Category Archives: Shizuoka Prefecture

Eels, Eels Restaurant, Gotemba City, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka Prefecture

Japanese Gastronomy: Eel Lunch at Unagi No Hirota in Gotemba City!

April 4, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but friendly and attentive
Equipment & facilities: Old-fashioned but very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: slightly expensive (Japanese eels are not cheap in Japan!)
Strong points: Eels! Seafood and yakitori. All local! Good sake and shochu list.

Unagi no Hirota Restaurant is located within walking distance of the north exit of Gotemba JR Station on the second floor of a somewhat derelict building dating back to the bubble era.
Most of the shops in the building are closed but Unagi no Hirota has survived, a good indication of its quality!

The place is busy even on week days, half with tourists, half with locals, who choose a seat at the counter, around the square central table or on the tatami floor.

I would recommend lunch in particular when the prices are more reasonable as eels are increasingly becoming expensive at restaurants serving Japanese eels, not the cheap imported Chinese variety!

All the eels have been raised in Yoshida Cho, by the Suruga Bay in Central Shizuoka Prefecture for the last 40 years and are prepared form live fish on site, ensuring a safe traceability!

Dragon with a smaller appetite had ordered a “Ieyasu” set lunch!

For a closer view of the main dish!

As for me I ordered the “Nobunaga” lunch set which included an extra length of eel!

My eels!

Side vegetable dish for good balance!

I particularly appreciated the fact that the skin (underneath) was more grilled than greasy as in other establishments, making it not only to easier to eat but also far more tasty!
Moreover the eel was basted with the right amount of sauce, not hiding the taste of the eel but actually accentuating it!

Definitely above average. No wonder it had been recommended to us by the locals!

Unagi No Hirota/鰻のひろ田

〒412-0026　Shizuoka Prefecture, Gotemba City, Higashi tanaka, 870-1, Fashion Plaza, 2F
静岡県御殿場市東田中８７０−１ファッションプラザ 2F
Tel.: 0550-83-3114
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 17:00~20:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Credit cards: OK above 5,000 yen
Check their FACEBOOK SITE for more pictures and information!

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

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-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
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ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
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-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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Gotemba City, Japan, Japan Tourism, Manhole covers, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 39): Gotemba City!

April 3, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

A fire hydrant manhole cover type found in the whole prefecture but with the emblem of Gotemba City!

The other day I had the occasion to visit again again Gotemba City in the Eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture for the first time in many years and could at last manage to check all the manhole covers in town.
They are quite easy to discover as they all within walking distance for the station north exit!

This the main manhole cover symbolizing Gotemba City and remiding visitors that once a D 52-type steam locomotive used to stop there!

The same manhole cover in color (only a few of them!) with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms!

This smaller valve cover is fairly new and comes into two different types!

The second type!
I wonder what the birds are?

Small white covers with the original design can be found in many places!
Otherwise many other types, both neutral and colored common to the whole Prefecture can be found along your steps!
Good hunting!

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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,

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Craft beers, Japan Craft Beers, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Le Septieme Voyage

March 29, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewing has been putting out limited craft beers this years to celebrate anniversaries of its various establishments!

This time they celebrated the seventh anniversary of Growstock, their pub restaurant in Shizuoka City with a Belgian wheat Ale type craft beer: “Le Septieme Voyage/the 7th Voyage”!
Accordingly seven “spices” were also used in its creation!

Served on tap
Barley, Wheat, Pilsner Malt, Wheat malt, Topaz hop, Pearl hop,coriander, nutmeg, orange peels, lemon peels, cloves, papaya, mango, Americqn Ale yeast
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 5.9 degrees
IBU: 25
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: long head, very fine bubbles, creamy, white color
Color: lemon/orange color
Aroma: dry and spicy. Citruses, herbs
Taste: dry, deep, spicy and fruity attack backed up with pleasant acidity.
Complex. Citruses, strong cloves, faint mango.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with more dry cloves.
Changes little with food but for more spices perking up.

