Numazu (沼津)

Map

Getting There

• train
• bus
• car
• ferry

Best Times to Visit

• spring: Cherry blossoms, mild walking weather, and scenic combinations of blossoms, Mount Fuji, and the coast make spring especially attractive.
• summer: Warm weather supports beaches, kayaking, coastal activities, riverside barbecues, and the Numazu Summer Festival and fireworks.
• autumn: Comfortable hiking conditions, colorful seasonal vegetation, seafood dining, and clear views favor exploration of hills and the coast.
• winter: Winter offers crisp Mount Fuji visibility, hearty seafood, and active deep-sea fishing season, when distinctive species may be displayed.

What's There

• architecture: The former imperial villa and large tsunami-protection water gate provide notable historic and functional architecture.
• beach: Numazu has coastal beaches and seaside recreation around Suruga Bay, including Osezaki and nearby shorelines.
• cherry blossoms: Spring offers recognized cherry-blossom sites, including parks, riversides, and viewpoints near Mount Fuji.
• coast: The city stretches along Suruga Bay, with scenic capes, pine forests, beaches, and coastal viewpoints.
• culture: Imperial history, maritime traditions, local festivals, and regional food culture are prominent visitor experiences.
• fishing: Numazu has a longstanding fishing and fish-processing tradition, including deep-sea trawling and port-based seafood commerce.
• food: Local specialties include dried fish, seafood bowls, deep-sea species, and regional shrimp preparations.
• garden: The Imperial Villa Memorial Park includes a traditional Japanese garden with views toward Suruga Bay.
• hiking: Mt. Kanuki and the Numazu Alps provide accessible trails with seasonal vegetation and panoramic viewpoints.
• history: The Imperial Villa, Ose Shrine, pine forest traditions, and historic fishing culture give Numazu substantial heritage interest.
• market: Numazu Port has fish markets, seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and stores selling local fish products.
• mountain: Mt. Kanuki and surrounding hills provide nearby elevated scenery, including views toward Mount Fuji.
• museum: The Deep Sea Aquarium and Coelacanth Museum presents Suruga Bay organisms and preserved coelacanth specimens.
• nature: Coastal forests, capes, sacred groves, marine habitats, and hillside trails create varied natural attractions.
• park: Senbon Matsubara and the Imperial Villa Memorial Park offer landscaped or wooded spaces for walking and sightseeing.
• port: Numazu Port is a major visitor district centered on fishing, seafood dining, markets, and waterfront attractions.
• seafood: Suruga Bay seafood, dried horse mackerel, deep-sea fish, sakura shrimp, and seafood bowls are regional specialties.
• shrine: Ose Shrine at Osezaki is a significant coastal religious site associated with maritime traditions.
• spiritual: Ose Shrine and its sacred juniper grove give Osezaki strong religious and contemplative significance.
• views: Clear viewpoints feature Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay, Osezaki, the Kano River area, and surrounding mountains.
• wildlife: The aquarium showcases more than 100 deep-sea species and distinctive marine life from Suruga Bay.
• shopping: Numazu Port and Minato 83 Banchi offer local seafood products, dried fish, souvenirs, and specialty goods.

Specialties

• Numazu Dried Fish (沼津ひもの): Numazu is nationally known for its high-quality dried fish, especially dried horse mackerel. The city’s coastal climate and established fish-processing industry support this local specialty.
• Deep-Sea Fish (深海魚): Deep-sea fish are landed in Heda and other Numazu ports from Suruga Bay, Japan’s deepest bay. Local examples include long-legged spider crab and other deepwater species served as regional seafood.
• Sakura Shrimp (桜えび): Sakura shrimp appears among the seafood specialties promoted in Numazu’s local-food events. It is commonly served in preparations such as kakiage, or crispy seafood fritters.
• Numazu Don (沼津丼): Numazu don is a seafood bowl made with fish caught in the Suruga Bay area and served over sushi rice. Restaurants around Numazu Port offer it alongside sashimi and other fresh seafood dishes.
• Himono Fish Products (干物加工品): The Minato 83 Banchi area includes shops and restaurants specializing in fish products and himono. These dried-fish products are among the characteristic foods sold around Numazu Port.