Bistro Gastronomy: Kuroneko Tei in Hamamatsu City!

Service: Easy-going, smiling and always ready for a chat
Equipment and facilities: Very clean overall. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Southern France, Italian and Spanish gastronomy. Excellent wines. Great use of local products.

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Just trying to find Kuroneko Tei in Hamamatsu city is fun as it is tucked away in a narrow blind alley and it is certainly worth the search.
Locals seem to be very happy with situation as it allows hem some privacy away from this very busy city!

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Most regulars prefer to use one of the six seats at the counter on the first floor for a convivial exchange while some prefer to party on the second floor in all privacy!

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The team: Chef/owner Akira Fukui/福井章さん and second chef Kazutaka Suzuki/鈴木一隆さん!

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Wine lovers will appreciate the ever-changing range of reasonable and also superior wines coming from all the world!
As for the food it is constantly changing with the seasonal vegetables, fish and other ingredients while a basic menu is still available.

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Whenever we travel all the way from Shizuoka City to visit the place we always order a big plate of fresh vegetable salad!

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Spanish inspiration: oven-baked pig trotters and vegetables!

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Italian inspiration: home-leavened dough pizza of a right size!

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French and Italian inspiration: sausage, pancetta, ham and goat cheese toasts plate!

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French inspiration: Japanese seabream/madai caught off the Shizuoka shore sauteed on its skin!

I will need a few more visits to introduce all the regular dishes!
Don’ forget you can patronize the place as a hidden wine bar, too!

KURONEKO TEI
Owner/Chef: Akira Fukui/福井章さん

Hamamatsu City, Naka ku, Shinmei Cho, 315-8
Tel.: 053-453-0334
Opening hours: 18:00~23:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Call beforehand!
Credit 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

Objets d’Art/Art Objects at Hamana Lake Flower Garden!

We spent no less than 4 hours inside the enormous Flower Garden in Hamamatsu city and took more than 180 picture!
I am not going to complete as this allows me to write a series of articles on different themes!
This first one is titled Objets d’Art/Art Objects!

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Bamboo grove hand-held fireworks!

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Leaf head!

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Farm rabbits!

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Hairy scarecrow!

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Farming scarecrow!

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Smiling water spout!

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Happy couple!

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Looking after a little pear!

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Happy little one!

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Leafy head face!

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Outdoors beer hall!

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Pigeon perch!

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Water taps!

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Barrel cascade!

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Fishy bench!

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Piecemeal alligator!

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Space fighter!

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Witch easy rider!

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Heavy metal flowers!

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Beware that cat!

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Red lovers bench!

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Tree cloth fantasy!

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

Aoi/Hollyhock/葵 Family Crests at Tokugawa Ieyasu Museum, Hamana Lake Garden Park

If you visit the Hamana Lake Garden Park (not to be confused with Hamamatsu Flower Park!), you will discover a small new building housing the Tokugawa Ieyasu Gardening Hall also called “Tokugawa engeikan/徳川園芸感”!

The reason I was particularly interested in this little gem is becAuse a set of Aoi/葵 crests is also exhibited there!
Aoi is the name of the newest beer Brewery and beers in Shizuoka City, Aoi Brewery!

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They even exhibit a live plant frown at a shizuoka City primary school!
This is a registered symbol and Aoi Beer Brewery had to obtain permission to use this crest as a design from the City of Shizuoka and Kunozan shrine in Shizuoka City!

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I thought there was only one hollyhock crest in Japan, but there were actually 8!
Let me show them!
Incidentally the last one is the crest adopted by the City of Shizuoka and Aoi Beer Brewery!

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Maru Ni Mistu Aoi
丸に三つ葵

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Matsuhira Mitsu Aoi
松平三つ葵

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Lord Nobyasu’s Aoi
信康公葵

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Tokugawa Family Aoi
徳川葵

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Oshu Mitsu Aoi
尾州三つ葵

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Kishu Mitsu Aoi
紀州三つ葵

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Mito Mitsu Aoi
水戸三つ葵

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Lord Ieyasu Aoi
家康公葵

Hamana lake Flower Garden
Hamanako Flower garden
浜名湖フラワーガーデン

10th anniversary of the 2004 Pacific Flora Garden Exposition and the 21st Japan Urban Greenery Shizuoka Festival

Open until June 15th

Hamamatsu City, Nishi Ku, Murakoshi Cho, 5348-3
Tel.: 53-488-1811
ENGLISH 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

Shizuoka-Cannes Week in Shizuoka City (2014)!

