The daguerreotype is one of the world’s oldest photographic processes. It was actually the first commercially successful means of photography dating back to the early 19th century. It involves recording an image on a special silvered copper plate. For not making use of technological advances, the result is quite stunning, standing up to anything produced with 21st century know-how. Photography, it seems, has simply become more convenient, not more beautiful. Unfortunately, there are not many daguerreotype photographers left in the world. The process is difficult and dangerous. One of these rare photographers, however, is active right here in Yokohama: Arai…
Author: Seasider
Finding vegan restaurants close to downtown Yokohama can be a bit of a task. But located just a short walk away from Okurayama Station, vegan cafe and restaurant Sairam offers a healthy variety of deli options, sweets, and drinks. A fermented brown rice (which is high in nutritional content and often used to help detox) and miso soup set is available for ¥500, with free refills on the rice. All of the deli items are priced at ¥450 per 100g portion. Though the selection changes slightly each day, you will find mouth-watering teriyaki hamburg made with soy protein and…
Happy New Year, Yokohama! As you, our readers, are thinking about positive changes that you can make in 2017, we are similarly looking to make improvements to our publication. As we are here for your benefit, please don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know what kind of content or columns you’d like to see in the magazine or on our website. We also have a survey on our site that we’d appreciate you take. It will only take a few minutes of your time, and will help us serve you better. We have another request. Even if you’ve…
When the end of the year arrives, many of us probably think with surprise, “Wow, I can’t believe it’s here already.” We then begin to reflect on what we’ve accomplished. Maybe a few of us feel the pressure of some unfinished project or task that we’d like to complete before the New Year. And who doesn’t look forward to relaxing during the holidays? The end of the year comes with many emotions. We hope yours are overall net positive. It helps to be a part of a good community. Yokohama is a big city but feels small; it definitely has…
Yokohama offers a diverse selection of international cuisine, including Arabian, which had been difficult to find until Al Ain opened just a ten-minute walk from Kannai Station’s south exit. Those looking for authentic meals from the heart of the Middle East should definitely visit this unique restaurant. Owner and chef Ziad Karam always greets customers with a warm welcome. After arriving in Japan 25 years ago from Lebanon, he worked as the ambassador’s chef at the Embassy of Kuwait, where he served kings and heads of state. In contrast to the seriousness of such a setting, he is quite down-to-earth…
Many people living in Japan are familiar with Suntory’s famous mascot, Uncle Tory, but few may know that its creator called Yokohama home. Ryohei Yanagihara (1931- 2015), a long-time Yokohama resident, came up with the original design for the character in 1958, and it has since been featured in extensive marketing campaigns and on every can of Tory’s Highball and spin-off products. He also worked on the illustrations for some extremely popular Suntory marketing campaigns like “I want to be more human” and “Let’s drink Torys and go to Hawaii”. Yokohama residents have many more reasons to be proud of…
From the bustling downtown parks and curving coastlines of Hayama and Kamakura to the expansive mountains and pristine nature of Tanzawa and Hakone, Kanagawa has a lot to offer just a short day trip from the city. Fall is an exceptionally good time to travel, as nature’s colors seep away for a last hurrah before the winter slumber approaches. Be it temple light-ups, perfect weather for hiking, or a relaxing stroll in traditional Japanese gardens, this month we present you our top 5 autumn foliage viewing locations in Kanagawa (in no particular order). SANKEIEN Late November / JR Negishi Station…
In a world awash with so many cheap conveniences, it’s often difficult to find places that reconnect people to each other and nature. Recently, the “eco” lifestyle movement has emerged to counter this prevailing trend. Working with the theme “Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability” (or LOHAS for short), ecomo in Tsujido hopes to support a new, ecological lifestyle. Ecomo operates from a prefabricated warehouse with the large letters “ecomo” witten on the side. It is only a 15-minute walk from Tsujido Station. Ecomo’s managing company is an architectural firm whose goal is to create “houses friendly to the earth and…
Autumn is in full swing in Yokohama, though its yellow, orange and red hues may not reach peak vividness until later in the month. While trees lining the streets are reminder enough of the season, we really recommend you visit one of the city’s parks or gardens to enjoy nature’s true beauty. Sankei-en is quite lovely. Neighborhood temples and shrines, too, typically have a few old trees bursting with color. Yokohama is a rather convenient transportation hub so it won’t be too difficult for you to take a day trip somewhere in Kanagawa prefecture to revel in the crisp autumn…
If you are a fan of good barbecue, the recently opened Hanasaki Butchers Store will undoubtedly appeal to you. Its concept is based on Argentine-style barbecue, where friends and family gather around the grill to share good food and conversation. The open kitchen and warm atmosphere go a long way toward conveying that feeling. The restaurant’s signature offering is its wet-aged meats, which are stored for a few weeks in the fridge until deemed the perfect tenderness. A custom-made, charcoal-fired grill which can be raised or lowered incrementally insures the meats get cooked just right. The most popular menu item–for…