Overall: very pleasant and intriguing craft beer.
Very spicy for a beer backed up with plenty of acidity.
Should please ladies in Particular.
Suggested pairings: fried potatoes, pork meats, BBQ

Beer Junkie MOTEL

420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 11-5, IMAKKOKO Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-6558
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00, 17:00~26:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Parties welcome
FACEBOOK

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP
FACEBOOK

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

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

420-0852 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koyamachi Naka Building, 5F
Tel.: 054-293-9331
Opening hours: 17:00~25:00 (Mon.~Thurs.), 17:00~27:00 (Fri & Sat.), 17:00~24:00 (Sun.)
Parties welcome (reserve!)
Credit Cards OK
FACEBOOK

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Gotemba City, Negami Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Negami Brewery-Kinmei Junmai Nama Genshu Shiboritate

March 27, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other I was back to my favorite lair, namely Kasuri in Aoba Odengai in Shizuoka City, where I knew a fine sake was waiting for my tasting!

It was a nectar created by Negami Brewery in Gotemba City!
Kinmei Junmai (no pure alcohol blended in) Nama (unpasteurized) Genshu (no pure rice alcohol blended in) Shiboritate (just pressed)!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Rice milled down to 50~60%
Alcohol: 17 degrees
Second press
Bottled in March 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: transparent
Aroma: dry and fruity. Pears
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed up with puissant junmai petillent.
Complex: pears, white flowers, melon, oranges.
Lingers for a while before departing on notes of soft flowers, melon and oranges.
Turns drier with food with herbs making an appearance.

Overall: Another nectar to be enjoyed in the place of a white wine!
Best appreciated on its own slightly chilled.
Difficult to pair with food because of its very complex character.
Suggested pairing: asparaguses

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Morimoto Brewery-H. Morimoto Filtered Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu

March 19, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Last night when I paid a quick visit to my favorite oden bar in Shizuoka City, the Mama san showed this bottle she had just acquired at Tomitaya Sake Store in Shizuoka City!

Great Brew Master Hitoshi Morimoto was having fun once again in Kikugawa City, in the central-Western part of Shizuoka Prefecture!
The name was just his as he called it H. Morimoto Filtered (in English) for this Tokubetsu Junmai (no pure alcohol blended in) Nama (unpasteurized) genshu (no pure water blended in)!
Incidentally, it is a very limited edition!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Yeast: Kyoukai 901 Go
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Dryness: – 4
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: dry and discreet. Rice, faint pears
Taste: very fruity, sweetish attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex: apples, plums, apricots, sweet pears.
Lingers for a while before departing on sweet, fruity and flowery notes and oranges.
No acidity whatsoever but the sweetness is not cloying at all.

Overall: a very fruity and flowery nectar!
Very unusual concept in Shizuoka prefecture where the great majority of sake are dry.
Very deep and complex with ever-changing facets surging up.
A sake best enjoyed on its own although could definitely be savored in the place of a dessert wine.
A last liqueur for the road, but one easy on the body and soul!
Suggested pairings: Chocolate, blue cheese.

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Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Never Mind The Hops

March 19, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Aoi Brewwing Co in Shizuoka City has just produced a once in a time craft beer to celebrate the first Anniversary of Beer Junkies Motel, their fourth establishment in the same town called “Never Mind The Hops!

Served on tap
Barley, Pale Malt, Munich Malt, Pilsner malt, Dark Crystal malt, Black malt, Roasted barley malt, Challenger hop (English), British ale yeast 2
Unfiltered
Natural carbonation
Acohol/ABV: 4.5 degrees
IBU: 26
Production: 450 l
Bubbles: long head, very fine bubbles, creamy, light brown color
Color: orange brown
Aroma: dry, discreet. Bread, biscuits, faint honey
Taste: sweeter attack than aroma but quickly turns to dry and deep with welcome acidity.
Complex: biscuits, dry honey
Lingers long enough for true tasting before taking a long time to depart on pleasantly acid biscuits and bread with hints of oranges and persimmon.
Changes little with food.
Will keep finishing on a dry note sip after sip.

Overall: Definitely an English dry ale-style craft beer!
A real pity it will be only a once in a lifetime (although I suspect its success will encourage the brew master to try again!)!
Complex and pleasantly changing on the palate.
Suggested pairings: fish and chips, Shepherd’s pie, Steak and kidney pie, pork.

