Tag Archives: Shizuoka City

Ogushi Shrine (小梳神社 ) in Shizuoka City!

July 8, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Ogushi Shrine (小梳神社 ) is an ancient and well-known Shinto Shrine in Shizuoka City, within easy walking distance from Shizuok JR Station just across from Parco Department Store.
Its grounds are extensively used during flea markets and other events, but people usually miss a lot of interesting details!

The torii gate!

The old name pillar!

It is guarded by the usual two lions!

But the horn on this one is out of the ordinary!

Its facing acolyte doesn’t have one!

The shrine was oirginally standing on the grounds of the Sumpu Castle but it was moved to the present location after Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu’s death during the 17th Century!

The hand-washing stone basin!

One of the two enormous stone lanterns!

You will find a small shrine on your left past the torii gate!

It has its own torii gate!

The access bridge flies over a carp pond!

The carps!

It is also guarded by two lions!

The other lion!

Small and beautiful shrine!

It is guarded by a minuscule dragon!

And two roaring lions!

An ancient hand-washing stone basin is still in use beside it!

Leaving the small shrine!

A building probably used a shed!

The main shrine!

An old wooden lantern placed atop a new concrete pillar!

The rice–straw garland!

The coin offerings box with a double crest!

This particular shrines apparently serves a double purpose!

Plenty of sake bottles offerings inside!

The festival drum!

The two crests!

A side view of the main shrine!

From another angle!

If you proceed left of the main shrine you will find not one, but two smaller shrines guarded by different animals!
The torri gate of the first and bigger one!

Fox guards!

These are always different!
One with a closed mouth!

The other keeping a scroll between its maws!

Once again a small but beautiful shrine!

It is also decorated with a rice straw garland!

Frolicking foxes!

An even smaller one stands at the back!

Discarded roof peak?

Guarded by two foxes again!

A fierce fox of unusual colors!

The other looking fierce, too!

Obviously a more ancient shrine!

The main shrine seen from a side entrance on its right!

The side entrance torii gate!

A last look at Ogushi Shrine!

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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Beer, Craft Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Summer Ale

July 8, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

If you want to taste Aoi Brewing craft beers and also write about it, there is the perfect place within walking distance of Shizuoka JR Station!

Aoi Beer Stand!
Mind you, if you want to write about the beer you will have to find one of the six seats free!
Otherwise drinking outside on the pavement is OK!

Incidentally Aoi Beer Stand is celebrating its 1st Anniversary!

One of these days I will have a selfie taken of my person drinking their beer standing in front!

As for the tasting, bear in mind that the beers will come and go before re-appearing in the future!
It makes the tasting and writing even more enjoyable!

Served on tap
Barley, barley hops, live yeast
Unfiltered
Alcohol: ~5 degrees
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered)
Color: deep yellow
Bubbles: fine. Longish head
Aroma: assertive. Oranges, bread, dry
Taste: very dry and deep approach.
Very refreshing with welcome acidity.
Oranges.
Lingers inside palate with an increasing dryness and acidity.
Changes little with food.

Overall: very refreshing brew with more acidity than usual.
Westerners will probably appreciate it more than the Japanese.
Great balance between fruitiness and acidity.
For very dry beer lovers!

AOI BREWING

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

Aoi beer is also available at Aoi Brewery’s two more restaurants in Shizuoka City, namely

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

and Mando:

Mando, Neo Japanesque Bar
420-0031, Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-4-6, Mori Blg, 1F
Tel/Fax: 054-221-5103
Business hours: 17:00~26:00
Parties possible on 2F
Credit cards OK

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Inari Myoujin Shrine in Umegashima, Shizuoka City!

July 6, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Yesterday I had to revisit a favorite place of mine again up in the mountains along the Abe River in Shizuoka City!

It was still early in the morning at at around 9:30!

i come here regularly as my goof friend, Ms. Asami Ito of marufuku Seisha Tea Co. in Shizuoka City. has a piece of land up there with an old house and plenty of Japanese plum trees!

It does take time to reach the place, even by car, at least an hour as you have t climb up a sole narrow road up to 1,000 meters height!

