Numazu – What’s On – May 2012

Highlighting the best of what’s on in Numazu for Mayl 2012. If you like something click on the link for more details. If you have an event you want to add put it in the comments below.

Beer – Shizuoka Summer Mikan Ale is back in Baird Brewing’s Taproom again. This refreshing beer is an annual favourite. At 5.5% is is a Goldilocks beer for summer.

Outdoors – The Citizens Forest campsite will be ready at the start or July and will say open until August 30th

Concert – Chiiki FU-RE-A-I Concert – A concert will be held in Heda. Quartet – from 14:00 – July 7

Party – Baird Brewing’s Taproom will have its 12th Anniversary this month.  Everything is Y500 — beers (plastic cups) and food. Sat & Sun they will also have  a BBQ in the brewery parking lot, 1:00-5:00 or 6:00. The taproom anniversaries are huge fun for Numazu and not one to miss. Here is a quote from the Cajun himself Chris “Friday from 5pm begins the weekend specials with our 5000yen Drink/Food card.  We call it a Nonbe/Tabe-ken.  All Beer and Food will be 500yen for the weekend but the card will get you 12 items for the price of 10 and a free BB glass when you finish the card and present it to one of the staff.  Cards are valid only for the 12 Year Anniversary weekend.  Use them this weekend or lose them.” Sounds good to me.   July 20-22

DJ – Spazz if You Want Too will be back again at Speak Ez – July 6

Festival – Tanabata  Star Festival will coming up soon. In the Nakamise the whole mall will be decorated until July 7. Special performance of Yosakoi dancing on July 7

Activities – Yosakoi – one of the biggest events in Numazu teams of traditional dancers from around the country country compete. You can be one of the dancers. Information session from 19:30 July 13

Activities – Want to get involved in the Numazu Summer Festival this year. Become one of the Mikoshi (mobile shrine) carriers. You can make a booking by phone 055-931-1111 or 055-934-4716 by July 13

Festival – Heda port festival will be on this month. Shrines, fireworks and weird cardboard box races on the sea. Well worth a visit. From 13:00 – July 21

Festival – Numazu Summer Festival – The biggest even in Numazu all year. Stall, beer, drunken Mikoshi carriers, beer, fireworks, beer, yukatas, beer, dancers, beer – July 28 and 29

If you know of any other event going on this month in the Numazu area feel free to post them in the comments below.

Numazu- What’s On – June 2012

Highlighting the best of what’s on in Numazu for June 2012. If you like something click on the link for more details. If you have an event you want to add put it in the comments below.

Beer – Baird Brewing’s Fishmarket Taproom has two beers that came out at the end of this month as part of the May Hop Madness campaign – Triple-Dry Bohemian Pils (5.7%) and 4-S Belgian Blonde Ale (5.5%). I think I will check them out this Saturday night.

DJ – get down to the Spazz if You Want Too party at SpeakEZ. June 2

Event – Want to meet the glorious curves that is Miss Ose? Then Fresh OSE Diver’s Day is your day. She will be there, bikini clad, with her friends waiting for you… to help pick up rubbish along the shores of Ose. There is nothing hotter than picking up trash – especially coming into summer. Besides you will be helping to preserve the environment for future generations and … blah blah blah insert enviro-social conscience message here. There will be a Miss Ose contest and bingo. I hear that first prize is a night with Miss Ose herself – Thought I can’t verify this fact. Okay I made it up. 9:00-16:00 June 3

Concert – Summer Jazz Concert at San-Well Numazu – Free – 14:00-15:30 June 8

Exhibition – A exhibition of the movie “Otoko ha Tsuraiyo” and will be on display at the Senbon Mini Gallery this month. June 10

Exhibition – Pressed flower art work at the Senbon Mini gallery – June 12-14

Nature – The firefly’s will be out this month and they are not to miss. Join the group up in Ashitaka Park at the Youth House in Nature – 18:00-21:00 – June 16, 17

Culture – Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony will be held an the Numazu Imperial Villa again this month. 10:00-15:00, June 17

Show – Numazu Comedy Theatre will be hosting the 25th Vaudville in Town. admission 1600yen – starts at 14:00. June 17

If you know of any other event going on this month in the Numazu area feel free to post them in the comments below.