Beer Junkie MOTEL

BEER GARAGE

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

Some Aoi beers are also available at Aoi Brewery’s restaurant in Shizuoka City, namely

GROWSTOCK

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Japan, Japan Tourism, Japanese warehouses, Kura, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Kura: Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 40: Edo Era Village Kura in Nakajima Primary School, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

March 4, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

“Kura” (in Japanese 蔵 or 倉) means “warehouse” or “Storehouse”.
In traditional 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.

Yesterday I was cycling in Nakajima District in Suruga Ku, that the part of of Shizuoka City south of Shizuoka JR Station, an area I still have a lot to learn about in spite of my living in Shizuoka City for 40 years!

Veering into of the straight streets going south I found myself cycling past Nakajima Elementary School.

That is when I espied a rare site beyond the School Disaster Evacuation sign!

A small and very old, but splendidly preserved with little or no repairs standing on the grounds of an elementary school!
I had to investigate!

Simple but stolid enough!

Thanks to this welcome sign I learned it had been built in Edo Era to serve as a warehouse for Nakajima Village as the area was called then. It served mainly as a warehouse for all important documents concerning the Village.
The Elementary School was built by it only many years later.
Apparently it is the only one of its kind in Shizuoka City!

It was wholly built with uncut or cut stones!

It was also located so as toe let the prevailing winds provide needed draft through the two windows opened at each extremity!

I should come back to take a picture of it with cherry tree in blooms!

Do you notice the opening at its base?

This is to make sure that any water accumulated between the high foundation and the kura can be expelled quickly and to insure the same area stays dry!

With the modern elementary school buildings in the background!

The roofing is in good repair!

The pinion with “水/mizu/water” carved in!

Tiled roof details!

How old are the wooden eaves?

How many schoolchildren has this window seen walk past under it?

The door, although repainted, seems original enough!

Only one of the alignment “pegs” was missing!

it was too late in the day to talk with the staff, but I certainly intend to interview the schoolmaster someday!

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Shizuoka Craft Beer: Izu No Kuni Brewery-Scottish Ale (Canned Version)

March 2, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Some canned and even bottled versions of craft beers brewed by Izu No Kuni Brewery in Izu no Kuni City in Northern izu Peninsula can be found in Shizutetsu Supermarkets in particular!

The same supermarkets have been recently offering this canned version of Scottish Ale by Izu No Kuni Brewery!

350 ml can
Barley, wheat, barley malt, wheat malt, hop, live yeast
Probably filtered
Alcohol: 5%

Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Very long head. Creamy. White color
Clarity: very clear
Color: orange/apricot color
Aroma: dry and fruity. Biscuits, honey, faint bread
Taste: dry, deep and fruity attack.
Biscuits, honey and faint citruses.
Very refreshing.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with first sweetish than quickly drying apricots.
Turns somewhat drier with food.
Apricots will keep surging back before disappearing on a dry and somewhat acid note.

Overall: very interesting craft beer and a surprise for a canned version!
Definitely a lot better than expected.
A very refreshing and satisfying craft beer for all seasons.
Ale lovers should make a point of sampling it!
Recommended pairings: BBQ, cold meats, sausages, smoked cheese!

IZU NO KUNI BEER (IZU-WORLD MINNA HAWWAIIANS)
〒410-2315 静岡県伊豆の国市田京195-2
〒410-2315 Shizuoka Prefecture, Izu No Kuni City, Takyo, 195-2
TEL：0558-76-3355
HOMEPAGE

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Hamamatsu-Tenjingura Brewery, sake, Sake Breweries, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hamamatsu Shuzou (formerly Hamamatsu-Tenjingura Brewery)-Shusseijo Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu Shizuku Shibori

February 29, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Hamamatsu-Tenjingura Brewery has been through some significant changes recently.
It was sold to the Totsuka Family in Kakegawa City who already owns Hiraki Brewery and Shizuoka-Hiraki Brewery in Shizuoka City. And the name has apparently been changed to Hamamatsu Shuzou Co. Ltd. I do not know it is such a positive step although this has ensured a next generation of owners.
On the other hand, lady Master Brewer Miwa Masui/増井美和さん has definitely been accepted and furthermore hailed for her efforts as the only lady Sake Master Brewer, or “touji/杜氏” in Japanese, a feat the more remarkable that she does not come from a sake brewery family!

