Izu Peninsula, Japan, Japanese Culture, Manhole covers, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 17: Izu Peninsula (Part 2)

December 30, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

A magnificent mint manhole cover in Itoh City with the characters of “The Izu Dancer” story by Yasunori kawabata!

Another beautiful mint manhole cover in Itoh City!

The same in black and white!

Sea bathers on a mint manhole cover in Itoh City!

The same in black and white!

Camelias Manhole covers in Itoh City!

Fish design manhole cover in Itoh City to remind you that Izu Peninsula is surrounded by one of the richest seas in Japan!

A fire hydrant manhole cover in Itoh City!

A very ancient medium-sized sewer manhole cover in Itoh City!

A beautiful mint water manhole cover in Izu Nagaoka which has been since merged into Izu no Kuni City!

A beautiful mint manhole cover in Shuzenji which has since been merged into Izu City!

Irises manhole cover in Shuzenji!

A beautiful mint Manhole cover in Nagaizumi!

The same on a pavement!

A beautiful fire hydrant manhole cover in Nagaizumi!

A cute mint manhole cover in Minami Izu Cho, a touristic spot!

The same in black and white!

Another beautiful mint manhole cover in Minami Izu Cho representing the Teishi Koina Festival and lobsters!

A sewer manhole cover in Minami Izu Cho!

Fireworksand Bon Odori dance in Minami Izu Cho!

A double manhole cover in Matsuzaki!

Fish manhole cover in Higashi Izu Cho!

A small manhole cover in Higashi Izu Cho!

A rectangular manhole cover with a map of Higashi Izu Cho!

A rectangular fire hydrant manhole cover in Higashi Izu Cho!

A manhole cover type found elsewhere but with the central motif of Naka Izu Cho!

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, 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

Environment, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Pavement art, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Pavement Tourism Signs in Shizuoka Prefecture 1

December 29, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

A direction guide pavement sign just before entering Shizuoka JR Station!

Cities in Shizuoka, and I’m sure in many cities in Japan have an interesting, artful and subtle way to advertise their tourism as well as to introduce their many symbols: pavement signs!
I can guarantee you it could develop into another urban art photography album!

You will find those two signs together in Miyuki Street, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

“Touristic Shizuoka”!

“Miyuki Street”!

Shizuoka Prefecture symbol bird, “Sankochou/Paradise Fly Catcher”!

Shizuoka City symbol bird, “Kawasemi/Kingfisher”!

Shizuoka City symbol flower, “Tachiaoi/Hollyhock”!

Shizuoka City symbol tree, “Hanamizuki/Flowering Dogwood”!

Shizuoka Prefecture Flower, “Tsutsuji/Azalea”!

Shizuoka Prefecture symbol tree in Miyuki Street, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, “Mokusei/Fragrant Olive Tree”!

Shizuoka City does not seem to agree on its symbol tree as demonstrated in Komagata Street, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, “Keyaki/Japanese selkova!

Yaizu City symbol flower, “Satsuki/Satsuki azalea or Rhododendron indicum”!

Yaizu City symbol bird, “Yurikamome/Black-headed Gull”！

Yaizu City symbol tree:”Matsu/Pine Tree”!

You will this multiple tile sign on the basement pavement leading to the Shizuoka JR Station elevator!

You can’t miss it!
Now, what does it say?

“Welcome to Shizuoka”!
Note the oranges and strawberries which Shizuoka is famous for!

The kanji in the middle stands for “Tatsumi-yagura”!

Direction to Tokiwa Park and Aoba Symbol Road!

Sumpu Park was originally the location of the castle of Tokugawa-Ieyasu. Tatsumi-yagura (rebuilt to celebrate 100 year history of the City of Shizuoka　in 1997).

Direction to Sengen Street!

Direction to Shizuoka JR Station!

The City of Fujieda City reminds visitors it is the birthplace of soccer in Japan!

A mejiro bird in Izu Nagaoka, Izu no Kuni City in Izu Peninsula!

Care to join the chase in other cities?

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Mount Fuji Winter Urban Sites in Shizuoka City!

December 29, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Winter is probably the best time to take pictures of Mount Fuji as you can see it hundred of miles away!
In Shizuoka City it practically jumps out in front of you if you look to the east!

I was riding my bicycle along Route One in the east direction on my way to Gokoku Shrine when Mount Fuji looked at me in the distance!

Above the private Shizutetsu Railway Line!
Do you notice the train on theleft?

