We hope our readers have been enjoying the longer interviews with Yokohama illuminaries that we’ve been running these last few months. We find the personal stories interesting, educational and inspiring. They give us a better sense of the people who are shaping Yokohama culture and the local economy. These people may be friends, neighbors, former classmates or even clients. Hearing the details of their lives, we feel the closeness of this great community. Many of these individuals have been engaged in their work here for decades. But it doesn’t necessarily take that long to make a mark in the city…
Author: Seasider
Due to the rainy season ending the latest we’ve ever witnessed (August 1st!), the dog days of summer were tolerable. For beach lovers the absence of annual summer beach shacks was an almost alien experience, but getting out for a dip in the ocean during these times when many of us are spending more time at home has been more refreshing than ever. Fans of cooler weather can revel in the fact that we are on the edge of fall already. In the Yokohama Seasider have always highlighted optimism in uncertain times. We won’t alter course now! COVID-19 continues, but…
It’s difficult for an establishment in the lively Noge area to set itself apart, but Sandaime Hulk does so with a unique, engaging atmosphere and excellent cuisine made from locally procured ingredients. Previously a medical clinic, the residential-looking building was repurposed as an upscale izakaya near the beginning of 2020. The spacious interior is decorated with a seemingly endless variety of figurines, ceramics, and other ornaments providing a homey feel. Owner Hiroshi Kuroda chose the interesting name due to an admiration for the wrestler Hulk Hogan. A Chigasaki resident, Kuroda likes to showcase local pride as evidenced by a menu…
Teddy Lee is one of the most respected people in Yokohama’s Chinatown. A Yokohama native who graduated from Yokohama International School (YIS), he is the CEO of an extensive family business that includes Rose Hotel Yokohama, the Chungking Szechwan Chinese Restaurant group, and also a line of related packaged food products which are sold nationwide via its online shop. As if running such a complex business weren’t enough, from 2013, he served three two-year terms as chairman of Chinatown Development Association. Somehow, he still finds time for family and playing guitar. These days, however, his thoughts are occupied with how…
Originally conceived by a group of friends in East London, Dark Arts Coffee in Hayama opened two years ago, bringing with it a unique attitude, and love for coffee. The interior presents comfortable, rustic decor with a pinch of dark/raw attitude. A section of the cafe is dedicated to their boldly designed T-shirts, which have an edgy flair celebrating the occult, magic, or anything else deemed a “dark art”. If you’re looking for just a little buzz to help energize you, go for either the coffee of the day (¥480) or Vietnamese-style iced coffee (¥550). You can even buy specially…
Marumasala is a hole-in-the-wall gem in Fukutomicho that we cannot recommend enough. From beautiful presentation to rich, delicious flavors, their colorful plates consisting of a variety of curries are one-of-a-kind and quite tasty in the heat of summer. The curry plate is the only food option on the menu (which includes several choices of drinks) and rotates daily so that you can enjoy curry styles from different countries. During our visit, the daily plate featured three varieties of South Indian curry (¥1200)–chicken, keema and bean–paired with basmati rice. We also decided to top off our already-full plate with a hard-boiled…
Anyone who has active hobbies knows the pain–both physical and mental–of a sports injury. Returning to the activities we love always requires more patience than we’d like. Sometimes in our eagerness to return we end up reinjuring ourselves by rushing our recovery. Most of us could use a little help in expediently getting back to full health without suffering setbacks. The physiotherapists at Club 360 are here to provide guidance. I have been plagued by a heel deformity called Haglund’s Syndrome (simplified, a bony heel growth that painfully limits extension of the Achilles) for many years. As a jogger, mountain…
I understand your term as the Vice Chairman of the Kanagawa Bar Association ended this past March, but what did your duties entail? And how were you chosen for this role? The Bar Association is a professional organization of lawyers that performs an array of duties (record keeping, hosting legal consultations, exchanges with other professional groups, committees, etc). The work of its key positions (chairman, vice chairman) involves enhancing cooperation and making decisions concerning the business affairs of its members. Japan’s lawyers are required to register with their local bar association, so lawyers practicing in Kanagawa must all register with…
We’re into the thick of summer. With the O-bon holidays this can seem like the most sluggish time of the year. After these last few months, we could probably use a moment to take a breath and slow down. We all need to carve out time for ourselves, whether that’s an hour of reading each night (not device screen time!) or simply chatting with friends. It’s good for our mental and physical health. In this intro, we’re always encouraging you to get out and see this wonderful city. Of course we want you to do that, but if creating time…
Hamabread just opened in May, but it’s already garnered a lot of attention from locals with over a thousand followers on Instagram. Though tucked away on the back street running parallel to Ishikawacho’s main thoroughfare, the bakery is hard to miss with its bright, sky-blue walls and long line of people waiting out the door. We recommend arriving earlier than opening time (11:00) if you want a spot near the front of the line. Note that the small bakery has no eat-in space and only offers take-out. Hamabread boasts authentic, sophisticated breads, some of which are traditional, classic selections while…