Category Archives: Shizuoka City

Daidogei, 観光, Festivals, Japan, Japanes Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Festival, Tourism

DAIDOGEI-STREET PERFORMANCE-WORLD CUP IN SHIZUOKA 2013 (November 1st~4th)

October 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Daidogei/Street performance World Cup is back in shizuoka City!
A major Festival which photographers and circus lovers must not miss!
It will take place on the first week end of November from the 1st (Friday) to the 4th (Monday (National Holiday).

15 guest artists will be featured but many more performers from Shizuoka, Japan and the world will participate.

Artists will be performing near the Shizuoka JR Station, along Gofuku Cho, Aoba and Shichiken-Cho Streets, in Tokiwa park and Sumpu Castle Park (the latter for an entry fee).

There are many other features to be enjoyed such as face paiting, food an drink stands, and much more as it is a real festival!

The 15 guests will be Kharitonov Brothers, Jugglers from Russia, Ballet on the shoulder from China, Naked Lunch, acrobats from Ireland & the US, Duo Pospelov, acrobats from Ukraine, The Robot Boys, pantomime from Denmark,

Elastic, Comedy magician from Belgium, Sterza Family, Acrobatic Musicians from Italy & Kazakhstan, Mario & Sharon Berousek, MAGNAMUS, Acrobats from France & Norway, jugglers from the Czech Republic, Heloise & William, Acrobats from France & the US,

Chilly 6 Fly, Acrobats from Canada, Bello Knock, Acrobat comedian from the US. TOMCHUK, Acrobats from Ukraine and SKATING PILAR, Skates Acrobats from France, last year champions!

If you can read Japanese do consult the DAIDOGEI 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!
-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

笑い, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Weird Japan (37): Halloween Scarecrows in Shizuoka City!

October 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I discovered these two in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, as I cycled past a building site!

Do not forget that Halloween had a very dark meaning at its origin!

These two were obviously not erected to scare the many crows which are a real plague in this city, but to scare off would-be trespassers!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡市, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Scallops, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Seafood, sushi, Tourism, 寿司

Sushi: “Birufeuille” or Millefeuille by Chef kenta Birukawa at Sushi Ko in Shizuoka City!

October 15, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

On our way back from the Shimada Obi Festival we decided to have dinner at Sushi Ko Sushi Restaurant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City last night!
I and Dragon took the opportunity to challenge Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん into an new cretioon!

Actually Dragon made the suggestsion.
Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん is famed for his Sushi Millefeuille and Spicy Scallops Roll!
Hence he was asked to combine the two!

Can you guess what ingredients were used?
Well, the main part consisted of three layers of shari/sushi rice with one layer of raw scallops which had been seasoned with mayonnaise and spices beforehand and a layer of thinly sliced crunchy Japanese cucumber.

A view from the top may help!

Well, the top was garnished with pieces of scallops, tempura kasu/tempura batter bits for more crunch, scallions. ikura/salmon roe and akami/red lean tuna!

For a closer view!

More scallops and other tidbits to avoid any disputes between Dragon and I!

What happens when yo start demolishing the edifice!

Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん who had conceived his creation for a photograph first interrupted us to add the missing mayonnaise and other seasoning!

Even half broken it still looked a beauty!

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 (in Japanese)
Smoking allowed. Private room can be arranged for non-smoking (4 people)

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Okra, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Okra Flowers Tempura at Jacuzzi awabar in Shizuoka City!

October 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly, polite, but easy-going
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: All kinds of bubbly drinks. Very healthy and tasty food snacks made with local products.

okra are becoming very popular in Asia and Europe although it originated from Central Africa.
It is also extensively grown here in Japan but it is somewhat eaten in a manner different from that in Africa.
For one, the flowers are edible and can be prepared in many ways.

Since this is Japan one manner that would come to mind is tempura although the Japanese would eat okra in any form even raw!
What is more uncommon is cooking the flowers.
Unlike comparatively robust zucchini flowers okra flowers will wilt very quickly as they bloom for only one day.

One way to circumvent that problem is to cut the flowers just before they open and leave them in the fridge where they will open and conserve longer.