She even appears of the label of her latest creation, Shusseijo Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Genshu Shizuku Shibori, a very limited edition!

it is a Tokubetsu Junmai (meaning no pure alcohol was blended) Nama (unpasteurized) genshu (no pure water was blended in)!

Moreover, it is a Shizuku Shibori, meaning that the sake was not pressed but that it was left to drip out naturally from suspended bags, an extravagant method if there is one!

Rice: Yamada Nishiki (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Yeast Shizuoka NEW-5
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Dryness: -5
Acidity: 1.7
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: Smoky as it is only partially filtered but very clean
Color: Faint golden hue with thin white lees
Body: slightly sirupy
Aroma: Sweetish and fruity. Rice, melon
Taste: Strong, spicy and sweetish attack backed up by puissant junami petillant.
Melon, rice, rice lees.
Lingers for quite a while before departing on strong notes of oranges and faint almonds.
Rice lees and junmai petillant will come up stronger with food.

Overall: Strong, straightforward, “nigori-style/containing white lees” sake, a bit unusual for Shizuoka prefecture, considering it is sweeter than the norm.
Definitively conceived to accompany heavy izakaya cuisine.
Should do well at any temperature.
For the “nigori-style” sake lovers and definitely above average for such a style!
Suggested pairings: Izakaya Cuisine, BBQ meats!

HAMAMATSU SHUZOU Co. LTD.

430-0808 Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Tenjin Machi, 3-57
Tel.: 053-540-2082
HOMEPAGE

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Imagawa Kyoko, Japanese Traditional Art, Nihonga, Shizuoka Prefecture, 今川教子

Young Nihonga Artist: Kyoko Imagawa/今川教子 (from Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City)!

February 28, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Pictures all taken by Robert-Gilles Martineau with the authorization of Ms. Kyoko Imagawa and Matsuzakaya Department Store in Shizuoka City
General explanations of Nihonga taken from Wikipedia.

Nihonga (日本画 Nihonga) or literally “Japanese-style paintings” are paintings that have been made in accordance with traditional Japanese artistic conventions, techniques and materials. While based on traditions over a thousand years old, the term was coined in the Meiji period of the Imperial Japan, to distinguish such works from Western-style paintings, or Yōga (洋画 Yōga).

Nihonga are typically executed on washi (Japanese paper) or eginu (silk), using brushes. The paintings can be either monochrome or polychrome. If monochrome, typically sumi (Chinese ink) made from soot mixed with a glue from fishbone or animal hide is used. If polychrome, the pigments are derived from natural ingredients: minerals, shells, corals, and even semi-precious stones like malachite, azurite and cinnabar. The raw materials are powdered into 16 gradations from fine to sandy grain textures. A hide glue solution, called nikawa, is used as a binder for these powdered pigments. In both cases, water is used; hence nihonga is actually a water-based medium. Gofun (powdered calcium carbonate that is made from cured oyster, clam or scallop shells) is an important material used in nihonga. Different kinds of gofun are utilized as a ground, for under-painting, and as a fine white top color.

Initially, nihonga were produced for hanging scrolls (kakemono), hand scrolls (emakimono) or folding screens (byōbu). However, most are now produced on paper stretched onto wood panels, suitable for framing. Nihonga paintings do not need to be put under glass. They are archival for thousands of years.

I have followed the progress of Imagawa Kyoko/今川教師子さん, a young artist born in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, for some time, attracted as I was by her original approach to the art while keeping to its traditional rules and had the pleasure to meet her again in person at Matsuzakaya Department Store (Honkan/Main Building, 6 F) during her latest exhibition held February 24th~March 1st.
For all her young age she is already an 11-year veteran of that demanding art (see personal history end of the article) but she is so modest and easy to approach that it becomes a real pleasure talking art with her!

Like many modern Nihonga artists she has brought her own techniques and preferences to her art, rendering it attractive to all genders, ages and nationalities.
I definitely plan to interview her again soon in her atelier in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, but for a start let me show some of my favorite masterpieces before they disappear from our City as the exhibition was also quite successful!
I will not bother too much their individual names, but concentrate on my personal opinions and feelings!

I mentioned her the English saying of insects burning themselves to death on the light of candles, and Kayoko nodded in agreement! Now, who could be those butterflies dangerously fluttering near electric cables?

