Angelina Lee is an L.A..-based independent filmmaker who recently shot and produced a documentary about the Miyawaki Method. Please tell us more about your film. It’s called Making a Mini-Forest. It’s about the renaissance of Miyawaki forest planting over the last five to ten years in Europe. This film specifically focuses on a network of tree planters that share knowledge, resources, and ethics–much like the interconnected underground root network of a mature forest! I was touched by this blossoming example of how one person can make a difference. One person inspires another, and another, who then takes mini-forest planting to…
Author: Seasider
We introduced Yokohama’s own Professor Kazue Fujiwara in the previous issue of the Yokohama Seasider, detailing her work in the context of the Miyawaki Method for forest development, which is becoming a worldwide phenomenon (download a free pdf of the magazine if you missed it: www.yokohamaseasider.com). Here, in the second part of the feature, we interview her directly. Can you please tell us how you got into this line of research and professional work? When I was doing research for my undergraduate thesis topic (“Changes in Peat Bog Vegetation Due to Human Impact”) assigned by Professor Miyawaki, I found that…
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! Grover Washington, Jr. (1943-1999) knew how to soothe and excite alike with his saxophones. He enriched the traditions of soul, jazz, funk, and R&B, but is perhaps best known for driving the smooth jazz genre to worldwide popularity. Between his debut work in 1972 and a posthumous release in 2000, he…
As far back as we can remember, this issue carries the longest feature we’ve done for the Yokohama Seasider–and this magazine is more than 16-years-old! It’s a five-page feature about Miyawaki Forests. Moreover, it’s the second part of a larger piece that started with the previous issue. It felt great to do a long article and we hope you liked that change, too. If so, we’ll keep running them!
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! Lauryn Hill is one of the most influential vocalists of the 1990s (and perhaps the last 50 years). She grew to fame with her powerful voice and, in her solo career, was known for her introspective lyrics. She made her first splash as a member of the Fugees, whose 1996 album…
Don’t let the end of summer dampen your plans for a lovely beach trip. Autumn is arguably an even better season to head to the coast—with more bearable temperatures and better wave conditions—and Yokohama is lucky to have the Shonan area so close to city limits. This famous beach region has many attractions and a new one in Chigasaki Beer is perhaps one to plan your visit around. Owner Nozomi Iwase, in explaining her reasons for opening the brewery and restaurant in April of 2023, told us, “There are currently seven breweries in Chigasaki, and I believe the city has…
If your idea of tacos is just ground beef with lettuce and mini tomatoes—like mine used to be—then you need to head to Chapman Tacos for the real deal! On my recent visit I ordered the three-piece set (¥1,400) with asada (grilled beef steak), carnitas (pork simmered with oranges), and pan-fried white fish–which was admittedly a surprise, having never encountered fish tacos before. The one I recommend most is carnitas. The pork, slowly cooked in lard, comes out tender and juicy. It’s not heavy at all; in fact, once you top it with onion, cilantro, jalapeños, and their homemade salsa,…
This past July, Yokohama-based professor Kazue Fujiwara visited Berkeley, California for a very special symposium celebrating her work and that of her mentor, the late Dr. Akira Miyawaki (1928-2021). Fujiwara is a professor emerita of Yokohama National University; following her retirement there, she continued working at Yokohama City University. Her work with forestation projects—notably Miyawaki Forests—is helping to ensure that our planet remains habitable. At the very least, as this symposium proved, Miyawaki Forests are providing comfort and purpose to a generation of youth. Before discussing the symposium, where children shared their experiences with Miyawaki Forests, let’s take a look…
We hope all of our readers had a great summer–what was your most memorable experience? And what are your special goals for the fall? We’re starting something of a new chapter at the Yokohama Seasider. Our long-time office manager Mayura moved to another prefecture to pursue a dream. Thank you for your service, Mayura! In her place, we’ve welcomed local resident Azusa Shotai, who is no stranger to our publication. Welcome aboard, Azusa!
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! Lou Donaldson (1926-2024) enjoyed an incredibly long, fruitful career, playing alto sax past the age of ninety (live jazz music is the secret to long life, everyone!). He was also a composer and bandleader. Among the many talented black sax players that emerged in the 1950s and 60s, we find his…