Numazu Travel Guide
City Coastal city in Shizuoka, Japan, known for seafood
Facing Suruga Bay, Numazu offers seafood markets, ferry rides with Mount Fuji vistas, a working port, and access to the Izu Peninsula’s onsen and coastal walks.
Why Visit Numazu? #
Seafood and sea views define Numazu on Shizuoka’s coast, where the working port and morning fish market bring fresh tuna and sushi to town tables. Visitors come for harbor walks with Mount Fuji panoramas, pilgrimages by fans of the anime Love Live! Sunshine around Nishiura, and the Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium’s unusual marine exhibits. Small restaurants and izakaya turn sampling local seafood into a highlight of any stay.
Who's Numazu For?
Numazu’s working port and fish markets serve some of Shizuoka’s freshest seafood, with affordable sushi counters and grilled fish stalls near Numazu Port. Local izakaya in downtown Semboncho also dish out seasonal tuna and shellfish.
Suruga Bay offers coastline walks and boat trips, with clear views of Mount Fuji on good days from the harbor. Nearby hills and coastal paths make easy day hikes, and boat tours reach small offshore islands.
Sportfishing, scuba diving around Suruga Bay and coastal cycling routes appeal to active visitors. Local outfitters run fishing charters and guided dives; trails up nearby Mount Ashitaka offer steeper day hikes.
Numazu’s harbor sunsets, seafood dinners near the port and quiet seaside promenades are ideal for relaxed couple getaways. Stay in a seaside ryokan or choose a small hotel for easy access to evening izakaya and ferry rides.
Top Things to Do in Numazu
All Attractions ›
- Numazu Port and Fish Market - Active fishing port with fresh seafood stalls and waterfront promenades.
- Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium - Small museum devoted to deep-sea creatures and regional marine science exhibits.
- Numazu Imperial Villa Memorial Park - Graceful Meiji-era imperial villa grounds converted into seaside park and museum.
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- Senbonhama promenade - Coastal walk popular with locals for evening strolls and Mount Fuji glimpses on clear days.
- Local sushi and seafood stalls at the port - Small vendors serving morning catches and regional specialties loved by Numazu residents.
- Numazu fishing-boat rides - Short harbor excursions providing hands-on glimpses of local fishing life and scenery.
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- Hakone and Lake Ashi - Classic hot-spring and lake district with boat cruises and easy Mount Fuji viewpoints.
- Mishima and Rakujuen Garden - Historic garden and museum near Mishima, accessible by train with Mount Fuji glimpses.
- Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko) - Cluster of lakes offering multiple vantage points of Mount Fuji and outdoor activities.
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Where to Go in Numazu #
Numazu Port
The port is Numazu’s working heart: fishing boats, seafood stalls and a compact promenade with great views toward Suruga Bay. It’s the go-to place for fresh fish and casual seaside eating. Come early for the market buzz and to catch the clearest Fuji vistas when the air is crisp.
Top Spots
- Numazu Port - Active fishing harbor with seafood stalls and boat views.
- Local fish market stalls - Fresh catches sold near the docks for takeaway or small eateries.
- Harbor promenades - Short walks with Mt. Fuji glimpses on clear days.
Senbonhama
Senbonhama is the seaside stretch with a relaxed beach park vibe: families and locals come for sunset walks and seasonal swims. It’s low-key compared with big resort beaches but offers serene Fuji-facing views and a handful of cafés for a slow afternoon visit.
Top Spots
- Senbonhama Park - Beachfront park and pier area popular for strolling and sunset views.
- Beach access - Shallow seaside spaces used by families and evening walkers.
- Small cafés along the shore - Places to sit and watch the bay.
Station District
Around Numazu Station you’ll find the bustle of everyday city life: shopping arcades, casual restaurants and transport links. It’s useful for catching trains and exploring nearby towns. The area mixes practical services with enough eateries to keep visitors comfortable during a short stay.
Top Spots
- Numazu Station area - Shopping arcades, ramen shops and commuter-focused businesses.
- Local department or convenience stores - Everyday shopping clustered around the station.
- Transit links - Good base for onward travel to Shuzenji or Mishima.
Plan Your Visit to Numazu #
Best Time to Visit Numazu #
Visit Numazu in spring and autumn for mild weather, lower humidity and the clearest views of Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji. Avoid June's rainy season and late-summer typhoons if you want sunny seaside days; winter can still offer crisp, cloudless Fuji spotting but it's cooler.
Best Time to Visit Numazu #
Numazu's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1859 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (165 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (167 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (246 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (205 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (226 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (227 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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How to Get to Numazu
Numazu is easiest reached by rail - Numazu Station (JR Tokaido Line) is the town's transport hub, with Mishima Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) a short local train away. For air travel use Tokyo Haneda for the widest selection of flights or Shizuoka Airport for quicker regional connections.
Tokyo Haneda (HND): From Haneda the fastest rail route is to take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa (about 12-16 min, ¥410) and transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen or JR Tokaido Line. If you take the shinkansen from Shinagawa to Mishima then a local JR train to Numazu, expect roughly 50-75 minutes total and around ¥3,500-¥4,500 (shinkansen + local fares combined). A taxi from Haneda to Numazu is long and expensive (well over ¥15,000) so trains/buses are recommended.
