As part of 7artscafe’s eclectic menu of food, drink and year-long arts events, 7artscafe prides itself on supporting local artists and musicians with weekend concerts and revolving art exhibitions. Steps away from the banks of the beautiful sakura-lined Ooka river and the art enclave of Koganecho, 7artscafe is a prime gallery space for local and international visual artists. Currently through February 27, Yokohama visual artist “Rommy” Hiromi Morita’s artworks are displayed featuring over 15 paintings plus her collection of sketches. Born in Okinawa in 1948, Rommy is the first child in a family of eight children – her mother a…
Author: Seasider
Bruntons combines Yokohama history with carefully selected craft beer in a convivial and welcoming atmosphere. Since relocation from its previous perch in Motomachi across the canal to the edge of Chinatown, owners Kimiko Kawano and Scot Coey have created a distinctive interior within a renovated old house. The result should make newcomers and regulars alike feel right at home. The exterior, with bright primary colors, fits Chinatown aesthetics and makes it hard to miss. Scot and Kimi maintain a weekly rotation of their five taps (plus a real ale tap), exclusively Japanese craft beer from both near and far. They…
Hey folks, it’s been a tough two years for most businesses… Many sponsors have unfortunately been unable to continue their ads. We’ve somehow managed to keep going through the support of advertisers you still see in these pages and by supplementing with revenue from other business activities we conduct. It’s just not enough and we could use some help. For over ten years, we’ve shared our content for free. If you’ve enjoyed our content and/or would like us to continue, please consider making a small donation (even a couple hundred yen). It will make a difference as we transition to…
Horizon Japan International School (HJIS) is virtually opening its doors on Thursday, February 10th, 14:00 – 16:00 (JST), and we would love it if you could join us. Starting at 14:00, we will be opening our doors virtually, and you will be given a chance to discover who we are and the enriching educational experience we provide and explore both our Primary and Secondary divisions at school. Come and connect with our Head of School, Principals, Coordinators, Students, and Alumni to gain an in-depth insight into HJIS, our programs, and our daily campus life. To secure your…
Ingredients whitefish (catfish or cod) 100g okra 4 pods breadcrumbs (finely ground by food processor) 50g corn grits 50g egg (beaten) 1 flour to taste salt and pepper to taste lemon ⅙ wedge jalapeño pickle to taste Cajun spice chili powder 20g paprika powder 30g cumin powder 10g dried oregano 1g garlic powder 5g onion powder 20g black pepper 10g salt 10g Mix all Cajun spice ingredients. Separately, mix bread crumbs and corn grits. Season whitefish lightly with salt and pepper. Coat whitefish and okra with the batter in the following order: flour, egg, bread crumbs & corn grits.…
Chinese food and craft beer–it’s not a combination you often encounter. But if it exists anywhere, we thought, we might find it in the Noge area–and find it we did. Cocoro no Tuki offers true-to-style Chinese dishes alongside a fine beer selection. The narrow, single-room bar is separated from the cooking area by a clear partition, allowing you to watch your food prepared. This is almost as enjoyable as eating it. Proprietor Atsushi Tanaka spent nearly three decades as a chef at Chinese Restaurant PEKING in Tokyo’s Shiba Park Hotel so you can expect top-notch cuisine. For traditional fare, go…
A long line of customers forms outside Monkey Magic Teahouse (Goku Chasou in Japanese) just before lunchtime. The establishment located near Kanteibyo Shrine in Yokohama’s Chinatown is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The first floor is a shop selling an extensive array of Chinese tea as well as teapots, cups, ornaments, and other interesting items. The second floor is an attractive teahouse. If you time it right, you can enjoy your tea while taking in live musical performances on traditional instruments. Explore the world of Chinese tea to your heart’s content using all of your five senses in an exotic space…
As Christmas approaches, many perhaps feel a greater sense of kindness. Spending time at Christmas Toys will deepen those feelings further. Teruhisa Kitahara, the owner of the store and a big fan of Christmas, opened Christmas Toys in September 1986. As the name suggests, it sells Christmas merchandise year round. The store is located in a Western-style building in Yamate and has been meticulously restored by hand, creating a relaxing atmosphere away from the chaos of everyday life. Manager Masako Kannonbayashi tells us, “The store seeks to evoke an orthodox ‘red and green’ Christmas.” The various goods lined up on…
Many of Yokohama’s old, hole-in-the-wall businesses are disappearing. This is especially the case in Noge, the district where our office is located. When we launched over ten years ago, it was a maze of tiny bars, eateries, and other old businesses. New highrises and chain bars are replacing a lot of it, though. Some consider this progress, others, cultural loss. We talk a little about it in a new column in this issue. We hope you’ll go out and explore some of these places before it’s too late. Or maybe your patronage will keep them alive! Only time will tell…
When I was nineteen years old, my sister, four years my elder, left Japan. That was thirteen years ago. As for her reason, she told me, “I need to find my own way of life.” When I went to Narita Airport to see her off, I was moved to tears as I watched her leave alone, lugging a huge pack on her back. She had decided to live a free lifestyle and try new things on her own. She ended up starting a family in Argentina, on the opposite side of the planet from Japan. She got through the worst…