Category Archives: Shizuoka Prefecture

レシピ, 美食, Drinks, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Gastronomes, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka Sake, Tourism

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Suruga Brewery-Chumasa Daiginjo Genshu

December 14, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Suruga Brewery in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City, has certainly come a long way since they acquired the license of defunct Yoshiya Brewery!

Not only they bought the license but kept on producing the former brewery’s names: Chumasa, Tokaido and Oni goroshi!

This particular sake has been awarded the accolade from The Shizuoka Prefecture Government!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Hyogo Prefecture9
Rice milled down to 40%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees
Dryness: ; 7
Acidity: 1.1
Bottled in October 2013

Clarity: Very clear
Color:Faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive, dry, fruity. Apples
Body: Fluid
Taste: Well-rounded deep, dry, fruity attack. Pleasant alcohol.
Very complex.
Banana, apples, pears, oranges, nuts, hints of dark chocolate.
Disappears fairly quickly with drier oranges and almonds.
Takes on a sweeter turn with each sip to immediately switch back to a drier accent.
Dry banana, almonds and pears making a comeback with every sip.

Overall: A very complex and elegant sake in spite of its high alcohol content.
Although thoroughly enjoyable with any food, is best enjoyed slowly on its own, either chilled or at room temperature.
Especially comforting after a cold winter day as an aperitif, or even better as a night cap.
If you must absolutely drink it with food, enjoy it with salads or fish.
A special nectar!

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So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

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

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Cinema, Culture, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Movies, Museums, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Cinema Museum: Shichi Bura Cinema Street in Shizuoka City!

December 14, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Before the movie theaters were closed and moved to Cenova Department Store and consequently their buildings pulled down the City of Shizuoka, following the example with the Hiroshige Ukiyo-e in Gofuku Cho Street, had the great idea to create an open air museum along Shichikrn Street just after it crosses the Showa Street!

The pole indicating the starting point of Shichi Bura Cinema Street!

They even indicated the project on the wrought iron grids surrounding the trees!

Also announced on each display box!

Like in Gofuku Street they use the same red granite abundantly even on the pavement to show the emblem bird of Shizuoka City,…

the emblem tree of Shizuoka City. or…

the emblem flower of Shizuoka City!

Each display pedestal is flanked with seats made of the same red granite. Unfortunately their access is somtimes blocked by bicycles or nearby building works!

The displays inside the boxes are really intriguing and deserve some research: reverse film apparatus!

Great sight in store!

Ancient movie camera!

What’s next?

Sun spot!

Now, what are those two?

Enormous microphones!

The works on the right are a real eyesore!

Suspension flight light and solar spot light!

Machine head!

And to finish a genuine antique 1971 movie program poster!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Mount Fuji, Nature, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Shizuoka Prefecture, Mount Fuji and Green Tea on Stamps!

December 12, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Japanese Postal Office have just issued a series of stamps and one special sheet describing Mount Fuji and Green Tea Fields in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Advertisement in side Shizuoka City Main Post Office!

Such can be bought only at post offices inside Shizuoka Prefecture as this is a regional issue

The special block/sheet!

These stamps and special block/sheet are commemorating the recognition of Mount Fuji as a World Cultural heritage.
The 5 different stamps can be bought separately in sheets of 20 or in singles, pairs, etc. at 80 yen each, the basic letter postage sue, or in a special block of 5 different stamps for 400 yen.

The stamp block is sold inside a sealed special pack, making a nice souvenir or present!

There is a (Japanese) explanation of each stamp photograph in the margins of the sheet!

The green tea fields!

Hurry up as I don’t think they will last long what with the end of the year celebrations coming!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Ecology, Education, Environment, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Health, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Hygiene, Non smoking, Non-smoking issues, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

No Smoking Streets in Shizuoka City (and how about Japan?)!

December 11, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

The pavements in Shizuoka City are full of signs that can sometimes be an eye sore, but there is at least one I would encourage the city, Prefecture and country to stick everywhere, that is, a NO-SMOKING sign!

The one they use in Shizuoka City represents a kingfisher because it is the emblem bird of Shizuoka City!

The sign says: “Smoking is prohibited on that street”!

Incidentally I did run into some confrontations with some morons who ignored the sign at their own feet…
The worst occasion was with one particularly idotic (man) moron kept puffing in the middle of the small crowd waiting to cross the street. When I complained he just replied (in Japanese) to f…k o.f you b….y foreigner!
But I must say for the Japanese that no one took his defense when I replied (in Japanese) in kind!
Mind you, this is still a very safe and peaceful country so I prefer to forget such incidents, but the no-smoking will stay.