Last night I had the pleasure to savor both the okra pods and flowers organically grown by Mr. Baba in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji at Jacuzzi awabar, the newest gastronomic bar in Shizuoka City!

As tempura goes this is both teasingly simple and sophisticated.
Crispy, so tasty, almost sweet!
You must try it! With a glass of French bubbly rose wine!

JACUZZI awabar
]420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10-2
Tel.: 054-269-5992
Opening hours: 15:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards not yet!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, Desserts, 静岡市, 観光, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Halloween, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

10 Halloween Treats in Japan (Shizuoka Prefecture actually!)!

October 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its melons!

Halloween is around the corner and all shops have certainly turned orange, the color of pumpkins!
It can sometimes become boring but if you try to stay positive there are many pictures to take and many ways to celebrate!

Here are 10 of my favorites here in Shizuoka Prefecture!

1) Halloween Bento!
Note the orange pumpkin inside it to justify the name!

2) Halloween Chou!
The Japanese cannot imagine a dessert without some kind of chou, chou a la creme, or chou cream popping up in their heads!
This particular ones are filled with chocolate custard. All home-made!

3) Halloween Donuts!
Discovered in a department store in Numazu City!

4) Halloween Melon!
This is my favorite! I couldn’t introduce it just after the top picture!
Shizuoka Prefecture is known all over Japan for its melons!

5) Halloween Gratin!
A large one for he whole family!
If you want the recipe, I’ll be glad to send it to you!

6) Halloween Kabocha Croquettes!
Sophisticated French gastronomy in Japan!

7) Halloween Kabocha Gratin!
A bit of a repeat, but the design is so cute!
I can also send you the recipe on request!

8) Halloween Apples!
Taken during the Daidogei Street performance Festival!

9) Halloween panckes!
Another way to prepare pancakes with kabocha!
I can send you the recipe on request!

10) Halloween Pop Corn!
The ultimate American Junk Food!

For a better view!

Wait until Christmas for another surprise!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanes Culture, Japanese Education, Japanese students, Kindergarten, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Kindergarten On The March!

October 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I noticed these kindergarten kids as I went out of Cenova Departement Store at 10:15 a.m. this morning!
Cenova Department Store, owned by Shizutetsu Company is also the starting point of the Shizutetsu Railway Line running from Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku to Shimizu Ku, a kind of surface underground.
It is a very busy line during rush hours.
But in between it is quite a pleasant ride.
Thoese kindergarten kids were obviously on a field trip to learn how to buy tickets and ride trains!

According to the color of the caps they were two classes of the same school accompanied by three teachers.
Please not the flap protecting the nape of the kids. It is becoming more and more the norm due to the hot weather. Temperatures rose to 30 degrees Celsius today! To think we are going to freeze in winter!

The kids were extremely well-behaved, orderly and quiet but obviously excited at the prospect of riding a train!
Note that the kids all carry colorful rucksacks very probably containing drinks, lunches and small clothes and wnd what else!
The kids also wear the same shorts (except for one who must have had a good reason! LOL) and shirts be they boys or girls with their names tagged on.
Japan, and especially Shizuoka, is extremely safe, but kids are well protected!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Old Shizuoka City Hall: Another Cultural Asset saved from the Developers’ clutches!

October 9, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

If you go to the modern Shizuoka City Hall in Aoi Ku you will notice an old building topped with a dome on its right.
The whole building had been the city Hall of Shizuoka City from 1886 to 1986, just a century.
Having lived 38 years in Shizuoka City I witnessed the building of the new City Hall (which had to be restarted after it was discovered that its foundation was too low!) and shared the worries of the local citizens when the mayor in place, Shingo Amano (you will not find his name in all records as he had to step down in second mid-term after one too many financial scandals!), wanted to pull down the whole edifice to leave place to another of his expensive “monuments”.

The edifice created by a guest British architect was finally saved out of the mayor’s friends’ clutches when various citizen groups finally woke up and started a damaging campaign forcing the mayor to relent (the beginning of end for him actually!).

