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…
Author: Seasider
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…
Wow, December is already here. This December marks the 20th one for us here at The Dark Room. It’s almost unbelievable how quickly the years have sped past. Reminiscing now, when we first opened we got phone calls asking stuff like, “Why in the world are you opening a darkroom in this day and age?” It was when the world was quickly shifting to digital cameras. There were many reasons we opened: we loved monochrome photography, we loved darkroom work, we admired the photographer Koen Shigemori, we loved Kiyoshi Suzuki, too. But to answer the question of “Why now?”, I’d…
Walking toward Motomachi from Ishikawacho Station, I discovered B&W, a small 2nd-floor bar with large windows allowing a glimpse of the homey interior. I couldn’t resist checking it out! The relaxed, non-smoking atmosphere and wooden furnishings made me feel right at home. The bar has four rotating taps of craft beer (half ¥550~/pint ¥950~). To start I decided on Yokohama Brewery’s Tsumugi, a hazy Belgian blond ale with a dry, fruity flavor. I was also fortunate enough to try the Apple White by Yatsugatake Beer. Owner and sommelier Hisaya Tamoto selects each bottle of wine (glass￥700~/bottle ¥3000~) according to the…
It will likely surprise many to learn that there is a spacious bathhouse facility located just beyond the exit of Kamihoshikawa Station. Manten no Yu provides a modern bathing experience with all the bells and whistles in an atmosphere that harkens back to the days of the samurai. The attractive entryway has been created in the semblance of an Edo era ukiyo-e (woodblock print) that depicts a wooden bridge leading into a village of wooden houses. Traditional Japanese scenery and items like a kago (palanquin) line the entrance. As you cross over the bridge you pass under another ukiyo-e of…