Tag Archives: Shimizu Ku Shizuoka City

Wines & Sake Bar: La Sommeliere in Shizuoka City!

July 16, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Shy but very friendly
Equipment and facilities: Spotless clean. Superb washroom. Entirely non-smoking!
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Local sake by the glass. Extensive wine list by the glass. Bottles on sale. Great local bread and pastries. Home-made light food

Mrs. Hiromi Hasegawa/長谷川浩美さん, of the fourth generation owning Hasegawa liquor Shop in Shi Tori, Aoi ku, Shizuoka City, has just opened an exquisite wine & sake bar along Miyuki Street just across from Marui Department Store!

La Sommeliere is the French feminine form of Sommelier as Mrs. Hasegawa is both a recognized wine sommelier and a sake expert!

Wines from many countries are introduced every day by the glass or the bottle.

Food is available on site under the form of light snacks or dishes prepared or cooked by Mrs. Hasegawa!

Check the ever-changing range of wines at reasonable prices!
More expensive bottles are also available for big budgets and connoisseurs!

The bar counter!
Note that the place is entirely non-smoking!

Recommended wine of the day!

Specially ordered bread and pastries from Trotix Bakery in Kita Ando, Aoi Ku, Shzuoka City are also served as a collaboration project but they tend to disappear very quickly!

Succulent nuts and vegetable chips are also on sale!

Top-class wines sold by glasses of 30, 60 and 90 ml at reasonable prices. Great for tasting!

Gevrey Chambertin! WOW!

This was only the first of many visits to come as I also want to taste the light food and more sake!
I actually wrote a future report on a tasting of sake by Eikun Brewery in Yui, Sjhimizu Ku, Shizoka City!

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
Closed on Sundays & National Holidays
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

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Japanese Culture, Manhole covers, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 7

December 4, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

My friend Atsuko Kurata discovered this old manhole cover in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City.
“出雲式” or (“Bursting Cloud Systme”) was apparently developed by a single company called Miyoshi Shokai.

I already know of many blogging friends in Japan taking pictures of manhole covers all over this country.
The reason is simple enough: as there is little chance of them being stolen (I can’t say the same thing back in our countries!) the local/municipal government often use them as touristic advertisements !

I keep on looking for them during my many travels through the Prefecture.
And this time again I was lucky to enjoy some great help from a new friend working for the Shizuoka City Touristic Information, namely Atsuko Kurata!
Like me she is chasing all kinds of cultural artifacts, especially the unusual ones!
I’m pretty sure that we should be able to come with a “Ten Best” very soon, at least for the year 2013!

Actually I have found some interesting sources of defunct and live Japanese blogs which should direct me to dozens more soon in the whole Prefecture!
Some are real works of art!
Keep tight!

Until then the present post will be slightly “technical”!

Atsuko found the above and the two below in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City.
They seem different but they are actually the same type!

They seem to point in different in different directions.

They seem to do so, but in fact the outer rim is fixed whereas the cover is movable!

I found this in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City.
I wonder what a “gas bulb” stands for?

Another very large rectangular manhole cover in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

I found this one in front of the Shizuoka Main Police Station in Aoi Ku.
It was produced by Kaneso Foundry Co.
It seems that the police have their very own manhole covers as the character “警” of “警察” meaning “police” tends to indicate!

Another,almost rare, old type in Aoi ku, Shizuoka City!

It was made by yet another foundry called Daidore Co Ltd.

A very large one for Chubu Denryoku Electric Company in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Not all the manhole covers of Chubu Denryoku/中部電力” are marked such!

A smaller one with an indicator in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

This is a reminder of a type found in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City which comes in different color or with none, and can be subdivided into groups, one station “shi no hana aoi/市の花葵”/”Shizuoka Flower: Hollyhock” or with a “T” foolwed by a number!

No color and “T-14”!

No color and “T-25”!

A medium-sized one for a fire hydrant in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

We see more and more of these large ones blending into the surrounding decor in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

The same type as above blending into the surroundings but for NTT/National Telephone & Telegraph Co.in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

I don’t have a clue what ” Gas P” stands for!

Some beauties coming next!

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

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, History, Japan, Japanese Culture, Life in Japan, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tombs, Tourism, Tumulus

Miikeidaira Tumulus: Keyhole Tomb in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

November 27, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Courtesy of Atsuko Kurata!

If your are keen on Japanese history, and I mean ancient history, it might be an excellent idea to combine tourism and study by visiting one of the few remaining funeral tumuli left in Japan by visiting the Miikeidaira Tumulus/三池平古墳 in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

one easy way is to take the bus to the National Training Center from Bus Platform 4 on the west side of Shimizu JR Station (bear in mind there is only one every hour!) and go till the last stop!

And check the return schedule!

