Category Archives: Shizuoka City

Fish, Fish Markets, seafood, Shizuoka City

More Seafood and Fish At Parche Supermarket in Shizuoka City: With new Bonito/Katsuo!

May 12, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Monday is one of the best days of the week to check what’s just arrived in the morning at the fish 6 seafood counters in Parche Market inside JR Shizuoka Station!
A single week can sometimes mean a great difference in availability!

Where shall we start? LOL

The mixed batch of the day!

Hirame/平目/sole, kurodai/黒鯛/japanese black porgy, Ishigaki/石垣, Onigochi/オニゴチ/a variety of sand borer, Aka kasago/赤カサゴ/Rockfish, Marbled rockfish, Scorpionfish, Iso kasago/磯カサゴ/A veariety of rockfish, Kawahagi/皮はぎ/Filefish, Madai/真鯛/Japnese seabream, Anago/あなご/Conger eel (only this one from Chiba prefeture, all the thers form Shizuoka prefecture!), Koshyo/コショウ/Crescent sweetlips, Houbou方々/Red robin, Mejina/メジナ/Largescale Blackfish, Umazura/ウマズラ/a large variety of filefish, Hirasuzuki/A variety of sea blackbasss, Isaki/イサキ/Chicken grunt!

A fish which made Shizuoka famous!

First bonito/katsuo/鰹 of the year from Numazu harbor!

Sazae/turbo shellfish/サザエ!

From Numazu harbor!

Nagarami/ながらみ/Umbonium giganteum sea snail!

Okoze/オコゼ/Scorpion fish!

Iseebi/伊勢海老/lobster!

Freshly-caught sakuraebi/桜えび/Cherry shrimps from Yui!

Not cheap, even by shizuoka standards!

Buri/鰤/yellowtail!

From Ito City in Izu Peninsula!

Amadai/甘鯛/tilefish!

Akamutu/赤ムツ/Rosy seabass!

Kurodai/黒鯛/Japanese black porgy!

Isaki/イサキ/Chicken grunt!

Hobou/方々/red robin gurnard!

A beautiful fish: Aka isaki/赤イサキ/Red chicken grunt!

Kawahagi/かわはぎ/Filefish!

Kuro Mebaru/黒めばる/Black Japanese sea perch!

Shiromebaru/白めばる/White Japanese sea perch!

Kaiwari/かいわり/Whitefin trevally

Onikasago/オニカサゴ/Devil scorpion fish!

Iskasago/磯カサゴ/a variety of scorpion fish/rockfish!

Aka kasago/赤カサゴ/Red rockfish!

Shindouika/シンドウイカ/Japanese squid from Numazu harbor!

Hirasaba/平鯖/Chub mackerel,Pacific mackerel,Blue mackerel from Numazu harbor!

Shirasu/シラス/Sardine whiting and sakuraebi/桜えび/Cheery shrimps caught this morning in Yui!

Aoriika/アオリイカ/Bigfin Reef Squid!

From Numazu harbor!

Madai/真鯛/Japanese seabream sashimi from Numazu harbor!

Horame/平目/sole sashimi!

Nagarami/ながらみ/Umbonium giganteum sea snail!

Beautiful Fish! can you guess what they are?

Probably the most famous fish in shizuoka prefecture!

Kinmedai/金眼鯛/Splendid Alfonsino!

Another beautiful but totally different fish!

Sagoshi/サゴシ/Another name for Sawara/鰆/Japanese Spanish mackerel Double nationality?)!

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, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka City, sushi

Sushi: Dinner at Sushi Ko in Shizuoka City (May 8th 2014)!

May 11, 2014 dragonlife 11 Comments

Service: Pro and very friendly
Facilities: Very clean. Excellent toilets
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Great variety of seafood from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan. Great list of sake and shochu

Last Thursday it had been almost 3 moths day for day that we hadn’t visited our favorite sushi restaurant in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Aoba Park Street, namely sushi Ko/すし幸!

Thursday is a good day (early if you want a good seat at the counter!) because it is a day when newly arrived fish is on the menu!

A very typical Shizuoka o-toushi (first snack): sliced turbo shellfish/sazae/サザエ in wasabi!

Katsuo/鰹/Bonito is in season!
We usually ask it without its skin!

As we had come early, we had all our time, exspecially in the light that Chef Birukwa hadn’t come back from his break yet!
I took the opportunity to have a good look at another chef preparing an order for a group sitting on the tatami!