The building has since then been used as a meeting hall, library and document vault.
You can actually visit most of it on your own without permission.
It is a great place to explore for photography buffs with old stairs, panels. windows and waht else!

Try and catch the dome under a red dusk sky! I’m sure you will have plenty of striking pics to show back home!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, Bars, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Gastronomic Bar: Jacuzzi awabar in Shizuoka City!

October 8, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

I had been on the lookout for this place for quite a while since the owner of Taky’s Cakes and Cafe owner decided to move to new and larger location (report next month I hope).

I had to surprise to find out it had opened on the very day I chose to have a better look and visit!
Actually, another surprise was waiting for me inside!

Keisuke Ohta/太田圭祐さん is in fact an old acquaintance of mine in spite of his relatively young age. Some one year ago he left his previous employment to open a successful wine bar called Vin Vino in Ryogae-Cho, Aoi Ku before starting this second venture!

The small place is an incredible example of Japanese ingeniousness making the most of what small space was available.
6 guests can sit on chairs at the counter while 10~12 more people can stand at two tables and 3 half tables against the wall.
Even so, two staff can work at ease behind the bar and cook without nay hassles.

Incidentally you can use their beautiful business cards as coasters!

The counter bar.
Actually very little change was brought to the place except for the seating!

The lighting is modern but diffused.
As a customer if you want a little privacy sit at the counter or stand at one one of the half tables against the wall.
If you want to be seen and see stand by one of the two tables behind the bay window!
Mind you, depending on the kind of customers it can either be very quiet or definitely raucous!

I started with a dry wine from the Cotes du Rhone in France with no bubbles, but one can enjoy, beer, sake, cocktailes, liqueurs, spirits, whiskey, wine by the glass or bottle, fizzy or flat, soft drinks, soda and light meals!

Now, the food is definitely of a higher level but reasonable!
All the vegetables are organically grown by Mr. Baba in Fujinomiya City at the foot of Mount Fuji!
The above vegetables exquisitely cooked as “frites” (actually an elegant tempura) are worth the visit alone!

From a different angle two kinds of eggplants, a square bean and other beauties the staff take pride in meticulously introducing!
There are plenty of other tasty morsels available but that will be for the next report!

And do not forget to explore the wine list including such unusual offerings as this pink fizzy wine from Yamanashi Prefecture!
See you soon there again!

JACUZZI awabar
]420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-11-10-2
Tel.: 054-269-5992
Opening hours: 15:00~24:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards not yet!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 野菜, 観光, 農業, Food, Food Health, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Tourism

My 10 Best Vegetables Dishes in Japan

October 7, 2013 dragonlife 1 Comment

To give a little help (actually he helps me!) Russell Deasley, the mastermind of a superior Homepage/Blog with the name of THE TOP 10…of Anything and Everything! I have been thinking what could be the different “10”, be they the best, worst or whatever, I could come up with. And the ideas are coming fast and thick!
I’m not a vegetarian or vegan but I love vegetables and I’m always keen to check what the chef at any restaurant I visit (and I visit quite a few because this is one of my occupations!) can achieve with vegetables only!
Here are what I would consider the best 10 vegetables dishes I ever had (so far!) in Japan. Mind you, they were all enjoyed inside Shizuoka City, a bias helped by the simply mind-blowing number of varieties grown in Shizuoka Prefecture!

1) Wok-fried at Annam Restaurant, Vietnamese Cuisine!

2) Fried and steamed vegetables appetizer at Aquavite, Italian Cuisine!

3) vegetables Terrine at Caravin, French Cuisine!

4) Steamed vegetables at Cham, Chinese Cuisine!

5) Japanese pickles at Kawakatsu, Japanese cuisine (this is an exception as it is located in Fujieda City!)!

6) Steamed and stir-fried vegetables appetizer at Pissenlit, French Cuisine!

7) Steamed and sauteed-baked vegatables appetizer at Tetsuya Sugimoto, French Cuisine!

8) “Goro goro” stir-fried vegetables at Uzu, Japanese Izakaya Cuisine!

9) Vegetables Sashimi Plate at Yasai tei, Japanese Izakaya Cuisine!