Numazu – What’s On – May 2012

Highlighting the best of what’s on in Numazu for May 2012. If you like something click on the link for more details. If you have an event you want to add put it in the comments below.

Beer – Baird Beer’s Fishmarket Taproom will be having May Hop Madness Month. They will be offering 15 amazing hop beers. If you want to take up the challenge then you can ask for a special May Hop Madness Month card (not the prepaid one) and take up the 15 beer challenge. If you can drink all 15 throughout the month and get a stamp for each then you will be rewarded with a  Baird Beer logo glass. Promotion last all through May and until the supply lasts so get in early. May.

Golden Week Beer – Baird Beer’s Fishmarket Taproom will be running longer times for your drinking convenience this Golden Week. Check out their details on their homepage. 12pm- 12am April 28,29, 30 : 5pm-12pm Wed May 2 : 12pm-12am May 3-6.

Concert – Senbon Plaza will be host to a koinobori concert – first in first served, capacity 230 – 13:30-15:30 May 3

Festival – Koinobori Festival -Yes the beautiful carp streamers will be flying again this year and the Minatoguchi Park (the one next to the View-O). There will be stalls, craft activities and stage shows. Check it out and round it off with a pint at the Fishmarket Taproom. 10:00-15:00 May 4 and 5.

Party – Open party in the park come along and make some friends, eat, drink and play frisbee. Free BYO everything. Senbon park 1pm-5pm May 5

Dance party – Spazz If You Want To live DJ night at SpeakEz. May 5.

Exhibit – The Numazu Imperial Villa will be celebrating Boy’s day with a Koinobori exhibit and traditional costume display. – Adults 100yen Children 50 yen. 9:00-16:30 until May 7

Exhibit – The Numazu Fine Art Association will be holding an exhibit this month on the 1st floor of the City Cultural Centre – 10:00-18:00(17:00 last day) May 7-13

Culture – Tea Party or perhaps a tea ceremony will be held at the Numazu Imperial Villa May 13

Sport – NICE will be hosting Tai Chi Classes at the city gym – 1,500yen fee – 19:15-20:45 – May 14, 21, 28 June 4

Dance – Salsa Night at SpeakEz. Get your Salsa on at this fun dance night with a lesson at the start and then open dance after. Entry fee appies. May 18

Festival – Suisanmatsuri ( Fishery Products Festival)  celebrate the produce of the sea at this unusual festival at the Numazu Port. Don’t forget to see the seafood auction and unusual display of marine life. Great event. May 19

Live – Acousitc Night at SpeakEz – May 25.

Music – J-Pop night at SpeakEz – May 26

If you know of any other event going on this month in the Numazu area or you need me to make any corrections feel free to post them in the comments below.

Scott

Numazu – What’s On – April 2012

Highlighting the best of what’s on in Numazu for April 2012. If you like something click on the link for more details. If you have an event you want to add put it in the comments below.

Beer – Stout. No not the short rotund little man kind. I’m talking dark sexy beer you can chew on. Baird Beer have come up with two amazing stouts this month, Mama’s Milk Stout and Chocolate Wheat Stout. Both coming in at5% alcohol check out their details on their homepage.

Cherry Blossoms (hannabi) – The Numazu Council Newsletter has some great suggestions for Cherry Blossom viewing in the area for this month. Check out the link for tips.