You could also see it driving a car but I very much doubt you could stop along the pavement like I did on my bicycle letting the traffic flow by!

So many aerial cables!

Peeping from under an overhead bridge!

Interesting spot for a rope walker!

Just before turning int Gokoku Shrine!

The last view ofthe day!

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Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Izu Peninsula, Japan, Japanese Culture, Manhole covers, Manholes, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 16: Izu Peninsula (Part 1)

December 28, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

A beautiful mint sewer manhole cover from Ohito Town which merged into the new city of Izu No Kuni City!

This time let’s have a look at Izu Peninsula!
It is pretty complicated as the whole map of Izu Peninsula was revolutionized with the mergers of many towns and villages into cities, some of them brand new!

The same without the colors!

A flowery manhole cover without the colors in Ohito!

Also in Ohito a sewer type seen in many places in the Prefecture with slight differences in their central motif!

Another type in Atami City I hadn’t discovered in the former article on Atami City!
Note the central motif!

Shimoda City at the southern tip of Peninsula City boasts a lot of manhole covers due to its place in history with the arrival of the Black Ship in the 19th Century!
The above mint does not have colors inside the sails!

The sails in this mint are colored!

Same mint as above but with a different background color!

Same as above but without the colors!

A different type without the colors!

A sewer manhole cover type found elsewhere but with the Shimoda central motif!

A rain water manhole cover type found elsewhere but with the Shimoda central motif!

The same as above but for sewers!

This one is not from Shimoda but doanted to Shimoda City by Funabashi Village as they share history with the Black Ship!

The above was also donated to Shimoda City by Naga City for the same reason!

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レシピ, Beef, Culture, 美食, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Fusion Gastronomy, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Non-smoking restaurants, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, Sake Brewery, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism, 日本料理

Japanese High Gastronomy: Dinner at Kamoshibito in Shizuoka City!

December 28, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very friendly and informative
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. Superb washroom
Prices: Slightly expensive but appropriate and very good value
Strong points: Authentic Japanese High Gastronomy mainly achieved with local seasonal products. Great sake and wines! Entirely non-smoking!

Kamoshibito is arguably the best Japanese Cuisine Restaurant in the Prefecture for many reasons: most of the ingredients ar locally grown, bred or caught. Although the menus are set, the food is both modern and traditional with no ostentation and in true harmony with seasons and local gastronomy.
When you know that Chef Shigeharu Sano/佐野茂治さん is no less than a former apprentice and disciple of Toru Okuda, owner-chef of 3-Star Michelin Restaurant in Ginza. Tokyo, from the years in Shizuoka City to the time Toru Okuda moved to Tokyo in 2003 and beyond, you stop wondering why such high gastronomy exists in Shizuoka City!

When you realize that Kamoshibito is entirely non-smoking, you come to realize that Chef Shigeharu Sano does care about the true aromas taste of his creations!

The establishment is small with only a maximum of 4 seats at the counter and 5 more inside the dining room.
You do need to reserve in advance or at least check on the phone well in advance!

The menus are all sets from 3~4000 yen to 8~9000 yen. We cose the medium-priced one, which Shihgeharu said would be enough by a distance!

Right from the first appetizer you understand where you are!
Sea urchin with tofu sheets, simmered cod roe, Home-made roastbeef with Shizuoka-bred beef, and oyster escabeche!

Snow crab chawan mushi (Japanese-style salted pudding)!

When Shigeharu, who knows me well, saw me slowly scooping the the snow crab away he gently scolded and advised me to eat together with the pudding under it!

he was absolutely right when I discovered plenty of tidbits contained inside the pudding while the very bottom of it was a mixture of pudding and snow crab brains/kanimiso!

Although the tiny kitchen is a bit overflowing with utensils, it is a joy to sit at the counter and watch the sashimi being prepared!

The fresh grated wasabi root is naturally from Shizuoka City, but grown by Mr. Masahiro Sugiyama In Umegashima!

The sashimi plate!

Tuna/maguro, sole/hirame/lightly pickled mackerel/shimesaba and octopus/mizudago!

Shizuoka-bred beef steamed with vegetables and home-made ooba miso!

You certainly don’t need forks or knives with such a tender meat!

More Shizuoka-bred beef!

This time as hot roastbeef seasoned with home-made kinsanji miso!

A favorite Japanese delicacy of mine!

Foil paper grilled shirako/cod sperm sacs!

