Travel

Japan 2023 : Numazu, Shizuoka

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Waking up to a simple breakfast at the lobby of Super Hotel JR Fujiekimae Kinenkan (let’s call it Super Hotel Fuji), we explored the area around not-so-famous (yet) Fuji Honcho dori which should not be mistaken for the more famous Honcho Street located at Fujiyoshida.

Quiet streets of Fuji Honcho Dori at Fujinomiya. Mount Fuji can be seen hiding

Today Fujisan decided to wear a cloud crown but remains beautiful even with not-so-good weather. Honcho dori is an old street complete with lots of closed shops that has seen better days. Shops here are mostly “mom and pop” shops where the merchants are mostly above 50 years old. There were old “vending” machine that dispenses fresh eggs and even an actual land line phone to call a taxi. Time stood still in this part of Japan.

200yen for few eggs in this “vending machine”
Need a taxi, just call

As we walked around the neighbourhood heading to the famous Fuji Yumeno Ohashi (bridge), we passed quiet suburbs, small streams and a noisy trunk road. It is always welcoming to immerse in these local walkabouts as we can really see locals going about their daily lives. We reach the famous bridge after about 45 mins of slow pace walking. Fuji-san is still partially hidden so that might explain the lack of tourists when we arrived at around 9.15am. There were some locals using the bridge for all its real intentions. Need a zoom lens of at least 80mm to get that “effect” that instagram is crazy about.

This 7-11 with a Fuji-san view was safe from the tourist horde
Penang samseng walking in Japan
We came in from behind the famous bridge along Urui river
It is still beautiful despite the not-so-great weather.

We went up the bridge to see what was on top… Wow.. not bad.. an amazing view too (which months later got bad rap in the local japanese media coz foreign tourists running around the road like headless chickens trying to get the ultimate shot and also try hard to kill themselves). Even with not so good day, it is indeed quite a site to behold with such a massive chunk of rock protruding from the earth with small little houses blanketing its base.

We visited this bridge before the craze really spiked up 6 months later with monkeys running around the road
Tourist-free view from the top of the bridge

Well, after all that stair-exercise, it is time to walk to our intended makan place. It was a 30min 2km walk under low bridges and quiet streets till we reach Tagonoura Fisheries Cooperative, Maeda district. We ordered using a ticket machine (which had only a few choices). We ordered a bowl of salmon-don, another with added shirasu (whitebait) – sort of like albino anchovies which was steamed, some amberjack sashimi and hotate scallop (honestly Hokkaido scallop still No.1). The dishes were super fresh as our eating tables were just across the parked boats that brought the fishes in. The place was like a canteen and really informal, 100% locals. Recommended place albeit need to walk in quite a bit, unless with a vehicle.

We passed alot of these low height tunnels
Tagonoura Fisheries Cooperative building. Cannot miss with all the fluttering banners
Order and pay using a vending machine then pass the receipt to the nice lady at the counter (yellow banner, right of pic)
Shirashu on top with a healthy portion of salmon and ikura (red fish eggs)
Hotate and amberjack
Itadakimasu – thanks for the delicious fresh and cheap food
The view is not bad too for a canteen-type outlet
We’re in the minority

After the delicious meal, we made our way to Yoshiwara Station and headed to Numazu city. We saw a few people garbed in colorful festival attire in the train… hmm… something is happening but we didn’t know where/when. As luck has it, it was Numazu City 100th Anniversary street celebration to commemorate the auspicious day. There were 3 locations with the celebrations but we based ourselves at Numazu Central Park. We gleefully watched an array traditional dance routines from over Shizuoka and invited cities around Japan. It was colorful, traditional music and unique dances all combined into a concoction of beer and happiness with participants of all ages. A memorable matsuri (festival).

Yoshiwara Station
I dun even remember where we makan this.. maybe at Numazu station area
We saw festival wearing ppl all over Numazu Station – even some in the train
Numazu Central Park was abuzz with lively dance and song
Japanese let loose in these colorful piece
Lively, energetic and so so so beautiful outfits
“Tiger dance” with a very nice 3-piece band
All ages took part

During the finale of the street celebration, I decided to try to catch the sunset at Senbonhama beach “nearby” which was 1.7 km away – was trying my luck. But I reached there too late, the sun had already disappeared into the horizon of the beautiful black sand beach. It was so so so windy. IMHO, this beach – even at night – is better than Atami Sun Beach.

The sounds of music lured me to another street on my way to the beach
This troupe were mostly made up of younger women
The shortest cut is thru this ominous pine tree grove – sked si wa
Senbonhama beach – beautiful black sand beach with lots and lots of wind
Walking back to find E along quiet streets even at 7pm

While making my way back to meet E at the Numazu station, the streets were dark and almost empty d – and was getting hungry after all the walking. We decided to makan at a local ramen shop, Numazu Konshinya, just across the station mostly helmed by a young crew – and it was dem delicous !! What a closing to an exciting day.

“Love Live” anime seems to be very based and popularized in Numazu
Numazu Konshinya ramen shop facade
They had the spicy ramen which fits E as she is a cilipadi
Finding our way back to Fuji Station after a full day of walking

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