Party – Baird Beer’s annual Cherry Blossom (Hannami) party will be held again this year. Now don’t panic. The crazy ass storm we are experiencing today the 31st of March should lift by nightfall offering clear skies for a great day tomorrow. The even will be on Minato Guchi Park near the View-O (about 100m from the Taproom). There is a 3,000yen all-you-can-drink and a plate of food and, beers will be 500yen (Or you can just go the food plate for 1,000yen and buy beers as you go). I will see you there. 1:00pm-4:00pm April 1

Festival – Ose Festival and Uchiura Fishing Port Festival. These two events run hand-in-hand. They celebrate the Fisherman and bestow good luck and protection on the fishing fleet. The event is a colourful display of fishing vessels and performances. You can get a boat from Numazu port or take a ride down there by bike (approx 1hr). Plenty of great fresh seafood. 7:30-14:30 at Ose Shrine and Uchiura Port. April 4

Cherry Blossom – Along route 1 the cheery blossoms come alive in Hara as they parallel the Numa River. Come along and enjoy the flowers and festivities. April 7

Party – SpeakEz’s Full Moon party will be howling on April 7.

Live – Takahara Pistol will be playing live at SpeakEz on April 13.

DJ – Spazz If You Want is back to pump the night away at Speak EZ on April 14.

Dance – Salsa Night as SpeakEz is always bliss on April 20.

Event – Amakusa Presents at SpeakEz on April 21.

Festival – Spring Festival at the Numazu Imperial Villa – includes market gardens, local produce, bonsai exhibit and more. 9:30 – 16:00 April 21-22

Dance – This just shows that I will put just any old shit in this guide. Square Dancing classes will be held in Numazu this month at the Daigo Chiku center. 19:00-20:00 April 21 and 28

DJ live – ‘Slow to speak’ Eclectic mix of house, techno, new wave and rock at Speak EZ. Free. 21:00-03:00, April 28

Bar – The Numazu Fishmarket Taproom will be extending it’s operating hours for Golden Week from 12:00-12:00 – 29-30 April

If you know of any other event going on this month in the Numazu area feel free to post them in the comments below.

Numazu – What’s On – March 2012

February? What February?

Highlighting the best of what’s on in Numazu for February 2012. If you like something click on the link for more details. If you have an event you want to add put it in the comments below.

Beer – Those loving romantic buggers over at Baird Beer created a sensual Belgian Chocolate Stout to ditch your partner for because she didn’t give you any damn chocolate for Valentines Day!

Culture –  Ganyudo fisherman’s ferry will be hitting the Kano River a 9:00am Free (36 seats) Mar 3

Live – Acoustic performance at the Baird Beer Fish Market Taproom 500yen cover starts at 8pm – Mar3

DJ – Speakez with be back with our favourite AUN for “Spazz if you Want To” Spring Festival Special Super Dooper Bigger than a Big Fat Big thing Bonanza – 9pm Start – No cover charge – Mar 3

Dance – Full moon festival at SpeakEZ – Mar 8

Live – Speakez’s chilling acoustic night -Mar 9

Dance – Bring some heat to a chilly Spring with Salsa Night as SpeakEZ 8pm-9pm free (includes dance lesson) 9pm 1000 til midnight.

Live – Thrash it out with SpeakEZ’s very own Shady Glimpse – Mar 17

Party – Celebrate Yuichi’s 3rd year owning SpeakEZ and putting up with you mongrels – buy him something pretty – Mar 31

If you know of any other event going on this month in the Numazu area feel free to post them in the comments below.

Numazu – What’s On – January 2012

Happy New Year.

I have only just recovered so here goes for the remainder of the month.

Highlighting the best of what’s on in Numazu for January 2011. If you like something click on the link for more details. If you have an event you want to add put it in the comments below.

