The port city of Numazu in Shizuoka is situated between Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay and Izu Peninsula and offers visitors a chance to experience both city life and coastal living.
COASTAL TOWN AT THE FOOT OF MT. FUJI
NUMAZU PORT, IMPERIAL VILLA, VIEWS OF MT. FUJI, HEDA BEACH & LOVE LIVE SUNSHINE
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BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN AND THE BAY
Flanked on one side by the Majestic Mt. Fuji and Japan’s deepest Bay (Suruga Bay) on the other is the city of Numazu.
Numazu City itself is like many other cities in Japan where the secrets are not apparent at first glance and it is only when you dig a little deeper, you are rewarded with a treasure trove of unexpected experiences.
In Numazu it is possible to experience everyday Japanese city life living at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
But it is also easy to escape the urban environment and find beautiful oceanside hot springs towns and enjoy sailing, SUP or kayaking or hiking and mountain biking.
NUMAZU CITY LIFE
For most visitors to Numazu City the main attractions are around the Numazu Port area – especially for seafood lovers.
About 10 minutes by taxi from Numazu Station there are a wide variety of stores and restaurants that sell seafood fresh off the boats coming in from Suruga Bay.
In the evenings, and on weekends especially, this area is bustling with locals enjoying the variety of food and drinks that are available creating a fun atmosphere.
One stalwart of the Numazu Fish Market is Baird Beer’s original Tap Room.
Nearby the port are the Senbonhama (Senbon Pine and Beach) which is a nice place to stroll along and enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay.
A little South of the Port is the Numazu Imperial Villa Memorial Park which was constructed by Emperor Meiji in 1893 and was a favourite holiday destination for Emperor Taisho when he was a child.
The residence is now managed by Numazu City and is open to the public – Read More.
FURTHER AFIELD
Numazu City stretches over a large area that includes a large chunk of Mt. Fuji, Numazu City itself and a long stretch of coastline down the West Coast of Izu down to the picturesque port town of Heda.
There is close to 40kms of coastline South of Numazu Port with coastal towns scattered along the way that boast quiet beaches with stunning views of Mt. Fuji, fishing villages and coastal hot spring towns.
If you enjoy getting off the beaten track and want to explore then this coastline is a great place to put on your Shizuoka itinerary.
LOVELIVE SUNSHINE
No introduction to Numazu would be complete without mentioning Lovelive Sunshine and its impact on Numazu.
Lovelive Sunshine is a Japanese animation that is set in and around Numazu and you can not go anywhere in the city without seeing the characters on street signs, buses and even manhole covers.
For serious fans of the series a pilgrimage around Numazu is number one on the Japan to-do list – for more information – Read more.