Now, this is true fusion gastronomy with Japanese and french influences!

Snow crab on chigensai/green pak choi with a sauce combining gomadare/sesame sauce and mild blue cheese!

From another angle!
Now, where could you find this in France?

I know that Shigeharu has all kinds of sake from Shizuoka and beyond hidden in various parts of his establishment, and for once I opted for a superb sake not from Shizuoka Prefecture: Hakurakusei/伯楽星 Tokubetsu Junmai from Miyagi Prefecture!

Served both in a tasting glass and drinking earthenware!

Pickled vegetables and cuttlefish!

A superb light broth soup to warm you up ebfore going back into the cold!

Containing jidori chicken balls, scallops and turnips among others!
I like the notion (Chinese by the way) to be served a hot soup before dessert!

Yes, Shigeharu concocts his own desserts!

Chocolate and vanilla gateau de savoie with Shizuoka City-grown Bennihoppe/Red Cheeks strabweery mousse!

Must definitely pay another visit in early spring!

KAMOSHIBITO
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryougae Cho, 304, Ryogae Cho ST Bldg., 1F
Tel.: 054-653-2300
Opening hours: 17:30~
No fixed holidays
Cash only
Entirely non-smoking!

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 米, 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, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Risotto, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

My best 10 Best Risottos in Shizuoka City!

December 25, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Baked Milanese saffran risotto at Solio!

Shizuoka City being in the middle of a Prefecture benifiting from the greatest variety of ingredients in the country is replete with great restaurants, especially Italian establishments that could well have a lot of famed chefs blushing of envy!

This means that the average level is high and the competition fierce.
I do not complain as this state of affairs allows me to enjoy my favorite Italian dish, namely risotto!

Foir gras risotto at Caravin!

Spring chrysanthemum leaves and oyster risotto at Contorno!

Foie gras risotto at Pissenlit!

Broccoli and peas risotto at Piatto!

Winter Piemonte truffles risotto at Solio!

Mussles risotto at Solio!

Wild boar sausage risotto at Solio!

Foie gras risotto at Hana Hana!

Spinach risotto at Solio!

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American Gastronomy: Meat Loaf with Mashed Potatoes and Demi-Glace Sauce Lunch at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

December 24, 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 is cold these days, even in in Shizuoka City, the second mildest area in Japan after Okinawa, and to top it all I had been fighting off my regular Atumn/Winter cold when I needed something hot and fulfilling for lunch the other day!

It was only natural that I took refuge at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, as it is one of the biggest and warmest cafe/restaurants in town!
Someone might comment that I’m becoming American in Winter when I chose the Meat Loaf with Mashed Potatoes and Demi-Glace Sauce Lunch Set (I didn’t have the courage to point out the typos!)!

Simple, appetizing, healthy and fulfilling, just what I needed!

The meat loaf was definitely American comfort food in spite of the French (?) demi glace Sauce!

But being French, I love mashed potatoes when I can mix them with the sauce!

It might look very simple but the carrots, beans and egg contribute to good balance!

Especially with plenty of fresh Caesar salad!

I must apologize to my American friends: what I had thought all the time to be carrot bread is in fact corn bread!
Incidentally, delicious!

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

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Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Life, Life in Japan, Manhole covers, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism, Yaizu City

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 15: Yaizu City

December 23, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

One of the most beautiful manhole covers in Yaizu City I discovered near the City Hall!
I couldn’t determine if the fish are tuna or bonito as both are brought there in large numbers!

Yaizu City is one of the major fishing harbor cities in Japan with Numazu City and Shimoda City Tokyo couldn’t survive without. The other day I intensively research the city for manhole covers and I came with more than I bargained for as I included the whole technical range!

Brace yourselves!

An older big manhole with tuna/bonito!
I couldn’t find it colored version!

This one is probably the most famous of all with Mount Fuji and tuna/bonito!

The same in different colors!

The same again without the colors!

An old-style sewer manhole cover!

The same but newer and different in minute details!

This manhole cover was truly enormous!

Another sewer type manhole cover!

A very large sewer-type manhole cover!
Note the central motif generally found in Yaizu City!

Practically the same but medium-sized!

A similar but older type and without the central motif!

Another celebrated manhole cover over a fire hydrant and celebrating the Yaizu Harbor Festival!

This type can be found in many cities but this is the first time I discovered one with “GAS” written in English!

Once again a common small sized one but with “valve pit” written in English and “GAS” in Japanese!

