All of us here at the Yokohama Seasider genuinely hope you take pleasure in reading this magazine. For one, we want you to experience and enjoy this great city. We want the magazine to be of value to you. We also produce this magazine as our means of living. We want what we do to matter, of course, just like any professional. We are always encouraged when we hear from people in the community that they appreciate what we do. Thank you. But help us make this publication even better for you (and our jobs even more meaningful)! What would…
Author: Seasider
The end of summer and deep into fall is the ideal time to take in the breathtaking nature of Tanzawa Oyama Quasi National Park. Mt. Nabewari, in particular, offers spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. It makes for a great day trip or weekend getaway for those seeking adventure or in need of a break from the city. The hike to the summit takes about three and a half hours. To get to the trailhead at Hadano Tokawa Park, take the bus from the north exit of Shibusawa Station bound for Okura (about 10 min, ¥210). Hadano Tokawa Park has a…
I don’t receive many professional requests for scenery photography. Most people figure they can go and snap a shot off themselves. So let’s imagine a request like, “I want a shot of sundown.” At the time of shooting, there are all kinds of conditions you need to check before you can take a comparatively attractive shot: Is it good weather? Are there clouds high in the sky? Did it rain the day before? You can’t really plan for these things. And other specifications, like taking it from a mountain or from the beach, for example, only complicate matters. In other…
With the summer heat continuing deep into September, there’s nothing like savoring a cup (or cone) of gelato while taking a stroll by the harbor. Located at the entrance to Osanbashi Pier (a 20-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station), Yokohama Sorairo Gelato is the perfect place to satisfy your craving for this creamy, decadent treat. You’ll easily spot the little gelateria with its doors and walls painted pale blue and white, and large windows exposing the cosy, inviting atmosphere inside. The bright, vivid interior, and eye-catching “sorairo” (sky-colored) wallpaper at the entrance are the first things you’ll notice when you step…
Kurand Sake Market offers an opportunity to try a wide variety of premium sake from lesser known breweries, but it comes with a little bit of danger for anyone without a good sense of restraint. The sake is offered in an all-you-can-drink format with no time limit for ¥3240 (tax included). There are also options for 30-minute (¥1080) or 90-minute (¥2160) courses if you don’t expect to stay for long. Included in the courses are 100 types of each sake, shochu and fruit liqueurs from Kurand’s adjoining bar, Shugar. To help customers that can’t read Japanese, the English menu lists…
Walking into Kamakura Garage, the first thing that catches your eye is the attractive, colorful tile bar. Multiple windows give it a naturally bright atmosphere and the sunny attitude of the staff adds to that aura. During our lunchtime visit, American folk and acoustic tunes played in the background, adding pleasantly to the experience. Owner Kaz Segawa, works the bar chatting with guests while also putting the finishing touches on the dishes. If you are alone, have a seat at the counter and he’ll do his best make you feel at home. The day we stopped by there were three…
The craft beer scene in Yokohama continues to grow and the city boasts a significant number of bar options for fans. The most recent addition is 29BY in Yoshidamachi. It touts itself as a craft beer and washoku (Japanese food) bar, specializing in horse and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). The name comes from a reading of 29 in Japanese, ni-ku, which is a homonym for meat. The B of BY stands for baniku (horse meat) and the Y represents yakitori. A good portion of the meat dishes are rare to raw. Beginners should try the Uma no Tataki Ponzu (lightly…
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…
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…