Category Archives: Shizuoka Prefecture

Japanese warehouses, Kura, Shizuoka Prefecture

KURA: Traditional Japanese Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 26: Shimada City, near Baseball Stadium

July 23, 2015 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.

The other day, as I was exploring the south side of Shimada City JR Railway Station I discovered another kura, white this time, just standing next to Ykoi Factory and its enormous red-brick warehouse!

By individual home standards the two-storey kura was big!

The ancient door is still in good functional state!

Actually it has two main doors, a bit unusual fact which probably means the inside is divided into two distinct rooms.

For all its apparent grime, the building is very sound as shown by the straight alignment of the “hooks”!

I would say it is still used as a large farm equipment shed!

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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
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
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-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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Cafes, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Cafe: O-cha Bokko in Ieyama, Kawane Cho, Shimada City!

July 22, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: very friendly and ever smiling
Equipment & facilities: basic but very clean
Prices: very reasonable
Strong points: home-made cakes. Crafts

The other day when I visited my good friend Osamu Kurosawa/黒澤修さん in Ieyama, kawane-Cho, Shimada City he told me I had to pay a visit to a good friend of his, Mr. Fujio Hino/飛野藤雄さん, who, after retirement, opened a very original cafe 9 years ago along a mountain road overlooking Ieyama!

The place looks like a pyramid having landing out of nowhere all surrounded with artifacts made from natural products and finds!

In good weather you can avoid the crowded interior and relax outside!

For cat lovers?

The atelier at the back!

Mr. Hino is more of a hobby artist than of a cafe entrepreneur!
Only coffee, tea and soft drinks are available, but if you give him a phone call beforehand you can bring you own alcohol (that he enjoys much, too!) and even your own food!

Succulent Japanese-style cake with Kawane=Cho green tea!

And the home-made chiffon cake is a real beauty!

Apparently many famous people left their signatures!

A minuscule counter for about 6 people right in the middle of an atelier!

Take your time and a good look at all the real and cute objets d’art created with local natural products!

A game for the kids!

Now, what is this?

Mr. Hino is capable to create real-life insects with hemp palm (棕櫚 in Japanese)!

He made those two just for me!

Don’t forget to look around!
A pagoda still in its making!

Pine cone owls everywhere!

Do pay him a visit any time!
The most original cafe in the whole Shizuoka Prefecture!

O-Cha Bokko Cafe
Owner: Mr. Fujio Hino/飛野藤雄

428-0104 Shimada City, Kawane Cho, Ieyama, 1806-15 (400 m above Owada Station along the Oigawa Railway Line.)
The SL Train will run past it at 10:20, 11:07 and 12:14
tel.: 09054977728
Opening hours: 10:00~18:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Small car park available
BLOG (Japanese)

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Japanese warehouses, Kura, Shizuoka Prefecture

KURA: Traditional Japanese Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 25: Shimada City, Yokoi Factory

July 16, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day I was exploring the south side of Shimada City when I discovered this enormous red brick kura near the Shimada Baseball Stadium.
As it was obviously part of a bigger complex I decided to investigate in earnest!

I walked around it for a few pictures first!
With all that ivy contrasting on the red bricks I could easily imagine a movie being enacted nearby!

Ivy!

The windows must have been locked for quite some time!

Apparently the ivy was not growing at that end…

It certainly looked old.
Red brick kuras are rare in Shizuoka Prefecture!

I finally reached the entrance to the normous complex where the kura was located.
It all belonged to the Yokoi Factory of Tokushu Tokai Seishi Kabushiki Kaisha (Special Tkai Paper Company)!

It was a Saturday and the company was closed, but the guard kindly informed me that the Kura, although presently unused due to its bad state, dated back to 90 years ago. He also old me that the original wooden office building of the same period could be found inside the complex.
He was also kind enough to tell me to come back on a week day when I could get official permission to visit it!

The kura from inside the company grounds.

It is completely locked out because of risks of collapse!

Looking forward to the “official” visit!

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Craft Beer, Japanese Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Izu No Kuni Brewery: Pilsner

July 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Izu No Kuni Brewery was founded around 2010 inside Izu World Muinna Hawaians beer Hall in Izu No Kuni City in Northern izu Peninsula.
It puts three regular craft beers all year round that you can easily enough acquire in cans although they produce the same in bottles and on tap in their restaurant.

