Category Archives: Shizuoka City

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

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No 121) Beach and Surf!

SYNOPSIS

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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!

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No 122) Fish Under the Surface!

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

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

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No 125) Fishing Goddesses

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No 126) Fountain by “Miyao”!

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No 127) Road to the Sea by “Mari”!

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No 128) Raining Flowers by “Moe”!

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No 129) Shimizu Gull!

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No 130) Oranges at a Kotatsu!

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No 131) Soccer-playing Fish!

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No 132) Red Sun Beach!

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

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No 134) Starfish on the Beach!

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No 135) Red Seahorses by “HF”!

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

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No 137) Irises By S.K”!

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

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

SN3O5458No 140) Undersea fantasy!

No 140) White Corals!

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

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

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

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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!

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The entrance is located on the second floor!

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Apparently the original restaurant is in Waikiki, Hawaii!

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

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Loco moco, that’s what I wanted!

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A little geography lesson is always useful!

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Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing!

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The drink bar!

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Menus clearly announced everywhere!

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Very simple in concept but appetizing!

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

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Good-balanced lunch!

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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!

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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

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

Organic Vegetables from Shizuoka Prefecture with Aritsune Akutsu!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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

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Red daikon and golden carrots!

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Golden carrots!

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Romaine lettuces!

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Red ginger!

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Reasonable prices for such rare organic vegetables!

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Dark red violet carrots in the middle!

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Violet Mustard leaves and Pak Shi Coriander!

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Green kohlrabi!

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Violet daikon!

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Another type of violet daikon!

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Organic rice!

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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

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

Railway Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture 2: Shizuoka City JR Station

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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

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The Shinkansen/Bullet Train Tracks Entrance!

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The Tokaido Railway Line Tracks entrance!

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

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

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

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Bellmart Convenience store where you can buy English newspapers!

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

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Soup Stock Tokyo. Great in winter!

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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!

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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!

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GRAND SHOP selling all kinds of local food souvenirs!

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Belgian Manneken Waffles!

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Green Tea Madeleines at Laurier!

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Bagels at Bagel & Bagel!

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

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Healthy Japanese food at Osozai Cafe!

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Sumpu Raku Ichi!

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

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A multitude of local food souvenirs!

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Enormous fresh wasabi with its stems and leaves!

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Shizuoka Sake, beer and soft drinks!

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

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

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Saboten Restaurant/Shop for tonkatsu!

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

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Soba/buckwheat noodles restaurant!

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Japanese restaurant specializing in Japanese seafood and fish gastronomy!

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Japanese-style Western food at Tokyo Nashi Goren!

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

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

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Japanese izakaya: Roydo!

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Hachokura Izakaya: Great local seafood!

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Udon noodles and local sake!

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Shizuoka and Nagoya-style ramen!

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Non-smoking cafe: Platini!

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Sankyu Izakaya serving oden and great Shizuoka sake!

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Taisaku Izakaya: good seafood and Shizuoka sake!

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

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Great bento there!

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Umibouzu Izakaya: Great oden and Shizuoka sake there!

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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!

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Shizuoka Green Tea!

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Shizuoka Wasabi and derived products!

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Abekawa Mochi wagashi!

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Compose your own sushi lunch there!

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Japanese brochettes at Nihonichi!

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Takoyaki/octopus dumplings at Takosen!

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Organic food at Natural House!

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

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Dried and preserves seafood!

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Very cheap and tasty sushi bento/donburi!

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

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All these fish were caught in Shizuoka Prefecture!

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

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One of the best meat delicatessen in town!

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Great fried food at reasonable prices for immediate consumption!

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Japanese traditional cakes!

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

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Raggenmeyer, an excellent bakery!

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And don’t forget the flowers!

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

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

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No 101) Abstract River and Field!

SYNOPSIS

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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!

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

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

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No 104) Sea Ghosts by “Rina”!

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No 105) Tasty Strawberry!

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

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

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No 108) Hunting Astride a Shark!

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No 109) Dantesque Sky!

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No 110) Palm Tree!

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No 111) 1998 World Soccer cup Champions France!

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No 112) Oranges!

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No 113) Walking Among Fish!