It is always great fun to observe the progress and the technique!

Raw shirasu/sardine whiting/生しらす, gaper clam/mirugai/ミル貝, seared spledid alfonsino/kinmedai aburi/金眼鯛炙り, mackerel/saba/鯖, horse mackerel/aji/鯵, tuna lean part/maguro akami/マグロ赤身, yellowtail/kanpachi/カンパ, salad gunkan/サラダ軍艦！

Dragon always asks for “pon kara maguro”/deep-fried tuna with onion slices and grated daikon seasoned with chilies!

squid/ika/烏賊 is also a great seafood found in the Suruga Bay!

It’s best savored in “somen style”/thin noodles style!

It is usually seasoned with grate fresh ginger and finely chopped scallions!

You dip them into “mentsuyu”/cold noodles stock soup!

Sole/Hirame/平目 nigiri!

Sweet shrimps/amaebi/甘エビ nigiri!

Chef Birukawa had finally come back and we could order a favorite not listed on the menu!

Sushi Millefeuille, Japanese style!

This time, as we asked for Japanese style”, it contained cucumber/kyuuri/胡瓜, yellowtail/kanpachi/環八, herring roe/kazunoko/数の子, and topped with finely chopped scallions and katsubushi/dried bomito shavings.
The mayonnaise around it also included ikura/イクラ/slmon roeO!

Another must fro Dragon: scallops gratin!

A sushi classic: negitoromaki/ネギトロ巻! roll containing grated tuna belly fish and finely chopped scallions!

Nigiri for vegans! Menegi/芽ネギ/scallion sprouts!

To finish another specialty of Chef Birukawa not listed on the menu!
Spicy scallops roll/pirikara hotate maki/ピリ辛帆立巻!

Inverted roll containing dry seaweed, scallops, flying fish roe, agekasu/cold deep-fried batter, wasabi and mayonnaise. The rolls are sprinkled with golden sesame seeds for the finishing touch!

With summer around the corner we will be looking forward to a different kind of seafood next time!

SUSHI KO
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-251-9701
Business Hours： 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 （Sundays）
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE</strong> (in Japanese)
Smoking allowed. Private room can be arranged for non-smoking (4 people)

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Health Foods, Organic foods, Shizuoka City

Organic and Healthy Foods & Products at NATURAL HOUSE in Shizuoka City!

May 9, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

If you have the chance to live in Shizuoka City or have some free time to spend inside JR Shizuoka Station, do go to the big Parche Market behind the the railway gates and find there a very interesting shop where you can buy fresh and processed organic foods, but also health foods and health care products of a trustworthy and traceable quality!
The best way for me to introduce all visitors to this remarkable shop is to visit it together through pictures!

Vegetarian processed foods!

Report and Pouch Curry and soup!

Bread and biscuits!

Tea tasting!

Health & Beauty products for Mother’s Day!

Organic vegetables!

Dressings!

Cookies & Biscuits!

Anti-allergic foods!

Honey & Jam!

Dried fruit & nuts!

Health foods including dairies, tofu and so on!

Beans!

Curry roux & stew!

Healthcare Foods!

Bless the Earth products!

Juice & Beverages!

Vinegar!

Bless the Earth health products!

Rice & cereals!

Green Tea & Tea & Millet Tea!

Organic Beauty!

More health products!

And more health products!

Healthy snacks!

Honey tasting!

NATURAL HOUSE

Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Parche Market, JR Shizuoka Station, 1F
Tel.: 054-251-5645
Business hours: 09:30~20:00
Cards OK

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Flowers, Garden, Shizuoka City

Private Garden “Hasu Ike” in Shizuoka city!

May 7, 2014 dragonlife 4 Comments

Yesterday, having finally recovered from my annual spring cold (the second one, actually!) I found it was about time to shake the torpor out of my legs and take a long ride/walk into some places I do not usually visit in town!

I’ve known about a private garden since I arrived 38 years ago in Shizuoka City located in Aoi Ku, Kamiashiarai 5 Chome opposite Midori Cho, 10 Chome but funnily enough never bothered to really investigate.

As I said it is a private water garden and I may not really make the names of their owners public, but many people call it “hasu ike/蓮池”, that is “waterlily pond”!