The Cities of Shizuoka City and Cannes city in France have been sister cities for quite some time and the citizens have taken on themselves to organize events to celebrate it when they realized that the city governments were not doing enough to promote such links!

from this year the event has turned into a week-long celebration being staged in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, shichiken-Cho on Saturday may 17th and Sunday 18th and again in Shizuoka Ciy, Shimizu Ku on Friday may 23rd thru Sunday 25th!

I took the opportunity yesterday to take some pictures and greet many friends!

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Animal dolls on sale!

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Flowers!

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BBQ stand!

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Great smiles and great wines!

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Great french cakes from Tokyo!

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More flowers!

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Coffee, of course!

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Famous Shizuoka Cocktail Barmen!

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More famous Shizuoka Cocktail Barmen!

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I wonder if they have the same Pakistani food in Cannes!

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Street performer!

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Italian chef Adorno!

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Growstock bar staff!

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Very original burgers!

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Honey!

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Shizuoka vegetables!

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More wines and smiles!

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Great ham!

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Shizuoka Brewing friends!

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Homemade bento!

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Cute!

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Friend from Kin no Okan!

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Succulents! Plants not for food!

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Ended the day with a glass of Garyubai sake by Sanwa brery, Shimizu ku, Shizuoka City!

More pictures taken today!

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: Oomuraya Brewery-Wakatake Onigoroshi Honjozo Genshu

Oomuraya Brewery in Shimada City also offers quite a few brands in the practical 300 ml bottles!

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This particular regular brand has made them famous all over the country!

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“Onigoroshi/鬼ごろし”?”To kill the Goblin”!

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A honjozo genshu is certainly needed to take care of goblins!

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Rice milled down to 60%
Dryness: +12
Alcohol: 17~18 degrees
Bottled in March 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Golden hue
Aroma: Assertive. Fruity. Pears, custard
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack backed up with strong and pleasant alcohol.
Complex. Fruity: very dry pears, green apples, Greens.
Facets difficult to catch.
Late appearance of coffee beans and a peek by dry oranges.
Disappears quickly on an even drier and deeper note.
Will take a sweeter turn with food before quickly coming back to its original dryness.
Marries well with any food.
For all its dryness and strong alcohol, it is more elegant than expected.

Overall: Very dry sake, with a somewhat restrained and elegant aggressiveness.
Incites you into the next cup in spite of its strong alcohol contents.
Can be thoroughly enjoyed on its own or with food at any temperature.
Definitively for lovers of both very dry and elegant sake.
Great with cheese!

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

Seabreams at Parche Market in Shizuoka City!

Yesterday I noticed some new interesting arrivals at the Fish Counter of the Parche Supermarket inside the JR Shizuoka Station!
Among them was a quite extraordinary catch of different seabreams!

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they were all displayed in big boxes filled with ice!
Let’s have a look at them:

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Onagadai/尾長鯛/also called “hamdai/浜鯛, “Long tail seabream” or Longtailed red snapper/Onaga!

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Although abundant in Shizuoka prefecture, seabreams are not cheap.
1,000 yen for on fish! Great as sashimi!
These were caught in the Ogaswara Archipelago, a group of islnads technically not part of Shizuoka as they are administered by Tokyo City, but geographically integral aprt of Shizuoka and izu Peninsula whose fishermen especially bring to Numazu harbor!

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A first-class fish in japan: Amadai/甘鯛/Tilefish!

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Caught near Yaizu, an extravagant fish at 3,240 yen a fish!

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Another extravagant fish: Akoudai/アコウ鯛/Rose fish!

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Caught of Omaezaki, very expensive at 3,980 yen a fish!

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A less expensive but still succulent fish: Himedai/姫鯛/”Princess seabream”, crimson snapper!

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Also caught off Ogasawara Archipelago. 1,580 yen a fish!

You can imagine what you are going to pay for them at a restuarant!

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 Brewers List (Regularly amended)

Here below is the list of all 29 “kura”/breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture, which were “working” as of May 2014 (with some nuances and notes attached!)
They are listed in a “traditional” order.
Official business names of Breweries are also included. Keep in mind that some breweries also produce brands for individual shops or distributors: “Miwa No sato” and “Ashikubo” by Fujinishiki, “Toro No sato” by Haginishiki, etc. as well as seasonal limited sake with different names.