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No 114) Dolphins na Flower by “Ai”!

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No 115) Shimizu Tanabata Festival by “Keiko”!

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No 116) Flying Fish!

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

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

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No 119) Soccer-playing Kids!

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No 120) Hagoromo Veil by “Yuka”!

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

Japanese Gastronomy, Markets & Local Products at S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Kappa Chan at Kaldi Store!

If you have the occasion to visit (choose a rainy day!) Shimizu Ku (formerly Shimizu City before it was merged with Shizuoka City), you ought to try and visit S-Pulse Dream Plaza to have a good look at the local gastronomy in markets and taste it in the many restaurants inside! I can assure you there is lot to investigate as Shimizu is a major fishing harbor in Japan and is surrounded by the greatest variety of agricultural producers!

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First of all take the Tokaido Line/JR Line and get off at Shimizu.
Once past the ticket machines turn right, walk to the first exit and go down the stairs!

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Once downstairs turn left and look for the bus stop ring!

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Your bus stop is just beyond this (strange) sign!

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This is the schedule (weekdays on the left and week-ends on the right) for the free limousine bus service to S Pulse Dream Plaza!

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Incidentally this is also the bus stop for the free limousine bus to the ferry harbor if you want to take a ferry boat to Toi, Izu Peninsula!

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This is your bus!

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Board in at any of the two doors!

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Alright let’s have a good look at the restaurants and shops on the first (ground) floor!
Suruga Wan Shokudo/Suruga Bay Canteen!

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Hatoba Kitchen Restaurant!

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I told you that Shimizu is a major fishing harbor!

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Kaldi Coffee Farm!
They also serve a great selection of wine, sauces, preserved foods, pasta, etc.!

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Tezuka Shoten Ramen JIN Restaurant!

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Totoraku, serving fried sakuraebi bowl from Yui among others!

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Manmaya Eel Shop!

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Shimizu Harbor delicatessen and bento shop!

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Kaidoya shop specializing in unusual marine products!

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Nobu Chan Fish Market specializing in Shimizu Tuna!

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Live TV of their kitchen!

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Have a god look at the shop, left and right!

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Great and so reasonable fresh sushi bento!

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Only seasonal and local as far as fresh fish is concerned!

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Live seafood also available!

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Spicy Shizuoka Tuna preserves!

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And of course the Shizuoka specialty, bonito/katsuo (cooked in this case)!

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Kanei Suisan Shop specializing in sundried fish/himono and preserved marine products!

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First-class preserved seafood!

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Irifune Vegetables & Fruit Market!

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Benihoppe/Red Cheeks Strawberries, a Shizuoka specialty since 2002!

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Shimizu Groceries Store!

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Taki Delicatessen Shop!

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Tonkatsu Saboten Shop specializing in tonkatsu!

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Great variety of very reasonable bento!

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Shinoda Liqueur Shop, one of the very best in Shizuoka Prefecture where you will find local and Japanese drinks of all genres!

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Rare shochu from Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Shizuoka sake mini cups and mini bottles!

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Rare sake from Shizuoka and elsewhere!

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At the bottom Shizuoka Craft beers by Bryan Baird and Stephan Rager!

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Minato Pan, a great bakery where you can eat onsite!

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Mount Fuji melon Bread!

I already have introduced Umi Sushi Restaurant there but there are more to come as well as other shops and attractions!
Stay tuned!

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

Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 61~80!

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No 61) Undersea home!

SYNOPSIS

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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!

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Still a long way to go and I haven’t reached the half point!

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No 62) Weird machine!

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No 63) Starfish!

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No 64) Island-marooned Cat!

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No 65) Fish Under The Moon by “Y & N”!

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No 66) Abstract Summer Scene by “Y.S”!

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No 67) Elf and Mount Fuji Under The Moon!

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No 68) Endless Sea!

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No 69) Legend of Hagoromo again!

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No 70) Bright Fish!

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No 71) Little Girl on The Beach!

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No 72) Islands?

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No 73) Pine Trees Overlooking Faraway islands!

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No 74) Dolphins!

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No 75) Orc Whales by “Uji”!

