Discovering Yokohama.

This past weekend we explored Yokohama.  Apparently it is the sister city of San Diego, which might explain why I loved it so much.  It is the second largest city in Japan and is full of little alleyways just waiting to be discovered. 

We went there Friday night in search of a craft beer bar, aptly named Craft Beer Bar, which we read about in our Lonely Planet Japan book.  Instead we got lost.  But isn’t that half the fun of living in a new city – getting lost?!  It is one of my favorite things – to be lost without set plans - nowhere to be, no one to get upset with you for being late, no pressure.  I love finding those little gems.  Sometimes it is a local joint with room for 10 people and not one of them speaks English.  Sometimes it is a Hard Rock Café when all you want is an American cheeseburger.  We usually find what we are looking for, even if it isn’t what we started out trying to find.  Of course we have learned that it is important to have your phone battery fully charged for these adventures so that you can always access the train schedule and Google translator!

After Friday night, we returned on Saturday for a Yokohama BayStars preseason baseball game.  Honestly, the baseball game was just like being back in the States.  There were rambunctious fans, beer, hot dogs, home runs, and I think that I even saw someone trying to start the wave.  And just like back in the States you have foolish people who leave in the 8th inning, only to have the home team come back from a 3-run deficit to win the game.  Those foolish people would be us. 

Here are some pictures of what we found in Yokohama (and it wasn't just beer, which is what the pictures will lead you to believe!)

Cosmo Clock 21 - a giant Ferris wheel and the world's largest clock

Yokohama Stadium

What is a BayStar, you ask?  A giant hamster, of course!

Not quite the peanuts we were expecting.

Beer and a hot dog on a stick.  

Play ball!

I just discovered this option on the iPhone camera - love it!

Local brewery.

Hmmmm, what to drink?

Who would have guessed?!

Haru ga kita (spring has come) to Japan!

Beer tasting.

Everyone loves St. Patty's Day - at least that is what I'm inferring from the clover!