National Training Center in Shimizu Ku is a vast (by Japanese standards) training center especially dedicated to high level soccer teams from all over Japan!

You should be able to see the tumulus and find the right way to walk uo there!

The tumulus is not only visible but its surroundings are well equipped including washrooms!

Check the map before climbing the stairs!

now, do you understand why it is also called a “keyhole tomb”?

Plenty of indications!

As you climb the tumulus you will realize that you can benefit of vast views at the same time!

The tumulus!

Take your time and read the explanations both in Japanese and (somewhat quaint) English!

The Miikedaira Tumulus was built as a key-holed shaped mound tomb at the beginning of the 5th century A.D.
The total length/diameter of the tumulus is 68 meters.
The inner/underground structure reveals a type of tomb belonging to comparatively ancient times and the like of ones very few in Shizuoka prefecture and even in the entire West Japan.

Have a good look at the diagram!
Such tombs are not open to the public and even scientists and historians need a permission to inspect them.

These stones were brought here more than 1,500 years ago!

A sobering thought!

You will be able to admire a view extending as far as the Izu peninsula beyond the ocean!
Walk down the other side to discover what’s beyond!

Mind your steps!

Steeper than the front!

Well indicated again!

You will discover a very old Shinto Shrine dating back to the beginning of Edo Era!
What you see in the forefront under blue tarp is a sumo wrestling mound!

A sumo meet is held there every year in October!

This Shinto Shrine is called Toga Jinja!

The area is famous for its citrus fields and orchards!

Very expensive “dekopon” oranges!

A different type (I found more than half a dozen!) of oranges!
I did taste them (except the dekopon!) and they are about ripe enough!

beautiful, aren’t they?

A visit to combine history, tourism and gastronomy!

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

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 6

November 26, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Courtesy of Atsuko Kurata!
Shizuoka Fire Department Water tank Access!
She found this very unusually patterned manhole cover in her neighborhood near Kusanagai JR Station in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

The next 4 picture all taken by Atsuko Kurata show the variations on a beautiful design!

The manhole cover above and the next three below were ordered by the Municipal Government of Shizuoka Prefecture. “道路・維持” could be loosely translated as “Road Development”.
The above was discovered at the gate of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, at the foot of mountain, in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

The above was discovered in Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City, at the Ishida crossroad, right in front of the APITA shopping mall!

The above was discovered in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, at the front entrance of the Shizuoka Prefectural Government Office!

Manhole covers are sometimes designed to blend with their surroundings, but this one was “blinded” by a relief marker to help blind people walk along pavements!

Atsuko Kurata discovered this extraordinary double manhole cover near Manseicho crossroads in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City one her way to Satsuki Street from S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
It is made of two known manhole covers to allow for two different sizes of access!

I found this one and the ones below near the National Sports Training Center in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City.
The one above is the smaller size manhole cover by Kojima Foundry Co. for ”汚水” or waste waters.

This large one is of an old design for electric cables with an interesting notice!

Can bear up to 5,000 kg! Wow

The same type (also seen at Kikugawa JR Station!) but for “雨水” or rain waters but a different notice at the bottom allowing for maker’s identification!

Kojima Seisakusho Co/Kojima Foundry!

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

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 5

November 25, 2013 dragonlife 1 Comment

Courtesy of Atsuko Kurata!
She found this brightly colored manhole cover in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, outside Shimizu JR Station West Exit near bus stand No 3!

I keep on looking for them during my many travels through the Prefecture.
And this time I was lucky to enjoy some great help from a new friend working for the Shizuoka City Touristic Information, namely Atsuko Kurata!
Like me she is chasing all kinds of cultural artifacts, especially the unusual ones!

Atsuko Kurata discovered this beautiflly patterned one along the promenade to the Prefectural Museum from Kenritsu BijutsuKan Shizutetsu Railway Line Station!

Atsuko Kurata discovered this unusually double square cover placed by the Chubu Denryoku Electrical Company along Sengen Shrine Street in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku!

Atsuko Kurata discovered the one above and the next one along Miho no Tsubara Beach!
The one above states “河川”, “Kasen/River”!

The second one states “雨水”, “amamizu/rainwater”!

I found a series of this very old type along one single street in neighborhood in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, and they are definitely municipal sewers manhole covers as stated by “市”/”City”! I doubt they exist elsewhere as their weight would cost much!

I discovered the above near a primary school in my neighborhood in Aoi Ku, Shziuoka City!
“流量軽計室” means “running water flow measuring machine”!

The above is the largest one I have found so far. It must lay above a a real manhole as it is wide enough for a strong man. It is a Prefectural one, probably over underground cables!

Atsuko Kurata discovered this very large one, most probably over a hole leading to underground cables in front of Shimizu JR Station West exit in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

It must be a pretty old one as it is marked “清水市”/Shimizu City, that is before it was merged to Shizuoka City!

