Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Yakima Valley Pale Ale

Aoi Brewing Co. has come up with yet another new craft beer!
This time it has a strong link with the USA as it used a hop made in Yakima valley, Washington State, a region that produces 75% of all hop grown in The USA!

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Yakima Valley Pale Ale!

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Served on tap
Barley Australian Galaxy hop, Willamette hop, Maris Otter malt, Crystal Hop
ABV: 4.7 %
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: deep orange color
Bubbles: long head. Very fine bubbles, creamy. slightly orange White.
Aroma: light, bread, yeast
Taste: refreshing and dry attack with plenty of welcome acidity which nonetheless disappears very quickly.
Bread, dry fruits, persimmon, hints of oranges.
Lingers long enough for true tasting.
varies little with food.

Overall: A beer not great for refreshing yourself all year long, especially in the summer, but also excellent accompaniment to food, especially cold meat and cheese!
Definitely a long seller in the offing!

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Gastronomic Destination : Fukuoka (3): Sushi at Yoshida Fishmonger in Fukuoka City!

Service: very friendly if a bit shy
Equipment: old but clean overall. basic bu clean washroom
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Traditional Japanese sushi inside fish monger’s shop

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One interesting destination in Fukuoka City is a market called Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba/Yanagi Bridge Cooperative Market near Yanagi Bridge in Chuo Ku.
This is real local and traditional, almost a time-slip into japan of yore.
Go there for lunch.
Yoshida Fishmonger (吉田鮮魚店) is a small two storey-shop but easy to find thanks to the queue of local and foreign customers who are waiting to climb the stairs to the second floor where dishes ordered on the first floor can be enjoyed
The food is cheap and authentic.
Just forget the old setting and try to imagine yourself in a different era!

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The prices are really good!
No wonder there were so many Chinese and Taiwanese customers!
The above is a mixed raw fish donburi!

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Mentaiko/spicy cod roe and deep-fried fugu/globe fish, both Fukuoka City specialties!

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The sushi set was really reasonable: 1340 yen for 10 nigiri!

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When you think it included urchin and salmon roe, it would be difficult to imagine such prices in Tokyo or Kyoto, or even in Osaka!

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And the local squid/ika was top-class!

Worth looking for!
Great value and authentic!

YOSHIDA FISH MARKET

〒810-0003 Fukuoka City, Chuo Ku, Haruyoshi 1-1-11 (inside Yanagi Bridge Market (Yanagibashi Rengou Ichiba)
Tel.: 092-781-5013 , 092-761-3212
Opening hours: 06:00~18:00
Closed on Sundays and national holidays
RELATED JAPANESE HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

American Dessert: New York Baked Cheese Cake at BLUE BOOKS Cafe in Shizuoka City!

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

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BLUE BOOKS Cafe is located in a very practical place in Shizuoka City at the very corner of Egawa Street and Miyuki Cho Street inside DEn Building.
You just can’t escape from it as you walk downtown!

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Quince flower arrangement!

The place is both cosy and convivial whether you are on your own or with company.
There are so many books to peruse through freely while enjoying the place at your ease and convenience.

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The other day I visited the place on a cold day and an empty stomach as I had been too busy for lunch!
That is when I noticed some scrumptious-looking cakes in the show window!

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New York Baked Cheese Cake!
Notwithstanding I’m French and that cheese cakes were originally conceived in Greece, I knew I had lost the fight against my American friends!

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The set!

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A very appetizing cake, indeed!

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Served with orange sauce in its own jar and a sprinkle of raspberry coulis!

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Perfectly baked on all sides!

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A very solid cake in all its layers with the right and satisfying bite!
To be enjoyed a little at a time!

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Perfect on a cold winter day!
Healthy cake, incidentally!

BLUE BOOKS CAFE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki-Cho, 4-6, Den Bldg 1F (5~10 minutes walk straight ahead from Shizuoka JR Station North Exit, around the corner at the large crossroads)
Tel.: 054-280-7644
Opening hours: 11:00~14:30 (lunch), 14:30^17:30 (cafe), 17:30~23:00 (dinner)
Credit Cards OK
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
Twitter: @BlueBooksCafe

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Wine Bar Lunch: : Lavigne In Shizuoka City (3rd)!

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Service: smiling and very friendly
Facilities: overall very clean. Superb washroom. Entirely nonsmoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: French bio wines only by the glass or the bottle. Lunch.