SHIZUOKA CITY:

1) Suruga Brewery (Suruga Ku Ku): Tenko (also includes: Abekaido, Umifune No Yamahai, Chuemon, Hagi no Kura)

2) Sanwa Brewery (Shimizu Ku): Garyubai (also includes Hagoromo No Mai, Shizugokoro, S-Pulse Brand, Sayo No Mai, Okitsu, Tesshu, Hoosu)

3) Haginishiki Brewery (Suruga Ku): haginishiki (also includes: Toro No Sato, Minami Alps, Surugayoi)

4) Kumpai (Suruga Ku): Kumpai (also includes: Tenryo No Taki, Meguriai, Shizuka, Daikichi, Kogarashi No Mori, Abe no Shizuku, Ra, Sakura, Tsubaki, Resienkashu, Momiji)

5) Masuichi (Suruga Ku): masuichi (includes: Tsurugi)

Following the early death of the owner/brewer thw brewery has gone dormant although it keeps its license. Still has some sake for sale in its tanks!

6) Shizuoka Hiraki Brewery: Kihei. Technically, not entirely a Shizuoka Brewery as the original “half” Hiraki Brewery is a brewery in Okayama prefecture owned by Hiraki Company (owned by the totsuka Family in Kakagawa City), a distributor for Tokyo, Nada and ther regions’ major sake,lqueurs, etc.

7) Eikun Brewery (Shimizu Ku): Eikun (also includes: Sumpu No Takajo, Iroha, Kohaku, Hiyaoroshi, Midori no Eikun)

8) Kanzawagawa Brewery: Shosetsu (also includes: Yamada Nishiki, Gin Ginga,Aki Agari)

YAIZU CITY:

9) Isojiman Brewery: Isojiman (also includes: Shumpu, Aiyama)

FUJIEDA CITY

10) Hatsukame Brewery(Okabe): Hatsukame (also includes: Arabashiri, Midori, Kame, Okabe Maru, Kame Shirushi, Kiwami 35, Hyogetsu)

11) Aoshima Brewery: Kikuyoi (also includes Matsushitamai 40, Matsushitamai 50)

12) Shidaizumi Brewery: Shidaizumi (also called Shirasagi, Aoi No Tsuki))

13) Sugii Brewery: Suginishiki (also includes: Fujimai, Touryuumou, Kinnosuke, Taru no Sake)

SHIMADA CITY:

14) Oomuraya Brewery: Wakatake (also includes: Nagai Ki No Hashi, Oikawa Han Kajika, Tansei, Suruga Tansei, Aoimiyagi, Suruko, Shizuoka Oden No Sake, Onna Nakase, Shiro, Take no Kaze, Fuuko, Oyakko, Numazu Uogashi Sushi, Rock Sake, Kaon, Aki no Nama Ippon, Najimi, Sanbyakuton, Juubei, Miya no Mizuku, Shiro, Sagaradako, Hanaoto, Totakozen, Yumei no Tsurubashi, Tenbishi, Shimada Juubei, Namikozo, Okinasagi, Rendaikoshi)

KIKUGAWA CITY

15) Shiromatsu Brewery: Matsuwaka (actually buys its sake and sells under its label)

16) Morimoto Brewery: Sayogoromo (also includes: Sayogoromo No Uta, Kojyo, Aeru No Sato, Sakuretsu Karakuchi, Ma, Shachou No Irasuto, Jizake Koubo-Fujihomare, Sayo no Sanzoku)

OMAEZAKI CITY:

17) Ishikawa brery: Takamatsu (includes: En’yotakamatsu) (actually buys its sake and sells under its label)

KAKEGAWA CITY:

18) Yamanaka brewery: Aoitenka (also includes: Shin’en, Funaseme, Oniaoi, Yokosuka, Yamanaka)

19) Doi Brewery: Kaiun (also includes: Iira, Takatenjin, Hasei Shokiji, Sakura Hana, Hana No Ka, Yumejikomi, Enshyuu No Shiki, Kaiun Den, Komotaru, Enshyunada, small cask)

IWATA CITY:

20) Senjyu Brewery: Senju (also includes: Senjyushirabyoushi, Senjyu Kuromai, Honami, Maiguruma, Sawayaka 16, Blue Bottle, Nadeshiko, Tsurubara, Jubilo Label)

FUKUROI CITY:

