As the decade comes to a close, the city of Yokohama is abuzz with change. The cityscape is rapidly transforming before our eyes as multiple, massive construction projects are finished or near completion: the Hammerhead pier, a new addition to Yokohama Station, the rebirth of the Shin-Takashima area, the high-rises of Kitanaka… the list goes on. The city is clearly poised to open 2020 with a bang. But let’s not rush things–the year isn’t over yet. Walking about town you can feel the excitement for Christmas and the New Year season slowly building. Stores are decked out in bright lights…
Author: Seasider
Yokohama’s location and history as a port have inspired themes of architecture and tourist spots in the city. Lotus Baguette on Kaigandori is a little cafe that resembles a fisherman’s cottage. Barrels serve as tables for freshly-baked pastries and the furniture is made of weathered wood, adding a chic and rustic touch to the cozy atmosphere. Its surroundings are similar to that of a wharf, and the view looks out on a harbor full of boats and the city’s iconic brick building, Akarenga, in the distance. Meals are made fresh in their “kitchen”, a bright purple van parked next to…
The Noge area continues to evolve as run-down buildings are renovated or replaced and hip, new restaurants appear among the nostalgic, Showa-era shops. HITSUJI Miyagawacho, of the former category, can best be described as a modern, upscale izakaya. Track lighting gives it a bright atmosphere as do the smiley staff headed by amicable owner and Yokohama native Masashi Kawaguchi. Kawaguchi also runs the popular, original HITSUJI in the center of Noge. He opened this second location in September. Both excel at attractively presented food and excellent drink choices. For appetizers we started off with Shirako Ponzu (vinegared milt, ¥680),…
The cold winter months ahead call for cozy comfort foods, and cheese fondue is definitely up there on the list. At Cheese Cafe 2, you’ll find everything from pizza to pasta and of course, fondue (R ¥980, L ¥1280), which comes with focaccia sticks to dip. It’s made with 5 different cheeses: red cheddar, mozzarella, steppen, Emmental and Gruyère. We couldn’t resist ordering a side of crispy Mushroom Fritters (¥580) to douse in our bubbling pot of thick, creamy cheese. Next came the Sweet Potato and Four Cheese Pizza (¥1580) which instantly filled the air with the sharp scent of…
by David Ellis Freshly-baked cheesecake is hard to beat–it’s hefty and decadent, but not overly sweet or rich. Fortunately for us all, Yokohama has a real cheesecake factory named Gateau Yokohama. Located on a quiet river canal with boats docked outside, it’s a nice, cozy place to have tea or coffee with friends. The factory has a tearoom and its main shop sells cheesecake and other sweets made within its facilities. We ordered the Blueberry Cheesecake (¥375) and the top two selling items: Yokohama Cheesecake (¥350), a plain cheesecake made with fresh cream cheese, and Yokohama Cheese Pudding (¥350). My…
A few years ago we introduced you to Satoshi Kimijima, the 4th-generation CEO of alcohol distribution company Yokohama Kimijimaya, not to mention guitarist and lead singer of his own band, Mystic Waters. Last month he converted warehouse space across from his head office in Minami-yoshidacho into a wine and spirits shop with a standing bar for tastings. Kimijima travels abroad extensively to carefully choose the best products to import, and to forge relationships with his suppliers, especially smaller, family-run businesses. While the main focus of this store is imports, domestic alcohols are available as well–and the main shop across the…
The buzz about the city during the Rugby World Cup™ surely exceeded the expectations of most. We are proud to say that Yokohama shined in its role as host city. A plethora of satisfied guests returned to their home countries chattering about the charms of the city. Don’t expect much of a lull between now and the 2020 Olympics. Yokohama is poised to keep the exciting times rolling. The year nears its close with the annual Hot Rod Custom Show, massive illumination displays, and a building momentum for the Christmas season. Fall foliage reaches its peak highlighted by the gingko…
Saint Maur is one of Japan’s best international schools. While teachers and administrators alike (not to mention students!) have been a driving force of its success, perhaps nobody has played a more central role than Jeanette Thomas. She has worked 53 years in education and is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors & Director of Human Resources. Between 1991 and 2013, she was the school head, and prior to that, worked many years as a teacher. What follows is a condensed interview with her from October. How has youth education changed over the last few decades? Rather than…
We have had the privilege of featuring some great local business-owners–passionate people who contribute to their communities in order to collectively bring growth to the city. And behind the success of many small businesses is a great family–like the Irimuras, owners of Yotsuba Bakery in Ishikawacho. They offer an array of original, creative pastries and a good number of them incorporate wafu (Japanese-style) qualities. The first thing you notice when stepping inside the bakeshop is the warmth of the atmosphere. Sure, it’s stocked wall-to-wall with freshly-baked pastries, but you’ll realize that the warmth isn’t just from the ovens or baked…
Someone in the same profession and in competition for the same business as you cannot truly be called a rival if you are envious of them, have disdain toward them, or if your profits are inversely tied to theirs. True rivals raise each other to new levels through competition. Having said that, in my admittedly narrow-minded view, I don’t feel that I have anyone in my profession that I can honestly refer to as an industry rival. Instead, I find my motivation to excel elsewhere. There is one place where I find myself thinking, “I, too, must do the best…