The same as above but “valve pit” both in English and Japanese!

The two of them side by side!
Take your pick!

A large one “blended” in its surroundings!
I will have to to find out what “C.C.B.” means!

Another modern but rectangular sewer manhole cover “blended” into its surroundings!

Similar as above but square!

Two different types together over heavy water machinery access!

I found many of this small and cute type in the city so I doubt that they are private!

An older and slightly smaller version than the above!

A newer type of a water valve pit cover with clear measure indications!

Another newer water valve pit cover,probably private!

A private water valve pit cover!

An old gas valve pit cover!

A tiny C.C.B valve pit cover with the Yaizu City motif!

An old medium-sized sewer manhole cover!

A medium-sized sewer manhole cover which can bear up to 400 kg!

A rare old type of valve pit cover!

This comparatively small-sized private rain water cover is written with “No cars allowed to run over”!

The same, but form another company!

This one is owned by Harmonate Company!

A smaller and different type from the same company!

I found this medium type rain water cover on the platform of Yaizu JR station platform which can bear up to 400 kg!

The same as above but without the central motif and the ability to bear up to 450 kg!

Blimey, 37 pictures in all!

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Cakes, 美食, Design, Desserts, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism, Vegan, Vegan Cuisine, Vegan Dessert, vegetables, Vegetarian cuisine

Vegan Christmas Cakes & New Year Confectionery: Japanese Wagashi!

December 23, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Pyramid-style Christmas Tree?

Here are some more suggestions for Christmas Cakes through re-published articles!
Have fun!

NOTE: I’m an unrepentant agnostic hedonist (and an omnivore to boot!), but since some of my vegan and vegetarain friends are Christian, I hope these pictures will inspire them!

Flowery Christmas!

What’s in Santa’s bag?

Bring your forks and knives!

Holy (Holly) Christmas!

For the toddlers!

Pity you have to eat it!

Definitely Japanese-style!

They almost look like sushi!

Elegant simplicity!

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Oumuraya Sake Brewery Poster in Shimada JR Station!

December 23, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

This is the third picture I took the other day inside Shimada JR Station on my way down onto the platform.

There are other posters of sake breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture railway stations but as as I know this is the only poster featuring all the regular brands (private and commemorative/limited brands would cover a whole wall!) on one poster!

There is one particular label which is known all over Japan: the one on the extreme right is that of “Onna Nakase/女泣かせ/To make a woman cry!”. I know many collectors who would like that particular label!

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Station: The Drawing and meaning of The Kanji Characters!

December 23, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

After all I had a good time the other day taking pictures inside Shimada JR Station away from the wind and the cold as proven by the Ghost Ikebana Picture and a third one!

Station is “Eki” in Japanese and the Kanji character is “駅”

The left half of “駅” is “馬” for “Horse”!
The designer had a great idea to use a neck tie for the second vertical line!
The second part of “駅” is “尺” which is measurement unit used in old times. In short “駅/eki” means a post or station where horses could be exchanged!

Footnote: This is a poster demonstrating the work of police to keep stations safe from criminality!

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静岡県, 駅弁, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shimada City, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Ghost Ikebana in Shimada JR Station?

December 23, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Shimada Station for all the size of the City and the proximity of Shizuoka Mount Fuji Airport is one of the drabbest ones in the Prefecture. Mind you nearby Kanaya Station does a lot to compensate as it is part of Shimada City!

I had 10 minutes to spare waiting from my train back home and did not want to spend on the cold and windy platform.

I found this live ikebana/flower arrangement in its display glass case and tried to take a picture of it. Unfortunately at night the neon lamps prevented me to make a deserving rendition of the beautiful arrangement but I ended with this fluke shot which rewarded my futile efforts!

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由比, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, History, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Sakura ebi, Sakura shrimp, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism, 桜海老

Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 3: Yui JR Station and Vicinity

December 22, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Some stations, even larger ones, are better left alone, but one should give at least one chance to any you venture to get off as there is always a chance that such a station and its vicinity contain enough helpful information, especially in a touristic spot.

Yui is such a station along the Tokaido Railway Line about 20 minutes from Shizuoka JR Station in the east direction and found between Okitsu and Kambara Stations.
After all Yui has always been an important stage along the various routes coursing Japan between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto as superbly described in many ukiyo-e/woodblock prints.
So, although the railway station is tiny, keep your eyes open (and don’t forget you can espy Mount Fuji from the overhead tracks bridge!)!