But the vistas waiting for you there are worth the whole trip!

Now, the very place we have to alight from the car is beside the highest green tea field in Japan!

I don’t know exactly when, but the local farmers in Higashi Mine, Umegashima, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City erected this small house to protect and ancient small shrine called Inari Myoujin/稲荷明神!

The small torii gate was actually created by a local wood cutter who has a shed just nearby!

This is a very rare design in Japan with the upper beam a real tree trunk just cut and peeled off!
Beautiful!

Inari Myoujin Shinto Shrine!

The original and truly ancient shrine tucked inside!

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Ashitsuki Shrine (足坏神社 ) in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Okugumi (Ashikubo)

July 5, 2014 dragonlife 2 Comments

There are many practically forgotten Shinto Shrines along rivers and the foot of mountains in Shizuoka Prefecture due to the moving of population away from the rural areas.
The other day it took me no less than 4 hours on my old bicycle to find Ashitsuki Shrine up along the Ashikubo River in blinding heat but it certainly was worth the effort as it has been almost completely forgotten by the locals who had problems to inform me!
It was only when I found myself only 200 meters that someone confidently pointed me the way!

it is completely hidden from the view from across the road or river. And the only way to find it is to go down form your bicycle and push it along. That is, if you are not a local!
It is completely surrounded with trees and the entrance is invaded by beautiful hydrangeas!

The old, a bit lonely torii gate!

The surrounding area is green tea land!

Very tall trees!

The shrine!

The main shrine!

Old stone lantern with sun and moon openings!

Ashitsuki Shrine (足坏神社 ) written the old way round!

Actually for its look of abandonment, the shrine is still being used for local matsuri/festivals!

The money offerings box!

Benefactors’ names!

More of them!

Driftwood decoration!

There was another smaller shrine behind with closed doors!

Including a small kamidana/altar!

i also found a large shrine shed!

I managed to open it and discovered a festival drum and empty tea boxes!

interesting roof architecture of the main shrine!

Back down very old stone stairs!

A last look at the stone lanterns!

A last farewell before hitting the road!

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Japanese crackers, Senbei, Shizuoka City

Senbei/Japanese Crackers at Aoi Senbei Honkei in Shizuoka City!

July 4, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Senbei/Japanese Crackers at Aoi Senbei Honkei in Shizuoka City!

There is a bit of misconception about senbei in Japan.
Senbei/煎餅 is often translated as “rice cracker”. Actually there is nothing mentioned about rice/米 in the original kanji character.
Senbei can be made of rice flour or wheat flour, and can be salty or sweet.

Now, in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, not far from Sengen Shrines stands an ancient traditional senbei shop called “Aoi Senbei Honkei/葵煎餅本家” which offers both types of senbei.

Kazuhiro Unno/海野和宏さん and his wife Yuriko/由利子さん represent the 5th generation of a long tradition.

But it is only after WWII that they decided to produce their own senbei, moving away from the confectionery of cakes and biscuits aimed at children.

They sell both rice flour crackers and wheat flour senbei.
The wheat flour senbei are exclusively made on site, whereas the rice flour crackers are made by all kinds of companies throughout Japan to satisfy the constant demand!

Their shop has gained official recognition from the Shizuoka Prefecture Government for their round-shaped senbei with the Tachi Aoi/Hollyhock crest of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu named Aoi Oomaru/葵大丸!
A splendid and delicious souvenir!

Petit Fuusen/プチ風ん/”small balloon” senbei!

Aoi Senbei/葵煎餅, also called “Tokuyou Sunpu taiko/徳用駿府太鼓/Special Sumpu (old name of Shizuoka City!) Drums”!

Series of wheat flour senbei directly connected with the history and tourism of Shizuoka!

Another series of fancy wheat flour senbei!

The most popular wheat flour senbei!

Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu and the hollyhock crest!

Very traditional shop and smiling staff!

Superb gift sets that can be sent anywhere in Japan!

These two flavored wheat flour and peanuts senbei should please expat and foreign visitors!

The one on the right is coffee-flavored!