By Japanese and Shizuoka standards it is an enormous pond. Completely surrounded by nets, one cannot naturally enter it although it is easy to admire and take pictures of.
Apparently it belonged to a very old family, probably of noble origins judging by the small stone wall keeping the large houses away from the water!

Waterlilies everywhere!

But it is not all waterlilies!
More than half of the flowers are splendid ayame/菖蒲/Siberian irises!

And there are more flowers whose names I haven’t found in spite of my friends’ help!

Calla lilies!

Other unknown beautes!!

And there some other unknown tree flowers to be discovered. Absolutely glorious!

But all in all these Siberian irises are my favorite!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

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Fish, Fish Markets, Shizuoka City

Scabbard Fish at Parche Supermarket in Shizuoka City!

April 22, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

There seems to be an endless list of names for Tachiuo/太刀魚!
In Japanese it means “big Sword Fish”!

I’ve always liked the name of Scabbard Fish as it becomes an interesting comparison with the meaning of the Janaese name!

This is the Wikipedia definition which does not things any clearer!
The largehead hairtail (also beltfish), Trichiurus lepturus, is a member of the cutlassfish family, Trichiuridae. It is a long, slender fish found throughout the tropical and temperate waters of the world. The Atlantic and Pacific populations are also known as Atlantic cutlassfish and Pacific cutlassfish, respectively.

Largehead hairtails can grow to over 2 m in length; the largest recorded weight is 5 kg and the oldest recorded age is 15 years. They live in shallow coastal waters, rising to eat planktonic crustaceans during the day and returning to the sea bed at night.

These were caught in the Suruga Bay off Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
They seem a bit pricey at 1,500 yen a piece, but they are the freshest samples you will find anywhere except on boats!
You will find cheaper ones in other markets but they will not be that fresh and will bear many injuries as the skin is very thin and easily broken!
Do not buy fish with broken skin, a sure sign of lack of freshness!

They certainly not easy to put on display for the reason of their length!

It is a very versatile fish which can be appreciated as sashimi, sushi both raw or aburi/seared!
It is a little beauty as tempura, but you can also cook it grilled or in sauce in all kinds of gastronomy!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka City, Snacks

Japanese Appetizer (O-toushi/お通し): Tofu & Cheese, Pork & Leek Roll & Green Peppers

April 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

O-toushi/お通しis actually a bit difficult to translate.
In a Japanese (in Japan) izakaya it is an appetizer that is served with the first drink and that you pay for in general in lieu of a cover charge.
I have nothing against such a notion as it gives you a good idea of the chef’s skills!

Tofu is a very versatile food.
Dragon likes to buy it as Aburage/Deep-fried tofu, cut it cubes and dry fry them (their surface contains enough oil!) with some cheese, finley cut leeks and parsley!
Another version id\s to fry the pieces of wasabi dressing first!

New leeks are appearing on the market.
Did you know they are effective against common colds!

Dragon pieces of leek in thin pork belly strips and fried them together with some pieces of green pepper in light bbq sauce!
Perfect with beer, wine or sake!

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Fish, Markets, seafood, Shizuoka City

More Seafood & Fish at PARCHE Supermarket in Shizuoka City!-And Sakuraebi & Shirasu!

April 2, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The latest visit to the Shizuoka JR Station Parche supermarket proved I’m right to conduct regular checks on the fish market which is seasonal and where the local seafood arrives directly every morning for the harbors of Numazu, Kogawa, Yui, Omaezaki, Mochimune, Shimoda and many others!

Right, what was of interest that day!

“Tetsubin”, also called “Shimagatsuo”, Brama japonica Hilgendorf!

“Onagadai”, also called “hamadai”/Flame snapper/Longtailed red snapper/Onaga!

“Maaji”?”True” horse mackerel!

The “Mixed Batch of Shizuoka Fish of the DAY”!

Hirame/sole, Onikasago/Devil (red) marbled Rockish, Hira Suzuki/A local seabass variety, Kinmedai/Splendid Alfonsino, Inada/Young Japanese Amberjack, Anago/Conger eel (From Chiba Prefecture!), KurodaiJapanese black porgy, Kawahagi/Filefish, Houbou/Red Gurnard!

Red horse mackerel!

From Yui!

Amadai/Tilefish for high class grill!

Hira saba, a very large variety of Mackerel!

From Numazu City!

Very large Surume Ika/Japanese Flying Squid!