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No 76) Sirne by “Kichi, Yuki and Kanako”!

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No 77) Penguins of The Universe!

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No 78) Surfer by “Kaneda”!

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No 79) beautiful lady and Flower!

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No 80) Hello To The Universe by “Chika”!

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

Sushi: Shimizu Sushi Dokoro “Umi” in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Kujira tataki/Seared whale!

Service: Attentive and smiling
Facilities & Equipment: Great cleanliness overall. Suparb washeroom shared with oh\ther sushi restaurants
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Many local fish and seafood in use. Superb product freshness. Great Sake list!
Completely non-smoking!

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S Pulse Dream Plaza is famous nationally because of the Shimizu S Pulse Soccer Club but also for the “Sushi Alley” inside on the first floor!
I had a good look at the many restaurants today before choosing Umi!

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Simple and great name as Umi/海 means “Sea”!

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I know a lot of people who would like to steal these plastic paste models!

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Excellent quality discovered from the moment you can peer into the window display!

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Completely non-smoking!
Extremely appreciated in the particular case of sushi!
Actually all the restaurants in the building are non-smoking!

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Great attention to small details: all sushi served on a beautiful earthenware tray!

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They do offer great sets at lunch time, although you may order what you want from thetablets fung on the wall in front of you!
Now, what did I have? (Hold on your seat!)

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But first of all I could not resist some local sake: Garyubai Junmai Daiginjo “Kaibin Jurinikaoru” by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Kinmedai aburi/seared Splendid Alfonsino!

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Akami/lean tuna!

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Toro/Tuna fat belly!

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Tasty miso soup for later!

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Konbu Shime saba/Seaweed marinated mackerel topped with seaweed!

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Aburi toro/Seared tuna fat belly!

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Tamago yaki!

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Akagai/Red blood clam!

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Zuwaigani/Snow crab!

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Shiro ebi to ikura/White shrimp and salmon roe!

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Uni/Sea urchin!

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Anago/Conger eel!

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Negi toro maki/Grated toro roll!

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Then it was time for another glass of local sake: Kokkou Daiginjyo by Kokkou Brewery in Fukuroi City!

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I was still hungry so I had Kujira tataki/seared whale!

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Beautiful meat served with fresh vegetables and four kinds of seasoning!

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And two different dressings!

See you next time I go to Shimizu!

SHIMIZU SUSHI DOKORO “UMI”
Shizuoka City, Shimizu ku, Irifune Cho, 13-15, S Pulse Dream Plaza Bldg, 1F (get off at Shimizu JR Station East Exit and board the free shuttle bus to its final destonation at S Pulse Dream Plaza)
Tel.: 054-354-3700
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00
Credita Cards OK
Completely non-smoking!

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

Sandwich: Home-made Smoked Salmon & Guacamole Sandwich at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

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

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I’ve initiated a series of postings to recommend lunches at restaurants in Shizuoka prefecture. The first two installments were dedicated to French and Italian Gastronomies. As the third one will concern “Western Gastronomy”, that is American, European and the like, BLUE BOOKS cafe will definitely qualify!
It had been a long time since I enjoyed a real sandwich for lunch and I couldn’t resist the home-made Smoked Salmon & Guacomole Sandwich!

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As for other lunch sets it is served with fresh salad and a complimentary drink. I topped with a glass of British Strongbow Cider!

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This is what I called American popular gastronomy at its best!
It is lighter than it looks. The bread is top-class and toasted to perfection!

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And it is comparatively so healthy with plenty of fresh local vegetables, making for great balance with the salmon!

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Succulent guacomole!

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And naturally, plenty of French (Belgian) fries!

Very satisfying and yuuuummmmmyyyy!

More soon!

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

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

Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 41~60!

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No 41) Mummy, Look at this Cute Cat!

SYNOPSIS

SN3O5314

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!

SN3O5396

The paintings are the works of students from art departments of Shimizu Minami High School Shimizu Higashi High School, Shimizu Kokusai High School, Tokai Dai Ichi High School and Shizuoka Seibi High School.
All paintings were on the 24th of July 1998!
As they are starting to fade away as well as being interfered with by local fishermen I decided to take all of them for posterity!
As there are no less than 183 of them I will introduce them in a few installments!