10) “Eggplant Vegetables Steak” at Tetsuya Sugimoto, French Cuisine!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

笑い, 観光, Humor, Japan, Japanes Culture, Japanese fashion, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

The 10 (and a few more) weirdest sights in Shizuoka City, Japan! So far…..

October 6, 2013 dragonlife 1 Comment

1) KILLING WITH A SMILE?

Japan is the safest country in the world, but it also produces the best knives and swords in the world, too!
Advertising such a business with a smiling (with a vampire tooth jutting out) manga girl is both novel and disquieting! LOL

It is actually the sign of the oldest knives and cutlery shop in Shizuoka City!

2) Beware of the Wild Boars at Bus Stops! (real!)

I discovered that sign inside a bus stop shelter in Yuugashima, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture!

“Beware of the Wild Boars!”
It’s not a joke!

Mind you, they make for good food, too! Wild boar buns are a local specialty!

3) Japanese Ladies Fashion in Shizuoka: Mother and Daughter!

Maybe I could say that it is never too early nor too late to become fashionable!
Today was a hot day and being a Saturday a lot of people were aout shopping.
Such a mother and daughter is still very much unusual in Japan, considering the mother is nearer fifty than forty of age…
I can’t feel the presence of a man in this family…

Note the shoes! I’m pretty sure they were bought in the same shop!

And both are very proud of their thin long legs!
Definitely a rare occurence but I’m not one to complain!

4) The Punk and The Pinky or The Riot and The Cutie?

Some girls seem to have just come out of a manga story…
I chose not to take their faces for privacy breach reasons but actually they are cute enough as they are!
Probably just out of high school!
Actually Shizuoka City is famous/notorious for Japanese cutie/punk fashion all over Japan!

5) Tsunami Capsule Shelter Pucapuca in Shizuoka!

It is the Japanese new invention!
Called Tsunami Capsule, Tsunami Shelter, Pucapuca, Runfun, etc, it is supposed to protect you from tsunami as it is devised to float atop any moving water without capsizing!
The cost: a whooping 1,000,000 yen!

And it is made by Ton Craft company in Makinohara City, Shizuoka prefecture!

6) Pepsi good for Hair?

Somme “collaborations” should be avoided!
Found this near my office…

7) Fancy a Drink Before a Break-in?

I love the name of this bar in Ryogae-Cho, Shizuoka City!
Mind you, a couple too many drinks there could encourage me into some illegal activities!
They serve Guiness which explains the shamrock!

8) Acid Milk!

A few years ago we used to see those big ads in Japan for “Homo Milk” standing for “Homogeneous Milk”. That is, until someone pointed out this might mislead some people into the wrong conclusions…

I found this truck in front of a kindergarten this morning on the way to my classroom.
After some investigation I found out (with the help of my Japanese student), that yoghurt is also called fermented milk in Japanese!
Acid Milk simply stands for Yoghurt!
Even so, it might be a good idea (but I suppose it is too late!) to think of a change of name, unless some people (again!) think of an even worse possibility! LOL

9) Gremlin?

Don’t misread me! I’m not trying to be disparaging or criticizing!
The (very young) lady was barely 140 cm tall and all so compact!
I noticed her inside Shizuoka JR Station as I was waiting for my train to Shimada (work. I would come back later).
She was a jumble of fashions mrap to goth and whatever in between although she seemed very sweet when I heard talk to the girlfriend she had been waiting for.
A fashion almost uniquely found among high school students out for fun!
Her garb is so zany and colorful.
So, why not?

10) What kind of school is that?

Would you believe that most pupils at this elementary school go to top Unversities?
Found out that the City of Shizuoka made that sign when I questioned the Headmaster who wouldn’t take reponsibility for it!
They have pasted a correction above it since then!

11) Junk Food Bar in Shizuoka City!

Someone will have to explain the meaning of the word “junk” to some people here! LOL
Maybe they are confusing junk food with fast food, although I would like to know what they mean by “soul” as well!

Americans will understand that “Jumbo Dog” probably means “Jumbo Hot Dog”, but what is a “Got Burger” or “Junk Rice”?

