It’s so rare to find a bar with both great beer and sake, but we found one in Bashamichi with McGuffin. This fairly new establishment is warm and friendly, with excellent tapas-style food to pair with your drinks. Whether you’re stopping by for a meal, a snack or just some beverages, we’re confident you’ll be satisfied. The drink menu is not extensive but offers a decent range of good libations. McGuffin has two draft selections with Heartland (¥500) and Coedo (¥800 glass/¥1100 pint), one of Japan’s best craft breweries. There is also a selection of bottled craft beer from Coedo,…
Author: Seasider
Opening the huge wooden door and stepping into the high-ceilinged bar area, you’ll first see a small space for performances directly in front of you. The next thing that catches your eye is a giant vintage stained glass window on your right. When you take a closer look around the room, you’ll find a calliope sitting in the corner. With up-tempo jazz music in the background and all kinds of unique antiques around the room, L’oeuf draws you willingly into its mysterious atmosphere. The music conjures up images of a car full of clowns pulling up in front and spilling…
Compared to most countries, Japan has an excellent social welfare safety net, but there are gaps where family is expected to pick up the slack, or individuals are expected to deal with problems on their own. Over 25,000 people die by suicide in Japan every year, which represents a significant decline from the over 32,000 of five years ago, but nonetheless exacts a terrible toll on society, and on the family, friends and colleagues of the victims. In 1973, TELL was founded as an English-language lifeline for Japan’s international residents, many of whom found it difficult to access mental health…
Craft beer bars have been sprouting up throughout Japan over the last few years. Yokohama has seen its share recently, too, and that’s something that puts smiles on our faces. Craft Beer Bar Living, which opened in May, should put big smiles on the faces of many Yokohama residents. It has broad appeal, with good food and beer, an attractive interior and a capable owner. If you are alone or like chatting, grab a seat at the rather long bar (seating for 10-12) and bend the ear of owner/bartender Jun Arai, a veteran of the cafe/restaurant business in Yokohama. His…
Looking for a gift? Or maybe just something special for the home? Motomachi has long been known as the shopping district of Yokohama. Its many boutique stores offer plenty of variety and quite a range of price (though high-end goods are in no short supply). Corner’s Field is one place we recommend for both tourists and residents alike. It specializes in traditional tableware, whether ceramic, lacquer or wooden. The prices are quite affordable, too. You could set the entire table, from elegant chopsticks to hand-crafted bowls or plates, for under ¥10,000 if you browse carefully enough. And trust us: this…
In June, I presented images of the Yakushi Nyorai (“Medicine Buddha”) statue at Tokozenji. This month, I’d like to introduce the Twelve Heavenly Generals. These figures are guardian deities of Yakushi Nyorai that correspond to The Twelve Vows (on attaining enlightenment) and wear armor that reflects their respective roles of protection. The number twelve also corresponds with points of direction and the zodiac. They’re just like twelve avengers! There’s a story behind each general, though none are simply transient heroes. They’re rather deep stories, actually, that wouldn’t be so crazy to turn into Hollywood movies. Kids these days are obsessed…
1. 50th Hayama Seaside Fireworks Festival This festival, which takes place in Hayama and Morito beach area, celebrates fifty years this summer on July 21st. Guests can expect 1600 fireworks including some on the water. Take a jaunt to Hayama for a heavy helping of visual sky candy. 2. La Maree de Chaya Look first for Harry’s Bar on the first floor. From the wooden deck facing the ocean, grab a cocktail, enjoy some conversation with friends and let the ocean breezes put you at ease. At the second-floor restaurant, you can enjoy French-style seafood dishes heaped with local Misaki…
Chanpha offers the best cost-performance lunch we know of in Yokohama, and that’s saying a lot because there are so many places serving delicious food for good value. An affordable Thai buffet, though, is difficult to beat, especially when the quality is so high and the interior so attractive and comfortable. Throw in the convenience of its Bashamichi location and it’s easy to understand why Chanpha is popular. The expansive buffet that makes its lunch a hit is just ¥1030 during weekdays and ¥1280 on weekends and holidays. All kids under the age of twelve are just ¥600. There are…
“To Help Make Japan Greener, All You Need is Wanhando” Japan rightly has a global reputation as a very clean country, influenced significantly by social pressure. People sweep the sidewalks in front of their houses and shops in part because everyone else does. And because they can be held accountable by their neighbors. Although the Japanese are likely tidier than most citizens of other nations, they tend to be less so when they are away from home (except at World Cup matches–remember the world’s amazement at seeing Japanese football fans picking up their rubbish in Brazilian stadiums after World…
Does the Noge district really need another bar? If it is Sakura Taps, then yes. Although simple in its approach, it works. Coffee, craft beer and small dishes are all you need to launch a pleasant evening. The “taps” in the name refers to the eight draft beers the bar serves on tap in peak quality due in part to an excellent server system. That’s what you want when you are drinking some of Japan’s best craft beers. There is something of a craft beer boom going on in Japan right now, but microbrewers in Japan have actually been producing…