La Vigne in Koya Machi, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, across from JR Shizuoka Station has just gone through a very welcome change!
First of all, apart from a beefed-up food menu they now offer a very reasonable lunch for Monday to Friday!
This was my third visit for such a lunch today on a cold day, even for Shizuoka City!

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For once I couldn’t help order a glass of organic Mercurey red, a wine form my very hometown in Bourgogne, France!

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This time lunch set!

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The side dish consisted of home-made pickles, seared Italian salami, olive and semi-dried tomato and seafood salad in urchin sauce!

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From another angle. Great local natural yeast bread, too!

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Beef stew!
Real comfort food!

Once again very reasonable (less than 7 Euros or 8 US $!), satisfying and yummy!

LA VIGNE SHIZUOKA
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Koya Machi, 17-2.
Tel.: 054-205-4181.
Opening hours: 10:00~22:00 (11:00~20:00 on Sundays & national Holidays)
Lunch: (800 yen) Monday~Friday, 11:30~14:00
Cards OK
Entirely Non-Smoking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Baird Beer Brewery-Suruga Bay Imperial IPA (Conducted at ICN Cafe in Shizuoka City!)

The other day I visited ICN Cafe for a chat with a friend in the afternoon and I took advantage of one the craft beers they serve there!

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ICN cafe is a bar/cafe I would recommend to people in search of some welcome quietude away from the crowds around a beer, some tasty Italian fare or just a coffee in a space which has a lot offer.

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They do have the merit to serve a whole range of bottled beers all day long and I’m pretty grateful for the fact that they offer a brand by Baird Beer Co., arguably the most famous brewery in our Prefecture!
Suruga Bay Imperial IPA!

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Ingredients: Barley, malt, hops, Sugars, Yeast
ABV: 8.5%
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Bubbles: Short head, fine bubbles, white
Color: Orange/persimmon color
Aroma: Deep, dry and fruity aroma. Oranges
Taste: very refreshing, beautifully dry attack backed with lots of fruit and just the right amount of welcome acidity
Complex: oranges, persimmons.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing with more dry oranges and hints of apricots.
varies little with food but for a drier note.

Overall: A magnificent beer.
Easy to drink in spite of high alcohol content.
A craft beer for all seasons which should appeal to anyone!

ICN Cafe

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 5-8, Miraie Shichiken Cho Bldg., 2F
Tel.: 054-273-8178
Opening hours: Cafe time, 11:00~17:00
Bar Time: 18:00~23:00
Cafe time only on Sundays
Closed on Mondays
HOMEPAGE
Parties welcome!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Tasting Expensive Wines at Reasonable Prices at La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さん, the owner of La Sommeliere Wines & Sake Bar in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City has initiated a remarkable if simple way to enjoy expensive wines at reasonable prices!

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For this she did have to invest in a special machine made in Italy (she is the first one to use such a device in the whole prefecture) that can pour out wine in three different volumes, 30, 60 and 90 ml!

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The present selection (it will change regularly according to availability) features the following:

Chateauneuf du Pape By Roger Sabon, White, 2012
Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourg Blanc grapes
A 5-tar producer on the Parker List.
An elegant wine with a full body and notes of honey, pears, Casablanca iris and white peach.
30 ml/1000 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1500 yen

Menetou Salon by Chavet Fils, White, 1999
Sauvignon Blanc grapes
Solid body with a complex approach, butter, nuts and honey
Still young in approach in spite of its 16 years of age!
30 ml/1000 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1600 yen

Beaune Domaine de Lagrange, red, 1989
Pinot Noir grapes grown on minimally pesticide-treated soil
A beautifully matured and aged red wine difficult to find on the market here in Japan.
30 ml/100 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1600 yen

Tormaresca Rocco Di Lupo (Italy, Puglia), red, 2007
Aglianico grapes
A remarkable wine from South Barolo
Sweet, silky and elegant.
30 ml/1000 yen, 60 ml/1200 yen, 90 ml/1500 yen

As an indication, 30 ml represents a good gulp, 60 ml, slightly less than a standard glass at bars and restaurants, 90 ml a normal glass!

Definitely worth a try!

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!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Ekiben: The Railroads Bento of Japan!