They are quite insistent about it with “Junk Food & Bar” pasted on the entrance door!
Actually, they serve a very good open hamburger!

12) Don’t set the Department Store on Fire!

Seen at Cenova Department Store in Shizuoka City!
The fact that is the safest country in the World sometimes leads to excessive precautions and warnings!
Hazardous Materials (probably wrong choice of word there…) should be prohibited anywhere!
I totally agree with banning smoking!
But who would try to set a department store on fire?

The fact that the sign is almost at ground level be hind a constantly moving sliding glass door might explain why people haven’t paid any notice!
I wonder what the Chinese and Korean translations say?

13) Have a care or I’ll bite!

Note the sushi standing bar in front of the girls!

In these times of waist-high cinched tutu-like skirts and dresses, this young girl almost stands out as an anachronism!

Mind you, compared to her friend that fashion is utterly practical although the white pants might get dirty vey quickly!

14) Snow White?

No, although the skin of this young lady was incredibly white, she wasn’t an albino (very rare in Japan!)!
Her hair was not bleached but dyed as it had a nice lustre to it!

She was also incredibly fit, and I had a hard time following her from the other side of the street discreetly until I could take a pic of her even from the back!
Were I younger she might have been my type! LOL

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Numazu City, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 1

October 6, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

A tall kura in Shizuoka City

“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.

Can you spot the small one in far distance? Discovered in Numazu City!

Except in Kyoto and other touristic regions, or unless designated as cultural properties, most large ones have been pulled down as the land they stood on was far more financially valuable.

Only yesterday I cycled to one I knew just to find out that the owner who used it as a restaurant had just replaced it with a car park and moved his restaurant on the first floor of an adjacent building!

Very small, even by Japanese standards, I wonder how it has survived all that time!

During WWII those warehouses helped to conserve a lot of precious data as they were sturdy enough to resist bombing and fires.
Where the people could not afford to build one on their own, very often the village and even the cities had one built to at least protect the rice harvest.
On the other hand almost all Buddhist temples had one thus protecting a lot of cultural assets, especially in the light that a great majority of the population was literate.

Can you spot the one covered with ivy behind the old traditional Japanese restaurant?

It is probably owned by the restaurant.
As Numazu City is a harbor it was probably used to also shelter nets and other valuable fishing equipment as such structures could even withstand tsunamis.

Can you spot the one behind the car park of the neighboring clinic?

I wouldn’t be surprised to learn it is still owned and used by the private clinic!
Also in Numazu City and very near the sea you never know, it might prove as a blessing!

I also discovered this cute little one in Numazu City!

In Kyoto such kuras would find many uses from store to restaurant, atelier and what else!
If I had the money I would immediately transform it into a cozy little restaurant!

This one is quite well-known in Shizuoka City.
It is owned by a defunct local cosmetics company.

It is part of a big property including a house and garden and could easily be transformed into a grandiose project.
Unfortunately it is not on sale as the family owning it apparently does not want or might not be allowed to sell it!

I almost missed that one in the center of Shizuoka City as it is completely hidden as three sides in spite of its large size!

Now, this is ancient, and judging from its generally good state it is still used. As what, I have no idea!

I was lucky to find this one, too, as the owners have completely vacated the premises including the near store which must closed quite some time ago.

It is tall and big and could easily separated from the rest of the property to be developed as store and restaurant/cafe/atelier but I’m afraid that developers will soon raze the whole lot!

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!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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

Sake Kegs at Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City

October 2, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

One noticeable difference between Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines (Shinto is the native religion) in Japan is that shrines exhibit the empty kegs of sake offered by believers (the original meaning of “Sake” is “food of the gods”) whereas Buddhist Temples don’t.

Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City which is one of the most important in the Prefecture does exhibit quite a few.
Not all are sake made inside Shizuoka Prefecture, though.
At least investigating the one produced inside Shizuoka Prefecture provide quite a few insights!
Therefore it will be a pleasure to help you discover them!