This is the 3rd installment!

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Already walked a long way!

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No 42) Dolphin!

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No 43) Shimiau Soccer by “H.M.”!

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No 44) Swimming Underwater with Polly Rabbit!

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No 445 Air Balloon and Floating Ships!

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No 46) Ocean Child!

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No 47) Kappa!

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No 48) Rainbow over the Sea and Mount Fuji!

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No 49) Happy Fish by “M.F”!

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No 50) Siren Tail by “Katsuyama Ayano”!

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No 51) Whale by “Kalin”!

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No 52) Soccer by “Haruki Jun-Ichi”!

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No 53) Romantic Lady!

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No 54) Mage by “Hisa N.”!

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No 56) Trees and Flowers Overlooking the Sea!

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No 57) Sunset dragon!

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No 58) Japanese Maple Leaves!

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We are in an area called Tsukiji Cho in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

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No 59) Sea Bather by “N.H”!

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No 60) Sun Flowers!

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

Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 21~40!

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No 21) Lobster!

SYNOPSIS

SN3O5314

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!

SN3O5396

The paintings are the works of students from art departments of Shimizu Minami High School Shimizu Higashi High School, Shimizu Kokusai High School, Tokai Dai Ichi High School and Shizuoka Seibi High School.
All paintings were on the 24th of July 1998!
As they are starting to fade away as well as being interfered with by local fishermen I decided to take all of them for posterity!
As there are no less than 183 of them I will introduce them in a few installments!

This is the 2nd installment!

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No 22) Buoy by “K.”!

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No 23) Medieval Fighter!

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No 24) Floating over a Coral Sea Bottom!

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No 25) King Lion Sentencing a Vile Snake!

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No 26) Coconut sprouting on a Beach!

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No 27) Having a Whale of a Time!

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No 28) Lonely Flower!

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No 29) A Small Goldfish!

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No 30) Orca by “A. Ohata”!

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No 31) Paradise Birds!

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No 32) Endless Beach!

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No 33) Smiling Crab by “Keigo”!

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No 34) Waves by “Emi”! (22nd? Wrong date?)

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No 35) Orange Goddess, a favorite of mine in spite of my agnosticism! (22nd again, the 24th was apparently the date limit!)

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No 36) Lilies by Hiro!

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No 37) Tasty Orange Treasure by “Rie”!

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No 38) Big-eyed Seals by “Yuri”!

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No 39) Summer Sunflowers by “Ayako”!

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No 40) Pine Cone in the Sky!

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

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Al Porto in Shizuoka City!

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A real jewel!

Service: Kind, attentive and smiling!
Equipment & Facilities: Splendid cleanliness overall. Superb washroom (this is a hotel!)
Prices: Appropriate to expensive
Strong points: High class Italian gastronomy. Excellent wine list by the bottle and the glass. Great dessert plate!

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As a general rule I do not look too much forward to eat and dine in hotels in Japan, but Al Porto Italian Restaurant is certainly the exception which confirms the rule!
Located on the 15th floor of Hotel Associa Shizuoka it is the only restaurant I would recommend to anyone inside a hotel.
And this all thanks to a great young chef named Satoshi Kakiyama, whom I know personally. But I didn’t give him any advance news of my visit for lunch the other day!

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Because it is part of a hotel Al Porto can afford a wine list above average. There some real good offers by the glass even at lunch time!
I started with a glass of Gewurtzstraminer from northern Italy!

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A rich wine wine equal to the same grapes wine in Alsace, France!

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Home-made bread, naturally!

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Antipasto misto with Parma ham, Shizuoka Sole and octopus!

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Insalata di granchio e avocado con caviar: avocado, snow crab, ameera tomato from Shizuoka and caviar with a raspberry coulis!
A jewel!

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Next I had a glass of Barbera Monte!

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I almost forgot to take a picture of this rich red wine full of red fruits!

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Capesante al gratin: Scallops Gratin!

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Local charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef and local vegetables!

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Potofu di fegato e ravanello giapponese: Foie gras atop stewed daikon! A must in Japan!