AOI SENBEI HONKEI/葵煎餅本家

4200867 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Baban Cho, 20
Tel.: 054-252-6260
Fax: 054-273-5323
Opening hours: 09:00~19:00 (until 17:30 on Wednesdays)
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOKK

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Izakaya, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka City

Izakaya: Mansouya (満惣屋) in Shizuoka City!

July 3, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

IZAKAYA RANKING: +3
Service: +3 Very kind, attentive and smiling
Equipment & Facilities:+3 Very clean overall. Superb washroom.
Prices:+1~+2 Reasonable
Strong points: Shizuoka sake (all breweries featured!)! Superb sashimi plates. Shizuoka Tea Pork!

See “Izakaya Ranking” system at bottom of article!

A brand new izakaya was born very recently and is acquiring a very big reputation all over Shizuoka City: Mansouya!

It is located in a fairly quiet place in Aoi Ku behind Isetan Department Store on the first floor of red-bricked Castle Hotel which used to house a Chinese restaurant!

Note the cedar ball, a feature you will find at the entrance of sake breweries!

One big reason for its popularity is that it is the only establishment serving sake from all the breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture, even those which are on the fringes selling somebody else’s sake!

Another reason is that the serve pork from local pigs fed with local green tea! Talk about extravagant Shizuoka gastronomy!

Not only do they serve sake from Shizuoka prefecture but also local fish and seafood!

They are certainly a working hard lot even at lunch and no holidays!

It is always a good idea to reserve especially at night!
If you come alone sitting at the counter is probably best!

Large groups will feel more comfortable sitting on the tatami floor! But it can become very noisy!

But there are plenty of tables and chairs for small groups! Note the walls decorated with sake brewery aprons!

Have a look at all the sake in the fridge! The staff, if not too busy, will have the pleasure to explain their origin!

If you come to taste as many sake as possible the best solution is to order a 3 sake tasting set for only 800 yen!
The bottles will be brought onto your table and you are welcome to take photographs!

Each bottle being explicitly numbered, the number of the brewery you wish to taste will be written on your sake tasting set paper!

Splendid system if you want to report on the tasting!

O-toshi/snack coming with first drink!

Beautiful sashimi plate with fish and seafood from Shizuoka Prefecture! Great value!

Of course Shizuoka oden is a regular dish all year round! Note that are seasoned the Shizuoka way with “aonori”! Shizuoka oden are darker than the ones found in other prefectures!

And more sake!
Actually, I’m planning to conduct some sake tastings there in the future!

Don’t forget to order the tea pork! Great comfort food for the meat lovers!

Very generous portions with yakitori, including my favorite, “tsukune”/minced meat ball!!

Expect regular visits in the future!

MANSOUYA/満惣屋)

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryougae Cho, 1-4-8. Castle Hotel Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-0088
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~23:00 on weekdays, 11:30~23:00 on Saturdays, 11:30~22:00 on Sundays
Credit cards OK
Parties welcome!
Reservations highly recommended

IZAKAYA RANKING SYSTEM
IZAKAYA RANKING:
+1 ought to be visited at least once
+2 could be become a regular visit
+3 must visit!

Service:
+1 standard
+2 pleasant
+3 very good

Equipment & Facilities:
+1 standard
+2 excellent
+3 Superb

Prices:
+1 cheap
+2 slightly expensive but good value
+3 expensive but good value

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Takyou Shrine (建穂神社）in Takyou, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

July 3, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Another long, very long cycling trip to find an elusive shrine I had discovered on the internet and decided to investigate: Takyou Shrine (建穂神社)!
It is located along the Warashina River, a main tribute of the Abe River.
Of course i got lost a few times on the way (but with positive results!)!

After a half dozen misses I knew I was on the right way!
Why do streets always look so wide on maps? LOL

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Takyou, 1-20, almost two haours by (normal) bicycle from the city center!

The toriii gate on top of the stone stairs!

The main shrine!

Old wood!

Old trees around a Shinto Shrine are a good indicator of its age, even if it is regularly re-built!