They also occasionally produce limited brews.

I continued the tasting with their Pilsner!

Another rare tasting conducted at home!

Distributed in cans
Grains, Grain malt, sugars, hop, live yeast
Filtered
AbV: 5%
Contents: 350 ml

Bubbles: Short head, light bubbles, white color
Dark lemon color
Aroma: dry and fruity. Oranges, bread
Taste: refreshing, dry and fruity attack.
Bread, ginger bread, biscuits, citruses.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing on slightly acid note with more bread and nuts.
Changes little with food but for a drier note.

Overall: light pilsner with the right amount of dryness.
Uncomplicated and reliable.
Best enjoyed on a hot afternoon.
Does well with any food, especially pickled vegetables and pork.

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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sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Ginjo “Ryoufuu Natsuzake” (conducted at la Sommeliere in Shizuoka City)

June 14, 2015 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!

This time I tasted another brew by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, whose particular label is known even in the States!

It does make for an another long name!
Garyubai Junmai Ginjo “Ryoufuu Natsuzake”!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Toyama Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 55%
Dryness: +5
Acidity: 1.3
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in May 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: faint golden hue
Aroma: dry and fruity.green melon, asparagus, dry vanilla, custard, string beans
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and flowery attack backed up by discreet junmai petillant.
Complex. Greens, asparaguses, dry watermelon.
lingers only for a little while on palate before departing on a dry note with late appearance of walnuts and faint coffee beans.
Dark chocolate appears with rise of temperature.

Overall: very elegant, dry and complex sake for such a simple gohyakumangoku rice.
Drink it first chilled before experiencing new facets as the temperature rises inside the glass.
Roll it around the glass to make it breathe.
Perfect for summer evening meals.
Marries beautifully with any cuisines as long as they include greens and fish.
Recommended pairings: katsuo tataki, cold pork shabu shabu, yuudofu, asparaguses in hollandaise sauce.

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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Craft Beer, Japanese Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

4 Craft Beers from Izu No Kuni, Gotemba and Kannnami Shine at Asian Beer Cup 2015!

June 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Pictures and original article courtesy of Shizuoka shinbun.

The East of Shizuoka Prefecture honored at the Asia Beer Cup 2015 organized by the Japan Craft Beer Association!

The medal-awarded craft beers!

In an event featuring 276 craft beers by 79 breweries from 8 countries including China and Australia, 3 Shizuoka Prefecture Breweries were awarded medals:
Gotemba Kougen Brewery (Gotemba City) obtained a silver medal with its Weissen Bock in the Weizss Beer Section.
Izu No Kuni Brewery (Izu no Kuni City)was awarded 2 bronze medals with their Dark Latte Stout in the Dark Ale Section and Pilsner in the Free Style Section.
Orache Brewery )Kannami, Mishima City) got a bronze medal with its Kaze no Tani Beer Pilsner in the Light Lager Section.

Great PR for Shizuoka Craft beers in a Prefecture housing no less than 12 micro breweries (4th in Japan)!

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Canned sardines, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka Prefecture

Canned Sardines by Suzuko Co. (Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Yui)!

June 9, 2015 dragonlife 5 Comments

There are many excellent canneries in Shizuoka prefecture, especially in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City and they do make very tasty and elegant appetizers of main dishes.

I thought it was about time to introduce them in a new series starting with sardines canned by Suzuko Co.! They produce a set three different canned sardines in a simple but elegant design. It would make for a good contribution to these canned food dinners that that urban Japanese are so fond of!

The first can I sampled was the “Sardines X Curry”!

At least plenty of meat and not too much sauce inside for good value!

The sardine flesh was very firm and the bones very tender like in the best French canned sardines. The curry sauce is very mild and really tasty. I ate them all cold, but they certainly would turn out delicious cooked. My impression that this type can be equally enjoyed cold or heated. Make sure you get some bread to scoop the elegant sauce! Serve seasoned with a little chili powder for those who like their food hot!

The seond can I sampled was the “Sardines X Soy Sauce”!

Once again, plenty of flesh for very good value!

