I’ve spoken to many managers and HR personnel over the years that have told me that they encouraged their employees to live in Yokohama, even if their jobs are elsewhere. Likewise, I’ve spoken to many employees who transferred to the Kanto area and who noted that they chose to live in Yokohama on the recommendation of somebody in their company. How has Yokohama convinced so many people of its suitability for living? I think the intimate community feel plays a big part. Even when you go inside of a business, there’s always the sense that people working there are neighbors.…
Author: Seasider
Yokohama is home to many hole-in-the-wall cafes and eateries. Every so often, if you’re lucky, you’ll stumble on a hidden gem like Nagi Coffee. Nestled in Matsumoto-cho just minutes from the hubbub of Yokohama Station, this charming little cafe is situated on the first floor of a lovely red-brick apartment which also houses an antique store. Nagi Coffee’s food is both delicious and generous in its portions. The atmosphere is cozy and nostalgia-inducing. And, of course, the coffee is top quality. It’s one of those rare cafes that’s well-rounded in every aspect. The cafe exudes warmth and calm, and one…
The Left Coast Tasting Room in Tsujido is quintessential Shonan. Laid-back surf culture is the vibe and you’ll easily fit in showing up wearing shorts, tank top and sandals after a day at the beach. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, just like its owner Takayuki “Timmy” Yatabe. Timmy and his wife Yuka have been running the American diner-style establishment for about six-and-a-half years. It was formerly known as Timmy’s Cafe, but last year Yatabe became the importer of California’s Left Coast beer, and hence the name change. There are usually six Left Coast beers on tap (16oz, ¥1000~) along…
While Hakone is known primarily for its hot spring resorts, several world-class museums and gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, we’d like to offer a lesser known reason for you to go: the Kamaboko Museum. It also shares its campus with Hakone Beer, a rather good craft brewery. Kamaboko, or “fish cakes”, are served with a variety of Japanese foods, from cheap bento to expensive kaiseki (multi-course) dinners. But how interesting could a museum about fish cakes possibly be? Very. The museum is fun, family-friendly, attractive, immersive and educational. It has exhibits detailing aspects of its centuries-old production history, but…
Spring is finally here! Why is it that spring somehow seems to bring a sense of relief? We’ll let you ponder that as you lounge in the sunshine. You’ll get quite an extended opportunity for leisure time starting from the end of this month. This year’s Golden Week holiday, which extends a whopping ten days, is the longest we can remember. Not everyone is happy about the length. We can sympathize (childcare issues), but we hope that you’re at least able to spend most of the time doing what holidays are for: unwinding and rewarding yourself. How do you plan…
Everything about the Tokaido Beer brewpub in Kawasaki has an artisanal feel, from the beers to the attention to detail in its design. The brewpub facade is an intricately carved motif of dragonflies and ginko leaves. The interior bar counter directly faces the shiny brewing equipment behind a wall of glass. On the opposing wall is an attractive mural of the Kawasaki cityscape. The handcrafted glass lighting that hangs above the counter adds a touch of class and ambiance. Owner Katsumasa Iwasawa’s family has run the architectural firm Iwataya Co., Ltd. in the building next door since 1894–the year his…
Now that spring is in full swing, it’s a good time to kick off a healthier lifestyle–but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to give up on sweets. Honey is a great substitute for sugar, and is rising in popularity recently for its health and medicinal benefits. My Honey, a cafe/honey store which opened in Motomachi this past March, sells organic honey from Hungary, where there are strict regulations for producing high-quality nectar compared to other countries. There are two other My Honey stores in Japan, but the branch in Yokohama is unique as it has ties with local Motomachi…
San-chome Rigatto is a beautifully renovated, two-story Italian restaurant with attractive woodwork throughout the interior and plenty of open space. The aroma of food cooking on the grill of the long open kitchen greets you at the entrance before it wafts up to the quaint second-floor loft. Your mouth will be watering before you even take your seat. While the cuisine is Italian-focused, there are also many fusion creations dreamed up by the chefs. We got the meal started with Gobo (burdock root) Balsamico (¥580) followed by Kani (crab) Cream Croquettes in American-style sauce…
Gather @Eating House, as the name implies, is the perfect place to gather all your friends for a fun and casual night out. The first thing you’ll notice walking in is the wide open interior–high ceilings, large windows and the spacious dining area create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere which allows guests to move around as they please. You can enjoy a hearty meal at a table or hang out at the open bar in the middle of the restaurant while watching TV with a cold beer in hand. The large patio outside faces Akarenga and the port area– a…
As a harbor town Yokohama is fortunate to have access to a great variety of fresh seafood. Many people are familiar with Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market (mostly relocated to Toyosu now), but few know that Yokohama has its own busy marketplace. It’s usually open only to professionals in the food industry, but on two Saturdays per month the market is made accessible to the general public from 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning. For the full experience, arrive early to eat some fish fresh off the boat at one of the ten or so small restaurants located to the right…