Ekiben (駅弁) is the abbreviation of Eki/駅 for Station and Bento/弁当 for packed lunch.
Ekiben is almost as old as railroads and railways in Japan adn have been , wirh high and lows, a feature at important stations all over the country.

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Ekiben being sold to travelers in 1902!

The very first ekiben was officially sold (actually two kinds of them) at Utusnomiya Station in Tochigi Prefecture in 1885, although food had been allowed to be sold at stations and to trains since 1877 in Kobe and Osaka Cities.

EKIBEN-OFUNA

Traditional ekiben booth inside Ofuna Station.

There is even a complete (in Japanese only) Ekiben Homepage in this country!

These days they are sold either at shops and stands located the entrance to the tracks, inside station markets or at stands on the very rail platforms although this is far from being a general rule. It is always a better idea to buy them before going through the gate to the platforms.

Shizuoka Prefecture has the third largest number of bentos on record (161 in 2015) after Tokyo and Kanagawa Perefecture as it has the largest number of Shinkansen/bullet train stations (6) in Japan and t takes no less than 3 hours to cross Shizuoka Prefecture from Atamait o Shinjohara, notwithstanding the the lines crisscrossing the rest of the Prefecture, especially Izu Peninsula!

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Hamamatsu Mikkabi Beef Ekiben in KakegawaStation!

Like the rest of Japan, this is the best way for travelers and tourists to discover the local gastronomy, be that of a Prefecture, region city or even village!

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Ekiben stand in front of the entrance gate in Numazu City!

For example Numazu City if famous for its harbor and fish but there is most consistent fare nearby!

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Rare Ashitaka Beef Ekiben!

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Although Mishima City is away from the sea it does offer a tasty Chirashi Zushi (Decoration Sushi) at its station!

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Some ekiben come in truly cute wrappings for collectors as the above “Kazutoyo Ekiben” sold at Kakegawa Station!

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And the contents are as beautiful!

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Some stations like Shizuoka City also have limited seasonal ekiben like this Winter “Chisen Fuyu Ekiben”!

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I savored inside the train to Tokyo!

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Even the Shizuoka Prefecture Tourist and Agricultural department promote themselves through ekiben like this “fuji no Kuni/Mount Fuji Land” in Shin Fuji Station!

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Mount Fuji-shaped Ekiben!

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Broiled eels are a specialty of Shizuoka Prefecture!

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Don’t forget some of the labels, wrappings and boxes can easily become collector’s items such as the above Steam Locomotive Railway Ekiben you can buy at Shin Kanaya Station!

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Another one at the same station depicting the Shimada Obi Festival!

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A third one colorful at the same station!

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Containing a local product: green tea steamed rice!

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If one day you have the chance to get down at Shuzenji Station in the middle of Izu Peninsula, do not forget to visit this stand selleing “Aji Sushi/Horese Mackerel Sushi” with real wasabi!

So you know what to sample next time you travel through Shizuoka and the rest of japan: an unending gastronomy travel!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka CityShizuoka

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing- Shizuoka Golden Ale (The First and Last One!)

Aoi Brewing Company has come up with a new beer but it will unfortunately only one of its kind!
You had better hurry as it will have disappeared by the end of this week!

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Shizuoka Golden Ale brewed wit barley malt produced in Fujinomiya City!
Unfortunately the cost to produce such a beer with a locally-made ingredient proved too high to continue, so hurry!

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Served on tap
Barley Australian Galaxy hop, Saaz hop, Fujinomiya barley malt.
ABV: 4.2 %
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: orange/persimmon color
Bubbles: long head. Very fine bubbles, creamy. White.
Aroma: discreet, fruity and dry. lemon
Taste: very refreshing attack with welcome acidity.
Very dry and fruity. lemon, bread.
Lingers long enough for true tasting before departing on an even drier but pleasant note..
Varies little with food.

Overall: A beautiful golden ale that will come and go for the pleasure of a few lucky drinkers and to the long sadness of those who missed it!
Long live Golden Ale!

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

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

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka CityShizuoka

Manhole Covers In Shizuoka Prefecture 35 bis: New Commemorative Fire Hydrant Manhole Cover Being Installed in Shizuoka City!

Yesterday some Shizuoka City Civil servants had been already been busy all morning when I reached the spot on the east side of the Shizuoka Municipal Hospital for the official installment of the new manhole cover to be be laid upon 40 out 56 fire hydrants.