Note: I’m a former smoker and it is probably even harder on my sort! LOL

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Environment, 静岡県, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Kakegawa City, Manholes, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 11: Kakegawa City

December 11, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

One of the Kakegawa Castle Mints!

Kakegawa City in central west Shizuoka Prefecture is a city has certainly grown big, at least in area, when many surrounding towns were merged into it.
It also boasts a castle, a copy made in late 20th Century.

The same as above on a pavement!

Another mint in different colors!

There were older designs as the three below prove:

“Autumn Leaves Street!”
Water Duct Manhole Cover.

The same as above but over a Fire Station Water tank!

A version of the Kakegawa Castle without the colors!

This particular manhole covers commemorates the fact that Hisaka In Kakegawa City was the 25th Station of the Old Tokaido Road as painted by Hiroshige!

The same on a pavement!

Another mint in different colors!

The same on a pavement without the colors!

A rain water manhole cover!

Probably a sewer manhole cover!

A beautiful mint for Kamiuchida District!

Manhole cover in Daito Cho which has since been merged into kakegawa City!

Electric cable access manhole cover in Ogasayama Sports Center!

Another electric cable access manhole cover in Ogasayama Sports Center!

the mint for a sewer manhole cover in Osuka Town which has been merged since with Kakegawa City!

Another mint for a manhole cover in Osuka Town which has been merged since with Kakegawa City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Ecology, Environment, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, 農業, Japan, Japanese Culture, Life, Life in Japan, Persimmon, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka agricultural products, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

The Last persimmon For The Birds!

December 11, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

if you have a tree garden or an orchard, birds are not always unwelcome as they contribute to the ecological balance. too!
The Japanese, growers included, make a point of leaving some persimmons on top of their trees for the birds to feed in the winter.
This picture of squat persimmons/jirou kaki/次郎柿 was taken inside the beautiful tree park behind Il Brolo Italian Restaurant in Mariko, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

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Recommended Lunch Restaurants In Shizuoka Prefecture: Italian (as of December 2013. Added to)

December 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Traditional Pasta at Aquavite!

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

AL PORTO

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!

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)

STORIA

Service: Friendly and attentive
Facilities & Equipment: Extremely clean overall. Splendid gender separated washrooms
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Light & mild Italian gastronomy. Great use of local products
Entirely non-smoking!

STORIA
Chef: Koushin Saita/才田亨辰さん
422-8076 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo 1-7-13, Espacio Takajyou, 2F
Tel.: 054-260-7552
Opening hours: Lunch-11:30^14:30; Cafe-14:30~18:00, Dinner-18:00~22:30
Closed on Mondays and 2nd Tuesday (the next day in case of National Holiday)
Credit cards OK
Entirely non smoking!

VENTY DUE

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Excellent Washroom
Prices: Reasonable
Specialty: Real Napolitan Pizza baked on wood fire
Completely Non-smoking!

22 Venty Due
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajyo Machi, 3-21-20
Tel & Fax: 054-260-4522
Business hours:18:00~21:30
Closed on Sundays
Reservations advised.

OSTERIA TIALOCA

Service: Very friendly
Facilities: Very clean
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Traditional Italian Country Cuisine. Very good value. Very interesting list of Italian wines at reasonable prices

Osteria TiaLoca
420-0839 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takajo, 1-7-8, 1F
Tel./fax: 054-260-0217
Business hours: 11:30~14:30, 18:00~22:30
Closed on Mondays from 2012
Reservations recommended
HOMEPAGE/BLOG
Completely Non-smoking!

AQUAVITE

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great cleanliness overall. Small but beautiful washroom
Prices: Reasonable to expensive.
Strong points: Great use of local products, especially organic vegetables in inventive cuisine. Top-class Italian wines. Private room for~8 people

AQUAVITE
420-0034 Shizuoka Shi, Tokiwa-cho, 1-2-7, Tomii Bldg. 3F
Tel. & fax: 054-2740777
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00 18:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Credit Cards OK
Non-smoking private room available!

ORTA RISTORANTE

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Facilities: Superb cleanliness through and through and beautiful washroom.
Prices: Appropriate
Strong points: Authentic Northern Italian Gastronomy. Good wine list. Very fresh ingredients, local whenever possible
Entirely non-smoking!

Chef/Owner: Mr. Sebastiano Bonomi Pattini
Orta Ristorante
Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Banya, 675, 2F
tel. & Fax: 053-455-0321
Business hours: 11:30~14:, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Tuesdays
HOMEPAGE
Credit Cards OK

TRATORRIA IL PALADINO

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Facilities: Great and very large washroom, great cleanliness overall
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive.
Strong points: Sicilian Cuisine. Top-class Italian wines and great collection of Grappa.
Non-smoking at tables. Private room can be made non-smoking!

