Highbury is one of Yokohama’s more notable bars in recent memory. It serves high-quality lagers, Belgian beer, and… cask ales. What’s that? To keep it simple, they’re unfiltered ales that undergo further fermentation in a cask. They’re then served after a special period of “breathing” for a day or two in that cask. To learn more and/or try it (as you must), plan a visit. There’s much more to like, from the cozy interior to its friendly owner, Kohei Ando. Ando learned the pleasures and art of cask ales during an impressionable stay in the UK. Of note, he spent…
Author: Seasider
The ceiling is intricately cut into a circular shape, creating a striking space with soft light pouring in from the curved walls. Given that patrons can enjoy a full French lunch course in such a meticulously designed setting for just ¥2,500 (tax included), the restaurant is always bustling with regulars. Owner-chef Susumu Takido decided to pursue a career in cooking after working part-time at a steakhouse in Yokohama during his student days. After training for ten years at a Southern European restaurant in Kichijoji, in 2000 he and his wife opened this French restaurant here in their hometown. The lunch…
In this season of continuing cold days, a hot and spicy soup curry with plenty of vegetables is very appealing. Yokohama Soup Curry Shinpee in Tsurugamine is a restaurant where you can enjoy additive-free soup curry made with over 20 types of spices along with carefully selected ingredients. The owner, Shinpee Ishiyama, is originally from Tomakomai, Hokkaido, and came to Tokyo for university. After graduating, he first worked at a company, but inspired by his grandmother, who had managed several restaurants in Hokkaido, he decided to pursue a career in the food industry. He first trained at an Italian restaurant,…
In Okoppe, a small community of about 3,500 people facing the Okhotsk Sea in Hokkaido, you’ll find North Plain Farm, Japan’s first organic-certified dairy farm that’s committed to pesticide-free feed, production, and processing. The branch store of the farm, “North Plain Farm Ryokuen” in Yokohama’s Ryokuentoshi, has been a beloved spot for the local community for over 30 years. Its authentic hamburgers and soft-serve ice cream are particularly popular. One of my recommendations is the organic fermented butter, which makes waking up in the morning something to look forward to. This store’s origin dates back to when the great-grandfather of…
Cricket in Japan has a history dating back to the 1860s, with early games played by British troops. The sport has gained popularity in recent years, particularly with the influx of expatriates. The national team, once composed entirely of Japanese players, now includes many with Japanese heritage who grew up in cricket-playing countries. The team recently won all matches in a qualifying tournament in Korea, advancing to the next World Cup qualifying round. Yokohama Seasider got a sit-down interview with Alex Patmore, who balances his professional commitments as a teacher at Saint Maur International School with the fitness and discipline…
Greetings in 2025! Got inspiring goals for the new year? Getting in shape? Finding new work? Something artistic? Spending more time with friends and family? Don’t forget that, especially during these lonely winter months. Or reach out for help if you need (consider TELL, one of our supporters). You never have to go it alone, especially in a community like Yokohama’s. This is one of Japan’s best and friendliest cities. Let’s all strive to enhance that spirit this year!
Book cafe élever is located inside a famous piece of architecture designed by Kazuyo Sejima, a member of the group of architects known as SANAA. The appeal of the building includes curves, light, and empty spaces. Featuring books and coffee, the cafe is, as it bills itself, “a little library with coffee.” The atmosphere of élever is always different whenever you visit. In the morning, rays of fresh sunlight stream in. Spend your afternoon here surrounded by books while gazing at a blue sky through an expansive window. At night, the window is like a frame that shows the light…
Yokohama has a rich legacy when it comes to beer. It was the location of Japan’s first brewery in the late 19th century (Spring Valley, now Kirin) and today it’s home to a couple of importers and a handful of craft breweries. Among the latter, Yokohama Bay Brewing is not only recognized across Japan, but has also garnered international attention. Brewer-owner Shinya Suzuki most recently won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup (it’s like the Olympics of beer), and it was hardly his first award on an international stage. Now, you can drink his delicious brews at a…
Autumn is in full swing so why not enjoy a stroll through the colorful foliage of Yokohama on the way to lunch or dinner with friends and family. At Navigante in Ishikawacho, you can enjoy similarly colorful, healthy Italian cuisine centered around fresh fish and vegetables. It’s the perfect spot for a memorable meal after enjoying the fall scenery. Owner Ryosuke Takahashi grew up in Yokohama and has been fishing since elementary school. He has fond memories of cooking fish he caught, which brought joy to his family. After university, he recalled those childhood experiences during his job search and…
Petero Yokoyama, a piano tuner and the representative of Piano Clinic Yokoyama, has been praised by European master performers for his almost magical tuning ability. His approach considers the unique characteristics of each manufacturer; he listens to the components of the piano’s voice and maximizes its inherent singing quality in the traditional Western style. When playing the keys, the sound resonates like harmony, allowing for rich expression of tonal variation through touch. Tracing the history of Western music and instruments born in stone churches, one inevitably comes to song (chant). In other words, we might say the human voice is…