Kobe Jazz Review: Vieni
|

Kobe Jazz Review: Vieni

ByTravis Love

Kobe has a lot of nice restaurants, especially in Kitanozaka. Between the city’s huge international population and the local branch of Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, the slopes of Mt. Rokko are practically layered with good eats. Expensive, but good. From that perspective, then, Vieni still stands out from the pack. Located across from Sone, a Kitanozaka Jazz club with an unearned reputation, Vieni is sitting on some prime real estate, so you know the place has to measure up.

| |

Kicchiri Kitchen: Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

ByTravis Love

This month was going to be an interesting post about using your rice cooker for various things that probably break the warranty, as demonstrated by the illustrious Roger Ebert in his book The Pot and How to Use It. Unfortunately, my quiche-making efforts were thwarted, so here’s one of my old standby recipes from the vault.

Travel Japan: Miyajima, Hiroshima
|

Travel Japan: Miyajima, Hiroshima

ByLauren McRae

Miyajima is one of the Nihon Sankei, one of the three most scenic places in Japan, and is definitely my favourite place. Miyajima is situated just outside Hiroshima and is reached by ferry.　The ferry takes only about 10 minutes and you can soon see what the island is most famous for – the giant red torii (shrine gate) floating in the water.

Tōshiya: Archery
| | |

Tōshiya: Archery

ByDaniel Bromberg

The Japanese deem the twentieth year of an individual’s life as the one which signifies the official “coming of age.” In all aspects of Japanese society, the twentieth year marks the age where teenagers are thrust into the world of adulthood, whereby they become morally, and often, economically responsible for their future. Every January, scores of teenagers experience a sudden revolution in their physical and social being, one which is marked by joyous celebrations – and in this case, long, beautifully carved wooden bows and exquisitely designed kimonos.

|

Kobe Jazz Review: Basin Street

ByTravis Love

The owner of Basin Street, Mr. Tachihiko Kawasaki, once said during a concert that he didn’t really like the song after which he named his bar. “It’s too downbeat,” he said. “I wanted to name the bar after ‘Satin Doll,’ but there’s already a Satin Doll in Kobe.” He may be dissatisfied with the name, but he’s very satisfied with his job. He gets to own the bar, play guitar and drums, and hang out with jazz musicians all the time. If this is what a mid-life crisis gets you, sign me up.

Introducing Kobe Jazz Review
|

Introducing Kobe Jazz Review

ByTravis Love

It has come to my attention, after a year or so of hanging around Kobe’s jazz clubs on the weekend, that I hardly ever see other foreigners who aren’t performing. This is a disappointment. I’ve mentioned my jazz excursions to other ALTs, and they’ve complained that there’s a dearth of information on Kobe’s jazz clubs in English, which is true. With that in mind, I’m starting a new series of articles here at HT, spotlighting jazz clubs and events. I’ll also answer any questions you may have about visiting Kobe to see a live show.