Tratorria . Il Paladino
420-9839 Shizuoka City, Aoi-Ku, Takajo, 2-8-19
Tel.: 054-253-6537
Opening hours: 11:30~13:30, 17:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays
Credit cards OK (Dinner only)

IL CASTAGNO

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment: Great general cleanliness
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Great appetizers. Home-made pasta!. Great use of local products from the land and the sea. Southern Italy and Sardinia gastronomy.

IL CASTAGNO
420-0843 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Tomoe Cho, 48
Tel/Fax: 054-247-0709
Business hours: 11:45~14:00, 17:30~21:00
Closed every Monday and 3rd Tuesday
Credit cards OK (dinner only)
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

CAFE AKKO

Service: Shy but friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Extremely clean overall. Beautiful washroom.
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Slow and healthy Italian gastronomy created mostly with local products!

CAFE AKKO
411-0036, Mishima City, Ichi ban Cho, 17-49, BT Bldg., 1F
Tel.: 055-943-5598
Opening Hours: 11:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays, national Holidays and Wednesday evenings (except when fully reserved or for events)

CONTORNO

Service: Excellent and very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Great cleanliness overall
Prices:Reasonable.
Strong points:Many local products be they from the land or the sea. Organic vegetables. Car park.
Entirely non-smoking!

Map

CONTORNO
421-0122, Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mochimune, 5-1-10, Sunrise Mochimune (5 minutes walk from Mochimune JR Station. Second stop after Shizuoka)
Tel.: 054-2565877
Business hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:00~21:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)

Lunch sets: 1,480 yen~
Dinner: Appetizers: 500yen~, 1,000 yen~
Pasta: 930 yen~
Pizza (oven-baked): 1,180 yen~
Carte available

NORI

Service: Very friendly and relaxed. Very intelligent explanations and presentations.
Equipment: Great general cleanliness in a beautifully decorated house. Superb washroom
Prices: Very reasonable considering the extravagant quality.
Strong points: A great accent on local products both from the land and the sea. Gastronomic Italian-style cuisine with a constant research on new products and methods. Excellent wine list. Superb grappa.
Completely Non-smoking!

NORI
426-0204 Shizuoka Ken, Fujieda Shi, Tokigaya, 864-3
Tel./Fax: 054-641-4778
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00; 18:00~22:00
On reservation only for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE (Japanese, but do check it for great photographs of the house and garden!)
Completely Non-smoking!

SPICE

Service: Very friendly
Equipment: Great general cleanliness
Prices: Reasonable
Strong Points: Local vegetables and meat! Very healthy meals!
Completely Non-smoking!

SPICE
Mishima City, Hon-cho, 7-30, Via701-2, 2F
Tel.: 055-981-8889
Opening hours: 11:30~15:00, 18:00~22:00
Closed on Mondays
Parties welcome!
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Completely Non-smoking!

IL BROLO

Service: Friendly and easy-going!
Facilities & Equipment: Very clean overall. Beautiful washroom. Private tree park. Car parking.
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Wood oven baked pizzas. No smoking at lunch.

IL BROLO Pizzeria

421-0103 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mariko, 2990-1
Tel./Fax: 054-266-7880
Openinh hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:30~21:30
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday of the month
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
No-smoking at lunch!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

レシピ, 美食, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Italian Cuisine, Italian Restaurants, Japan, Japanese Gastronomy, Pasta, Photography, Pizza, Recipes, Restaurants, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Cuisine, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tororjiro

Italian Gastronomy: Lunch at Il Brolo in Shizuoka City!

December 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I took the opportunity of my my visit to Mariko the other day to have lunch at a small bur busy pizzeria, Il Brulo!

One of its main attractions is a beautiful and cute small tree park which changes colors with the seasons!

The building used to be a Japanese-style cafe!

Il Brolo is equipped with a wood oven for entirely home-made pizzas!

They have some interesting (and very popular) set lunches. We opted for one with a tomato pasta, the other one with a Margharita Pizza and a glass of wine each.
Incidentally, you may order from the carte even at lunch!

The antipasti misto!

Fresh salad for good overall balance!

Brocoli, kabocha and fritata!

The tomato pasta, very mild in taste!

The Margherita Pizza!

For a better look of a healthy pizza!

The dessert: sweet potato cake and banana ice-cream!

And a true expresso to finish it all!