Sazae/Turbo shells!

From all over Shizuoka Prefecture!

Whole Hirasaba/Large Mackerel!

From Numazu City

Isokasago/Another variety of Rock fish!

Sakura ebi/Cherry shrimps from Yui!

Shirasu/Whitebait from Numazu City!

See you there again!

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Izakaya, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka City

Izakaya: Kin No O-Kan in Shzizuoka City (pre-interview)!

March 31, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly and easy-going
Equipment & Facilities: Overall very clean. Small but superb washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Sake from Shizuoka and all over Japan. Cuisine making great use of local products

Junya Kinbara金原純也さん has finally opened his first izakaya beginning of with the smiling help of Yuuko Nakamura/中村優子さん and is already attracting some deserved attention from Japanese sake lovers and the local media!

Junya being interviewed by Dai Ichi TV!

The cedar ball in front of the establishment leave no doubt as to what it is specializing in!

Japanese Sake Place!
Kin No O-Kan!
“Kin” stands for the first kanji of Junya’s family name, “no” means “of” and “O-Kan” stands for hot sake!

The place consists of single counter along the kitchen with comfortable stools in front of your tray and a shelf of sake cups to choose from!

A great idea to offer a choice of sake cups in a small shelf box!

It is just all superb sake from Shizuoka Prefecture and all over Japan including a whole range from Takahsima Brewery in Numazu City!

Aoshima Brewery, Hatsukame brewery another favorite of mine, Morimoto Brewery!

More classics chilled inside the fridge!

The announcement of a special sake beside the sake brew master’s apron of the famous Kubota in Fukui Prefecture!

One of the two menus including some Chinese classics!

The second menu including oden and dry-aged beef!

Look forward to the next full report!

KIN NO O-KAN

420-0035 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 10-11, Vienna Building, 1F
Tel.: 054-653-4300
Mobile phone: 090-5100-7067
Opening hours: 17:00~27:00
Holiday not decided yet, but should eventually be Thursday
Reservations highly recommended!
FACEBOOK

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Cherry Blossoms, Shizuoka City, Sumpu Castle Park

Cherry Blossoms in Sumpu Castle Park, Shizuoka City!

March 31, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

In spite of the horrendous yesterday, or in some cases because of it because of the ensuing sudden rise in temperature, the cherry blossoms are practically exploding inside Sumpu Castle Park for the pleasure of photographers and revelers enjoying hanami/flower viewing parties!

The picture of the day!
Which is blooming, the pine tree or the cherry tree!

Sumpu Castle Park offers many possibilities for photographers whether hey want to take only cherry blossoms take them among the many trees and flower beds!

Flowers beds are tendered and renewed all year round!

This might make for a great picture at night!

Mind you, simple photographs are still the best most of the time!

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Cherry Blossoms, Photography, Shizuoka City

Cherry Blossoms-Mizuochi Police Box, Aoi Ku, ShIzuoka City!

March 29, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

“Of all places!”, you might say and I tend to agree as the occupants of MIzuochi Police Box in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, are famously hopeless in a city where’s crime is almost inexistent and where the police is reduced to lurk on bicycles behind large signs to catch traffic offenders!

I didn’t include the police box in my pictures lest its denizens use it as a proof of my malfeasance!

The Mizuochi Police Box is located at the corner of Kitakaido Street and the Eastern Wall of Sumpu Castle Park.
There you can admire the wall and part of its moat.

It is a great spot right now for cherry blossoms visewing, although it will last only a few days especially with rain forecast tomorrow!

The trees are perched on top of the wall and cascade down to the moat!

Good (not like me!) photographers should be able to avoid modern distractions and achieve great results!

Little gems!

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Manhole covers, Shizuoka City

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 33: Kanbara, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

March 27, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kanbara, located between Yui and Shin kambara in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, was merged into Shizuoka City on March 1st, 2006, but Shimizu City became part of Shizuoka City as Shimizu Ku on April 1st, 2004.
On the other hand Yui merged with Shimizu Ku into Shizuoka City only on November 1st, 2008 with some confusing results when it comes to manhole covers!
Soon or later, especially after I have covered Shin Kanbara, I will have to to publish a compilation of only the truly decorated manhole covers in the whole of Shizuoka City, and that is mor than 2 dozens of them!

This is the most representative fire hydrant manhole cover of Kanabara. Even though, the crest is that of Yui, but the mark/first kanji/蒲 of Kanbara is included!