21) Kokkou Brewery: kokkou (also includes: Denichiro, Mori no Ishimatsu, Kinzan)

HAMAMATSU CITY:

22) Hana No Mai Brewery: hana No Mai (also inckudes: Hoho, Tsuu, Shizuka No Mai, Yamada Nishiki, Karakkaze, Hikuma No Uta, Keichu, Susono-private label, Enshu no Gin, Ra-Uogashi-private label, Sushi Tetu-private label)

23) Hamamatsu-Tenjingura Brewery: Shusseijyou (also includes: Ginro, Tenjin,Tobinkakoi, Shussei no Tokuri, Ten, Tengu, Ryu, Mu Jun)

FUJINOMIYA CITY:

24) Fujimasa Brewery: Chiyo No Mine (also includes: Genkotsu, Fuji no Kasagumo, Fuji no Uta, Kin Label, Shiro Label, Hiya, Chiyonomine, Hyoutan Tokkuri)

25) Fuji-Takasago Brewery: Taksago (also includes: Tago No Ura, Raku, Soleil, Aragoji, Utafuku, Sunshu Nakaya, Chinkoku No Yama, Kura No Megumi, Homare Fuji)

26) Fujinishiki Brewery: Fujinishiki (also includes: Ashikubo, Miwa No Sato, Fujigasumi, Homarefuji, Mononofu No sato, Juku, Tokaido Chu, Samutsukuri, Aoi Tokugawa Sandai, Sui, Maboroshi Shiro, Abekawa, YuYU, Odoriko, Umiya Azura, Izu Yama Yama)

27) Makino Brewery: Fujisan (also includes Jirotyou)

Numazu City:

28) Takashima Brewery: Hakuinmasamune (also includes: Shirasago, En)

GOTEMBA CITY:

29) Negami Brewery: Kinmei (also includes: Fugakusen, Gotemba Wakamizu, Wakajun, Fukotagu, Kintaroo no sato, Izumi no Yakata)

Izu City:

30) Bandai Brewery: Arabashiri(also includes: Ban’you, Wakitaya, Kuromaizake, Amagi, Fujihomare, Izu no Sato, Arabashiri)

NOTES:

1) Kikugenji (formerly of Toyoo Brewery) even sold in Shuzenji, Izu City, is no longer a Shizuoka sake but from a Nada brewery who bought the name before Toyoo Brewery was absorbed by Bandai Brewery in 2003 to be able to sell in its place of origin!

2) Fuuki in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City are not a sake brewery but an alcohol brewing and bottling company from the Nada area, although one of their casks is displayed at Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka City. They represented (and might even still) the biggest oke-gai in the Prefecture.

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

Soba, Buckwheat Noodles Restaurant: Soba Han in Shizuoka City!

Service: Very friendly and smiling
Equipment & Facilities: very clean overall. Superb washroom! Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable to slightly expensive
Strong points: Organic Ju-wari (100%) buckwheat noodles. Duck cuisine. Sake list.

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Soba Han Restaurant has many qualities and one of them is its location near the Toroiseki Ruins park and the Serizawa Keisuke Museum!
A great pace for a nice holiday!

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A typical Japanese entrance!

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The soba are 100% buckwheat flour milled on site!

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One can choose to sit either at a table or on the tatami floor!

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Have a good look at the wooden architecture!

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Chef Taisuke Okitsu explains why the tenderness and taste of his duck is so important!

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The buckwheat used in this restaurant was grown organically without any pesticides!

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I ordered the “kamo Pon soba”!

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The soupstock and seasoning for the soba!

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The zaru-style cold buckwheat noodles!

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A very appetizing meal!

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Superb and so tender duck!

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i promised my self to come back for dinner and check all these superb Shizuoka sake!

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Dragon’s order: “ebiden mizore”!

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Beautiful hot soba with shrimp tenpura and fresh vegetables!

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Very thick and succulent soba yuu/soba soup!

See you there again for dinner soon!

SOBA HAN

422-8033 Shizuoka City, Suruga ku, Toro, 6-2-1
Tel.: 054-286-6333
Opening hours: 11:00~14:00, 17:00~21:30 (Last orders)
Closed on Tuesdays
Cards OK
Parking available
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

Katsuo Bushi: Annual Auctions of Dried Bonito in Yaizu City!