She explained that this particular exhibition’s purpose was to express her will to enjoy life through our ever-changing modern society of our age.
Her paintings are songs expressing her life in different seasons and places.

One of her typical contrasts between an intricate creation and a seemingly simple counterpart.

When i pointed that the shirt was man’s garment she readily agreed but surprised me by revealing that the butterfly was a brooch!

This contrast between the blue and the yellowish ocher is so Japanese!

The feather discovered below the tree?

Now, tea flowers will nly be painted by the Japanese as growers leave some on the tea bushes in Shizuoka Prefecture contrary to tea plantations in the rest of the world!

Now, this cat has a real story! Kayoko picked it up a few months old on a street where it had been hit by a car! A very healthy animal now!

We talked a long time about this particular painting!
What would you say of a dragonfly perching on a cup of tea in a very feminine pink environment?

Fireworks and a lizard! Definitely a summer scene!

Have these cranes crossed the seas to fly in front of Mount Fuji?

A favorite of mine! Clear skies after the rain?

A longed-for letter in the Spring?

these are real paintings!
I leave it to you for deciding the many interpretations!

Imagawa Kyoko/今川教師子

2004: Graduated from Kyoto university of Art and Design, Nihonga Course with Prize
2006: First exhibition
2008: JAXA Nihonga exhibition, ART Shanghai 2007
2010: Art Fair Tokyo 2010
2011: Shizuoka Railways Calendar [Pieces of seasons]
“Group.Horizon”, Nihonbashi Takashiima Deaprtment Store Exhibition
Solo Exhibition at Tokyo Art Fair, 「influence of Time」, Tokyo Bijyutsu Club, Toubi Museum
Solo Exhibition, 「Unnamed Landscapes」, Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store
2012: Solo exhibition, 「Spring, Mitsukoshi Museum Art Exhibition」, Hotel New Otani
　　　「Independent Trip-Shinjyu Hiroshi & Young Artists-10 Artists Exhibition」 Koyoudo Art Museum
Solo Exhibition 「Jyou to Kei」Tokyo Shinjuku isetan Department Store
Awarded Suga Tatehiko Prize
Awarded Prize at Koyoudo Art museum
2013: 「Nihonga on Tosa paper & Ohamatsu Paper exhibition」, Shizuoka Matsuzakaya Department Store
Solo Exhibition ｛Rain and Sound」, Murata Gallery
Awarded Shoingeijyu Prize
2014: Solo Exhibtion 「Shiki Tsurezore」, Tokyo Ginza Mitsukoshi DepartmentStore
Solo exhibition 「Koukei」, Abe No Arukasu Kintetsu Honten
Solo Exhibitin 「Nagori」, Tokyo Shinjuku Isetan Department Store
2015: Seisei Shinyou Kinko Bank 2015 Calendar, 「Irodori no Ki」
Toubi Art fair, 「sono Hira Yamgawa」Exhibition at Tokyo Bijutsu Club, Toubi Museum
2016: Solo exhibition 「Dai Ikkai Imagawa Kyoko Nihonga」, Shizuoka matsuzakaya Department Store

424-0886 Shizuoka City, shimizu Ku, Kusanagai, 1140-45
Tel.: 054-345-4773
HOMEPAGE

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Oomuraya Brewery-Tokubetsu Junmai “Oni Otome” Yume (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

February 26, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

Today the occasion was made the more special that it was Hiromi’s birthday (February 25th)!

This time we tasted a nectar created by Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City, part of a series of 4 limited seasonal brews dedicated to the partner of their “Onigoroshi/Kill a Goblin”, that is “Oniotome/The Goblin’s Wife”!
This is the Spring edition called “Dream”! By the end of the end year they will get married!

A dangerous lady actually when you realize she bears horns!

It is not indicated on the back label, but the rice used is exclusively Shizuoka Prefecture-grown “Homarefuji” sake rice, which is getting much deserved attention from all over the country as it is a hybrid of Yamada Nishiki sake rice, but with shorter stems, and far more resistant to the climate vagaries. It has recently reached maturity as far as brewers are concerned as all levels of premium sake are brewed with it!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: + 4
Acidity: 1.3
Amino acids: 1.1
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry, flowery and fruity. Melon, rapeseed flower (“na no hana”), flowers
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and fruit attack backed up with puissant junmai petillant.
Complex and fluctuating.
Dry melon, rapeseed flowers.
Starts on a sweetish note before quickly turning dry.
Lingers for a little while before disappearing with tangerines and faint coffee beans and almonds. Melon makes a very late appearance at the back of the palate. Coffee beans will also make a late surge with further sips.

