Mount Fuji is located in Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures, and hiking and climbing are popular outdoor activities in Shizuoka. Shizuoka has also Suruga Bay, a rich fishery area in the center of Japan. Shizuoka is one of those destinations that has something for every type of outdoor activities. Especially Suruga Bay area is filled with plenty to do, see and eat. Here are my favorite places of the Bay to explore and to eat!
Fishing at Suruga Bay
We usually ride a fishing boat in Kanagawa and Chiba next to Tokyo, but we found Shizuoka had various choices for fishing too. In Shimizu or Yaizu area near Suruga Bay, there are fishing boats to ride.
The cost of fishing boat was 7,000 yen per person for a half-day including fishing tackles. We got over 100 small fish. Usually, anglers release those kinds of small fish, but we could not resist eating them as fried fish and so we brought all of them with us.
Raw Shirasu Sushi
After fishing at Suruga Bay, we had Sushi for lunch. There were many tasty Sushi restaurants in Shizuoka. Especially in spring time, you can have very fresh raw shirasu (baby anchovy). Only fresh shirasu can be served raw.
Take a photo of Mount Fuji
Miho no Matsubara is part of the world heritage area of Mount Fuji with a very nice walking road. We visited Miho no Matsubara, after fishing in Suruga Bay. If you don’t have much time and energy to climb Mount Fuji, it’s good to go to Shimizu in Shizuoka to see this famous and beautiful symbol of Japan.
My recommendation to my friend is always this;
Mount Fuji is an active volcano, so there are many rocks and small stones on its slopes. I prefer to see Mount Fuji from different angles.
Over 300 years history of agriculture
My favorite cafe is Kawamura Noen near the Miho no Matsubara area. After 300 years of history through 12 generations, Kawamura has started a new cafe serving tomato parfait. It sounded strange, but it tasted so sweet and was addictive. You can also enjoy various kinds of fruit smoothies and snacks at Kawamura Noen.
Finding clownfish at Tokai University Aquarium
We went fishing in Shizuoka but we like to see fish and visited the Tokai University Marine Science Museum. We kept following clownfish in the water tank. In fact, this aquarium boasts the first successful hatching of clownfish. The clownfish area was overwhelming and we stayed nearly one hour there to see just clownfish.
In the center of the area, there was a cylindrical fish tank to see clownfish from different angles. The contrast of blue water and orange fish was beautiful. I saw two couples hatching their kids. The Marine Science Museum has also a special corner for visitors to touch and feel sea cucumber and starfish. It is a convenient place to spend some time on a rainy day.
How to visit Suruga Bay
From Tokyo Station, take Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train to Shizuoka Station and the travel time is approximately one hour at 6,350 yen per person. Rent-a-car is the easiest way to see around. It takes 30-40 minutes from Shizuoka Station to Shimizu or Yaizu areas by car.
When to go
You can take a fishing boat throughout the year at Suruga Bay, while the weather makes huge difference in your travel plan. Suruga Bay is one of worthy detours from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen Bullet with the Japan Rail Pass. The Japan Rail Pass is an economical rail pass of traveling Japan by Japan’s major train company.