Yesterday the annual katsuo Bushi (dried katsuo, dried bonito) auctions were held at the Yaizu Katsuo Bushi Suisan Kakou Kyoudou Kumiai/焼津鰹節水産加工共同組合 (Yaizu Dried Bonito Marine Products Processing Cooperative) in Yaizu City, Kamikosugi, 9-1.
It was a bit of an expedition as I had to go first to Fujieda JR Station by train and then take a bus down near the Shizuhama Air Force Base of all places and still ask my way there to finish on foot! (Fortunately I could use the Cooperative bus on the way back which took to the Yaizu JR Station!)

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Although we are talking of marine products, we are still far from the sea and in the middle of farmland!
But I knew I had arrived at the right place!

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I had arrived a bit late, and some employees were packing back some sold lots!

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The dried katsuo is also called “himoshi”. Katsuo bushi means the himoshi processed into shavings.

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I picked up a copy of the auction pamphlet that all dealers took with them inside the auction hall!

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Mr. Kinya Hasegawa, the sales director who kindly authorized me to interview the auction!

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The katsuo bushi emblem on the back of his “happi”!

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Dried katsuo auctions are held in Kagoshima prefecture, Kyushu Island and Yaizu City every year.
The products on auction mainly come from both Prefectures but dealers come from everywhere in japan including Tokyo and Osaka!
The above batches come from satsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island!

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Batch from Shizuoka producers!

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More products from Satsuma!

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A view of the auction upon entering the hall!

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A simple explanation of the process.
I took good note for the next interview actually involving the process at a local producer!

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The sample lots being aligned before being auctioned.
There were a total of 228 batches of dried bonito and a few of dried mackerel.
All in all more than 57 tonnes were auctioned on that single day!
To think that the auctions in Kagoshima prefecture are even bigger!

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Each auction lot carries a leaflet marked with the name of the producer, the number(s) of the lot(s), and numbers indicating the kind of fish and its origin!

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The dried katsuo comes in two types, covered with edible mold, or “naked”.
Dried mackerel comes only in “naked” state.
The order of the auctions is more or less according to the quality with mackerel coming last.

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The Yaizu auctioneers!

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It did require a lot of energy for more than 2 hours of auctioning!

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Each participant held an auction pamphlet and auction slips with their company names printed on them.

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Participants handed their price slip to the staff as each lot rolled in front of them.

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The slips were then handed to the three auctioneers.
There were other staff on hand to record all the procedures of course!

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Each auction was confirmed with three hand claps from the auctioneers!

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The results were written down in chalk immediately for all to take notes!

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The first time I see such a rolling blackboard!

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An employee was waiting in front of the blackboard to take away the batches right after the auction had been concluded.

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Then each lot was rolled down under the blackboard for disposal!

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A green tea break was even scheduled during that heavy screaming work!

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The lots being stored for delivery to the dealers!

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A very Japanese tradition to close the proceedings: sake offered to some lucky lottery winners!
Incidentally the sake was Hatukame “Maru” Junmai Ginjyou by Hatsukame Brewery in Okabe, Fujieda City!
I wonder if the lucky winners realized how good sake was!

I would like to thank all the staff and kind participants for all their great hospitality and answers to my queries!

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

More Seafood and Fish At Parche Supermarket in Shizuoka City: With new Bonito/Katsuo!

Monday is one of the best days of the week to check what’s just arrived in the morning at the fish 6 seafood counters in Parche Market inside JR Shizuoka Station!
A single week can sometimes mean a great difference in availability!

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Where shall we start? LOL

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The mixed batch of the day!

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Hirame/平目/sole, kurodai/黒鯛/japanese black porgy, Ishigaki/石垣, Onigochi/オニゴチ/a variety of sand borer, Aka kasago/赤カサゴ/Rockfish, Marbled rockfish, Scorpionfish, Iso kasago/磯カサゴ/A veariety of rockfish, Kawahagi/皮はぎ/Filefish, Madai/真鯛/Japnese seabream, Anago/あなご/Conger eel (only this one from Chiba prefeture, all the thers form Shizuoka prefecture!), Koshyo/コショウ/Crescent sweetlips, Houbou方々/Red robin, Mejina/メジナ/Largescale Blackfish, Umazura/ウマズラ/a large variety of filefish, Hirasuzuki/A variety of sea blackbasss, Isaki/イサキ/Chicken grunt!

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A fish which made Shizuoka famous!

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First bonito/katsuo/鰹 of the year from Numazu harbor!