Overall: As usual a very elegant and complex sake.
Sake made with homarefuji rice has the intriguing particularity of fluctuating inside your palate revealing different facets in waves that can appear well after you thought it had completely departed. Don’t be taken aback if you are actually conducted a formal tasting and keep your pen in hand!
Will please ladies in particular, although gentlemen will appreciate its eclectic propensity to pair with many dishes if you decide to savor it along a repast.
Thoroughly enjoyable on its own, either slightly chilled or at room temperature, as well as all along a meal, be it an aperitif, a main drink, or a digestif!
Suggested pairings: “Asari no sakamai”/sake-steamed cockles, “Na no hana no karashi ae”/steamed rapeseed flowers seasoned in Japanese mustard, “Shinjo/Kyoto-style steamed white-flesh fish balls in light broth/”suimono”, Japanese-style scallops shuumai, White-flesh fish sushi. Foie gras as an aperitif!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00, 12:00~18:00 on Sundays & National Holidays
FACEBOOK (Japanese)
Entirely non-smoking!

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Japanese Gastronomy, Osaka-style yakisoba, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Soba Modan, Yakisoba

Osaka-Style Yakisoba: “Soba Modan” at Tonbo in Shimada City!

February 22, 2016 dragonlife 2 Comments

Service: shy but very kind and smiling
Equipment & facilities: Old but very clean. Clean washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: takoyaki and okonomiyaki and other traditional izakaya foods. Local sake

There is an infinite number of yakisoba/Japanese-style fried noodles in Japan, but one created in Osaka and rapidly gaining popularity all over Japan is “Soba Modan”, which is not only very tasty, but also fulfilling and easy to replicate at home!

And once again the place to watch being done and savor it at ease is “Tonbo” in Shimada City!
So let me show how “Soba modan/そばモダン” is made!

First fresh noodles of the thick ramen type are poured on an oiled hot plate!

Pieces of fresh cabbage are added!

Then a few pieces of fine raw bacon!

These are first fried!

Properly fried!

Tomato sauce added!

Seasoning added and then the whole fried together!

Yakisoba ready!

A thin round omelet in crepe style is then fried on the hot plate!

The fried noodles are packed in the center!

Then the omelet crepe is folded over the noodles in a rectangular (almost square) shape and and turned over the hot plate to show the smooth surface on top!

It is then pasted with BBQ sauce, homemade mayonnaise and one more original sauce like for an okonomiyaki!

To eat easily cut it with the metal spatula!

Enough to share between two persons if you are having something else like the yummy takoyaki!

Japanese comfort food!

TONBO

427-0029 Shimada City, Hinode-Cho, 1-1 ( few minutes’ walk straight from Shimada JR Station North exit)
Tel.: 0547-35-7635
Opening hours: 17:00~22:00
Closed on Sundays and national Holidays.
Orders on the phone and take-out OK!

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Fujieda City, sake, Sake Breweries, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sugii Brewery-Junmai Bodaimoto

February 22, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sugii Brewery in Fujieda City has made itself a name all over the country when it comes to experimentation in the brewing of sake and their latest nectar is another illustration!

Junmai Bodaimoto!
Bodaimoto/菩提酛 is an old way of making the moto/酛/sake starter dating back to the Muromachi Era (14th~16th Century) with a mixture of steamed and non steamed (raw) rice, natural lactic acid and yeast.

Rice: Shizuoka Prefecture rices
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 13.8 %
Dryness: + 5.5
Acidity: 2.0
Bottled in February 2016

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Discreet, elegant and fruity. Green apples, persimmon
Body: sirupy
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack. Little junmai petillant.
Prunes, dry muscat.
Lingers only for a little while before departing on a drier note withdry apricots and persimmon.
Turns drier, more discreet and acidic with food.
Alcohol will surge forth in spite of its low contents.

Overall: A discovery from another era when taste buds were definitely different!
I personally loved its down to earth approach and fully appreciated with food although it might shock people used to milder sake.
A sake to enjoy informally!
Suggested pairings: izakaya heavy food, stews, pickles.