“Kaiun/開運” is the brand name of the sake produced by Doi Brewery/土井酒造 in Kakegawa City/掛川市 in central-western Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Garyuubai/臥龍梅” is the brand name of Sanwa Brewery/三和酒造 in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City/清水区静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Aoitenka/葵天下” is the brand name of the sake produced by Yamanaka Brewery/山中酒造 in Kakegawa City/掛川市 in central western shizuoka Prefecture.

“Hana No Mai/花の舞” is the brand name of Hana No Mai Brewery/花の舞酒造 in Hamamatsu City/浜松市 in western Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Senju/千寿” is the brand name of Senju Brewery/千寿酒造” in Iwata City/磐田市 in western Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Kumpai/君盃” is the brand name of Kumpai Brewery/君盃酒造” in Shizuoka City/静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Haginishiki/萩錦” is the brand name of Haginishiki Brewery/萩錦酒造 in Shizuoka City/静岡市 in Central Shizuoka Prefecture.

“Takasago/高砂” is the brand name of Fuji-Takasago Brewery/藤高砂酒造 in Fujinomiya City/富士宮市in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture.

Now, this keg belonged to a defunct brewery!
“Chuumasa/忠正” was the brand name of Yoshiya Brewery/吉屋酒造 in Shizuoka City/静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.
Their license was bought some two years ago by a new brewery called Suruga Brewery/駿河酒造 also in Shizuoka City. As for the Chuumasa brand name it is still used by Suruga Brewery.

As for this brewery, there are a lot questions marks left! (would you believe that one of my Japanese-side relatives is actually working there!)
“Kihei/喜平” is the brand name of Hikari Brewery/平喜酒造 in shizuoka City/静岡市 in central Shizuoka Prefecture.
Now, Hiraki Company which originally (and still is) a liqueurs and drinks distributor originating from Kakegawa City bought Hiraki Brewery in Okayama Prefecture in 1956 and then established their headquarters in Shizuoka City to sell the sake made in their brewery in Okayama Prefecture.
Two years ago, having acquired the license of defunct Dogatsuru Brewery in kakegawa City they started their second brewery called Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery/静岡平喜酒造. When interviewed the Association of Sake Brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture assured me that they would only market sake made in Shizuoka City inside Shizuoka Prefecture. Unfortunately it was completely untrue! Moreover their representatives or master brewers never appear at events featuring their brand!

“Fukki/富貴” of the eponymous brerwey is from Shizuoka Prefecture but they produced pure sake alcohol to be blended with jumai sake in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City. They were an official member of the Association of Shizuoka sake Brewers until two years ago. They haven7t been mentioned there since then. I wonder why… actually I know!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Stone Lanterns at Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City!

October 2, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Yesterday, having some time on hand, I paid a visit to the Sengen Shrine, the largest Shinto Shrine in Shizuoka Ciy.
I had planned to take some pictures of dragons, but to my disappointment they were too few and unintereting.

On the other hand I discovered many traditional Japanese stone lanterns.
They are called tourou/灯籠 in Japanese.
They have been there since immemorial times though candles have been replaced by electric devices nside.

With all the tress, shrubs and hedges around it is easy to create some unexpected pictures!

These lanterns are either geometrically placed in front of smaller shrines or in rows along the many paths crisscrossing the very wide shrine properties.

At night you would certainly need the lanterns to find your way up the stairs to that very dark shrine!
Actually shrines are all either deep red or charcoal black, colors which would both make them invisble at night!

Interestingly enough the small wooden board notice warns to beware of the danger of the lantern! In day time? Unless you want to push it down in spite of its very heavy weight! Or maybe to warn drunk people during the New Year festivities?

Taken at an angle you can see the lanterns in a staggered manner!

Another graphic possibility!

Some of these lanterns are so old they have become a virtual garden!

They almost seem to march around a bend!

Some are almost hidden under the trees of the many gardens and small parks.

As far as I know there are only two types.

There were only a few of those roundish squat types, probably the older kind.

Thanks to the lichen patterns you could say they were all different!

Now, what’s that?