It is often found together with a water valve pit!

Found in front of Kanbara JR Station!

This pattern exists elsewhere but it is inscribed with “Kanbara Town”!

A quite ancient manhole cover over a fire cistern!

A valve pit with the Kanbara mark!

A larger valve pit with the Kanbara mark!

A valve pit in blue instead of orange with measures inverted and the Kanbara Mark!

The same but with the measurements “properly” set!

This pressurized air valve pit, being quite a common type could be well a national type!

It is also often found together with a previous water valve pit!

Very ancient Kanbara Water duct cover!

This beautiful fire hydrant cover is actually a Shizuoka City item, therefore quite recent!

This cover reflects the confusion. It is a soccer fire hydrant manhole cover from Shimizu City before it was merged into Shizuoka City, which could have been set either before or after the merger!

This water valve pit being very recent it tends to prove that the Shimizu City covers were later used in Shimizu Ku which includes Kanbara Town as it was called before the merger!

The same with different measures!

The same again with still different measures!

This type of water valve pit can be found elsewhere!

A newly discovered foundry company!

Hayakawa Foundry!

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Cherry Blossoms, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Cherry Blossoms At Last Blooming in Shizuoka City!

March 27, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The cherry blossoms are at last beginning to bloom, at least some varieties, in Shizuoka City!

As far I can figure out at least two varieties are blooming, although it could be the same one!

These can be found in the vicinity of Sumpu Castle in Shzuoka City, although the variety grown over the ramparts are different and out yet!

the weather has been and is still pretty bad this month and the blooming is definitely late compared to last year!
It is actually a blessing in disguise as the Shizuoka City Festival will take place next week!
last year the cherry blossoms had disappeared by then!

This particular variety is near its end though!

Walking around the mount you will discover some real old trees on the “city side” of the street!

It does make for some interesting photography!

That tree must have seen quite a few eras pass by!

Not only photographing them but drawing them seems to be quite popular!

Depending on the sun exposure some have opened over the ramparts!

My favorite one for the day!

Incidentally, did you know that all the cherry trees offered by Japan to the United States during the Meiji Era originated from one single tree in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City?

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Gastronomy, Shizuoka City, Tea, Wagashi

Shizuoka Green Tea & Wagashi Cake at Shizuoka JR Station: KIssa Issa Tea Cafe!

March 21, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Extremely kind and hospitable
Facilities and Equipment: Spotless clean. Entirely non-smiking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great variety of green tea from Shizuoka City only on sale. Choice of three different teas offered every week. Local wagashi cakes!

4 years ago, in June exactly, Shizuoka JR Station was completely renovated and the basement linking the city to the north exit saw the birth of some very interesting shops!
If you arrive directly at Shizuoka JR Station take the stairs down and you will find Kissa Issa Tea cafe on your left. You will find it on your right if you reach the station from the basement passageway!

You are graciously invited to taste Shizuoka City Green Tea!
This cute little cafe was the idea behind a collaboration project between the Shizuoka City Tea Growers Association and the Municipal Government of Shizuoka City!

A great range of green tea bags, regularly changed, for a very reasonable price!
Bear in mind that Shizuoka Prefecture produces more than 45% of all green tea in Japan and that Shizuoka City is one of the main growing areas!

The whole list of Green Tea Growers and Companies in Shizuoka City!

You can also buy take-out hot green tea (but consume it on site. This is not Starbucks!)!

Green is the color of tea!
Closed on Wednesdays only, but always open on week-ends and National Holidays for the pleasure of the many visitors!

Smokers, keep out if you please!

More green teas on sale inside! The tea on offer is regularly changed to enable the sale of all the Shizuoka City green tea!

The Tea Cafe! A great place for a break between two trains or a rendez-vous with a special one!

Great staff! Local, smiling and so attentive!

The menu!

Written in Japanese, but the staff will try their best to explain it!

The three teas proposed on the menu every week are also displayed for purchase near the cash register!

There were two different Japanese wagashi cakes available made by Friand Kadoya, a top-class wagashi shop in Inagawa Cho, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City, just south of the JR Station!
The one I chose is a kinton and sweetmeat/anko cake named Na no Hana/rapeseed flower!

And the tea I chose was a Tamachi No Aji Ichiban (made with first tea crop leaves)!

