Tokaido Highway – Numazu Juku

NUMAZU JUKU

Highlights of the Area: EMPERIAL RESIDENCE, NUMAZU FISHMARKET, SENBON MATSUBARA

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Numazu Juku - Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Fifty-three Stations on the Tokaido” — *Numazu depicted in Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Fifty-three Stations on the Tokaido”*

The Old Tokaido Highway became firmly established in the early 17th century as the main thoroughfare for travelers between the new capital of Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto.

Tokaido Highway

The 12th Post Town of Numazu was the Eastern most Post Station where the Suruga and Izu regions met – which are both now part of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Numazu Juku was a large Post station with close to 1,200 buildings and it was an important strategic military location for the Tokugawa Shogunate during their reign.

Modernization has meant that there is not much left of the Numazu of 400 years ago, and most of the Old Tokaido Highway is unrecognizable amongst the urban sprawl.

There is still enough in Numazu however to make a one day visit worthwhile – especially for history buffs and lovers of fresh seafood.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

MORNING

From Numazu Station it is a short walk to Kano River to connect with the Old Tokaido Highway and take in the scene shown in Hiroshige’s woodblock print for Numazu Juku.

If you have a full day to explore Numazu jump in a taxi (10 mins) or rent a bike and head to the Numazu Imperial Villa Memorial Park.

沼津御用邸記念公園

en.numazu-goyotei.com

The Residence and its grounds are an interesting step back in time and a glimpse of how the Japanese Imperial Family spent their holidays in years gone by.

AFTERNOON

After the Imperial Residence head back to the Numazu Fish Market area. This area is a must-visit spot for fish lovers. There are a wide variety of stores and restaurants that sell seafood fresh off the boats coming in from Suruga Bay.

Next, head to Senbonhama Park, known as one of the most scenic spots along the Tokaido, with views of the evergreen pines of Senbon Matsubara and Mt. Fuji.

Senbon Matsubara

Beautiful Seaside Pine Forest Steeped in History｜Senbon Matsubara is a beautiful forest made up of tens of thousands of pine trees, stretching around 10 km along the sea from the Kano River estuary to Tagonoura. Views of the evergreen pines, set agai…

VISIT NUMAZU｜The official tourism and travel information website of Numazu City

Follow the coast all the way up to the next Tokaido Post Town of Hara Juku. From Hara Station train back to Numazu Station or continue on along the Tokaido.