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The spot had been conveniently chosen across the street from the Sumpu Castle Park!

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I had already discovered freshly installed covers near the Mizuho Bank,…

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in another spot from across the Sumpu Castle Park,…

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on Sengen Shrine Street,…

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in front of a soba restaurant,…

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on the street along Cenova Department Store!

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This was the spot chosen for the “media”!

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The old plate laid in 2007 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu retirement to Sumpu Castle in Fuchu as Shizuoka was called then.

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One can discover other beautiful covers nearby but they don’t concern the fire department. The one above is laid over a manhole for access to spent waters and sewers.

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The City Water Department led by my new friend, Mr. Yuuta Fujii/藤井勇太さん, finally arrived at the “spot”!

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The truck full of covers!

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For the city’s records!

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The “local media” was just on time!

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The new cover with its protective layer!

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Lifting off the old cover!

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The fire hydrant!

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Change of eras!

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The last tap!

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The new cover with the date “2015” commemorating the 400th Annivesary of the death of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu in Sumpu Castle!
The motif represents Mount Fuji, Miho Matsubara Beach, Suruga Bay and the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine!

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Old and new covers!
Some of the old ones will be kept for emergency replacement while others will be either destroyed or recycled fr the metal.

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Work done!

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The “local media” at work.
Unfortunately they had little or no clue about the manhole covers, their history and what they represented.
A foreign resident had to explain them…

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On my way back I noticed the one in front of one m\of my favorite bars along the Miyuki Cho Street and foreigners talking pictures of it!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Fujinishiki Brewery-Fujinishiki Honjozo Shiboritate Genshu Nama “Daikan Shikomi”

It’s been quite some time since I have tasted a sake by Fujinishiki Brewery in Fujinomiya City!
Although they do produce a great variety of brands, Shizuoka Ciy finds a bit itself a bit too far away when it comes to regular supplying.

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But I’m lucky enough to have some good friends among the wine and sake dealers downtown and my good friend Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さん at her shop La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City came up with an unusual brew!

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Another long name to deal with!
Fujinishiki Honjozo Shiboritate (just pressed) Genshu (No pure water blended in) Nama (unpasteurized) Daikan Shikomi (brewed during the coldest season of the year)!

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Rice milled down to 65%
Dryness: + 7.3
Acidity: 1.6
Bottled in January 2015

Color: Almost transparent
Aroma: More discreet than expected. Sweetish, apples, pears
Body: Fluid
Taste: Sweetish, fruity and strong attack backed up with strong and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Pears, apples,hints of chocolate and milk coffee and oranges.
Deep and elegant in spite of its strong alcohol contents.
Changes little with food but for a slightly sweeter note and hints of dark chocolate.

Overall: very intriguing sake for such a humble status.
Extremely pleasant for such a high alcohol sake.
Easy to drink.
Most enjoyable with heavy izakaya fare!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Gastronomic Destination : Fukuoka (2)- Sashimi & Tempura at Seimonbarai!

Service: very friendly and easy-going but attentive
Equipment: Very clean overall. Excellent washroom
Prices: reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Upper class izakaya. Great seafood. Good drinks menu

Fukuoka, being a major harbor in the north of Kyushu Island it benefits from a plethora of fish and seafood than you can enjoy fresh in many downtown upper class izakaya.
One such place is Seimonbarai/せいもん払い in Kawabata Cho, an area replete with such establishments.

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Sashimi plate for one person!

We hda the occasion to savor the food there for a simple and quick but very enjoyable dinner!
We concentrated on two of their specialties, namely sashimi and tempura!

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Kampachi/環八/Amberjack, Hotate/帆立/scallop, Ama ebi/甘海老/Sweet and Fugu no Kawa/河豚の皮/Globe fish (Puffer) skin!

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Chutoro Maguro,/中トロ鮪/Semi-fat Tuna, Akagai/赤貝/Bloody Clam, Kaibashira/貝柱/Small scallops and Chiisai Awabi/小さい鮑/Small Abalone!

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The small abalone was alive and “dancing” under the lemon juice!

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Great tempura assortment including Satsuma Imo/薩摩芋/Sweet Potato, Ninjin/人参/Carrot, Shishito/獅子唐/Shishito Peppers, Kabocha/南瓜/Kabocha Pumpkin, Nasu/茄子/Aubergine/Eggplant, Kisu/鱚/Sillago, and Kuruma Ebi/車海老/Large Prawn!