My set!
The staff prepare the first cup of tea and serve a pot of water for the next cups!

The first cup of green tea!

The brown pot contains enough hot water for the second and third cups of tea.
For the second cup of tea you pour hot water into the green pot first and then into the small tea pot filled with leaves.
This way your tea will be at the right temperature.
As for the third cup you pour directly the hot water from the brown pot into the small tea pot as the temperature will just right inside the brown pot by then!

The wagshi cake, a little jewel!

It is supposed to represent the shape of rape seed flowers!

Filled with sweetmeat!
And it’s vegan!
Made by Friand Kadoya (see below for details!)!

KISSA ISSA/一茶
Shizuoka JR Station, North Exit, Basement Square
Tel.: 054-253-0030
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Entirely non-smoking!

FRIAND KADOYA Western and Wagashi Cakes
422-8062 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Inagawa, 1-2-29
Tel.: 054-285-6860
Fax: 054-284-7037
Opening hours: 09:00~19:00
Closed on Mondays and some holidays in January and August

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Beer, Beer Brewery, Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Aoi Brewing Brewery In Shizuoka City-Latest news: The Equipment Has Arrived!

March 20, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The brewing equipment has finally reached Aoi Brewery in Shizuoka City!

I took the opportunity to visit Mrs. Kumiko Yasumoto/安本久美子さん, wife of the 6th generation owner of Yasumoto Shoten Store, and whose father used to make soy sauce. Now, the same soy sauce building has become the brand new Aoi Brewery!

“Aoi” is the Japanese name for “hollyhock” and is the emblem plant on the crest of Shizuoka City and the Kunozan Shrine where Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined.
Naoki Mando had to obtain a special permission to use this very crest from the above two entities!

Of course he wears the crest on his working clothes!

This will become a collector’s item!

Generators and so forth are outside the brewery building under the parking roof.

The equipment was imported from China, and it is tough work to assemble!
Naoki will need all his staff and specialists’ help to have it ready on April 1st when the Japan Tax Bureau will come to inspect the installations!

From the extreme left, the hot water tnak, Brew kettle/whirlpool tank, and the mash/lauter combi-tank!

The 4 tanks on the left and the middle one are fermentation tanks!

These are the bright beer tanks and the keg sterilizer!

The keg sterilizer!

The keg washing machine!
I couldn’t take pictures of the two basins and ice water tank>

The door to the refrigerated keg storeroom!

The beer kegs!

The tool storeroom!
I didn’t take a picture of the office room for obvious reasons!

This will be the pub space to opened in September!
Soon or later the brewery will be off-limits!

If everything goes well we’ll taste the first Aoi Brewing Brewery craft beers in May!

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

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:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Brown rice, Shizuoka City, Vegan Cuisine

Vegan Snack: Almonds & Pistachio Genmai (Whole Brown Rice) O-Mochi (Rice cakes) by Ando Rice Shop in Shizuoka City!

March 16, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

I have just discovered, albeit quite famous, Ando rice Shop Ando, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City (report coming soon!) who sell some a rare rice called Kamiakarai, which is grown by only 4 farmers in the whole of Japan!
As for the o-mochi (rice cakes) herein introduced, they are mad with kamiakari rice organically grown in Fujieda City by Mr. Yamashita, the same person who grows organic Yamada Nishiki sake rice used by Aoshima Brewery for some incredible sake!

These genmai/brown rice o-mochi come into two different combinations: one mixed with pistachio, the other with almonds!

These o-mochi are made of brown rice and pistachio or almonds, and nothing else!

This time I just simply grilled one of each.
Another popular way to cook them is to cut them into small cubes and fry thrm in a little drop of good oil.

Grilled and cut pistachio genmai o-mochi!

They will not swell/puff like normal o-mochi, so you do need to experiment how far you are going to grill them!
I might have done better with leaving them a little longer on the grill although I tasted them fried last week!
Both ways they are excellent!
But remember that since they don’t contain any sugar they are not sweet at all!

Grilled and cut almond genmai o-mochi!

If you want them sweet, you could always serve them with a sweets sauce or jam, although they make a great and healthy snack with soy sauce!

ANDO RICE SHOP

Mr. Kiyoaki Nagasaka
420-0882 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ando, 2-20-24
Tel.: 054-245-1331
Fax: 054-247-7737
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
E-mail address: info@ankome.com

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,