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Spaghetti di scampi e porcini fughi: spaghetti with scampi prawns and porcini mushrooms!

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All the while I also enjoyed a solid Cotes de Castillon from South West France!

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Very solid and fruity indeed!

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The dessert plate is brought to you so that you can have a good look before choosing your sweet tooth sin!
I actually left the choice to the eminently capable waitress!

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Little details that make the difference: change of service and coffee brought to your table before your dessert is served.
Actually the cutlery was changed with every dish!

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Blanc manger/panacotta, tiramisu,tart and more morsels I didn’t have the time to note down! LOL

Be sure this is only the start of a long venture!

AL PORTO
420-0851 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Kurogane Cho, 56, Hotel Associa, 15F
Tel.: 054-205-8633
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Reservations advised
Credit Cards OK
HOTEL HOMEPAGE ENGLISH
AL PORTO HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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

Wall Painting: 183 Popular Paintings in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: 1~20!

SN3O5315

No 1) Goldfish!

SN3O5314

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!

SN3O5396

The paintings are the works of students from art departments of Shimizu Minami High School Shimizu Higashi High School, Shimizu Kokusai High School, Tokai Dai Ichi High School and Shizuoka Seibi High School.
All paintings were on the 24th of July 1998!
As they are starting to fade away as well as being interfered with by local fishermen I decided to take all of them for posterity!
As there are no less than 183 of them I will introduce them in a few installments!

SN3O5316

No 2) Flying Insect among Hibiscuses!

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No 3) Fireflies by “Miki”!

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No 4) Kids Thinking of Cold Sweets along the Tomoe River!

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No 5) Tomato Soccer?

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No 6) Legend of Hagoromo!

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No 7) Legend of Hagoromo again by “Yukiko”!

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No 8) Seashell on a Beach by “M. Satsuki”!

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No 9) Tea Leaves Hand Picking by “Mariko”!

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No 10) Fireworks Viewing from a Wooden Bridge!

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No 11) The Legend of Hagoromo again!

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No 12) Soccer Tackle!

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No 13) The Morning After by Wisabi (very adult for a high school student!)

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No 14) Seashell by “Emi”! (wrong date!)

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No 15) Great Escape!

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No 16) Island beyond the Sea!

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No 17) Sea Godess Overlloking Fighting Seagulls by “Naruoka”!

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No 18) Summer by “Teru”!

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No 19) The legend Of Hagoromo Theater Play on Miho Beach by “Kanako”!

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No 20) Blue Strawberries Curtain!

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

Rib Eye Steak Lunch at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Shizuoka City!

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

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The other day, a rainy bore of it, I had a hunger and a taste for meat to satisfy, so once again I checked what was on offer at BLUE BOOKS cafe in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!
I discovered a lunch composed of a rib eye steak with French fries and mustard!
Just what I needed!
But one of these days I will take the Manager apart and give him a lesson of English spelling! LOL

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As for my thirst I took care of it with a Brooklyn Ale!

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the rib eye steak!
Great local beef, cooked perfectly with a little rosy inside and offering a real bite!

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Cooked on the grill and served juicy with a natural taste!

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It made for quite a meal with the generous portion of French (Belgian) fries!

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Coffee included!
I could go back to work with a refueled body!

More soon!

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

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

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 2

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

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Today I decided to investigate Shimizu Ku in Shizuoka City on the advice of a friend who told me to look around Jirochoo Street in the oldest part of the former City of Shimizu which was absorbed by Shizuoka City some time ago.

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Although the attaining house is really old, I’m pretty sure that both buildings are inhabited!

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A suggestion for old traditional Japan photography buffs?o

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This small kura was standing almost next to the above one!

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it has obviously been refurbished. I wonder if it is used as a living quarter, a warehouse or an atelier…..

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I almost missed this very old one on the other side of the street!

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The roof is still in a good state, so it must still be somehow useed.
Unfortunately I couldn’t investigate much further as it was completely surrounded by private houses although I suspect it belongs to a nearby Buddhist Temple!

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Still makes for an interesting photograph!

Still looking around as this is a big prefecture with a lot of history.
If you find any in your neighboring I’ll treat you to coffee or beer!

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