Fueled by a desire to have a local brewpub in his neighborhood of Kanazawa Bunko, Shintaro Takahashi converted a two-story residence into the Minami Yokohama Beer Lab about three years ago. On entering the “lab”, a hallway snakes past a 150-liter brew system on the first floor and up a flight of narrow stairs to the pub. The second-floor area is split between counter and table seating in front of an open kitchen and a homey Japanese-style tatami (straw mat) room, a remnant of the previous resident’s living room. Takahashi convinced high school classmate Shoichi Arai to join the…
Author: Seasider
The interior and atmosphere of Byrd’s GRILL & BAR are reminiscent of a traditional American-style sports bar. TV screens above the well-stocked bar broadcast a variety of sporting events and shows. Red checkered tablecloths add a sense of being in a local US diner. The menu is loaded with popular US favorites like burgers, pizza, wings and clam chowder with an additional focus on Cal-Mex cuisine like enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and jalapeño poppers. For starters, I ordered a 300g Rib Eye Steak (¥3600 / 450g, ¥4800 / 600g, ¥6300), which was simply seasoned to accentuate the savory flavor of the…
Brrrrrrr. It’s chilly outside. But never too cold to venture out into this city of warm people and welcoming businesses. Also, plum blossoms are blooming so there’s ample beauty to see outside in the cold. We wonder if you set any New Year’s resolutions. It’s not too late! (Allow yourself to back-date them a month) We’ve got some ideas for you: why not make a resolution that involves Yokohama. For example, each month, try a restaurant you’ve never visited. Every weekend, stroll through a neighborhood you’re unfamiliar with. In the spirit of our monthly photography culture column, why not try…
I’m a huge fan of sweets. People often ask me “Which do you like more, anko (sweet, red bean paste) or whipped cream?” It’s close, but I think I’m leaning slightly toward whipped cream. Because of my job, I get to eat a lot of sweets. I often have chances to sample new products before they hit the market. My single-day record for sweets consumption was set when I was still in my 20s working as an assistant. I put away three whole cakes and topped that off with fifteen more single slices. In those days, it didn’t phase me…
The new year is traditionally a time to make resolutions, both personal and professional. Promotions or roles in leadership within a company are common goals, and while the idea of starting a business is becoming more popular, it’s not often pursued. It requires courage and persistent effort to achieve such a dream, but if the right people come along and the opportunity presents itself, you just have to take a leap of faith and make your move. Ji-lin Hsu, director/designer of Blue on Blue, is a firm believer of that. The Saint Maur graduate was a fine arts major in…
2019 is here! Time surely flies. When talk of the Rugby World Cup possibly coming to Yokohama surfaced five years ago, it seemed like 2019 was in another century. We hope you were fortunate enough to get tickets. Before you know it, the 2020 Olympics will be here, so plan accordingly! More immediately, Chinese New Year kicks off on February 5th with two weeks of celebration welcoming the year of the boar. We have listed the main events in this issue. The weather may be chilly, but the atmosphere will be one of warmth. Be sure to find your way…
This is one of our favorite months of the year. Yes, we’re supposed to say, “We love every month in Yokohama!” Okay, fine, but we love some months more than others. What is it about the cooler weather? Come October, the aromas of more rustic seasonal dishes waft from homes and restaurants alike in Yokohama. Things just seem a bit quieter, a bit slower. Work rarely slows down for us at the Yokohama Seasider, though. Producing a monthly magazine takes a lot of effort. It always seems like we’re trying to catch up… We could use some help, and at…
Yoko Kobayashi’s artwork embodies all the timeless qualities of a classic picture book. It has a warm, comforting familiarity to it, as well as a sense of magic and adventure. Her simple aesthetic is reminiscent of Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House and Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline–both creations of artists whom she admires deeply–but her use of bright, bold colors delivers a modern twist that creates a style completely her own. Born and raised in Shizuoka, Kobayashi loved to draw ever since she could remember. In middle school, Asako Nakase’s Non-chan Journal illustration series in the fashion magazine Olive opened her eyes…
Residents of Honmoku welcomed a brand new community space to their neighborhood in April of 2018 called HOMMOKU BASE (spelled differently than the area, but pronounced the same). After surveys and much planning, the community leaders strove to create a barrier-free environment that all residents could use and enjoy. A wheelchair accessible bathroom, a nursing room for new mothers, and a space for all to use for meetings or events were incorporated into the concept to ensure every member of the community felt included. A small cafe was also added as part of the plan. The cafe offers light food…
Local community members in Ishikawacho wanted to create a place where all could gather to plan events and resolve problematic issues in the neighborhood. At the same time, they wanted a space for casual communication, mingling and relaxation. Their solution was Market Terrace Cafe–a combination community center, cafe, and marketplace. Of course, non-residents are welcome! Opened in March of 2017, the first floor mainly operates as a cafe serving many types of coffee and tea (¥350~¥450) along with beer, whiskey, wine, shochu (Japanese spirits) and cocktails (all alcoholic drinks ¥550~). Though there are adult beverages on the menu, the atmosphere…