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Author Archives: wabisabi
Izu Wasabi Farm
Nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Izu Peninsula, Japan, Izu wasabi is celebrated for its high quality and distinctive flavour. This exceptional wasabi thrives in Kawazu, near the Amagi mountain range, where clear, cold spring water flows continuously, and … Read More
Hydrangea Festival
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Shimoda. There is an entire month dedicated to the hydrangea festival, and this one lasts the whole month! I walked through it in early June. The garden and park area are stunning, and … Read More
Kuronefune Matsuri (Black Ship Festival)
If you are here in May, there is a yearly festival that is surprisingly big given the town’s size and is so much fun! Kurofune means “Black Ship” in English and is the celebration of the Americans arriving in their … Read More
Spring in Shimoda
It’s Alice again, back for another post! I have so much I want to share about the different places I have visited here in Shimoda this spring. Some backstory: After living in Japan for months now and living on three … Read More
A Staff Perspective
Hi! My name is Alice, and I work at Retreat Wabi-Sabi! I wanted to share my experience of this wonderful retreat with all you interested readers. This is just my perspective, but I have found this place to be something … Read More
Bon Fire at Retreat wabi-sabi
Enough research has been done to scientifically prove that watching a fire reduces heart rate and makes people more sociable. It’s thought that prehistoric humans who preferred tending fires were genetically advantageous as fires provide heat, light and kept dangerous … Read More
Juice Cleanse Service at Retreat wabi-sabi
Retreat wabi-sabi is now offering juice cleanse packages. We have taken the best of our Juice Cleanse and Yoga Retreat to offer a package that can be provided as an extra service at ¥10,000 per staying guest. Please try to … Read More
Takenoko Mura (village)
I’ve always loved takenoko aka bamboo shoots. I never made Thai green curry without the water packed version that comes vacuum wrapped from the grocery store. Then one day one of our lovely neighbors here in Kisami dropped off a … Read More
Vegetarian in Shimoda (and tips for vegans in Japan)
When I first came to Japan 20 years ago, it was a real challenge to remain vegetarian. There were very few restaurants that catered to non-meat eaters and very few servers understood when I asked for something without meat, “niku … Read More
Kayaking with Surface
Sea Kayaks have got to be the best way to explore Izu’s incredibly beautiful coastline. Guides can take you into caves and through natural tunnels. There are quite a few sea kayak tour guides in the area. We went with … Read More
Sakanadonya
Kaitenzushi is a sushi shop where nigirizushi rolls up to you on a conveyer belt and you get to take your pick of Japan’s most celebrated culinary tradition. Sakanadonya is on the 2nd floor of Shimoda’s Michi-no-eki (road station), right … Read More
Shimoda Burger
At the Ra-Maru Diner in Michi-no-Eki they serve a fish burger made with Shimoda’s most popular fish, kin-me-dai (aka splendid alfonsino). ¥1000 may seem a little pricey for a fish burger and some chips, but it’s a tasty change from … Read More
Michi-no-eki (road station)
道 (Michi) means road, の (no) is a possessive like our ‘s, and 駅 (eki) means station. Together you have “Road Station“, which have all of the conveniences of a train station but is made for drivers and their cars. … Read More
Izukyu-Shimoda to Retreat wabi-sabi
To get to Kisami from Izukyu Shimoda Station you can take a bus from the rotary right outside the station. Look for the big orange signs. Busses departing from bus stop 2, 3, and 4, all stop at Kisami Bus … Read More
South Cafe
I have been meaning to write about South Cafe for a long time. And so I bring my camera with me every time I go but then as soon as the food arrives, my mouth waters and I dig in … Read More
Cape Tarai Hiking Trail
The Mimami Izu Hiking Trail is know for its amazing views off the high jagged peak of Cape Tarai, or what the local people call “a fierce god”. To get to the trail we took the 20 minute bus ride … Read More
Sand Ski Hill
Sand Ski Hill is right next to Ryugukutsu, a cave that opens up to the sea so if you want to see one you should definitely check out the other. We have toboggans guests are more than welcome to borrow … Read More
Tokyo to Shimoda,… the easiest way.
The easiest way to get to Shimoda is by Odoriko Super Express train. Some of the trains are called Super View Odoriko because they have raised floors and windows that extend to the ceiling so you can enjoy views of … Read More
Kanaya Ryokan Onsen
Kanaya Ryokan has been welcoming guests since 1866, but is most famous for its 15 meter long “sen-nin buro” (1000-man bath) built in 1915. This beautiful wooden bath is not only long but also very deep. In fact, it’s big … Read More
Perry Road
Most people only know Shimoda for its pristine beaches and emerald green sea, but there is a lot more to Shimoda you should really check out! Perry Road is a tiny street divided by a river with overhanging wheeping willows … Read More
Shokichinoyu Onsen
This has got to be one of my favorite onsen, ever! So worth the journey up the narrow steep mountain roads (although I refuse to drive myself). When I mentioned that one of our previous guests had said, “Now this … Read More
Flower picking in Matsuzaki
Every year in Matsuzaki (west coast of Izu) wild flowers are grown in rice paddies before the rice seedlings are planted. Once the May flowers bloom everyone is invited to pick as many flowers as they can. I cut and … Read More
Morinookurimono Bakery
Shimoda’s wood-burning-oven bakery is set in the heavens above. The scenic drive through the country side, then a hair-raising thrill ride up a steep and narrow mountain road is so worth your test of faith (and brakes!). Once you are … Read More
Nikuzuki in Kawazu
Nikuzuki means “meatmoon” but they also serve fish and noodles to feed the vegetarians and semi-vegetarians alike. The food is delicious and the location is amazing. We have decided this will go on the list of “What to do on … Read More
Fontaine Bakery & Cafe
I think most foreigners living in Japan would agree that there are not enough breakfast places around. So I am happy to have discovered a great new spot with fluffy omelettes, toast, Italian coffee and freshly squeezed OJ. UPDATE: I’m … Read More
Tokyo to Shimoda,… the cheapest way.
