Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!

New Year's Eve called for a visit to Tōbu Hyakkaten 東武百貨店 (Tōbu department store), conveniently situated under JR Funabashi station, which accommodates the Sobu Line and Tobu Noda Line and is only a short distance from Keisei Funabashi Station on the Keisei Main Line. Places like this can reach bursting point around this time. Though it shouldn't be missed if you enjoy the final shopping push of the year and the mad scramble for all the best shōgatsu (Japanese New Year) culinary delights.

Wandering around B1 of this place is not for the agoraphobic or claustrophobic among us; there's no end of pushing and barging, and this is accompanied by the implored wailing of the myriad of shop staff tempting you to try samples of the never ending lines of delicious looking food. But it does have the character and buzz of a thriving market and there is little in the way of antagonism between shoppers - people do maintain some etiquette despite the ample opportunity to do exactly the opposite.

There is always so much on offer, but the more traditional food for this time of year - toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), ozoni (rice cake soup), osechi (a box filled with a variety of foods), and mochi (glutinous rice) - are a very tempting choice for the last meal of this year and the first meal of the next. Other choices include ebi chilli (fried shrimp in a sweet spicy sauce), fried chicken, Gyoza (Chinese dumplings), yakitori (skewered chicken), and a seemingly never-ending selection of sweets and cakes. There is also a choice of Italian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine - the list goes on.

Though the hustle and bustle can get a bit much, the atmosphere is quite special - a bit like last minute Xmas shopping in the West. Once you've made your choice, it's time to head for the exit, slightly battered and bruised, but loaded with enough food to last a week.

    

The choice of food this year was easy - fried chicken, soba noodles with large fried shrimp, mochi, and, of course, ebi chilli. All washed down with a nice bottle of sake and a few beers. Lovely.

Happy New Year!!!   

Bristol 23: Beer, Football, Music & Laughter - Tick!

A bar well worth visiting in the Ichikawa area is a small, foreigner owned establishment called Bristol 23. A couple of years ago, while living out of Tokyo up in cold but warmhearted Niigata City, I used to visit a bar whose sole proprietor was an expat from New Zealand. This soon became my favorite place to hang out, and particularly so because of the great relationship I had with the owner - just sitting at the bar chatting with him or with the regulars was a real pleasure. The closest I've come to experiencing the same is at Bristol 23. So, if what you're looking for is to feel welcomed within a warm and genial atmosphere, you should check this place out.

Established in 2008 by two Ghanaian expats, Ernie and Tim, the bar takes its name from two sources: firstly, both owners lived in the UK, with one of them living in Bristol. Secondly, the 23 represents high skill or success within the field of sport and is a number worn by such superstars as Michael Jordon and David Beckham. The love of sports and music is standout here, as is the sense of humour of the guys who run it - rarely do you find yourself chatting and laughing to this degree after arriving alone at a bar.

Though easy to find and an easy place to meet new people, the bar provides more than just a warm atmosphere at a convenient location from Motoyawata station. Ernie and Tim have created an atmosphere that offers an environment for newcomers to find their feet after arriving in Japan - perfect for someone who has yet to find their way around. It's not that you can't sit on your own and sup a pint, but it's certainly ideal for meeting the locals and a variety of professional people who have something interesting to say. One regular is a professor of Physics at a university in Tokyo, and chatting to him at the bar for an hour is an absolute pleasure. Others I've talked to include traders, social workers, salary men, and people from many walks of life. This isn't just a place where people come to practice English. People genuinely have something interesting they want to express about themselves.

Apart from the beer and good chat you can enjoy here, there is also a wide range of food on tap. I haven't eaten extensively from the menu, but I have sampled their very reasonably priced and tasty homemade pizza. Other delights include the tuna nachos, African kebab, and the quite unique dish for the Ichikawa area - homemade "Gumbo" (Louisiana soup). Drinks wise, there are a wide range of whiskeys for the connoisseur, a good selection of bottled ales, and the usual draft fair. They also serve cocktails, two of which, the Brain Buster and the Wild Wild West, are something to behold. But you don't find the need to get paralytic here. It really is enough just to soak up the ambiance and joviality of those who frequent the bar.

Another quirk is the music, which is available upon request. The bar has a large screen TV which is connected to the Internet, so you can request literally anything - my favourite burst of three last time I was there was One Direction (not my choice), followed by The Doors (mine :)), followed by Smokey Robinson. Even if these artists aren't your cup of tea, this just highlights the variety on offer. There is also live blues played from time to time which, in an small, intimate environment like this, is rather special.

A personal highlight for me is that fact that Ernie and Tim are both football fanatics, which means that they show the English Premier league most weekends. With Ernie being a Chelsea fan, Tim - Spurs, and me - Arsenal, you might think things could be a little frosty when it comes to football chat. This, however, couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I have never been in a bar where I've felt so relaxed bantering about football. There is not an ounce of animosity between us, despite our allegiances. For that reason, I love this bar.
 

Bristol 23
3-6-17-#206 Minamiyawata
Ichikawa-shi 
Chiba-ken　
272-0023 
Phone: 047-376-3722

Menu: http://www1.icnet.ne.jp/as2tvyqj/d&f_e.html

Map: http://www1.icnet.ne.jp/as2tvyqj/access_e.html



The guys have just opened up Bristol 23's sister bar in Urayasu, so watch this space for some more info about that.