SAKE’n’ROLL is a great name for this cheerful, cozy new bar near Kannai station that offers a splendid range of sake, wine, and other alcoholic beverages along with tasty small dishes for pairing. The owner, Satoshi Kimijima, is a rock and roll guitarist who regularly plays live in Yokohama, but also an established alcohol retailer and distributor known throughout Japan–hence the name of the place. His family-owned company, Yokohama Kimijimaya, was established in 1892. Beyond an older liquor store in Yokohama, there are two Tokyo retail locations in Ebisu and Ginza that offer bottles and tastings. This new Kannai location…
Author: Seasider
In Yokohama Seasider no.173, we featured Bashamichi HariA, a wonderful acupuncture salon for women run by Ms. Ayako Fujita. Here, we interview her husband, Mr. Takeru Hamanaka, who now runs a recently opened second branch called T by HariA. The original Acupuncture & Beauty Salon Bashamichi HariA was for women, but the new one is for men. Please share the thinking behind this. The first location–run by my wife (the owner)–has provided health and beauty services for many women as a women-only salon. However, partly due to the lease agreement, we couldn’t easily welcome men into the same space. We…
Mayuko Shinmura is the current representative director of MCY, and a long-time contributor to Yokohama culture and community. She was born and raised in Tokyo, and attended Musashino Art University, but eventually settled in Yokohama––to our city’s good fortune! For a time she worked in Yokohama’s Noge district at the community center Noge Hana Hana. Her responsibilities included facility management and working as an assistant director for local art event planning. Officially, she was employed by a community development organization called the Noge District Machizukuri (“community-building”) Association. She shares, “I originally became interested in the organization’s mission to promote the…
To memory, in the 17-year history of the Yokohama Seasider–that’s 190 issues!–we’ve never featured somebody on the cover twice. But for this issue, we decided it was worth it, as local business-owner and acupuncturist Ayako Fujita (on YSM173) recently opened a second Bashamichi location run by… somebody special. Read the story in this edition! We’re always happy to celebrate the success of local businesses! -Ry Beville & My Huynh (founders)
Japan is home to a plethora of ingredients and dishes rooted in local history and culture. Today, thanks to advances in logistics and technology, we can enjoy them far from where they were sourced. Still, there is something special about savoring them exactly where their stories began–an experience that can’t be replicated. At Taishunken in Yokohama’s famous Sankeien Garden, that experience comes to life through Sankei Soba, a dish with over a century of history. Its origins trace back to when savvy businessman Sankei Hara (born Tomitaro Hara) created it for his own family table. Hara was a food lover…
What a wonderful time to visit Sankei-en Garden with all its blooming variety of plants that change from month to month! In this issue, we introduce a unique restaurant there that’s part of Yokohama’s rich history of combining different cultures in interesting ways. There are many ways to celebrate our city’s international heritage–and a bowl of delicious noodles in a beautiful park is not a bad way to start! -Ry Beville & My Huynh (founders)
It’s hard to believe but this issue marks our 17th anniversary of publishing the Yokohama Seasider. It’s older than our two middle-school-aged children and almost feels like a child in how we’ve cared for it, struggled for it, worried over it, and celebrated its successes through the years. We’ve watched it change and grow, and hope you’ve enjoyed being a part of the family as our readers. Thank you for your support (and thank you, too, sponsors and staff, past and present). -Ry Beville & My Huynh (founders)
This column is a partnership with Record Bar 45 Yokohama, a bona-fide record bar with excellent vinyl DJs and a supporter of NPO Yokohama Seasider. Here, we check out their Instagram (@recordbar45yokohama) to see what they’ve been playing, then write about one of the artists and/or albums—we’re DJs/musicians ourselves! “New oldies” is a simple way to describe the sound of Durand Jones & The Indications. The group takes you back to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s with soulful R&B like that of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye. Having released their eponymous debut album in America less than a…
With this issue we turn the pages on another year. How was your 2025? Did you achieve any goals? Maybe fall short? Don’t ever forget the popular saying: It is never too late to be what you might have been. 2026 provides renewed opportunity, especially after what we hope will be a rejuvenating holiday season. Some of you may need some rest and quiet; others among you may choose to recharge by living it up with friends and family. However you spend the holidays, we hope it sets the stage for a wonderful 2026!
Machines can be beautiful works of art. We need look no further than the legacy of Steve Jobs at Apple. Or Dean Moon (1927-1987), for that matter. Moon was a legendary American automobile designer who took hot rods and custom cars to great heights. He was the founder of the company MOONEYES which still operates today, selling artful but functional car and motorcycle parts, accessories, clothing, and related items. In addition to its original location in California, there is a Japan branch in Honmoku, Yokohama. Since the early 1990s, the company has been led by Shige Suganuma, who was a…