I know a lot of stations which don’t bother, but you will find a window display of the local products typical of Yui.
Bear in mind that Yui was a city of its own before being recently merged with Shizuoka City and Shimizu Ku!

Ogura Co. specializes in processed sakura ebi/cherry shrimps and fish!

Yui Cannery Co. is famous all over Japan for its “White Ship” olive oil tuna cans!

Inaba Co is another big tuna cannery!

Kakusa Co specializes in processed fish products, especially dry and liquid fish dashi/soup stock!

The Yui Cake (Japanese cakes) Association is also featuring their products!

With all that fish around Yui is home to high end brand of dog and cat food producers!

Yui is also home of famous kamaboko/steamed fish paste and kuro hanpen/black sardine fish paste cakes, the latter found only in Shizuoka Prefecture as demonstrated by the Yui Kamaboko Makers Association!

Next time you visit Yui buy some in the many shops along Sakura Ebi Street as an unusual souvenir! Great with sake or beer!

The small but renown Hiroshige Museum hang their posters inside to inform all-comers of their events!
A must visit in Yui!

Yui might be small but you will gratified to discover that most signs are bi-lingual (sometimes with funny renditions!)!

A must take picture: the Sakura Ebi Portal at the the entrance of Sakura Ebi Street!
The contraption was only moved there recently!

You will find the double Yui Emblem of Sakura Ebi and Mount Fuji everywhere, so keep your eyes open for some interesting shots!

You will find big signs hung by local establishments but like in any touristic spots big signs do not always guarantee the best of quality. To take with a pinch of salt! After all there is plenty around!

Past the exit on your right you will find this first map board. Have a look at it even if you do not understand Japanese as more bilingual boards are near!

It will give you a first idea of what to look for!

Tokai Nature Trail bilingual board! Take your time to consult it!

Take good note!

You must take a look at Village Head Koike’s Mansion on Tokaido (meaning “Village Head/Chief’s Mansion along the Tokaido route. Free entrance) that I will talk about in an article soon to be posted and the Museum of Light, one of the only three lighting (candles and so on) museums in Japan! (entry 500 yen including coffee and an oral and manual demonstration!)!

The Yui Edo Period Lodging Stations Guide Board!

Take your time and read it!

And don’t forget the sakura ebi & Mount Fuji emblems, they are everywhere, even on manhole covers!

FOR MORE REPORTS ON YUI AND SAKURA EBI do consult the following reports:

–Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps: Catching Season Opened in Yui!
–Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimps Catching in Yui. Still Hard Work!”
–Japanese Crustacean Species 7: Sakura Shrimp-Sakura Ebi-桜海老
–O Taiko Festival at Toyosumi Shrine in Yui, Shizuoka City on the New Year!
–Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 14: Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Shark Bus in Shizuoka City!

December 22, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

I finally caught the “Shark Bus” in Shizuoka City!
I had noticed quite a few times and was really looking forward to take pics of it!

I was cycling on the pavement (it is ok in Japan!) and Had to stop at a traffic light when the bus just stopped by my side!
I just had the time to get off my bicycle and take pictures before it went away!
Some people may have wondered what this gaijin nerd was about!

Mind you all that seafood does not seem to worry about that horrible shark!

The design is actually the winning of a contest organised among primary schools in Shizuoka!

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O Taiko Festival at Toyosumi Shrine in Yui, Shizuoka City on the New Year!

December 21, 2013 dragonlife 3 Comments

On the new Year there are indeed quite a few unusual festivals happening, and Shizuoka is no exception!
I found this sign, among others,yesterday as I was strolling along the Old Kitakaido in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City and decided to investigate a little as I am really interested in attending it!

This is a very old festival indeed as it took place for the first time in 797!

It is one of the two major festivals in Yui with the Sakura Ebi Festival in May!
Yui had been a city of its own and one of the famous stations along the Old Tokaido Route as painted by Hiroshige until only a few years ago when it was merged into Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City

It has been held all the time at Toyosumi Shrine/豊積神社, a very old shrine built in 791!

The exact address is 静岡県静岡市清水区由比町町屋原185/Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimizu Ku, Yui Machi, Machiharaya, 185.
Get down at Yui JR Station and walk down the road on your right hand side. Walk past the harbor, turn left after Ando Dental Clinic and walk up all the way.

Held from January 1st at noon to the 3rd at 00:30 a.m.!

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