Truly enormous by Shizuoka standards!

View over Takyou through the torii gate!

I discovered two older edifices beside and behind the main Shrine building!

Small and old!

With its own rice straw garland!

The old ancient original shrine was being repaired!

Stone stairway from another age!

It also had its own rice straw garland!

Wild boar guards!

Carved wood of another age!

Old style false window!

Everything but the roofing is made of carved wood!

Ancient craft as I couldn’t see any nails!

A study in old architecture!

From another angle!

The red painted metal roofing!

Local people are very proud of the Great Takyou Shrine Cedar Tree!

Impossible to frame inside a single picture!

Another tree well over 500 years old!

A couple of last pictures before riding back home: the main building rice straw garland!

Roof tile decoration!

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Beer, Beer Brewery, Shizuoka Beer, Shizuoka City

Shizuoka Beer Tasting: Aoi Brewing-Australian Ale

June 27, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

At long last I can write my first tasting report of the newest craft beer brewery in Shizuoka City and Shizuoka Prefecture, namely Aoi Brewery!

I conducted it at Aoi Beer Stand where they serve all the brewery on the tap.
For the moment 4 of them are available and I started with the Australian Ale!

Served on tap
Barley, barley hops, live yeast
Unfiltered
Alcohol: ~5 degrees
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered)
Color: Yellowish orange
Bubbles: fine. Short head
Aroma: Assertive. Oranges, bread, dry
Taste: Dry with a fruity attack. Refreshing.
Complex. Oranges. Citruses. Bread.
Starts mildly on the tongue and palate before lingering on with welcome acidity.
Being drunk for the tap, it was not that chilled, and this is for the best as it tends to reveal hidden facets.
Changes little with food.
Stays relatively mild all the way.

Overall: A craft beer for all seasons.
Does not need to be over-chilled, a very good point indeed.
The kind of beer you take time to drink at ease.
I would suggest to drink it in late afternoon when you’re not ready for a meal yet but need a solid and reliable drink to refresh yourself!

AOI BREWING

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

Aoi beer is also available at Aoi Brewery’s two more restaurants in Shizuoka City, namely

and Mando:

Mando, Neo Japanesque Bar
420-0031, Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-4-6, Mori Blg, 1F
Tel/Fax: 054-221-5103
Business hours: 17:00~26:00
Parties possible on 2F
Credit cards OK

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Sengen Shrine in Hattori Honcho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City

June 25, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

The other day I was looking for another Shinto Shrine in Hattori Honcho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City. along the Warashina River and actually lost my way. That is when I discovered this small but ancient Shinto Shrine!

The torii gate.

Fortunately I met an old lady cleaning the place who told me this Shirine was called Sengen for a good reason: it is actually the original location of the big Sengen Shrine which was moved a long time ago to the center of Shizuoka City!

The stone had washing basin!

A very old basin indeed!

I discovered an old stone lantern by an even older votive stone between two grand trees!

A deer!
Interestingly enough it was carved with the same patterns as the stone lanterns found found in Komagata Shrines in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Clouds!

Mountains!

I was also told that some of the pine trees around are well above 500 years old!

Even their top broken some are really tall!

And really thick!

The shrine itself is of medium size and old, but very simple, although in good repair!!

“Sengen Shrine” above a well-maintained rice straw rope garland!

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sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kanzawagawa Brewery: Shosetsu Yamakoge Junetsu Junmai Ginjo Nama

June 24, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kanzawagawa Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City does sometimes come with some interestingly named limited brews!

It is a Junmai Ginjo Nama.

As for its name “Yamakage Jyunetsu” it is related to a famous military scholar of the Edo Period!

Rice milled down 50%
Dryness: +2~ +4
Acidity: 1.2~1.4
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Bottled in March 2014

Clarity: Very clear
Color: Very faint golden hue
Aroma: Dry and fruity: Cherries, apricots, pears.
Body:: Fluid, slightly sirupy
Taste: Dry and fruity attack.
Complex. Little junmai petillant.
Pears, milk coffee, dark chocolate.
Turns sweeter with food with coffee beans taking a bigger role.
Very elegant and easy to drink.

Overall: Beautiful sake fit for tasting sessions.
Superb slightly chilled
Great balance in dryness and acidity.
No wonder it is limited to one single tank!
Makes for a superb reasonably-priced present!

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City, Tourism

Sumiyoshi Shinto Shrine (住吉神社) in Shizuoka City!

June 24, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I found this small shinto shrine in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, not that far from the center of town.
It is old and partly derelict, but still interesting!

The old plaque on the torii gate proves it was of a certain importance in the past!

Not so old stone lanterns guard the entrance beyond the torii gate.

There is still another partly broken really ancient stone lantern!

An old stone hand washing basin is till there, too!

Unfortunately it is not in good repair!

But the locals still use it for their summer festival held June 19th~July 1st!

It is a pity that some people use its precincts as an ugly car park!

Small but beautiful figures on the roof!

More of them!

I’ve seen that money offerings box crest in many other shrines!

But this is what interests me most!

A dragon!

Interrogative eyes!

Long tendrils!

The guarding lions!

Very similar to the ones found in nearby Komagata Shrine!

Will come back end of June!

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Beer, Beer Brewery, Shizuoka City

Aoi Brewery: Opening Party!

June 23, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Yesterday afternoon saw the “official” opening party of Aoi Brewery which took place inside the brewery near Sengen Shrine in Aoi Ku, Shziuoka City (another party took place in the evening at Growstock, not to mention the beers on tap at Aoi Beer Stand, all in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!)

I came very early at 11:00-ish although the party started at 1:00 pm just to take a few pics!

The crest of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu, the hollyhock/Tachi Aoi/たち葵!

I did well to come early as a truck was stuck in front of the closed entrance with well-wishers’ flowers to be delivered!

I actually helped the florist to locate Naoki Mando/満藤直樹さん who hurried to open the brewery!

More flowers from the Shizuoka Bank!

That allowed me plenty of time to take pictures inside the party room (it will become a pub in the Fall!), especially the brand new posters!

Poster 1!

Poster 2!

Poster 3!

Poster 4!

Poster 5!

After the poster collection there is also a collection of hollyhock/tachi aoi crests!

Black on white at the entrance!
There is another one on a sticker, white on black!

Blue on white!

Green on black!

Brown on white!

A lot of preparation was needed for the party, but Naoki having staff from his other establishments to help it was quickly done!

Preparing the beers on tap!

The first four beers of Aoi Brewery!
Summer Ale, Pale Ale, Slight Stout and Australian Ale!

Ready to start!

The complete team!

Plenty of yummy finger food!

Famous local chefs were seen among the very first guests!

TV crews on the ready!

Brewery visit allowed!

Busy interviews!

Summer Ale!

Pale Ale!

Slight Stout!

Australian Ale!

Talking beer!

Thank you, Naoki!

AOI BREWERY

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

Aoi beer is also available at Aoi Brewery’s two more restaurants in Shizuoka City, namely

and Mando:

Mando, Neo Japanesque Bar
420-0031, Shizuoka Shi, Aoi Ku, Gofuku Cho, 2-4-6, Mori Blg, 1F
Tel/Fax: 054-221-5103
Business hours: 17:00~26:00
Parties possible on 2F
Cerdit cards OK

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Kikugawa City, Shizuoka City, Vegetables markets

Shizuoka Vegetables Street Market by Non Chan & Nana Chan of Taiki Farm in Shizuoka City!

June 20, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Shizuoka Vegetables Street Market by Non Chan & Nana Chan of Taiki Farm in Shizuoka City!

Some enterprising growers do not hesitate to travel to Shizuoka City to sell their fresh products directly to very happy consumers!

Non Chan and Nana Chan of Taiki Farm in Kikugawa City are two of them!
You will find them happily shouting their wares at Ogushi Shrines right across from Parco Department Store in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, only a few minutes’ walk from Shizuoka JR Station!
You can buy their vegetables on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until they are sold out!
Beware that they sell fast and by 1 pm usually everything’s gone!

You cannot miss heir sign!

