This little bakery on Higashioji Dori... ...does a very nice soft white loaf... ...among other things. This in fact is my trusted source for all my toast and sandwich needs. In their cafe section they also do a lunchtime set of pasta, salad and coffee which I've never tried but it seems very reasonably-priced. Maruho Bakery Takarada is on the west side of … [Read more...] about Maruho Bakery Takarada
Metro
19 years old this year, Metro is a popular location for dance events in all genres. Take a look at their schedule and you're bound to find something to suit you: rock, reggae, hip-hop, techno, house, electronica and live music too. Last Wednesday I went to Club '80s night. So much fun! And such a bargain too! For 1,000 yen you get a free drink, a mix-CD of classic '80s tunes … [Read more...] about Metro
Miyako in the Mist
A photograph and poem by Ian Ropke: Miyako in the Mist mist rising from my eyes and I know there's more as when I see mists twisting across the slopes way above Ginkakuji drifting in a haunted motion between the red pines and I imagine brontosaurus feeding calmly in the dawn mists beckoning from a mile away you capture me as easily as when I am having … [Read more...] about Miyako in the Mist
The Enchanted City
Ian Ropke writes: The idea of a city conjures up a thousand images. There are enormous cities of power and wealth. There are dying cities. There are living cities. And yet behind all these adjectives shimmers the idea of the city, the ideal city, the dream of humankind, the showcase for all our best achievements. The city can and should be a symbiotic balance between our … [Read more...] about The Enchanted City
TakuTaku
磔磔 is a live house I've been meaning to check out for donkey's. This converted brewhouse opened as a coffee shop in 1974. In those days the master would spin a few discs for the clientele and there would be one or two live performances a week, but gradually the performances increased and it became the famous live house we know today. I was impressed to see the names of those … [Read more...] about TakuTaku
Omuraya
Omuraya is a cheerful izakaya style restaurant in an old wooden machiya house just off Hyakumanben. I love it! Cooks and waiting staff bustle about behind counters piled with colorful seasonal vegetables to the background sound of the Blues. The food is simple, healthy and rustic. I recommend the nama fu dengaku: moist, lightly fried strips of gluten in a smoky miso sauce. I … [Read more...] about Omuraya
Japanese Folk & Shakuhachi at Zac Baran
I know I said the next post would be about Omuraya, but I thought you might like to see this music video from Sunday night at Zac Baran. Local folk musician Udonya Mentei was accompanied by Yoshida Koichi on the shakuhachi to very powerful effect. A great night and so many good songs, I felt pained I only had enough memory on my camera for the one. I don't know what this song … [Read more...] about Japanese Folk & Shakuhachi at Zac Baran
Sheep’s
Sheep's Public Cafe is a place I have been meaning to check out for a while. I kept seeing it as I cycled home from work and thinking to myself "Sheep's. Why Sheep's?" The signboard outside says "Fish & Chips", "Guinness" and looking at the exterior I imagined just another foreign style pub. Once inside though I was impressed by how bright and cheerful it is. The owners … [Read more...] about Sheep’s
Zac Baran
I first met Yoshida Koichi in the music bar Hawkwind. A shakuhachi player, he told me he plays in many styles, not just traditional, but jazz, folk, avant garde, new age, pretty much anything. In Hawkwind we were listening to some hip-hop. "How about this then?" I challenged him with a grin. And do you know, he stood up immediately, he played, and it was wonderful. I was very … [Read more...] about Zac Baran
Mentei
This noodle shop by MotoTanaka station does some very nice homemade udon noodles. The owner (pictured a short ways below), is known to all his friends as Yama-chan, or by his customers simply as "Master". I can't remember what his real name is. He's a very nice chap. I first met him in music bar Hawkwind one night, and when he told me he owned the nearby noodle shop I said "Oh! … [Read more...] about Mentei
Gnome
Gnome opened in October 2007, which (at the time of writing) makes it the newest Irish pub in town. It's also my favorite. I like the cosy, home-like atmosphere and I might be just imagining things but I think the Guinness tastes best here too. Yuko, the owner is a friendly, chatty, charming lady of many talents; musical, culinary and professional. She already had her own … [Read more...] about Gnome