To be enjoyed with wine, sake or shochu!

SEIMONBARAI/せいもん払い

812-0026 Fukuoka City, Hakata Ku, Kami Kawabata Cho, 5-107
Tel.: 092-291-2055
Opening hours: 17:30~23:00
Closed on Sundays
Credit cards OK
Reservations highly advisable!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Irish Pub: Beer House Tirnan-Og In Hamamatsu City by Guest Blogger Matthew Davis!

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Tirnan-Og is the Hamamatsu outlet for the now famous Baird Beer. A 10-minute walk from JR Hamamatsu Station, between the Daiichi-Dori Station (Enshu Railway Line) and the lively Sakana-machi area of downtown Hamamatsu.

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Tirnan-Og currently carries all 12 of the Year-Round Beers and seasonal selections.
I have been lucky enough to live in Hamamatsu for 1.5 years and I have tried all 12 of the Year-Round Beers and now focus my visits around the seasonal beers.

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The shop seems to attract a variety of clientele; ex-pats, business travelers, and dedicated locals. What I enjoy most is that there never seems to be an overly boisterous group. Although laughter and mixed conversation are always present, the atmosphere reflects the fact that people are there to enjoy the finely crafted beer, and the behavior reflects likewise.
The shop is also completely non-smoking (small smoking patio is available), there is no table charge, and payments are cash only.

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The shop will hold approximately 10 people at the bar, 10-12 at small crowded tables and 3-4 more in a small corner. As you would expect weekends can be crowded so it’s always best to call ahead and check on the seating and make your reservation as necessary.
The room is lined in a light colored wood paneling and gives a very warm crafted and quite feel. The front of the shop looks out and up to the lively street above.
The tables and bar are always clean as well as the small kitchen that is visible from the bar. Single restroom for both men and women is well maintained.

Food

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Although the menu has quite a few snacks I would not consider this a “dinner” spot.
I would typically eat Tandoori Chicken although on my last few visits they have been sold out.
Again with plenty to choose from so you will certainly not be disappointed if you need a quick snack.

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Karaage – Hot Crispy and served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce.
Sandwich – Two Small Sandwiches. A straight-forward Ham and Cheese, and next is a cream cheese, nut and dried fruit spread. I must say I am in love with the cream
cheese spread.
Pizza – Maghretti style pizza with a tortilla crust.

Again the food is simple, light, and prepared to order.

Beers

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You will find all 12 of the Year-Round Beers available as well as the seasonal selection. There is simply no way to rank these selections, or make strong recommendations. My advice would be to start with your preferred beer style, then try something you typically don’t drink. I tend to drink more IPA and wheat beers, and shy away from porters and dark stouts. Although when I tried the Kurofune Porter and Shimaguni Stout I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how light it was, although it maintained all the flavor and richness you expect from these styles.

As for this visit I again focused on the two seasonal and ended the night with a familiar favorite.

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Mikan Ale (seasonal)

Served: Draft
Unfiltered
ABV: 7% Alcohol
Clarity: smoky, with a dull yellow and orange color
Aroma: Over Ripe Musky Mikan and Citrus (Bittersweet Peel)
Taste: More hoppy than expected (I have not seen a published IBU value for Baird Beers). Mikan hints, but the bitter sweet of the peel was most noticeable. Not a sweet fruity beer at all.
Overall: Excellent Seasonal, but would not be a daily drinker.

Spiced Amber Ale (seasonal)

Unfiltered
ABV: 7% Alcohol
Clarity: smoky, with a brown and amber color
Aroma: Winter spices (Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove)
Taste: Spot on Amber Ale with a nice helping of the Winter Spices. Less hoppy than the Mikan Ale.
Overall: Excellent Seasonal, and I was tempted to order another.

Wabi-Sabi Pale Ale (regular offering)

Filtered?
ABV: 6% Alcohol
Clarity: Golden and non-intimidating
Aroma: Lightly hopped.
Taste: I have tried to better understand the Japanese meaning of wabi-sabi and I think this beer sums it up. It is likely the most balanced beer in the Baird Beer line-up.
Overall: Daily Drinker. Can’t go wrong.

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Article and all pictures are copyright belonging to Matthew Davis.