There are similar manhole covers in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, but in different colors.
This one is a bit excepyiona as this the first one of this type also mentioning “市の花”/”City Flower” as the Hollyhock/Aoi/葵 is the official flower of Shizuoka City!

A different color from others of the same type witten witten “T-14” instead of “市の花”, but the colors might have changed due to the natural elements, unless it is a lot older!

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

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 4

November 20, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

Fire Department water hydrant manhole cover in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

I keep on looking for them during my many travels through the Prefecture.
I must admit this time I have become a bit “technical” but I supposed it is needed!

Another municipal (probably electricity) manhole cover blended wit its pavement surroundings!

i discovered this slightly surprising one in Kikugawa City belonging to the big private National Electric Company!
It states that it can bear up to 250 kg from human pedestrians!
I’ll have to call a sumo wrestler to check that!

I found this one bearing another foundry name inside Kikugawa JR Station!

Kojima Seisakusho Co!

A new pattern found in Okitsu, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

An old surviving pattern and shape used when Shimizu Ku was still Shimizu City!

Another foundry Company found in Okitsu, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Kaneso Company!

A different and ancient pattern I discovered near my home in Aoi ku, Shiuoka City!

I also found this one near my g\home with still another company name!
It seems there is a lot of competition for making them!

Osaka Drainage Industries Co. Ltd!
Now that comes from far away!

Interesting seal!

These day new manhole covers tend to become more inconspicuous as the city have them blended into the pavements patterns such as this one above and the three following I found lining up along renovated Komagata Street in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

“Double-door” manhole cover from Chubu Electrics Company!

NTT/National Telephone & Telegraph cables!

Another one from Chubu Electrics Company!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

観光, Japan, Manholes, Photography, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 3

November 16, 2013 dragonlife 2 Comments

Manhole covers do not have to be round but can come as square, rectangular and even “double-doored! as this one above!

I continued looking around Aoi Ku and Shimizu Ku in Shizuoka City and in other cities.
As I’m sure there are quite a few around there should quite a few more articles about the subject in the offing!
I might even close this series with another “Ten Best”!

This time I concentrated in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, which allowed me to go a bit more technical all about it!

Another large rectangular manhole belonging to NTT/Nihon Telephone & Telegraph Company!

The log/arms/”mon” in the middle of this water duct/outlet manhole cover is actually the real seal of a Japanese family!

Haisui/排水 means “drainage”. In that case, access to ducts and pipes taking care of excess or rain water!

A large circular manhole owned by the Chubu Denryoku/Shizuoka Central Electric Power Company with their logo in the middle!

The same company has a few rectangular ones with the same pattern and material as surrounding pavement tiles!

I’ve finally found the name of one Company fabricating these heavy wrought iron manholes!

Hasegawa Foundry Company!

Access to the Municipal heavy water equipment!

Another Haisui/排水/”drainage manhole cover blending into the surrounding pavement!

Osui/汚水 means “dirty/soiled/sewer waters”!

A manhole cover over a air-pressurized water outlet

Care to join the search?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

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

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: 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

静岡県, 静岡市, 観光, Japan, Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

Urban Skies in Japan: Blazing Cables

November 16, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

It had been raining heavily all day long yesterday and when the skies started to clear up the sunset seemed to inflame the slowly vanishing clouds.
I just happened to go out when I noticed the red fog-like clouds bursting into flames beyond the aerial telephone cables once again!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

Must-see tasting websites:

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

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

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 2

November 4, 2013 dragonlife Leave a comment

“Kura” (in japanese 蔵 or 倉) means “warehouse” or “Storehouse”.
In traditonal Japan, especially during the Edo Era, as most of buildings and urba/village structures were made of wood, fires were the bane of society by and large.
However well-protected a fire would consume a house or buildings and all its properties within minutes.
Hence a special building or warehouse was needed to protect goods and properties against such a catastrophe.
But erecting a storehouse solely made of concrete, stones and some metal cost a vast amount of silver and gold and only rich merchants and nobility could afford them. Even castles could not be built entirely of stone then.

Today I decided to investigate Shimizu Ku in Shizuoka City on the advice of a friend who told me to look around Jirochoo Street in the oldest part of the former City of Shimizu which was absorbed by Shizuoka City some time ago.

Although the attaining house is really old, I’m pretty sure that both buildings are inhabited!

A suggestion for old traditional Japan photography buffs?o

This small kura was standing almost next to the above one!

it has obviously been refurbished. I wonder if it is used as a living quarter, a warehouse or an atelier…..

I almost missed this very old one on the other side of the street!

The roof is still in a good state, so it must still be somehow useed.
Unfortunately I couldn’t investigate much further as it was completely surrounded by private houses although I suspect it belongs to a nearby Buddhist Temple!