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Sazae/turbo shellfish/サザエ!

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From Numazu harbor!

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Nagarami/ながらみ/Umbonium giganteum sea snail!

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Okoze/オコゼ/Scorpion fish!

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Iseebi/伊勢海老/lobster!

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Freshly-caught sakuraebi/桜えび/Cherry shrimps from Yui!

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Not cheap, even by shizuoka standards!

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Buri/鰤/yellowtail!

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From Ito City in Izu Peninsula!

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Amadai/甘鯛/tilefish!

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Akamutu/赤ムツ/Rosy seabass!

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Kurodai/黒鯛/Japanese black porgy!

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Isaki/イサキ/Chicken grunt!

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Hobou/方々/red robin gurnard!

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A beautiful fish: Aka isaki/赤イサキ/Red chicken grunt!

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Kawahagi/かわはぎ/Filefish!

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Kuro Mebaru/黒めばる/Black Japanese sea perch!

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Shiromebaru/白めばる/White Japanese sea perch!

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Kaiwari/かいわり/Whitefin trevally

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Onikasago/オニカサゴ/Devil scorpion fish!

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Iskasago/磯カサゴ/a variety of scorpion fish/rockfish!

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Aka kasago/赤カサゴ/Red rockfish!

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Shindouika/シンドウイカ/Japanese squid from Numazu harbor!

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Hirasaba/平鯖/Chub mackerel,Pacific mackerel,Blue mackerel from Numazu harbor!

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Shirasu/シラス/Sardine whiting and sakuraebi/桜えび/Cheery shrimps caught this morning in Yui!

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Aoriika/アオリイカ/Bigfin Reef Squid!

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From Numazu harbor!

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Madai/真鯛/Japanese seabream sashimi from Numazu harbor!

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Horame/平目/sole sashimi!

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Nagarami/ながらみ/Umbonium giganteum sea snail!

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Beautiful Fish! can you guess what they are?

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Probably the most famous fish in shizuoka prefecture!

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Kinmedai/金眼鯛/Splendid Alfonsino!

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Another beautiful but totally different fish!

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Sagoshi/サゴシ/Another name for Sawara/鰆/Japanese Spanish mackerel Double nationality?)!

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

Onion Soup for Dragon’s Cold!

Yesterday Dragon (my worse half) woke up with a raging cold, cough and temperature, probably thanks to the same which occurred to me last week!
In such cases plenty of fluids (on top of some medicine) and plenty of sleep is the best treatment.
In my home country, France, we just have the recipe for such body condition: onion soup!

Here is my personal recipe with what is available in Japan, including some suggestions for easy variations.
Of course I could make it a really grand thing but simple are so often the best!

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In a large pot, preferably iron wrought such as Daub or Le Creuset, pour some good olive oil and add some butter (skip the butter if you are vegan).
The traditional recipe used to be with butter only but there is always the danger to end up with blackened ingredients. Mixing the olive oil with the butter will ensure s good controllable color and a richer soup!
Slice onions very thin (the amount is up to you) and big clove of fresh garlic.
Drop the lot into the pot and fry over a small fire.
Note: I sometimes dry fry chopped bacon first, take it out once crispy, and pour the oil and butter then. I will add the bacon back at the very end, then! (skip that if you are vegetarian or Muslim))

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Heat plenty of soup stock. I usually use chicken bouillon stock cubes. If you are vegetarian or vegan use vegetable soup stock!

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Prepare a glass of dry white wine (skip that if you are Muslim).

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Stir-fry onions and garlic until they have reached a nice brown color. Back we fry them until almost black!
Add plenty of coarse black pepper (red chilies are fine too) and dried herbs of your choice.

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Add the white wine and stir.

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Add soup stock and simmer for a while.
Bear in mind that an onion soup is always at its best after the second or third heating.
So just simmer long enough and let it rest until you want to heat again before consumption!

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While I heat it again i prepare some chopped fresh parsley. This is not traditional in France but it adds color and vitamins for Dragon!
This time I used garlic toast and shredded cheese.
Vegans can use vegan bread to be toasted with garlic and herbs!
As for cheese, if you happen to have some high quality hard cheese all the better!

Check the taste of the soup first.
Add salt only then! do not make the mistake to add salt at the beginning!
Drop the chopped parsley in and stir for a few seconds!

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Serve the soup hot into a bowl.
Place the toasted bread on top and sprinkle with plenty of shredded cheese.
Serve at once!