I ate it cold, but because the soy sauce is sweeter than expected, it would do well heated on top of hot white rice! Definitely aimed at Japanese palates. I would serve it topped with finely chopped daikon sprouts!

The last one was “Sardines X Tomato”!

One very good sign is that the cans contain only the largest part of the fish! The tail ends are probably used for another type of can!

The tomato sauce is really elegant if somewhat a little sweet. You could easily season it either with chili pepper powder or some black pepper. Cold, they would be tasty as sandwiched inside some crusty French bread, hot, they would marry well with hot potates! Cold or hot, as they are or seasoned, on their own or as an accompaniment they are very good food and very healthy what with the high amount in calcium and vitamin omega! A treat! Suzuko Co. 421-2103 Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku, Yui, 584-1 Tel.: 054-376-0008

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Hamamatsu City, One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One Cup Series 8) Hana No Mai Brewery-Ieyasu Kun Honjozo

May 30, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

A very interesting and reasonable way to taste sake is to acquire one-cup sake!
They also make for cute collection of glasses or cups!

Continuing the long series of one cup sake in Shizuoka Prefecture I found this one by Hana no Mai Brewery (Hamamatsu City) in Cenova Department Store in Shizuoka City!

It is called Ieyasu Kun after Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu who has recently been adopted as a mascot of Hamamatsu City, bearing the design of a piano as Hamamatsu City is the biggest piano-producing city in Japan!

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled on May 7th, 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: transparent
Aroma: dry. Dry dark chocolate, biscuits
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry attack.
Roasted biscuits, brown sugar
Lingers on only for a while before departing on an even drier but slightly more complex note with appearance of dry milk tea.
Varies little with food.
Dryness constant all the way through.
Coffee beans and biscuits tend to make a strong comeback with every sip.

Overall: Straightforward, uncomplicated dry sake.
Tends to accommodate any food.
Would do well chilled at a BBQ!

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Enoshima, One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One Cup Series 7) Shidaizumi Brewery Nyan Cup Enoshima Ginjo

May 24, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

A very interesting and reasonable way to taste sake is to acquire one-cup sake!
They also make for cute collection of glasses or cups!

The other day once again thanks to her husband, my good friend Atsuko Kurata offered me this one cup sake by Shidaizumi Brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture but solely sold in Enoshima, Kanagawa Prefecture! as part of a batch of no less than 8 cups from 6 different Prefectures!
It is another version of the famous “Nyan Cup” registered design by Shidaizumi Brewery in Fujieda City!

Enoshima is not only famous for its beaches and surfing but also for recreational fishing!

A lot of visitors combine both!

Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol: 16 degrees
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: assertive, dry and fruity. Custard, bananas, melon
Body: fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Very fruity, dry and well-rounded attack backed up with very pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Dry custard,oranges, green coffee beans, dark chocolate.
Lingers for a short while before departing on a markedly drier note with oranges, green coffee beans and herbs.
Varies little with food but for a marked appearance of melon.

Overall: Superb sake, A bit of a waste to sell it in one cups style but will serve as great introduction to the beautiful sake brewed by a Noto Master Brewer at Shidaizumi Brewery!
Elegant in spite of its marked dryness. very complex and keeping you alert for the next facet.
Eminently enjoyable on its own, but would splendidly marry with any salad, vegetable cuisine and cheese.
Do try with dessert.
At its best first slightly chilled and slowly drunk as its temperature rises!
Difficult to equal as a one cup sake!

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Beer Brewery, Craft Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Aoi Brewing-Shimizu Harumi Oranges Ale!

May 21, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

At long last the new craft beer made with local oranges by Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City is available on tap at AOI BEER STAND in Miyuki-Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the largest citruses-producing Prefectures in Japan and grows many local varieties.
One is called “Harumi Mikan” and is grown in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
Aoi Brewing could come up with this fruit beer thanks to the JA and Shizuoka Government cooperation.
It is a brew limited to 450 liters which necessitated the help of other brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture, a true local product!
Judging from the TV coverage and incredible popularity it will soon disappear, but hopefully it will become a regular annual feature!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt, Pilsner Malt, Australia Galaxy hop, Summer hop, Harumi Mikan ornages
2-step process: 1) orange peels, 2) orange juice
Unfiltered
Alcohol/ABV: 5.4%
Bubbles: fine bubbles.Longish head. White
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep lemon/light orange color
Aroma: fruity and dry. Oranges. Elegant aroma.
Taste: Deep, dry and fruity attack.
Extremely refreshing.
Complex. Oranges, orange peels. Citruses.
Lingers long enough on palate for true tasting with dominant oranges.
Varies little with food.
Stays true to first impressions all the way through.