Shizuoka Airport (FSZ): Shizuoka Airport has regular airport shuttle buses toward central Izu/Hakone/Mishima/Numazu - the bus to Numazu Station takes about 45-60 minutes and costs roughly ¥1,200-¥1,500. A taxi from Shizuoka Airport to Numazu takes about 45-60 minutes and typically costs around ¥8,000-¥10,000 depending on traffic.
Train: Numazu is served by Numazu Station (JR Tokaido Main Line) and is also connected to the Gotemba Line. The nearest shinkansen stop is Mishima Station; from Mishima a local JR train to Numazu takes about 8-12 minutes and costs roughly ¥200-¥300. From Tokyo you can reach Numazu either by local/rapid JR services (about 1.5-2 hours, ¥1,800-¥3,000 depending on route) or by shinkansen to Mishima plus the short local leg for a faster but more expensive option.
Bus: Local services around Numazu are operated primarily by Izuhakone Bus and other regional carriers; city-route fares are typically in the ¥200-¥500 range. Highway/express buses connect Numazu with Tokyo and other major hubs - these take about 2-3 hours to Tokyo and usually cost around ¥2,000-¥3,000. Most buses stop at or very close to Numazu Station.
How to Get Around Numazu
Trains are the most reliable and practical way to reach and move around Numazu, with the Tokaido Line and a short hop from Mishima shinkansen. For local mobility, combine walking in the centre with buses or bicycles for coastal sights; taxis are handy for off-hour or luggage-heavy trips.
- JR Local Trains (Tokaido & Gotemba Lines) (¥140-¥400) - Local JR trains are the backbone for getting around and for short regional trips. Numazu Station sits on the Tokaido Main Line and the Gotemba Line gives access to inland destinations. Trains are frequent during the day; use an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for convenience and check timetables for limited rapid services which save time to/from Tokyo.
- Shinkansen (via Mishima Station) (¥3,000-¥5,000) - The shinkansen doesn't stop in Numazu itself - take the shinkansen to Mishima Station and change to a local JR train (8-12 minutes to Numazu). This is the quickest way from Tokyo or major cities if you prioritize time over cost. Expect to pay a few thousand yen extra for the shinkansen leg.
- Izuhakone & Local Buses (¥200-¥700) - Local buses (mainly Izuhakone) cover neighbourhoods, coastal spots and nearby attractions; routes radiate from Numazu Station. Fares are inexpensive and useful for reaching places not served by rail, but services can be less frequent on weekends and evenings - check timetables in advance. Bus stops at Numazu Station make transfers straightforward.
- Taxi (¥600-¥3,000) - Taxis are widely available at Numazu Station and are practical for luggage, late-night travel, or destinations poorly served by bus. Short trips within the city are reasonable; however, fares rise quickly and long rides (e.g., to airports) are costly. Use taxis sparingly for convenience rather than daily commuting.
- Bicycle rental & cycling (¥200-¥1,000) - Numazu and the nearby coastline are well suited to cycling - rentals are available near the station and at tourist spots. Cycling is a pleasant, flexible way to explore the waterfront and nearby parks; watch for narrow streets and hillier sections inland. Helmets and lights are recommended if you plan to ride after dark.
- Walking - Numazu's downtown and port area are compact and very walkable, making walking the best way to soak up the city centre and waterfront. Many restaurants, shops and sights are within a 10-20 minute stroll of the station. Wear comfortable shoes for pebble beaches and some uneven promenades.
Where to Stay in Numazu #
Where to Eat in Numazu #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Numazu's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Numazu #
Numazu is a port city where evenings center on the waterfront and the station neighborhood: fresh seafood restaurants, casual izakayas and a few late-night snack stalls. The atmosphere is relaxed - a good place for a seafood dinner followed by a walk along the harbor lights. Practical advice: many izakayas close around 11pm-midnight, carry cash, and the area around Numazu Port is the easiest place to find open spots after dark.
Shopping in Numazu #
Numazu’s shopping scene revolves around fresh seafood, souvenir shops and a handful of compact malls near the port. The Numazu Port Market (沼津港) is the main draw for sashimi, dried fish and fish-based snacks; nearby lanes have small shops selling local soy sauce, seafood crackers and Mt. Fuji-themed goods. Expect friendly, straightforward service - bargaining isn’t part of the culture, but shopkeepers will happily point you to the best eats and packaged souvenirs.
Best Bets
- Numazu Port Market (沼津港) - Fresh seafood stalls and restaurants by the harbor, top for souvenirs.
- Numazu Uogashi Shinko Center - Covered market with packaged fish, condiments and dried goods.
- Numazu Station Shopping Street - Compact arcades with bakeries, cafes and local specialty shops.
- AEON Mall Numazu - Reliable mall for fashion, household goods and a supermarket.
- Port-area souvenir shops - Small stores selling soy sauce, fish crackers and Mt. Fuji items.
- Dried-fish and tsukudani shops - Packed seafood products ideal for gifts and travel-friendly snacks.