Traditional recipes call for hard French bread (we always keep some in a bread basket back home) covered with cheese on top of the soup in a bowl before making it a gratin of it all inside a very hot oven and serve it all as it is!
Note that Dragon prefers to put the cheese at the bottom of the bowl first, pour the sop over it and break the toasted garlic bread into 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

Sushi: Dinner at Sushi Ko in Shizuoka City (May 8th 2014)!

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

Last Thursday it had been almost 3 moths day for day that we hadn’t visited our favorite sushi restaurant in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Aoba Park Street, namely sushi Ko/すし幸!

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Thursday is a good day (early if you want a good seat at the counter!) because it is a day when newly arrived fish is on the menu!

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A very typical Shizuoka o-toushi (first snack): sliced turbo shellfish/sazae/サザエ in wasabi!

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Katsuo/鰹/Bonito is in season!
We usually ask it without its skin!

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As we had come early, we had all our time, exspecially in the light that Chef Birukwa hadn’t come back from his break yet!
I took the opportunity to have a good look at another chef preparing an order for a group sitting on the tatami!

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It is always great fun to observe the progress and the technique!

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Raw shirasu/sardine whiting/生しらす, gaper clam/mirugai/ミル貝, seared spledid alfonsino/kinmedai aburi/金眼鯛炙り, mackerel/saba/鯖, horse mackerel/aji/鯵, tuna lean part/maguro akami/マグロ赤身, yellowtail/kanpachi/カンパ, salad gunkan/サラダ軍艦!

SUSHIKO-MAY-7

Dragon always asks for “pon kara maguro”/deep-fried tuna with onion slices and grated daikon seasoned with chilies!

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squid/ika/烏賊 is also a great seafood found in the Suruga Bay!

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It’s best savored in “somen style”/thin noodles style!

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It is usually seasoned with grate fresh ginger and finely chopped scallions!

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You dip them into “mentsuyu”/cold noodles stock soup!

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Sole/Hirame/平目 nigiri!

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Sweet shrimps/amaebi/甘エビ nigiri!

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Chef Birukawa had finally come back and we could order a favorite not listed on the menu!

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Sushi Millefeuille, Japanese style!

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This time, as we asked for Japanese style”, it contained cucumber/kyuuri/胡瓜, yellowtail/kanpachi/環八, herring roe/kazunoko/数の子, and topped with finely chopped scallions and katsubushi/dried bomito shavings.
The mayonnaise around it also included ikura/イクラ/slmon roeO!

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Another must fro Dragon: scallops gratin!

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A sushi classic: negitoromaki/ネギトロ巻! roll containing grated tuna belly fish and finely chopped scallions!

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Nigiri for vegans! Menegi/芽ネギ/scallion sprouts!

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To finish another specialty of Chef Birukawa not listed on the menu!
Spicy scallops roll/pirikara hotate maki/ピリ辛帆立巻!

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Inverted roll containing dry seaweed, scallops, flying fish roe, agekasu/cold deep-fried batter, wasabi and mayonnaise. The rolls are sprinkled with golden sesame seeds for the finishing touch!

With summer around the corner we will be looking forward to a different kind of seafood next time!

SUSHI KO
420-0032 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae-cho, 2-3-1 (Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-251-9701
Business Hours: 17:00~25:00. 17:00~23:00 (Sundays)
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservations recommended
Credit cards OK
HOMEPAGE</strong> (in Japanese)
Smoking allowed. Private room can be arranged for non-smoking (4 people)

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: Kanzawagawa Brewery-Shosetsu Honjozo Nama genshu

Kanzawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, have been bottling their brews in his practical 300ml size for quite some time, which makes it easier for tasting on your own back home without having to consume a full bottle in a hurry!
At the same time it is to carry around. If you have the chance to find quite a few different at the same time, it becomes great fun tasting at a BBQ outdoors for example!

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Rice milled down to 65%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees (genshu, no pure water added)
Bottled in February 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Almost transparent
Aroma: Assertive and fruity. Dry. Pears, custard
Body: Fluid
Taste: Very dry and fruity attack.
Pleasant alcohol (genshu). Complex.
Custard, chestnuts. late appearance of oranges with hints of milk coffee.
Lingers only for a short while before departing on a sweeter note.
Gets drier with food.
Does marry well with food without losing any of its character.
Will turn back onto a sweeter note away from food.