Overall: very elegant and easy to drink craft beer. Very refreshing. Perfect for a hot afternoon.
Its soft dryness makes for a very satisfying brew that ladies in particular will enjoy, although men did show a keen interest!
Bound to be even more celebrated in the near future!
Top-class fruit beer!

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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Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社）in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

May 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day I actually spent 3 hours waling from Sakurabashi Station, Shizutetsu line to Shin Shimizu Station circling around under the very mountains. before crossing Route 1 to turn back to the latter station I discovered the entrance of that particular shrine at the bottom of a lonely “hill”.

It wasn’t that big, but the flight of stairs was so tempting!

Made of concrete, the torii/main gate and its plaque are not that old, but they were already pretty worn out.

The flight of stairs is climbing through a bamboo copse.

About walking between two fairly old stone lanterns/ishidourou!

The “haiden/main hall for worshippers”!

More stone lanterns. I wondered about their motifs.

A stag for one!

A cloud!

A mountain!

More older stone lanterns!

A small roofed hand washing stone basin!

Let’s have a look at this other more recent stone lantern!

A doe and a cloud!

And three mountains!

Beautiful enough for another picture!

But I must say I was most impressed with the “komaini/Shishi/lion guards!

The left one, always a mouth-shut lion, with its paw resting on the back of a smaller one!

The right one, always with its mouth open!

With its paw on a ball!
Notice the unusual red painting!

The “haiden/main hall for worshippers!

“Yasaka Jinja/八坂神社/Yasaka Shrine”!

A smaller torii/gate at the back!

The “honden/God’s hall” closed to the public!

The back of the honden!

The pinion denoting that this shrine is dedicated to a female Goddess!

The whole place is surrounded with ancient pine trees!

Taking a peek at a dragon under the roof of the honden!

A last look at the roof and pinion!

There was another small shrine or “kamidana” behind the haiden past the small torii!

Related with the Isei Shrine in Mie Prefecture!

More ancient pine trees!

A last look again at the honden!

Good-bye Yasaka shrine!

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Craft Beer, Izu no Kuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Izu No Kuni Beer “Climb”

May 13, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

AOI BEER STAND owned by Aoi Brewery in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, has the merit to offer on tap other craft beers from Shizuoka Prefecture and the rest of Japan, but you do have to hurry as they usually served only one keg before switching to another brew!

This time they served a limited craft beer called “Climb” brewed by Izu no Kuni Beer Co. in Izu no Kuni City (Izu Peninsula)!

Served on tap
Barley, hop, live yeast
Unfiltered
Alcohol: 4.8%
Bubbles: fine bubbles.Longish head. Creamy. White
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: Deep lemon color
Aroma: discreet. bread
Taste: Refreshing, light and dry but soft attack.
Only a little acidity.
Bread, dark tea.
Lingers only long enough for true tasting before departing on an even drier note with more hints of dark tea.
Stays true to first impressions all the way through.

Overall: better than a thirst quencher.
Very light and refreshing. Obviously conceived as a summer craft beer.
Can be enjoyed on its own or with any food, especially light starters.

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

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

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Shizuoka Beer Breweries List (updated May 13th, 2015)

May 12, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Shizuoka Beer Microbreweries is a great source for beer label collectors!

Thanks to its endless supply of incredible natural water Shizuoka Prefecture produces some of the best craft beers not only in Japan but in the world as witnessed by the success of Bryan Baird.
Unfortunately I could not find a comprehensive listing and introduction of the same breweries on the net and decided to fill up this void once for all!

Here is a simple map of Shizuoka Prefecture to help you locate the breweries!
The introduction of the breweries are below listed from west to east of Shizuoka Prefecture!
Bear in mind that some cities are really big. Check their homepages and addresses!