A bird’s nest, probably that of swallows!
It had been left undisturbed in spite of being presently vacant. After all such nests are considered as lucky in Japan, so cleaners see no need to take them away!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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Japanese Recipe: Deep-fried Squid (cuttlefish), Rings and Tentacles

October 1, 2013 dragonlife 7 Comments

Here in Japan, and shizuoka in particular we have an abundance of squids (cuttlefish) and we do need to sometimes rack our brains for new recipes.
I understand that such sea food is not all that popular in some countries (in Muslim societies they are prohibited) but they make for tasty and reasonably cheap food.
Here is a (actually three ) simple recipe to enjoy them with a great glass of beer!

INGREDIENTS:

-Deep-fried suid:
Whole cuttlefish for three recipes at the same time
Flour
Egg
Panko/Breadcrumbs
Oil

-Deep-fried squid rings:
same squid
Flour
Water
Salt
Black pepper
Curry powder
Oil

-Deep-fried squid tentacles:
Same squid
Salt
Black pepper
Cornstarch
Oil

RECIPE(S):

Even if you mean to eat it only cooked choose a squid of the best freshness for best taste!
My favorite is Yari Ika/槍烏賊/Spear Squid
First pull out tentacles and keep them separately.

Take and throw away entrails That is unless you want to use the squid ink!).
Clean the whole inside and outside a first time with cold clean water.
Peel of whole outside skin. For better explanations and understanding look at these pictures describing the preparation a squid in detail!
Clean again and sponge off any excess water with a clean kitchen paper or towel.

Cut the body in rings. Leave the tail as it is or cut it in strings. Separate the tentacles or keep them whole.

Beat some eggs in a bowl.
Apply flour on all the squid cuts.
Dip into beaten eggs.

Bring oil to 180 degrees Celsius.
Deep-fry until nice orange-brown color.
Eat them hot dipped into a mixture of Worcester Sauce and tomato ketchup (or any suce of your liking!)

For deep-fried squid rings prepare a batter with water, flour, salt, pepper and curry powder (no need of eggs).
Dip the rings in the batter and deep-fry at 180 degrees Celsius.

Savor them crisp with a great craft beer!

As for the tentacles or geso/足 in Japanese, separate them to your liking and clean them in cold water. Sponge off all water.

Coat them with a mixture of cornstarch, salt and black pepper.

Deep-fry them in oil at 180 degrees Celsius just long enough to cook them. Soak off excess oil on a piece of kitchen paper or on a grill.

Serve them as hot as possible as they are or seasoned with chili pepper or/with mayonnaise!
Don’t forget the beer!

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Japanese Vegan Gastronomy: Veggie Burger at Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop in Shizuoka City!

September 30, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Friendly, smiling and helpful
Facilities: Overall very clean. Washroom a bit small but clean.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Exclusively vegan cuisine. A great scope of vegan ingredients on sale. Entirely non-smoking!

I paid my second visit today to Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, where I was looking forward to a different vegan (I’m not, sorry!) lunch!

I also noticed that a young couple of local potters living in Mori Machi, Kakegawa City, were exhibiting and selling some exquisite pottery!

I understand that interviewing will quite a challenge as they usually do allow it, but I’m confident I will succeed. Their art is just too good to ignore!

There was a choice but since Mrs. Miho Maki/牧美穂さん recommended her veggie burger, I didn’t hesitate!

Her vegan soy milk based soup would please anyone with a health-conscious and epicurian mind! I particularly love the ginger included in it and the herbs sprinkled on top!

Exquisite and so aromatic herb tea!

The veggie burger!

Home-baked vegan bread!

Two deep-fried veggie/vegan patties in between with plenty of fresh local vegetables!

Organic herbs providing extra seasoning!

Not only very healthy, but more fulfilling than expected! Who would complain? Certainly not me, in spite of being an omnivore!

Rama 4.5 Organic Cafe & Shop
420-0031 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-4-5
Tel.: 054-266-3845
Business hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Wednesday
Entirely non-smoking

Will soon interview their other home-restaurant at:

Rama
422-8052 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Midorigaoka, 19-6
Tel.: 054-260-5186
Business hours: 11:00~23:00
Closed on Wednesday
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

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