Cherry Blossoms-Mizuochi Police Box, Aoi Ku, ShIzuoka City!

“Of all places!”, you might say and I tend to agree as the occupants of MIzuochi Police Box in Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, are famously hopeless in a city where’s crime is almost inexistent and where the police is reduced to lurk on bicycles behind large signs to catch traffic offenders!

I didn’t include the police box in my pictures lest its denizens use it as a proof of my malfeasance!

The Mizuochi Police Box is located at the corner of Kitakaido Street and the Eastern Wall of Sumpu Castle Park.
There you can admire the wall and part of its moat.

It is a great spot right now for cherry blossoms visewing, although it will last only a few days especially with rain forecast tomorrow!

The trees are perched on top of the wall and cascade down to the moat!

Good (not like me!) photographers should be able to avoid modern distractions and achieve great results!

Little gems!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Cherry Blossoms At Last Blooming in Shizuoka City!

The cherry blossoms are at last beginning to bloom, at least some varieties, in Shizuoka City!

As far I can figure out at least two varieties are blooming, although it could be the same one!

These can be found in the vicinity of Sumpu Castle in Shzuoka City, although the variety grown over the ramparts are different and out yet!

the weather has been and is still pretty bad this month and the blooming is definitely late compared to last year!
It is actually a blessing in disguise as the Shizuoka City Festival will take place next week!
last year the cherry blossoms had disappeared by then!

This particular variety is near its end though!

Walking around the mount you will discover some real old trees on the “city side” of the street!

It does make for some interesting photography!

That tree must have seen quite a few eras pass by!

Not only photographing them but drawing them seems to be quite popular!

Depending on the sun exposure some have opened over the ramparts!

My favorite one for the day!

Incidentally, did you know that all the cherry trees offered by Japan to the United States during the Meiji Era originated from one single tree in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City?

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Giant Wheel Mount Fuji in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Took this picture todaynear S-Pulse Deam Plaza in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Mount Fuji seemed in a somber mood for not being able to ride the giant wheel!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 27: Fire Hydrant Covers! (消火栓のマンホール) Part 2 (Abstract Symbols))

Splendid arrow motif in Kusanagai, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City! (credit: Atsuko Kurata)

Fire hydrant manhole covers, or more precisely manhole covers over water and water Tanks accesses for firemne were among the first to be decorated by municipalities with other water access manhole covers and come in three distinct kinds of motifs, either round or rectangular:
1) Fire trucks, firemen and Firefighter’ symbols
2) Regional symbols
3) Abstract symbols

More arrows with blue and yellow backgrounds in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Can you distinguish the sakura ebi/cherry shrimp in the middle of this manhole cover in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City?

Found in Kambara, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Similar in design but less intricate in Shizuoka City!

An old type in Ryuuyoo now merged into Iwata City!

Yoshiwara in Fuji City has at least 3 varieties on that design! Check the central motifs!

2nd variety in Yoshiwar, Fuji City!

3rd variety in Yoshiwara, Fuji City! Double manhole cover!

Similar typpe, but in Fujinomiya City!

A smaller one in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, but use clearly indicated by yellow paint circle!

Rectangular fire hydrant manhole covers are also quite common but a second look will tell you soon enough that there are many differences in general motifs and city crests!
Found in Shizuoka City!

Shizuoka City!

An ancient one in Shimada City!

A smaller ancient one in Kikugawa City!

A manhole cover easy to find at night in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Found in Okabe, now merged into Fujieda City!

Found in Kikugawa City, but still bearing “Kikugawa Cho” as it was called before being upgraded to city level!

There are also quite a few types in Kakegawa City which saw so many vilages merged into the city!

Similar as above but smaller in Kakegawa City!

A different type in Kakegawa City!

Still a different type in Kakegawa City, but far more ancient!

Found in Atami City, although it is a type found elsewhere!

Such rectangular manhole covers cut with a diagonal line are not very common and might denotate a different foundry!
Found in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Found in Shizuoka City!