HAMAMATSU-TENJINGURA BREWERY (Stopped producing on March 31st, 2015)

Hamamatsu-Tenjingura is also a sake, shochu and liqueur brewery!
They produce 3 types of Czech style beers

Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Tenjin Machi, 3-57
静岡県浜松市中区天神町３－５７
TEL: 053-461-6145
Restaurant and beer hall business hours: 10:30~19:00
Closed on Tuesdays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese)

AOI BREWING

This is the latest Craftbeer Brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Owner Naoki Mando/萬藤直樹さん started with four brews on June 22nd, 20014 but the brewery just keeps on producing an incredible array of brews as part of experiments!

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

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

GROWSTOCK

AOI BEER STAND FACEBOOK
AOI BREWING FACEBOOK

MEIN SCHLOSS

Mein Schloss in downtown Hamamatsu City is basically a beer hall serving 5 different beers brewed on site

Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Chuo, 3-8-1
〒430-8691 静岡県浜松市中区中央３丁目８番１号
Tel.: 053-452-1146
Business hours: 11:00~14:30, 17:00~23:00 (Saturdays, 11:00~23:00). Check on the phone as they are sometimes completely reserved!
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese only)

BAYERN MEISTER BIER

Stephan Rager is the only German national who owns his brewery and makes his own beer in Japan!
He produces 3 types of Bayern-style beers and sometimes does produce beer on order for such clients as the Tokyo German Embassy. He started growing his own hops on site and plans to make real Fujinomiya City beer!

Fujinomiya City, Kami Ideji Kawaharabata, 1254-1
〒418-0103　静岡県富士宮市上井出字河原端1254-1
Tel.: 0544-54-3311
Business hours: 10:00~21:00 (restaurant meals and parties mainly on reservation)
Closed on Wednesdays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese only)

BAIRD BREWERY

Bryan Baird has deservedly acquired national and international fame and helped to put Numazu City on the world map!
He produces a very wide range of regular and seasonal beers all year long.
His main brewery has been moved to Izu peninsula near Shuzenji but his original pub is still in Numazu city but he has opened branches in Tokyo and elsewhere. Do check his English homepage (also exists in Japanese)!
Business Hours

1052-1, Oodaira, Izushi, Shizuoka-ken
静岡県伊豆市大平１０５２－１
Tel.: 0558-73-1225
Business hours: 12:00 pm to 9:00pm, Sat., Sun., Holidays; 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Open Every Day

Numazu City Taproom Address:
〒410-0845 Numazu City, Senbonminato-cho, 19-4
〒410-0845　静岡県沼津市千本港町19-4
Tel.: 055-963-2628
Business hours: Monday, and Wed. thru Friday; 5:00 PM to Midnight, Sat., Sun., Holidays; Noon to Midnight
Closed on Tuesdays
HOMEPAGE (English)

SAMURAI SURFER BEER

An offshoot of Nippon Beer Co, it produces so far 3 types of craft beer.
They also produce beers for their mother company, Nihon Beer co, but although made in Numazu they do not qualify much as Shizuoka craft beers.

Numazu City, Shimokanuki, Shimoshooji, 3140-5
〒410-0822 静岡県沼津市下香貫下障子3140-5
Tel.: 055-933-1032
Business hours: 09:00~17:00
Closed on Saturdays
HOMEPAGE (Japanese only)

ORACHE WIND VALLEY BEER

Orache, originally a dairy products company was the first to produce organic microbeers in Japan!
It produces 4 regular brews and seasonal ones, too.

Tago Gun, Kannami Cho (south of Mishima City), Tanna, 349-1
〒419-0105　静岡県田方郡函南町丹那349-1
Tel.: 055-974-4192
Business hours: 09:00~17:30
HOMEPAGE (Japanese only)

GOTEMBA KOOGEN BEER ( MORI NO BEER)

Owned by Yonekyu Co. it is the largest brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture, but it only partly qualifies as a microbrewery. Produces 5 regular beers plus at least 2 real craft beers and also seasonal beers.