Beer – Baird Beer will have their new Brewmaster’s Nightmare Rye IPA

Live – Speak Ez’s acoustic night featuring Toshio Souno, Yuka Aoshima, Norito Makino among others. Entry 1000yen 8pm-11pm 13 Jan

DJ –  Speak Ez – DJ Koji, Toru and Maiko will be mixing it up here for you for free from 9pm Jan 14

Culture – Lecture in Japanese Culture – International communication and exchange meeting. 13:30-15-30 at Palette

Dance – Speak Ez – the very seductive salsa will be hitting the floor from 8pm. 1000yen for vertical porn is cheap! Jan 20

Live – Numazu National College of Technology Brass Band Concert Doors open 1:30pm – Jan 21

Live – Baird Beer’s Fishmarket Taproom will be host a live performance of world renown Irish Fiddler, Dale Russ. This is an event not to miss. Entry is only 500yen. 7pm start. Jan 21

Live – Speak Ez – Jam session. If your a muso then this is your chance to show off your talents. Free. 8pm-1am – Jan 21

Sports – 58th Numazu Relay Road race applications at 7:30 for 9am start – In Ashitaka Athletic Park. Jan 22

Singles mixer – Speak Ez – Lonely and single? This is the place for you. Entry is 2500yen for Boys and 2000yen for girls (includes a drink and a snack) Good  luck. Jan 24

DJ – Speak Ez – Open DJ event bring your Mamma Mia Sound Track and make em suffer!!! Free. Jan 28.

 

If you know of any other event going on this month in the Numazu area feel free to post them in the comments below.

Malt Cats – Numazu, Shizuoka

Malt Cats – Numazu

Some of the best places in Japan are the hardest to find. Or maybe it is just the pleasant little sense of satisfaction that you get when you find one of these gems that makes the experience all the more enjoyable. But up dark ominous stairs, down shabby alleys and in nondescript buildings are some places far beyond the little bag of powder or another bout of crabs. When a friend guides you in this direction you are especially hoping it is not for the latter.

Last weekend’s bender resulted in a friends suggestion that we take our respective wives to dinner at AiAi followed by a game of pool. My friend led us to the south side of Numazu near the train station and suddenly veered left down a narrow alley that merged into a building. Ooh an adventure, I thought. We took a lift to the second floor and were met by muffled singing and a sole wooden rocking chair that was guiltily resting by the door. Through the door was the ‘Malt Cats’.

For some reason adding ‘Cat’ to the title of your restaurant, bar or café is the thing to do in this country. Perhaps it’s some vintage 70’s slang spending its twilight years in the nights of Japan.

Entering Malt Cats you are greeted by an illuminated bar that stands as an oasis for the thirsty amidst the subdued warm drop lighting. The bar space is split into two seating areas one around the side of the bar and the other directly across the bar and raised providing some clever depth to the place. What is most striking about the seating is the open spaces between communal gatherings of mish mashed couches. This creates a nice little level of intimacy for your party without feeling isolated from the general vibe of the bar. An open space such as this is so different from the usual cramped confines of what I am used to in Japan but may feel warmly familiar to what you might experience back in your own country.

Illuminated in competition to the bar is the pool table with, again, the perfect amount of space to play. The table is in pristine condition far distant to its sorely abused cousins in Australian pubs. My friends and I played a few games of pool, intentionally missing shot’s, pocketing the white ball every second shot and in one case acting like it was our first time playing.

Yes, I think I will stick the word ‘intentionally’ merely to rescue the last dregs of self-esteem that we all left behind on the table. Well at least one of us had a choice. It was actually her first time.

Our little group noticed some board games on the wall and we settled down to a couple of rounds of Jenga over a few beers.

Drinks were a little pricy starting at 800yen for beers with the obligatory surcharge for a few nibblies that gets the establishment out of paying a liquor license. The staff were friendly and a couple of them were even trying to use a bit of English which was very kind.

My friend tells me that the Malt Cats can get packed easily and the pool table is often difficult to get on but this is definitely an excellent bar well worth many return trips in the future. I hope to see you there – if you can find it

English Menu: sorry no English and no pictures but with the open bar you can do a bit of pointing and gesture.

Gaijin Friendly: Yup very. The seemed delighted to have us there. Very sweet.

Links: None

Costs: Beers start around 800yen

Directions: South side of Numazu Station heading towards the library.