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…
Author: Seasider
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…
Akemi and Andrew Balmuth own and operate Yokohama-based Nagano Trading, Japan’s largest importer, distributor and retailer of American craft beer. With roots going back to 2004, they incorporated the company in Yoshidamachi in 2012. Two years ago, after a 3.5-year stint in California where the couple operated the company remotely, they returned to Yokohama with ambitious plans for the future. Since then, the company has been expanding its staff and operational reach rapidly. While Nagano Trading is changing the landscape of beer in Yokohama for certain, its ripples are traveling ever wider. “Our business is not political,” says Andrew. “It’s…
If you’ve ever visited Hawaii, there are several food items you’ll certainly miss upon your return–poke bowls and fluffy pancakes are a couple of them. While Hawaiian restaurants are abundant in Yokohama, Merengue in Minatomirai stands out with its ideal location in a sunlit spot. Inside, the relaxing music and atmosphere transport you to the islands, allowing you to forget about the bustle of the big city beyond its doors. We, of course, had to order the aforementioned Hawaiian comfort foods together with tropical drinks to get into full vacation mode. The Salmon and Avocado Mayonnaise Poke Bowl (¥1080) was…
Any normal summer we’d be talking about all the great concerts and festivals that take place this season. As we all know, this isn’t a normal summer. Instead of dwelling on the negative, let’s look at the positive–and there is a significant amount to consider. In Yokohama, and Japan as a whole, we have been much more fortunate than many other countries in the world during this pandemic. Let’s not take it for granted! We should be thankful that we are once again able to visit our favorite shops and restaurants, even if it may be for takeout only. Our…
The last few months of self-isolation may have been a time for people to discover new interests while exploring current hobbies. Drawing and painting seem to be popular activities among kids and adults alike, perhaps because of their calming effect and subjective nature. In this article, Kensuke Takahashi gives us insight into his career as an artist, and shares his favorite art materials and tools, as well as advice for aspiring artists. Takahashi has collaborated with Yokohama Brewery and worked on multiple album covers. Born and raised in Yokohama, Takahashi also talks about how this city had presented opportunities that…