412-0033 Gotemba City, Koyama, 719
〒412-0033 静岡県御殿場市神山719
Tel.: 0550-87-5500
Business hours: Check HOMEPAGE as it has many shops and diners!
HOMEPAGE (English) Also exists in Japanese

KURAYA-NARUSAWA

Located near Nagaoka Station, Izu no Kuni City, north of Izu Peninsula, it is also famous for looking after an important cultural asset, Hansharo, which has become the name of their 4 regular beers!

Izu no Kuni City, Naka, 272-1
伊豆の国市中272-1
Tel.: 055-949-1208
Opening hours (restaurant and souvenir shop): Monday~Thursday: 11:00~15:00, Friday: 11:00~22:00, Saturday, Sunday, National holidays: 10:00~22:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese only)

USAMI

Usami Brewery in Ito City, in the north-eastern part of Izu Peninsula, produces 4 types of craftbeer, but beware that the front label is the same for all. Check the cap or the back label for the variety!
Designated as eco-friendly by the Prefecture!

〒414-0001　伊東市宇佐美3504-1
〒414-0001　Ito City, Usami, 3504-1
Tel.: 0557-33-0333
Business hours: 08:30~17:00
HOMEPAGE (Japanese only)

IZU KOUGEN BEER

Izu Kougen Beer/Izu Plateau Beer is located in Ito City and serves and sells its 6 beers in a restaurant remarkable for its reasonable traditional Japanese seafood restaurant.

〒413-0231 静岡県伊東市富戸1103
〒413-0231 Ito City, Tomito, 1103
Tel: 0557(51)3000
Business hours: 11:00~21:00 (restaurant)
Closed only 5 days in the year
HOMEPAGE

IZU NO KUNI BEER (IZU-WORLD MINNA HAWWAIIANS)

Founded in 2010 in Izu no Kuni City, it brews its own craft beer inside its own restaurants, called Izu World Minna Hawaiians.
It produces 3 types, Pilsner, Stout and Weizen and limited brews.

〒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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One-Cup Series 6)-Hana No Mai Brewery, Hana no Mai Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji

May 5, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

A very interesting and reasonable way to taste sake is to acquire one-cup sake!
They also make for cute collection of glasses or cups!

After an interlude to introduce the new Shidaizumi One Cup Sake I can at last complete the first batch of 5 one cup sake from Shizuoka Prefecture before thinking about the next one!

This time it is one brew by Hana No Mai Brewery in Hamamatsu City!

They are always keen to advertise Shizuoka Prefecture gastronomy and Mount Fuji!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka Prefecture-grown)
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled on February 23rd, 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: dry and fruity. Raisins.
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack backed up with a little junmai petillant.
Raisins, nuts, mandarin oranges, custard.
Lingers only for a little while before departing with more dry mandarin oranges.
Varies little with food but for the appearance of dry chocolate and chestnuts.
Tends to become more complex when drunk with food.

Overall: Unusual sake for Hana no Mai Brewery. More complex than expected.
Elegant enough to be enjoyed on its own slightly chilled or at room temperature.
Would happily marry with any starters and cheese.

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One-Cup Series 5)-Makino Brewery, Fujisan Honjozo

May 3, 2015 dragonlife 2 Comments

A very interesting and reasonable way to taste sake is to acquire one-cup sake!
They also make for cute collection of glasses or cups!

Continuing hopefully a long series of one cup sake from Shizuoka Prefecture, the sixth brew was concocted by Makino Brewery in Fujinomiya City: Fujisan Honjozo!

Incidentally only Makino Brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture and another in Yamanashi Prefecture have the right to use the word “Fujisan/富士山” as sake brand! They even share identical design labels!

Mount Fuji Symbol!

Rice milled down to 70%
Alcohol: 15 degrees
Bottled in February 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: Assertive. Dry. rice, coffee beans
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry attack backed with pleasant alcohol.
Coffee beans, apples.
Lingers only for a while before departing with hints of nuts and dark chocolate.
Takes on a slightly mellower note with food before quickly returning to very dry first impressions.

Overall: Solid and straightforward sake with a reliable and dry approach.
Obviously conceived to marry with food, izakaya fare in particular, but dry sake lovers will appreciate it on its own at all temperatures.
I personally enjoyed it slightly chilled with cheese!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES