Tag Archives: Shizuoka Prefecture

Craft Beer, Japanese Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

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

June 9, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Pictures and original article courtesy of Shizuoka shinbun.

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

The medal-awarded craft beers!

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

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

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-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
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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

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Canned sardines, Japanese Gastronomy, Shizuoka Prefecture

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

June 9, 2015 dragonlife 5 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

Once again, plenty of flesh for very good value!

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

The last one was “Sardines X Tomato”!

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

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

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

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

May 30, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 24, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

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

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

A lot of visitors combine both!

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

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

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

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Shinto Shrines, Shizuoka Prefecture, Tourism

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

May 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

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

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

The flight of stairs is climbing through a bamboo copse.

About walking between two fairly old stone lanterns/ishidourou!

The “haiden/main hall for worshippers”!

More stone lanterns. I wondered about their motifs.

A stag for one!

A cloud!

A mountain!

More older stone lanterns!

A small roofed hand washing stone basin!

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

A doe and a cloud!

And three mountains!

Beautiful enough for another picture!

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

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

The right one, always with its mouth open!

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

The “haiden/main hall for worshippers!

“Yasaka Jinja/八坂神社/Yasaka Shrine”!

A smaller torii/gate at the back!

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

The back of the honden!

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

The whole place is surrounded with ancient pine trees!

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

A last look at the roof and pinion!

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

Related with the Isei Shrine in Mie Prefecture!

More ancient pine trees!

A last look again at the honden!

Good-bye Yasaka shrine!

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Craft Beer, Izu no Kuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer: Izu No Kuni Beer “Climb”

May 13, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

IZU NO KUNI BEER (IZU-WORLD MINNA HAWWAIIANS)
〒410-2315 静岡県伊豆の国市田京195-2
〒410-2315 Shizuoka Prefecture, Izu No Kuni City, Takyo, 195-2
TEL：0558-76-3355
HOMEPAGE

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

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Beer Brewery, Craft Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

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

May 12, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

AOI BREWING

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

BEER GARAGE

Aoi Brewing Co.,Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyagasaki Chyo, 30
Tel.: 054-294-8911
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00 (Monday~Friday), 15:00~23:00 (Saturday), 15:00~22:00 (Sunday)
Closed on Tuesdays
COD, Cash On Delivery only for all orders.
MAP

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

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

GROWSTOCK

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

AOI BEER STAND FACEBOOK
AOI BREWING FACEBOOK

MEIN SCHLOSS

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

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

BAYERN MEISTER BIER

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

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

BAIRD BREWERY

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

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

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

SAMURAI SURFER BEER

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

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

ORACHE WIND VALLEY BEER

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

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

GOTEMBA KOOGEN BEER ( MORI NO BEER)

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

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

KURAYA-NARUSAWA

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

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

USAMI

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

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

IZU KOUGEN BEER

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

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

IZU NO KUNI BEER (IZU-WORLD MINNA HAWWAIIANS)

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

〒410-2315 静岡県伊豆の国市田京195-2
〒410-2315 Shizuoka Prefecture, Izu No Kuni City, Takyo, 195-2
TEL：0558-76-3355
HOMEPAGE

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One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

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

May 5, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

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

May 3, 2015 dragonlife 2 Comments

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

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

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

Mount Fuji Symbol!

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

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

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

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One Cup sake, sake, Sake Brewery, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One-Cup Series 4)-Shidaizumi Brewery, Nyan Cup Fujieda Junmai Ginjo Homarefuji

April 29, 2015 dragonlife 1 Comment

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

Shidaizumi Brewery in Fujieda City has gathered fame all over Japan for their Nyan Cup/Kitten Cup design, a registered mark, both for sake (black and grey) and umeshu (green and colored).
They have just put out a new one to make the City of Fujieda all over Japan and beyond and remind everyone that the first-ever soccer game was played there!

The design shows Mount Fuji but “Fujieda” actually means “wisteria branch”, hence the symbol color of the city.
The cats are three, with one female bearing the number “12”!

She is flanked by two male soccer-playing cats bearing the number “11”,..

and “10”!

Rice: Homarefuji (Shizuoka-grown)
Rice milled down to 55%
Bottled in April 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: dry and fruity. Rice, pears
Body: fluid
Taste: dry and fruity attack backed by junmai petillant and strong alcohol.
Complex and elusive: apricots, coffee beans, dry dark chocolate, nuts.
Disappears quickly on drier note of dark chocolate.
Stays true to first impressions all the time.
Varies little with food but for a slightly mellower note.
Coffee beans tend to make a strong comeback with every sip.

Overall: thoroughly enjoyable sake.
Great o its own but happily marries with food, particularly cheese, eggs and vegetable stews.
Definitely more elegant in spite of its dryness than expected.
Just too good for soccer players, a sake for rugbymen!

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Craft Beer, Japanese Beer, Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Craft Beer : Kuraya-Narusawa Brewery-Hansharo 18th Anniversary Minimal Bitter

April 29, 2015 dragonlife 2 Comments

This time I had the occasion to sample a very limited edition to commemorate the 18th year of existence of Kuraya Narusawa Brewery in Nirayama, Northern Izu peninsula, Shizuoka prefecture called Minimal Bitter!

Actually it was a triple whammy as I had no less than 3 glasses, the second one with homemade lamb gyoza/dumplings!

And the third glass accompanied a delicacy difficult to get super fresh and raw outside Shizuoka prefecture: shirasu/sardine whiting and sakuraebi/cherry shrimps!

Served on tap
Barley, Maris Otter malt, Crystal malt, First Gold hop, live yeast.
Unfiltered
Alcohol/ABV: 3.5 %
Bubbles: very fine bubbles. Longish head. Creamy. Light orange color
Clarity: slightly smoky (normal considering live yeast and being unfiltered), very clean
Color: deep orange
Aroma: dry and fruity. Biscuits
Taste: Refreshing and dry attack. Bread, biscuits.
Ordinary bitter style craft beer.
A little acidity popping up late.
varies little with food.

Overall: very refreshing and solid.
Great for a warm afternoon.
Although eminently enjoyable on its own, makes for a perfect marriage with food, especially meats, BBQ, etc. Great with seafood, too!

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

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Shizuoka Prefecture Hot Springs On The Cheap: “Itawari No Yuu” in Shimada City

April 14, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

Shizuoka Prefecture is probably the most famous and visited prefecture in Japan when it comes to hot springs spas, but quite a few visitors hesitate to visit them because they are misled into thinking that they uniformly expensive.

The roda sign indicating “Tashiro no Sato Spa/田代の郷温泉”, the original name of the spa where “Itawari No Yuu/伊太和里の湯” is located!

Actually it very much possible to Visit hot springs spas in day-time without having to stop for the night and very reasonable at that!

One of them is located in the middle of nature in the northern part of Shimada City in Central Shizuoka Prefecture.
The name of the Spa is “田代の郷温泉/Tashiro no Sato Onsen” where the actual bathouse is called “Itawari No Yuu/伊太和里の湯”.
One can reach it by car or by Shimada City-sponsored community bus (only 200 yen!) at the terminal of the Itawari No Yu Bus Line.

It was built only 6 years alongside a popular retired citizens homes inside a small park with the whole place electricity provided by nearby solar panels!

The place is fully equipped for all visitors including physically impaired bathers!

But keep in mind that visitors bearing tattoos, be they real or stickers are not welcome, and neither are pets!

Now, do remember not to make the same mistake I made: as this is sponsored by the City the service is minimal if very welcoming. DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL!. If you do you still can buy a small one for 300 yen inside the premises

Simple admission to the bath fees are as in order (first line) for single tickets for adults, primary school students and senior citizens. The price below are for a set of 11 tickets!

The lobby and small souvenir shop!

The restaurant!
Bear also in mind you are not allowed to bring in food or drinks from outside!

Drinks including alcohol can be bought on site!

If you wish to take a meal take a good look at the pictures describing the reasonably-priced homey food!

The recommendations of the day!

The Dragon’s choice: sashimi and seafood bowl set!

My choice: tempura bowl set!

The lunch sets once again introduced in their popularity order!

Buy your meal first through ht meal ticket automatic vending machine!

You can choose your seat at a table or on a tatami floor!

You can even choose a table under the veranda outside along a Japanese garden!

My lunch set!

Tempura bowl!

Quite good actually with prawns, fish and vegetables!

The Dragon’s lunch set!

Typical seafood dish in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Quite satisfying to eat this up in the mountains!

Washroom for physically-impaired visitors!

The entrance to the male bathers public and outdoor baths!

View from the indoors baths where one still has to wash himself before diping his body in the baths indoors or outdoors!

The outdoors male baths!

Free rest armchairs (some massage chairs are available for a fee)!

Although we did first have a bath in the public facilities we wanted to relax in privacy and had booked (booking compulsory by phone) a private room with private bath!

A family of five can fit in! perfect for a couple!

Fully equipped!

With its own little private garden!

Bathtub view from the garden!

Don’t forget to wash yourself first!

Take the wooden covers off the bath!

Take a dip!
Don’t worry, the bathtub will fill up automatically! Japanese hi-tech!

Low-tech equipment for physically-impaired bathers provided!

Washroom equipped for any needs!

“Itawari No Yuu Hot Springs/伊太和里の湯”

Shimada City, Ita, 88-1
Tel.: 0547-33-1148
Opening ours: 09:00~21:00 (last entrance~20:30)
Closed on Mondays or next day if Monday is a National Holiday
Entrance fee (for public bath): adults: 410 yen, Primary school students: 300 yen
Private room with bath (on reservation only): 2,000 yen (2 hours)
Smoking not allowed anywhere except inside special enclosure
Tattoos or stickers not allowed
Pets not allowed
Own food or drinks not allowed inside

Access: by community buses from Shimada Station North Exit Bus Stop (check schedules!) or by own transport: 15~30 minutes

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Shizuoka Hot Spring Anecdote: The Cleaning Lady, The Towel & The Foreign Male Bather

April 13, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

One may have lived in Japan for 39 years and still find himself unprepared…

The other day, Thursday April 9th to be precise, the Dragon and I took advantage of our day offf from work to visit a hot springs spa sponsored by the City Of Shimada in Shizuoka Prefecture called Itawari No Yuu/伊太和里の湯, which is not only new (it was founded 6 years ago) and ecological (all electricity is provided by nearby solar panels) but cheap and located in the middle of the neighbouring mountains.

The access is easy as a city-sponsored bus will take you there from Shimada Station within 30 minutes for only 200 yen!

The only problem is that they do not provide an absolutely necessary item normally available in hot spring spas…
We forgot it was sponsored by a municipality with the need to cut corners for economical reasons!

Anyway, Dragon and I, after paying the cheap 500 yen fee for enjoying the bath and spa facilities went inside our separate public baths…

As I opened my locker, I noticed the absence of towels…
I asked another bather where I could find a towel…
“I’m afraid you have to bring your won!” he answered with dubious look at this foreign “old man”!

Oh, well, I had a handkerchief which should be enough as the hot water would soon dry off my body…

This when a cleaning lady almost barged inside the men’s locker room. She was pretty mature, but no one seemed the least embarrassed by a lady, however old she might be (mind you, not that old as she was probably my age!), entering a space usually reserved to men only. Peaceful, tolerant and comprehending Japan for you!

She directly addressed me in Japanese, not the least bothered by my totally naked body. I didn’t care much either as I often visit Japanese hot springs. Some might snidely remark I was probably showing off (exhibiting?).
She just told me: “Your wife told me you didn’t bring a towel with you?”
“That is right,” I equably replied, “but I have this handkerchief!”
“I’m afraid that will not do! Please wait till I come back!”
…
Only a minute later she came in again and handed me a towel with the name of the hot spring spa on it a small vinyl bag to take it back with me.
“Thank you so much!”
“You are most welcome!”
And she went out as if nothing had happened.

Dragon told me later that realizing our mistake upon entering her own locker room had asked the same cleaning woman who just happened to be there about the “missing” towels. The charwoman explained we had to buy towels (300 yen each) from the spa. Dragon first asked her if she could kindly inform me of the situation, which the nice lady did at once before going out and meeting Dragon again who had meanwhile bought the two towels and prayed her to hand it over to me, explaining all the time that she should easily find the only “gaijin no ojiisan/外人のお爺さん/Old foreign man” (thank you for making a whole dish of my apparent age!) in the male bathers locker room!

I very much doubt such a situation could have happened outside japan! LOL
In any case, bring a towel with you next time you visit a city-sponsored hot spring spa in Japan!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One-Cup Series 2)-Sanwa Brewery, Shizugokoro Sun Cup Honjozo

April 11, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

As Matsuzakaya Department Store in Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, has quite a few of them (10 breweries for 11 brands so far), I decided to start with them.
After that I will have to chase the other ones around! LOL
This is the first batch of 5!

The second one cup is called Shizuogokoro Sun Cup by Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Alcohol: 15~~15.9 degrees

Clarity: very clear
Color: very faint golden hue
Aroma: Assertive and dry. Rice, chestnuts
Body: fluid
Taste: Strong and dry attack backed up with pleasant alcohol. Coffee beans, chestnuts, dry almonds.
Lingers for a short while before departing on an even drier note with hints of dark chocolate.
Stays dry but with a slightly mellower note with foot.
Chestnuts and dark chocolate will make a strong comeback away from food.

Overall: Another sake for dry sake lovers. True and easy to drink although obviously conceived to be enjoyed with food.
Would do well with any heavy food, but could be even more interesting with cheese and desserts!
Another sake to bring to BBQ”S!

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Shizuoka Sake Tasting: One-Cup Series 1)-Eikun Brewery, Eikun Flower Cup Futsushu

April 3, 2015 dragonlife Leave a comment

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

I started with Eikun Brewery in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City: Eikun Flower Cup Futsushu!
Great cup to keep in store!

Alcohol: 15~16 degrees

Clarity: very clear
Color: almost transparent
Aroma: assertive, dry and fruity. Rice, faint chocolate, banana, and coffee beans.
Body: fluid
Taste: very dry and fruity attack with a little acidity at first.
Complex. Pears, apples at first
Lingers only for a while before departing on an even drier note with hints of oranges.
The fruit stays for a while on the palate.
Coffee beans and dark chocolate also tend to make an insistent comeback with every sip.
Varies little with food but for a mellower impressions and more coffee beans and dark chocolate!

Overall: for dry sake lovers!
Far more elegant than its humble futsushu/normal sake would indicate although its relative acidity might surprise some.
Would happily marry with heavy izakaya fare.
A great idea would be to bring a few cups at a BBQ!

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