Overall: Very elegant and surprisingly complex for a honjozo, the more for it because it is a genshu as well
The kind of sake to impress guests at an open buffet party by serving it into transparent glassware without any warnings or information and invite them for a blind tasting challenge!

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

b Cafe in Shimada City!

Service: Very friendly and communicative
Equipment & Facilities: Overall extremely clean. Beautiful Washroom. Entrely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Home–made cakes, fruit juice and coffee! Take-out welcome!

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Yesterday chance served me well as I had arrived early in Shimada City and took some time to look around north of the station at ease just in case I made a discovery.

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That is when I discovered this place bearing two different names, b Cafe and Chubby-Boo!

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It is only after having sat down at the counter inside that I discovered that many locals come to buy their coffee and take out cakes at this counter inside! Very good idea!

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The reason it is also called is because the shop used to house Chubby-Boo looked after Ayano Asaoka’s mother until her daughter joined hands with her in March when they had the whole redesigned to include a small cafe!

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The kitchen is big enough for Beer b Nights 2 or 3 times a month when Ayano also serves light food including ratatouille and gratin to be enjoyed with the beer!

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The menu is pretty extensive for such a small place including no less than 14 coffees, teas and soft drinks with cakes made on site!
If you order a cake the drink coming with it will be 100 yen cheaper!

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I ordered for my first visit a home-baked cheese cake and straight coffee!

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The home-baked cheese cake!

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Really delicious and so appetizing!

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Great coffee!

As this is obviously only my first visit expect more reports as I do have to taste the other cakes and participate to the next Beer B Night!

b cafe
427–0022 Shimada City, Hontori, 1-9-10
Tel.: 0547-35-6538
Opening hours: 10:00 am~05 pm (later on Beer B Nights)
Closed on Wednesdays, 1st & 3rd Sundays
Entirely non-smoking!

Chubby-Boo
Opening hours: 10:00 am~08:00 pm
Closed on Wednesdays

AYANO ASAOKA on FACEBOOK

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

First Harvest in a brand new Tea Field in Shizuoka with Marufuku Tea Company!

Asami Itoh/伊藤麻実さん, the young owner/manager of Marufuku Tea Comppany/丸福製茶株式会社 in Shizuoka City had been experimenting with organic tea for quite some time with her late father Bunji/伊藤文治さん.
Yesterday I was invited to the first picking/Ichiban Cha ever in a new field she had developed in view to produce more organic tea.

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Asami with a friend and one of her veteran employees!

For this special occasion she had invited many of her close friends for this first ever harvest in her new field!

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The new field is located in high altitude, about 600 meters, along the River Abe in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Hirano/静岡市葵区平野 in a field called Ogi Hatake/扇畑!

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Even at this high altitude the fields have to be constantly protected from the damage caused by wild boars, deer and what else!

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When I arrived at 9:00 some people already busy hand-picking the tea sunder the supervision of Japan Agriculture Department inspector!

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Asami does not like things being half done!
When devising her new field she also had a wooden house built for tea harvest storage and even modern toilets on top of water and electricity!

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Plenty of space for a car park, too!

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Firewood for the colder season when fields have to be cleaned and tended!

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Some of the morning harvest when I arrived!

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Asami had planted some rosemary along the tea fields as she intends to market a scented tea in the future!

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The part of tea field where I was going to contribute to the harvesting!

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Can you see the new leaves on the trees!

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Each new leaves have to be selected with eye and touch before being twisted out (not pinched out) by hand!

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Tea leaves in my own basket!

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An employee came regularly among us to receive individual harvests!

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It was a hot day even in the morning at this high altitude!

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Two more employees were tallying the crop safely stored away from the sun inside the shed!

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The forty of us had harvested no less than 100 kg by noon!

In the evening I received good news from an e-mail sent by Asami:
Apparently the tea has been judged of high quality and will be submitted to a National Judge Panel!

Asami is convinced this is the fruit of the friendship of all the people who turned up to participate to this first ever crop!

Marufuku Tea Factory (Owner: Ms. Asami Itoh)
420-0006 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Wakamatsu, Cho, 25
Tel.: 054-271-2011
Fax: 054-271-2010
Mobile: 090-3250-4188

CHA-O (Director, Ms. Asami Itoh)
420-0006 Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Wakamatsu Cho, 94
Tel: 054-253-8421
Fax: 054-253-8413
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