See you at dinner next time!

IL BROLO Pizzeria

421-0103 Shizuoka City, Suruga Ku, Mariko, 2990-1
Tel./Fax: 054-266-7880
Opening hours: 11:30~14:30, 17:30~21:30
Closed on Tuesdays and first Monday of the month
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
BLOG (Japanese)
No-smoking at lunch!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Hiroshige, Illuminations, Japan, Japanese Culture, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Hiroshige Illuminations in Gofuku Street, Shizuoka City!

December 11, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

I Have already introduced the 45 (out of 53 + 2) Ukiyo-e By Hiroshige (Utagawa Hiroshige), the last great ukiyo-e/wood block prints master in Japan that you can find on red granite posts all along Gofuku Street in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Gofuku Street at night.

Now at night the same red granite posts are surmounted with large lights with the same motif of the ukiyo-e represented below!

The Ukiyo-e below!

The Ukiyo-e above!

They certainly look better than those garish, expensive and bad taste illuminations in Aoba Street that Gofuku Street runs across!

Let me show you some more examples:

Above!

Below!

The “introduction” post!

Below!

Above!

Let me show you just a few more:

Above!

Below!

Above!

Below!

Above!

Below!

I’ll let discover/rediscover the others!
There 45 + 1 in all!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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For Vegans & Vegetarians: Real Food Market Akutsu in Shizuoka City!

December 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

My shopping of the day!
Asuparana/Orange and violet carrots/Violet Mizuna/Violetblack carrots and red daikon!

It is not easy for vegans and vegetarians (I’m not but I try to help!) to find a good source of healthy vegetables, but here in Japan, and especially in Shizuoka Prefecture where vegetables are grown non-stop, it shouldn’t be difficult!

No, this scarecrow is here for the fun and to tell you that all the vegetables sold there are organically grown!

Oranges from Shimizu Ku!

Fine, but where do you find vegetables, especially organic ones, not only fresh and healthy but one you can trace back in all safety?

Well, Mr. and Mrs Akutsu who opened Real Food Market Akutsu Shop 6 years ago know enough growers in Shizuoka Prefecture and beyond to be able to provide only organic and seasonal vegetables all year round from Hamamatsu, Iwata, Shizuoka, Fujinomiya, Mishima to cite only a few cities and more from beyond our borders.

Greetings from the staff!

As for the fruit, they might not be organic but they are the healthiest available!
Even food for the non-vegan or vegetarian is the healthiest one could find!

For the omnivorous customers healthy and very reasonably priced bento are available every day!

Carrots, pumpkins and eggplants from Fujinomiya City, burdock roots from Miyazaki Prefecture!

Daikon, ginger and taro!

You can compose yoour bento!
Mr. and Mrs. Akutsu will help you with your priorities if told in advance!

Organic rice, both milled and brown/whole from Iwata City!

Nationally-known great eggs produced by Mr. Shimizu at “Bioran farm” in Shizuoka City!

More bentos!

I came back late in the afternoon for a new arrival of fresh organic vegetables!

All producers’ names clearly indicated!

beautiful red and violet daikon, carrots, oura burdock and so on!

The ones with the flowers are called asuparana, that is asparagus plants as their taste reminds that of asparagus!
Beautiful in a salad or atop a dish!

They are too many to describe but when you visit the place do not hesitate to ask their names!

These vegetables are especially grown organically for impaired people by Akatsuki Farm!

Perfect traceability as some of the farmers even publish their photos!

I love those long and thin turnips (not daikon) called hibino kabu!

Ishigami Farm family in Tegoshi, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

My selection for the day!
Actually I had to come later to buy more for izakaya owner friends of mine!

Do come every day as new arrivals and new bentos are on siplay!

REAL FOOD MARKET “AKURSU”
420-0867 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Baban Cho, 91 (along Sengen Shrine Street)
Tel.: 054-221-4046
Opening hours: 10:00~19:00
Closed on Tuesdays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Kura, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 5: Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City with Atsuko Kurata!

December 10, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Beautiful Kura in Hongo Cho!

“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.

This posting features sights by My good friend, Mrs. Atsuko Kurata who found them in her native Shimizu Ku in Shizuoka City!
Incidentally Atsuko’s family name includes the word Kura/倉, the modern form of kura/蔵!

Another picture of the above kura in Hongo Cho which is big and seems inhabited or used!

Some kuras like the above may be seen only for far away them being completely isolated by surrounding buildings!

The roof tip of another one!

This particular one has definitely become an abode!

This one is located behind Seiyu Department Store!

A closer view of the same protected by a barbed-wired wall!

