Yokohama Fun!

Despite being so close to Yokosuka, I haven't spent much time in Yokohama. It's a short train ride away between where I live and Tokyo. I really LOVE hanging out in this city. It's much more international and has lots to offer. Yokohama is Japan's second largest city with a population of 3.6 million, although it doesn't really feel like a impersonal big city. A friend planned the day, and I love it when someone else makes the plans, so we hopped a train to Landmark Tower. It's the tallest building and the 3rd tallest structure in Japan with highest observation deck. To get to the deck on the 69th floor, we took the world's 2nd fastest elevator...28 miles per hour to the top, which only took 40 seconds! Needless to say, it was quite the rush. Much like the Tower of Terror in reverse.

Once at the top, I had to pop my ears before enjoying the 360 degree views. It was amazing to look around and see the never ending city. If you look, you'll notice that in Japan, the roads don't run parallel and perpendicular...they just criss and cross sporadically. This is why I am so nervous about getting lost here...that and I can't read the road signs.

Here you can see Tokyo Bay. Yokohama is one of the busiest ports in Japan. This is where my mail is confiscated...well, just the wine from Missouri that I was craving. This is also where all my household goods were received from the States. It seems like everything comes in and out of here.

The best part of Japan is the random beauty and attention to detail. Here, in a parking lot, there is an outline of a flower. It's pretty common in Japan to see things that make you do a double take. I love it when something so simple makes me smile.

This is a view of some of the bayside attractions. There is a huge ferris wheel, an amusement park, and lots of shopping all along this walk. I really like the building on the left...it reminds me of a ship's sail.

After leaving the tower, we came across this generator that was made in Chicago. I just thought that it was ironic to see something from my state that's so far away. It's pretty common to see things in America that are made in Japan, but not too common to find things here that are made in the US.

After a few hours of shopping and relaxing...and believe me, I could have shopped for hours with so much to see, we hopped another train to take our chances with spontaneity and try to catch a tour of the Kirin Beer Factory without prior reservations. Living in Japan, I realized that you pretty much have to call ahead for everything. But, we walked in and thankfully it wasn't too busy, so we joined up with the very next tour. Kirin Beer has been brewed in Japan for over 100 years.

These are brewing kettles. Malt, hot water, and the other ingredients are put into this kettle so that the starch turns into sugar. Hops are added and the mixture is boiled again. This process gives the beer its aroma and bitterness which is unique to each individual brew.

These are filters where the young beer is left to mature to a couple months. This is essential for balanced flavor development. See, I'm learning all this, so someday I can start my own home brew...it will be fantastic!

So, I was only kidding above. But, it's good to learn a little about what I am actually going to drink. The whole purpose of the free brewery tour is the get the samples at the end. Anyone who has been to the Budweiser Brewery knows that! Of course, they take the longest possible route, so here it is below. This buggy was a replica of a real one that was pulled by horses. I love that it is shaped like a beer bottle!

Here I am sampling the brew...my face was red from the sun and heat...not from the libations! Although I must say that we got four full-sized samples...enough to make me giggly. And, they were all fantastic!

Here we are, enjoying our beers after a long day! This dark one was actually my favorite...I think my tastes are maturing with my old age.

Ha! This was my favorite character. I kept seeing him on posters and walls throughout the tour, but didn't realize until this point that he was actually Beer Foam Man! I LOVE HIM!

Kirin Brewery releases a different can design each year and this one was my favorite...I took a picture of my birth year can, but apparently creativity wasn't valued until a few years later.

Here is the Kirin label. The first year for the brewery was 1888 and they have used this mythical creature called the Kirin since then. In Japanese, Kirin means giraffe, but in Chinese mythology, it is one of the four spirits along with the dragon, phoenix, and turtle. It means the harbinger of good luck that appears before something great happens, like the birth of a saint. See, it is true...if you enjoy the topic (or beverage) you will retain more information. Or, if bribed with the prospect of free beer, you will listen intently until someone gives you a drink! I know that you can find this Stateside, so you beer lovers should really give it a shot! Cheers!