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Japan, Japan Tourism, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Fudou No Taki Waterfalls in Kawane Hon Cho, Shimada City!

February 19, 2016 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day, in a frigid morning my good friend Mr. Osamu Kurosawa, 黒澤脩さん, A true historian of Shizuoka prefecture took to another site of note in the back country of Shimada City, more precisely to a Waterfalls called “Fudou no Taki/不動の滝” located in a natural park called “Fudo No Taki Waterfalls Natural Park Auto Camp/不動の滝自然広場オートキャンプ場”!
As it was winter, we were interfering with anybody!

This very camp is in the center of a natural park forest where many bird watchers gather all year round!

The park is well-equipped and even has a washroom for wheel chair users!

The City of Shimada looks after the site and is very strict about its cleanliness and safety!

They are particularly touchy about bush fires!

The entrance to the way leading to the waterfalls!

The lane is following a stream among the rocks. In summer it could easily become a torrent!

On the way there is sight typical of noted waterfalls in Japan. Can you guess?

Okay, you might not be able to read the Japanese!
It the location of a small Shinto Shrine!

“Fudou Shinto Shrine”!

Clap your hands twice to wake up the sleepy deity!

Going back to the mountain trail through the torii/shinto shrine sacred portal!

Good exercise after the revelries of the night before!

Stopping on the way for a look at the stream!

Still in winter as shown by the ice!

C’mon, guys!

Icicles!

It was still a few degrees below zero, but this a great place to cool down in Shimada stifling summers!

The last bridge before the waterfalls!

Looking back down the stream!

The Fudou Waterfalls!

There is not so much water running down in winter, but it can become a wet experience in summer!

Great possibilities for photographers!

Fudo No Taki Waterfalls Natural Park Auto Camp
428-0304 Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimada City, Kawane Hon Cho, Shimoizumi, 1122
Tel: 0547-56-1600

不動の滝自然広場オートキャンプ場
住所：〒428-0304 静岡県榛原郡川根本町下泉 1122
電話:0547-56-1600

HOMEPAGE (Japanese + some English)
FACEBOOK (Japanese)

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Japan, Japan Tourism, Japanese architecture, Japanese Traditional Warehouses, Kura, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Kura: Traditional Japanese Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 39: Katsuyama Family Home in Kawane Cho, Shimada City!

February 18, 2016 dragonlife 2 Comments

The other my good friend Mr. Osamu Kurosawa/黒澤脩さん, a respected historian in our Prefecture took me to a house hidden in Kawane-Cho, not far from Ieyama, in Shimada City, to show me a splendid kura!

Actually, the kura is only one building inside a vast property owned by the same family for hundred of years.
You must remember that in Edo Era, Shimada City was one of the most important cities in the whole Central Japan because it was a border City by the Ooi River controlling all traffic between Edo/Tokyo and Osaka!

the name of the family owning the vast property is Katsuyama/勝山!

Any rich landowner or person of great importance lived in a large house with servants quarters and a kura to store and protect rice and valuables in particular against fires and natural disasters!
The lady we met inside the house first kindly agree to let me take photographs of the warehouse under the gentle request of my friend, Osamu!

Actually the kura has just been restored by its owner as you can see with the perfectly working windows!

It actually took him more than a year to complete the job!

The “pegs” are still properly aligned, meaning that the walls haven’t been affected by the depredations of time!

The whole property ought to be used as a locale for historical movies or TV programs!

Actually it should designated as a cultural asset and it should be the government’s task and duty to look after it!

The pegs and metal links with the upper roof are still in great repair, meaning the uper roof is stable!

This is the first time I see such a big “oni gara/goblin pinion tile”! That only should become a cultural asset!

A closer view at the upstairs window!

The roofing must be hard to maintain in good repair!

A “rear” view!

The other “oni gara”!

The door and lock dating back from the Edo period!

Heavy door panels had to be pulled in to close the door!

Taken back to another era!

I marveled at how it can have been preserved!

The ancient “namako” design also is a good enough reason to designate it as a cultural asset as very recently even the Government was heard moaning about their disappearance! In fact, it is the first time I saw a pillar decorated in “namako” design!