We hope everyone has been staying safe from the heat. Our newest employee is already used to tropical weather. This past month, we welcomed Meg to our team after her return from three years in Hawaii. During her time there, she studied art as a part of her university curriculum, then upon graduating, worked in the field of graphic design for a year. Meg was born and raised in Yokohama and attended international school here. She’s fully bilingual and joins us as a designer who will also contribute content. This issue is the first designed by her. Welcome back to…
Author: Seasider
In her impressive ten-year career, Keiko Mitsuhashi has made a name for herself as one of the top conductors in the world. Her accomplishments include being the youngest–and the first–Japanese to win the Antonio Pedrotti International Conducting Competition (2008), landing a spot in Newsweek Japan’s list of “100 Japanese People the World Respects” (2009), and winning the second prize in the Arturo Toscanini International Conducting Competition (2010)–the highest award ever given to a female conductor. Mitsuhashi has trained under legendary conductors, including Seiji Ozawa, and has become an inspiring role model. Mitsuhashi’s love for music started from a very young…
Uchida-Biyori is one of those rare establishments that satisfies customers through a focus on both craft beer and premium sake. As the two beverages are different, from their flavor and origin to how they are prepared and served, most bars aim to be proficient at one of them while offering the other as a minor alternative. Here, customers can sample the high end of both beverages. Owner Meishu Uchida opened the bar in May of this year after working in the beer industry at Yokohama Brewery and a pub in Tokyo. At Uchida-Biyori, you can enjoy craft beer from three…
While sitting and chatting in Starbucks in Meguro, fellow photographer Herbie Yamaguchi asks me, “Did you know that next to the Leica store in London there is a life-size, bronze statue of Donovan shooting the model/actress Twiggy?” Englishman Terence Donovan started his famous career as a fashion photographer with those photos of Twiggy, then went on to shoot the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Jimi Hendrix, Lady Diana and other celebrities. Born in 1936 to a British working class family, he originally pursued a career as a chef, but in 1957 switched gears to move into the world of photography. In…
Fans of premium sake, rejoice! In June the Meishu Center Yokohama opened its doors for business, boasting a selection of about 100 different high-end sake. Bottles indicating staff recommendations and tasting notes cover one wall of this cosy standing bar. A few small tables and two enticing fridges packed with sake complete the interior. The bar is run by American Brian Hutto, who moved to Japan in early 2016. He fell in love with sake and decided to start exporting it. To further financially support his business, adding a bar was a logical move for him. Now officially a Certified…
As the rainy season comes to a close and summer truly gets underway, we welcome the appearance of beer gardens and beach houses. Cold beer and a dip in the ocean are surely great ways to beat the heat. Heading to the mountains for some hiking is another fine option. We are fortunate in Yokohama to be able to enjoy life in a cosmopolitan city and yet have easy access to nearby beaches and mountains. The summer season is also celebrated with fireworks festivals in virtually every city and town across the country. These festivals are enjoyed by all from…
There is a colloquial saying in Kumamoto that goes, “Dekuru kotsuba dekuru shiko”. It means to do what you can, but don’t push yourself. If you simply read the words in Japanese as they are, it sounds a little strange, especially if you aren’t familiar with the dialect. But if you come upon it in conversation, it’s much easier to grasp the meaning. The phrase came up in a conversation with fellow photographer Taisei Kanamoto. I’m not sure why, but it got stuck in my head. Kanamoto was born in Kumamoto Prefecture in September of 1961. He grew up in…
Opened in April of 2016, Blue Moon Zushi is the sister restaurant of the popular beach house of the same name in Isshiki-Kaigan. A short walk from Zushi Station, the restaurant offers the same comfortable and cosy atmosphere as the beach house. Its friendly staff, intimate decor, and throwback music selection of reggae and chill tunes from the 70s make it a welcome addition to the Zushi city center. Being close to the ocean, it’s no surprise that Blue Moon has a varied selection of sashimi (¥1000~) as part of their main offerings. On our visit these included Misaki tuna,…
If you are looking for some outdoor fun this summer season, then we highly recommend Camp Baird, in Shuzenji, Shizuoka. There are many highlights to speak of. The surrounding Izu peninsula is rich with nature, offering plenty of biking and hiking opportunities. The town of Shuzenji is famous for hot springs, too, and campers have day-use access to some. Anything else? Indeed; the campgrounds are located on the property of one of Japan’s biggest and best craft breweries: Baird Brewing. Some in Yokohama might already be familiar with the name, as the company operates Bashamichi Taproom, the popular barbecue and…
Sake bar “be Rock” is located along the Ooka River just across from the popular nightlife district of Noge. You won’t miss the sake bottles placed out to welcome visitors. This spacious bar has a modern design with a raised ceiling and high tables. The all-glass front facing the riverside is especially impressive. Owner Mana Tanaka developed a passion for sake and decided to return to school to study brewing science. She frequently visits sake breweries all over Japan in order to decide which products should be on her menu. In her mind, direct communication with the brewers allows her…