BEER HOUSE TIRNAN-OG

Hamamatsu City, Naka Ku, Ta machi, 329-8, Maruman Bldg, B1F
Tel: 053-450-6006
Opening hours: 18:00~ (15:00~ on weekends and National Holidays)
Closed on Tuesdays
〒430-0944静岡県浜松市中区田町329-8マルマンビル B1F
HOMEPAGE
(Very Good Pictures and Description)
FACEBOOK

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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, Pie
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, 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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kanzawagawa Brewery-Shosetsu Honjyozo Nama Genshu

It’s been some time since I have drunk this long seller by Kansawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City
It does make for another long name!
Shosetsu Honjyozo Nama (unpasteurized)Genshu (no pure water blended in)!
The size, 300ml, makes it so practical for tasting!

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Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 16=17 degrees
Bottled in November 2014

Clarity: very clear
Color: Faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive at first, then very discreet and fruity. Pears, custard
Body: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: very fruity and dry well-rounded attack backed up with deep and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Pears, custard, banana, marshmallow with hints of oranges.
Lingers only for a short while before before departing on a sweeter note warming up back of the palate with otes of milk coffee and almonds.
Varies little with food, but for a sweeter note.

Overall: A solid and more complex sake than expected for such a seemingly humble status!
Obviously conceived to accompany heavy izakaya food, eminently enjoyable on its own.
As many similar sake in Shizuoka Prefecture it does marry perfectly with cheese!
Bring to a friends’ party or BBQ. You will surprise quite a few!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

American Gastronomy: Crazy Double Decker at Tequila’s Diner in Shizuoka City!

Service: Shy but very friendly
Equipment & Facilities: Good general cleanliness. Excellent washroom
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive but very good value
Strong points: Tex-Mex gastronomy of superior quality. Doubles up as bar in evenings.

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I was long due for a visit to a favorite hamburger diner of mine in Shizuoka City, namely Tequila’s Diner, especially it had gone through a couple of welcome changes!

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The small terrace has been renovated into a small wooden lodge!
I’m all the happier for it as this is my favorite spot, even in winter!

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And now it is open every day of the week!

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I just love to eat away from the smoke and with a view on the street!

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What was on the menu?

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I was really hungry and since it had been a long time i chose a little folly: Crazy Double Decker!

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Yummy craziness!

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Front view!

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Side view!

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Double fried egg!

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Double home-made bacon!

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Double patty and double sliced cheddar cheese!

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Incidentally the patties are some insipid and spongy things, but knife-chopped Shizuoka beef with a superb bite!
Meat in hamburgers should be chewed, not gulped down!
Difficult to beat!

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Yes, I ate everything and I already what I’m going to order next time!

TEQUILA’S DINER
420-0035 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Shichiken Cho, 8-6 (near Aoba Park Street), ACT 7, 1F
Tel.: 054–255-7595
Business hours: 12:00~14:00, 18:00~24:00
HOMEPAGE

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka CityShizuoka

Japanese Fish Species 16: Sawara/Spanish Mackerel

SAWARA-1

Sawara or Spanish Mackerel is considered as the best kind of Mackerel in Japan. Not only it is a big variety, but its comparatively white flesh is succulent in almost any kind of cooking!

It is known under different names such as Sagoshi and Sagochi when young and Yanagi when mature.
It is basically caught by trawling, but can be fished by line. It is, unlike other mackerels, a pretty solitary fish.

It is caught widely around Japan, off Russia, China and Korea.
The total catch has varied in recent years, but thanks to import, including 21.000 tonnes from China, it has become a feature in season from late Autumn to end of Spring.

UZU-2
(Kan-Sawara at former Uzu, Shizuoka City)

In Winter, it is called Kan Sawara/寒鰆 (寒stands for cold, 鰆 stands for Sawara/Spring Fish) and is a sought after morsel. In Shizuoka it is sometimes caught then in Sagara bay, and I can tell you it disappears quickly from the table.

UZU-09-05-29-5
(Sawara at former Uzu, Shizuoka City)

Later in Spring, it is just called Sawara and is leaner.

SAWARA-2

It can be cooked in many ways: broiled as above.

SAWARA-4

Or grilled.

SAWARA-3
(Small pic, sorry!)

Of course, it can be served as sushi nigiri! Especially Kan Sawara!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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, Pie
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,

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

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City