Found in Fujieda City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 26: Fire Hydrant Covers! (消火栓のマンホール) Part 1 (Firefighting & Regional symbols))

Fire Truck in Hamamatsu City!

Fire hydrant manhole covers, or more precisely manhole covers over water and water Tanks accesses for firemne were among the first to be decorated by municipalities with other wter access manhol covers and come in three distinct kinds of motifs, either round or rectangular:
1) Fire trucks, firemen and Firefighter’ symbols
2) Regional symbols
3) Abstract symbols

Fire truck in Yaizu City!

Fire truck and fire fighter in Mikkabi, Hamamatsu City!

Fire truck in Iwata City!

Fire truck and fire fighter in Hamamatsu City!

Fire fighter in Tenryuu, Hamamatsu City!

Fire truck and fire fighter in Okitsu, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Fire truck and fire fighter in Shizuoka City!

Fire Brigade Festival Hapi/jacket in Yaizu City!

fire brigade festival pole in Shizuoka City!

Fire brigade triple festival pole in Mariko, Suruga Ku, Shizuoka City!

Fire brigade festival pole in Itoh City!

Fire brigade festival pole in Higashi Izu Cho!

Kaguyahime (The bamboo Cutter’s Daughter Legend) and Mount Fuji in Yoshiwara, Fuji City!
Arguably the most beautiful manhole cover in Japan!

400th Anniversary of Sumpu Castle in Shizuoka City, with Abe River and Mount Fuji!
A rare dated (2007) manhole cover in Japan!

Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimp and Mount Fuji in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

Cherry blossoms, wisteria blossoms and mejiro warbler in Fujieda City!

Soccer in Shimizu ku, Shizuoka City!

Soccer again in Shimizu ku, Shizuoka City!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Manhole Covers in Shizuoka Prefecture 25: Mount Fuji Manhole Covers! (富士山のマンホール)

The mint Manhole Cover in Shimizu City before it was merged in Shizuoka City depicting the World Cultural Heritage of Mount Fuji and Miho Matsubara Beach!

Mount Fuji is partly in Shizuoka Prefecture as many in Yamanashi Prefecture will rightly if somewhat insistently point out, but we also have the Miho Matsubara beach which is included in the World Cultural Heritage!
Mind you, I will be extremely happy to add Mount Fuji manhole covers from Yamanashi prefecture anytime if someone is kind enough to send them to me!
As for people who think that Mount Fuji lies in Kanagawa Prefecture or Tokyo, I’m sorry to disappoint them although they also have the cahnce to see it on bright days!

The same found in Sodeshi, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!

The same but for rain waters instead of river waters without the colors!

The same as above but with “Shizuoka City” instead of “Shimizu City”!

Found in many places in Shizuoka City!
A rarity in a sense as it is dated in “2007”!

Also found a bit everywhere in Shizuoka City!

Found in Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
Note the sakura ebi design for which Yui is nationally known!

The same as above in blue!

A beautiful mint manhole cover for Fuji City, a city named after Mount Fuji!

The same design but in different colors!

The same without the colors!

The same again, but half size!

The same as a mint manhole cover but in different design and colors!

Arguably the most beautiful manhole cover in Japan found in Yaoshiwara, Fuji City, depicting Kaguyahime of the Legend, The Bamboo Cutter’s daughter!

A beautiful mint manhole cover in Fujieda City!
Although the City includes “Fuji/藤”, it means “Wisteria”, not “Mount Fuji/富士”!

The same as found on a pavement in Fujieda city!

Another mint of the same but in different colors!

the same as found on a pavement in Fujieda City!

Found in Gotemba City!

Beautiful mint in Shimizu Cho at the foot of Mount Fuji!
Not to be confused with Shimizu Ku in Shizuoka City!

Found in Nirayama merged with Izu no Kuni City!
Famous for the Hansharou Foundries and strawberries!

Beautiful mint manhole cover for Yaizu City, a fishing port city known all over Japan!

The same as found on a pavement in yaizu City!

The same without the colors!

