Japan ‘23 Day 5: Arrival in Yokohama
Another more relaxed day. 2.5 hour Shinkansen ride to Yokohama and local train to the Bashamichi area. My hotel, Hotel Edit, is much more modest than the last two. The area is quieter. Lots of office buildings. The hotel room is very small but cozy. In the lobby they have 24 hour coffee and also, oddly enough, a bar to make your own bath salts with different herbs and oils.
First order of business was getting some laundry done, since the hotel conveniently has a coin op washer / dryer. I stocked up on some snacks at Family Mart while the clothes were in the washer. I wanted to go out somewhere for dinner or a beer so I looked on google to see what was nearby. A 10 minute walk took me to a large arcade mall with lots of shops and restarants. There were a lot of people out but nothing even close to the crowds of Osaka.
I strolled around the mall, Looking inside the bars and restaurants. I felt self conscious – definitely fewer Westerners here. Not a bad thing to get a tiny glimpse of what it feels like to be the outsider. Yet another reminder to be compassionate and caring and make others feel at home when I’m back in America.
That said, I was nervous to go into a place and sit at the bar. Afraid of being misunderstood due to the language barrier, afraid I won’t be able to understand, afraid of not having anyone to talk to. I passed a cute looking brewery heading back from the arcade. I could see a handful of people at the bar, both men and women, so I hopped in to give it a try. The menus had both English and Japanese descriptions. I tried an IPA called Teikoku IPA, which was tasted great. I started a conversation with the woman next to me and found out that the other woman she was with is her daughter, who is studying English! We chatted a bit. I got some food and another beer. Then they left and I went back to the hotel.
I looked up the brewery and found out it is part of a small chain, about 10 locations, owned by a company called Baird Beer. The owners are originally from America. They export their beer around the world. http://bairdbeer.com
Next up: Kamakura!
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