Is the end near? No, we’re not talking about the end of civilization as we know it. We’re talking about the end of the pandemic as vaccination rates rise steadily in Japan and around the world. At the very least, we hope for more normalcy for the rest of the summer, if that’s even possible while the Olympics are being held in the region. Times like these, we like to focus on what we can control: checking in with friends, going on long strolls around the city, enjoying food and drink from local businesses, maybe catching up on reading. Sometimes…
Author: Seasider
According to meteorologists, tsuyu (rainy season) will be upon us a week or two earlier than normal this year and may be slightly longer than average. Sure, the ducks and frogs may be the happiest about this, but fret not: if there is anything positive to take away from the pandemic, we have all mastered the art of amusing ourselves at home with new or improved hobbies. The characters for tsuyu, meaning ume (Japanese plum) and rain, derive from the fact that ume are ready for harvest at the start of the rainy season. Making umeshu at home is a…
Meatballs beef (minced or hand-chopped) 300g onions (minced) 200g celery (minced) 100g garlic (minced) 15g egg 1 oregano to taste cumin to taste Grana Padano grated cheese 80g breadcrumbs 20g fresh cream 30g olive oil to taste Tomato sauce whole tomatoes 200g onions (minced) 80g garlic (minced) 10g jalapeño (minced) to taste bay leaf to taste olive oil to taste Mix all the meatball ingredients and form into about 40g balls Substantially oil pan and fry meatballs till crispy on the outside but still raw inside In a separate pan, stir fry garlic for tomato sauce till fragrant and…
To everyone who has been worried about the survival of Dark Room International during the current crisis, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your concern. It was 22 years ago that we opened the Dark Room in what was then known as the Strong Building (currently the Daiwa Roynet Hotel) in Yamashita-cho. Later, we moved to ZAIM on Nihon Odori street and, eventually, where we reside today at Noge Hana-Hana. We had been closed during the pandemic, but due to the large volume of requests from our customers, we decided to re-open from April 1st with limited…
Cafe Elena is a long-established coffee shop sitting on the hilltop near the Yamate Italian Garden. Its nostalgic atmosphere blends perfectly with the surrounding area. A large window at the back of the restaurant provides patrons with a view of the Yokohama cityscape. From 9 to 11am, in addition to the regular menu, they have special morning mix-and-match sets (¥70~), such as French toast, cheese toast, sweet bread, bacon and eggs to go with your drink of choice (¥550~). During my visit we ordered the recommended house special–homemade pumpkin pudding a la mode (¥1050~ w/drink). Savoring the richness of the…
Walking along Yamate Hondori street one pleasant, breezy spring day, I found Yamanoue on a corner of the Yamamoto-cho shopping arcade. The stylish cafe is easy to miss as the exterior is still that of a retro photo studio that previously occupied the space. The location had been used as a photo studio for over 70 years before being converted to a cafe. Much of the interior also remains as it was years ago. For lunch, I decided on a plate of minced chicken with black rice and local vegetables (¥950) and Odawara olive tea (¥650). The assortment of colourful…
David Nagai runs Bridge Beyond English in Motomachi and online. This high-level English class is different from ordinary English classes where students learn grammar or get an introduction to English. Instead, it’s a small class size (four students max per class) and it’s for those who have intermediate or higher level English. Its purpose is to help them think creatively and communicate harmoniously with different types of people. His class is influenced by his unique background. Although Nagai has American parents, he was born and raised in Taiwan and has lived in six different countries including the United States, Bangladesh,…
Various locations ~6/13 (Sun) Website: www.gardennecklace.city.yokohama.lg.jp Garden Necklace Yokohama, now celebrating its fifth year, has added new venues near Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama stations, expanding its scale and vibrantly coloring the city of Yokohama with a variety of blossoming flowers. From the beginning to the end of May, about 4,100 roses will be in full bloom at Yamashita Park and Harbor View Park. From mid-May into late June, lilies will be blooming at Nihon Odori and Shinko Chuo Park. Refresh your body and soul with an extended walk among the seasonal flowers that decorate our fine city this spring.
With the weather warming up and social distancing still important during the days of COVID-19, we thought we would take some time to provide a few of our favorite local spots that offer outdoor dining. Gather@Eating House Address: Naka-ku Shinko 2−2−1 Website: eating-house.com/gather Expansive patio seating in a prime location near Akarenga. Grilled meat plates are the highlight and the extensive drink menu features local craft beer, cocktails and more. QUAYS pacific grill Address: Naka-ku Shinko 2-14-1 Yokohama Hammerhead 1F & 2F Website: huge.co.jp/restaurant/new-american/quayspacificgrill Brewpub and craft gin distillery with scenic seaside dining outside both on the 1st floor patio and 2nd…
Dr. Goro Nakamaru runs the Nakamaru Dental Clinic in Ishikawa-cho, Naka-ku. Treatment at his clinic is available in both Japanese and English. Dr. Nakamaru is devoted to the oral health of his patients with his polite responses and precise treatments. Upon graduating from university in Japan, he continued his dental studies in the U.S. His treatments focus on global standards and he conducts seminars for dentists in Japan as well. Nakamaru Dental Clinic offers only medical treatment outside of the National/Social Health Insurance program. Why is this and what are the pros? I believe the results of our treatment became…