This one is old, tall and so solid!
It certainly deserves a few more photographs as seenn below:

The side wall actually shows traces of another building which has disappeared a long time ago!

The window shutter is kept open so it is definitely still used!

Caught in the sun it does not look as forbidding as the side wall!

Note the light which has been added!
It could be interesting to see what it looks like at night!

It is located in Yamazaki and apparently belongs to a building company!

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, 酒, 静岡県, 静岡美食, 静岡市, 観光, 魚, 魚海の幸, Fish, Food, Gastronomes, Gastronomic Photography, Gastronomy, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Gastronomy, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, sake, seafood, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, sushi, Sushi bars, Sushi restaurants., Tourism, 寿司

Sushi: Dinner at Sushi Ko (December 2013) in Shizuoka City!

December 9, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん

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

I don’t really have to introduce Sushi Ko in Aoba Street, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City and its main chef, Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん!
So what did we have last night?

Negi toro snack to accompany the first drink!

Sake brewed by Fujinishiki Brewery in Fujinomiya City: Junmai Ginjyo nama, Sushi Ko Edo no Kaori!

We asked Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん to prepare a whole filefish called Umazura/Horse Face!

O-tsukuri-style sashimi Plate with scallion!

Just wrap the sashimi around the scallion!

And dip them in a sauce made the live fish liver!

Chef Kenta Birukawa/尾留川健太さん kept some of the sashimi and liver to make those beautiful nigiri sushi!

And we had the cheeks of the fish deep-fried!

3 different fish zuke (marinated) set!

Buri/Amberjack!

Akami/Lean tuna!

Salmon!

Japanese foie gras/Ankimo/Frog fish liver!

Shiokara/Pickled cuttle fish for the dragon!

Hotatae/Scallop nigiri!

Amaebi/Sweer Shrimps!

Negitoro maki!

Grilled watari gani crab miso!

Chawan Mushi/Japanese-style steamed salted pudding!

Tamago Yaki!

And complimentary strawberries!

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

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Mosaic, Pavement art, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Crafts, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tiles, Tourism

Pavement Tile Art in Miyuki Street, Shizuoka City!

December 9, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Fantasy 1)

If you go along either side of Miyuki Street from the crossroads with Egawa Street to Route 1 in front of Shizuoka JR Station you should notice some interesting square mosaics of comparatively small size on the pavement.
They are all different in design, colors and size of pieces as the mosaics are made of broken colored tiles!
Artistic recycling!
I have sorted them into 4 groups to make their viewing easier.
Naturally the classification can be completely different according to one’s tastes!

Fantasy 2)

Fantasy 3)

Fantasy 4)

Fantasy 5)

Fantasy 6)

Fantasy 7)

Fantasy 8)

Fantasy 9)

Fantasy 10)

Fantasy 11)

Fantasy 12)

Fantasy 13)

Fantasy 14)

Clock 1)

Clock 2)

Clock 3)

Clock 4)

Rising Sun 1)

Rising Sun 2)

Rising Sun 3)

Rising Sun 4)

Rising Sun 5)

Rising Sun 6)

Rising Sun 7)

Soccer Ball 1)

Soccer Ball 2)

Soccer Ball 3)

Soccer Ball 4)

Soccer Ball 5)

Soccer Ball 6)

I wonder if I could find similar art elsewhere in Shizuoka Prefecture?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Environment, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Humor, Japan, Japanese Culture, Japanese Education, Life, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Garbage “Hall” in Mariko, Shizuoka City!

December 9, 2013 dragonlife 4 Comments

Garbage, especially domestic garbage, disposal has always been a vital problem in this cleanliness-conscious (at least inside households) country.
In Mariko, a nationally-known tourist spot in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City, you can actually discover how and from where it was conducted in Japan as far back as in the Edo Period!

Inhabitants were regularly (on precise days designated by the local “governments”) depositing their garbage, usually burnable as most organic garbage was recycled into agriculture, in t\such “halls/sheds” whose doors could be locked to fend off animals, especially monkeys, bears, racoon dogs and wild boars.

The sign ahs been replaced/ or placed!

“町内/machinai” means “inside the village/town”.
“ゴミ/gomi” means “garbage/trash/refuse”.
“の/no” means (of”.
“館/kan or yakata” means “hall/building/annex”!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Culture, Environment, 静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Manholes, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 10

December 7, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Beautiful Shimizu City (before it was merged with Shizuoka City) manhole cover for “river waters” discovered by my good friend Atsuko Kurata in Sodeshi, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

For this particular blog let me come back to Shizuoka City where I found more “technical information”!