The cheapest way to get to Shimoda is to take the Odakyu Line train from Shinjuku to Odawara and transfer to the Tokaido line bound for Atami or Ito, then finally switching to Tokyu’s Izu Kyuko line from there. The … Read More
Tokyo to Shimoda,… The fastest way.
The fastest way to get just about anywhere in Japan is by bullet train or what the Japanese call Shinkansen. There are no direct Shinkansens from Tokyo to Shimoda but it is possible to take a shinkansen half way, from … Read More
Cafe Mellow
For those of you who have been visiting the Kisami area for sometime, you may have noticed that Paradise has been lost and in it’s place Cafe Mellow has set up shop. Although some of the changes will take some … Read More
Snorkeling in Hirizo Izu
From the Kisami Bus Stop take a 40 minute bus ride down and around the coast to Nakagi, pay a 1000 yen for a 5 minute boat ride and you’ll arrive at the underwater wonderland, Hirizo. Before boarding the ship … Read More
Izu Cruise
As I have mentioned in my blog about kayaking, the best way to see Izu’s beautiful and rugged coastline is from the sea. But if you are not feeling so active and don’t want to spend a day paddling then … Read More
Kannon Onsen
Kannon Onsen is tucked away among greenery in the rugged hills of Shimoda. The hot-spring is famous for its super alkaline rich waters. The same waters are flowing through shokichi-no-yu but for those without a car, Kannon onsen is a … Read More
Yamatokan Onsen
One of the closest onsens to Retreat wabi-sabi and Guesthouse tabi-tabi is at the Yamatokan Hotel on Tatado beach in the Kisami area of Shimoda. It has a private and public onsen non-staying guests can use at certain times and … Read More
Happy Buddha Smoothies
Happy Buddha Smoothies is a little hard to find but totally worth the extra effort. To get there take the main road and turn at the entrance for Irita Beach (between Re-mix and the Chinese restaurant). Instead of following the … Read More
Irita Beach
The entrance to Iritahama, Irita Beach in English, is not well marked, moreover, parking is limited and so since access is limited it tends to be a little quieter than some of the other beaches in Shimoda. However, it is … Read More
Yumigahama Beach
Yumi means bow, as in “bow and arrow”, in Japanese and if you have been there you will know why. Yumigahama is a perfectly rounded shape bay and because it is a bay it is well protected from waves so … Read More
Tatado Beach
Tatado Beach is made famous by the surfers in the area and so tends to be a little busier with locals and tourists wanting to catch some waves. If that’s why you have come to Shimoda, please be aware that … Read More
Manpo Himono
When Japanese people travel to the sea they naturally want to eat fish. It makes sense, what’s local and in season, is tastiest! Overseas a great majority of Japanese restaurants serve sushi but within Japan, the percentage of sushi shops … Read More
Cubstar Cafe
If you love a good sandwich, like I love a good sandwich, you have got to check out cubstar in Shimoda. They have a Panini lunch special to please everyone. A veggie version with mozzarella and cheese, the pescetarian special … Read More
The Guesthouse
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Jogasaki Coastal Hike
October is by far the best month for exploring and hiking in Japan. Southern Izu is also still warm enough to enjoy the ocean and yet cool enough to appreciate the onsens. On October 27th I started my day with … Read More
How to get to Shimoda from Osaka and Kyoto
To get to Shimoda from Osaka, or Kyoto, you should take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Shin-Osaka or Kyoto Station to Atami (141 min). From Atami take the JR Ito line to Ito (23 min) and from Ito take the … Read More
On the Beach
On the Beach is not actually on the beach but their BBQ sets are all wrapped up to go so you can certainly take it to the beach, or to the boardwalk, or back to your room, or anywhere else … Read More
Nanadaru Waterfalls & Onsen
Tucked into the hills above Kawazu Town, the falls range from the towering 30-meter high Odaru Waterfall to the 2-meter high Kanidaru Waterfall. The hiking trail is an easy 1km walk and it’s well sign-posted. Some sections are steep, but … Read More
Kisami Ohama Beach
Kisami Ohama Beach is our “home beach”. Less than 5 minutes on foot from Retreat wabi-sabi. We recommend you take the short cut, down a dirt ,road past the baseball field, cross the street, then walk straight into the ocean. … Read More
Detox & Yoga Retreat
In October 2017 Retreat wabi-sabi hosted it’s very first juice cleanse and yoga retreat. 9 participants joined us for 2 nights / 3 days to detox, relax, and re-fresh the body and mind. If you have never done a detox … Read More
A Danish View of Japan: På eventyr i Japan
Japan betyder ”solens ophav” og kaldes for Nippon, 日 (sol) 本 (ophav), men er bedre kendt som solens rige. Efter at have opholdt mig i Japan i to måneder, fremgår det tydeligt hvorfor, at solen har sit herredømme i dette … Read More
Japón no es solo lo que viste en Doraemon!
Si durante tu infancia (o puede que incluso ahora) fuiste un fiel seguidor de estos dibujos, al llegar a Japón y empezar a descubrirlo te vendrán a la mente muchas, muchísimas semejanzas que harán que sueltes una sonrisa de vez … Read More
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