Still looking!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Kura: Japanese Traditional Warehouses in Shizuoka Prefecture 10

Partly stone-built kura in Yoshiwara, Fuji City!

“Kura” (in Japanese 蔵 or 倉) means “warehouse” or “Storehouse”.
In traditional Japan, especially during the Edo Era, as most of buildings and urba/village structures were made of wood, fires were the bane of society by and large.
However well-protected a fire would consume a house or buildings and all its properties within minutes.
Hence a special building or warehouse was needed to protect goods and properties against such a catastrophe.
But erecting a storehouse solely made of concrete, stones and some metal cost a vast amount of silver and gold and only rich merchants and nobility could afford them. Even castles could not be built entirely of stone then.

This very old kura I discovered along the street leading to Bishamonten Myouhouji Shrine/Temple in Yoshiwara, Fuji City, has the particularity to have walls covered with chiseled stone slabs, an unusual occurence in our Prefecture!

Although the iron window and door curtains are very old it is still used as demonstrated by the recent water drain pipes!

Another unusual feature: a very small window not leading to the actual inside of the kura but into its foundation!

Looking at it from the side it is practically double-walled.
Very solid, indeed!

I discovered this small-sized cocncrete block kura south of Yaizu City JR Station!

It certainly looks old but the concrete blocks would denote its date just after WWII!

It is still used as a warehouse. After all Yaizu City is a trading and fishing port city!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Traditional Japanese Houses: Shimizu Bank Branch in Kakegawa City!

In Kakegawa City on the way to the Kakegawa Castle you will discover and old traditional house with some interesting story!

On a bright day it does provide a great sight for photography!

All facades will show you a different facet of the architecture!

Wait for the green light before crossing! LOL

This is a story which was actually the source for the name of a local sake brand!
Kazutoyo built Kōchi Castle. His life spanned the closing years of the Sengoku period, the Azuchi-Momoyama period, and the beginning of the Edo period.
Just four years after he became Lord of Tosa, Kazutoyo died without issue aged around 60, and was succeeded as Lord of Tosa by his nephew Tadayoshi.
Chiyo, as a wise and beautiful wife, helped her husband Yamauchi Kazutoyo up from an ordinary samurai to the governor of an entire province, Tosa.
In 1590, Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo 山内 一豊, a great horse lover had been looking for a special mount of his own.
His wife spent untold time and efforts until she found, brought and gave a great horse to her beloved husband.
The story is also the source of the 45th NHK Taiga drama (2006), a dramatization of the life of Kazutoyo, with his wife Chiyo as the central character!

Lord Kazutoyo and his wife, Chiyo!

Another facade!

We are certainly thankful to the Shimizu Bank for preserving such a beautiful traditional Japanese house!

Even this Shimizu Bank sign is an antique!

Beautiful latticed windows!

I didn’t have much time on that da, but I’m sure there are a lot more pictures on offer!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Steam Locomotive CS 50 96 (December 1929) in Yaizu City!

If you get off the South Exit of Yaizu JR Station, walk down the steps on you right and walk along the the tracks on your right hand side you are bound to reach a small park where an ancient steam locomotive in perfect state will wait for you!

This Steam Locomotive and tender were produced in Nagoya in Decemebr 1929!
It was used along the Tokaido Railway Lines until March 1971.
It has stood in Yaizu City since March 1983!
Length: 16m 88cm
Width: 2m 55cm
Weight (empty): 64.4 tons
Weight(when filled with water and coal): 87.4 tons
Top speed: 90 km/h
Pulling strength: 610 h.p.
Steam power: 14kg/square cm

Front view!

It has it own railway track platform!

Side view!

Beautifully preserved!

Visitors are allowed to climb into it for better viewing!

Let’s board it!

The engine room!

The furnace!

The steam locomotive heart!

The tender!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Ramen-eating Skeleton Restaurant Sign in Yaizu City!

I knew there was something strange about that restaurant sign board in Yaizu City, even from a distance!

I understand that some restaurants will go to any length to attract customers, but I don’t understand the logic here!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City