Now, what do they sell?
Kankanmusume Corn, considered as the best in Japan until beginning of July
Cucumber (sweet) until beginning of September. Note that cucumbers will be less than available in Japan this year!
Tomatoes: until ???
Lettuce, Sunny lettuce and Green Leaf Lettuce: from end of October to March

Fat kankanmusume corn ears! From Taiki Farm in Kikugawa City!

Beautiful sweet cucumbers! From Taiki Farm in Kikugawa City!

Momotarou Tomatoes! From Hatada farm in Kuno, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

Place: Ogushi Shrine, across from Parco Store, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City
Behind Isetan Dept Store under the eaves of red-bricked Castle Hotel on flea market week ends.
Time 10:00 ~all sold out
Days: Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

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Komagata Shrine, Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka City

Komagata Shrine (駒形神社) in Shizuoka City!

June 20, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

I’m cycling past this shrine at least once a week!
It is called Komagata Shrine/Komagata Jinja/駒形神社, of the same name of the area found in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

Like most Shinto Shrines of some importance it guarded by two lions, one”smiling”,…

and one “roaring”!

It is a very old shrine dating back to the Heian era, some 1200 years ago!
These very old stones may have been erected for some celebrated locals!

Of course you have to walk through a torii gate. This one is quite recent.

On the other hand the two large stone lanterns were a lot older!

They both bore identical carvings of a mountain,…

a cloud,…

and a deer!

There were two more smaller stone lanterns bearing the same carvings!

The deer!

The cloud!

And the mountains!

It also included a small basin for ritual hand washing!

With a small but beautiful Dragon spout!

Unusually long horns!

Surging forth out of nowhere!

Although very old it was rebuilt in its present form about 430 years ago!

An old votive stone!

The Shrine Building!

The money offerings box and its crest!

A traditional corded rice straw garland made of stone!

More guarding lions!

A flying monster over the garland!

Another Dragon!

Komagata Shrine!

Festival drum painted with the same crest!

Unusual Shrine altar inside!

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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

Gastronomy, Shizuoka City, Wine Bar

Shizuoka Wine Bar & Shop: A Votre Sante!

June 20, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

Service: Very friendly and attentive
Equipment & Facilities: Overall very clean. Computerized washroom. Entirely non-smoking
Prices: Reasonable
Strong points: Superb wine list. Shizuoka sake and shochu, foodstuffs, clothing, etc. Space usable for parties, etc.

On June 1st, Atsuyoshi Uchibori/内堀敦よしさん and Hirotaka Sato/佐藤大高さんentered in a collaboration ad opened A VOTRE SANTE, the latest wine bar in Shizuoka City!
But you will soon understand it is far more than a wine bar!

if you get a good look at the blackboards erected outside you will understand they sell all kinds of products including cakes and biscuits cooked by local confectioners!

You can also obtain coffee, tea and superb sake from Takashima Brewery (Numazu City) and Sugii Brewery (Fujieda City)!

Right at the entrance you will find Japanese sake, shochu and rare liqueurs and Japanese wagashi cakes!

Very rare yamamomo and loquat liqueurs standing beside superb shochu!

The place used to be a soy sauce shop closed for the last two years!. Great interior!

Some of the local wagashi cakes!

More than 200 wines, mostly organic on sale!

More shochu, mirin, wine, soy sauces, olive oil, and so on!

Standing bar where you can drink wine by the glass anytime of the day!

Purchases can be beautifully wrapped on order!

More great sake in the fridge!

Great cheese and cold meats that can either be bought and taken out or consumed onsite!

Of course, there is a special wine cellar!

The hoard of wines!

Even clothing, utensils, objets and what else are on sale!

Last but not least, the whole place can be rented for seminars and parties!

A VOTRE SANTE/ア・ヴォートル・サンテ

Shizuoka city, Aoi ku, Cha Machi, 1-25-9
Tel.: 054-255-6007
Opening hours: 11:00~20:00 (until later depending on remaining customers)
Closed on Tuesdays, 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month
Credit cards OK
FACEBOOK
Entirely non-smoking!

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