The sea at Shimoda.
There is a seaside spot I make sure to visit every year: Shimoda City in Shizuoka Prefecture.
It is the only truly beautiful beach that is easily accessible from Tokyo.
That said, the journey involves crossing over mountains, so it takes more than three hours by train (haha).
Because of the mountainous terrain, the Shinkansen doesn't run there.
You have no choice but to take a limited express train, which is why it takes so long.
However, compared to other areas in Kanagawa, Chiba, Ibaraki, or even elsewhere in Shizuoka, nowhere else offers such crystal-clear, breathtakingly blue water.
It is the perfect place to fully enjoy the sea at its best.
Just look at this beach.
White sandy beaches and a blue sea.
It is a spectacular sight.
You don't have to go all the way to Okinawa to find such a beautiful sea in Japan.
That place is Shimoda.
What do you think?
This beautiful sea is practically transparent.
Even when the water is deep enough to reach your neck, you can still see your toes. Haha
I first discovered the waters of Shimoda 26 years ago, and it has been my number one spot ever since.
There might be even more beautiful seas in places like Okinawa or tropical islands...
But those places are just too far away for me. Haha
I find a three-hour train ride more comfortable than a two-hour flight.
That’s why Shimoda is the best for me. Haha
But it really is a beautiful sea; once you visit, it’s sure to capture your heart.
Plus, if you look up at the night sky, it’s like a natural planetarium.
I couldn't capture it in a photo, but the starry sky is absolutely stunning.
If you’re coming to Japan in the summer and staying in the Kanto region, a trip to Shimoda offers a truly wonderful seaside experience.
There’s no need to go all the way to Okinawa. Haha
The food in Shimoda is delicious, too.
The fish, in particular, is excellent.
The local sashimi is fresh and tasty, of course.
But the most famous dish is this simmered *kinmedai* (splendid alfonsino).
It might not look all that appetizing to foreigners, I suppose. Haha.
But it’s seasoned with a soy sauce base that has a hint of sweetness—a flavor profile Japanese people absolutely love.
Plus, the *kinmedai* is fatty and packed with umami; it’s incredibly delicious.
You won't be able to stop eating the white rice. Haha.
The food in Shimoda is delicious, too.
The fish, in particular, is excellent.
The local sashimi is fresh and tasty, of course.
But the most famous dish is this simmered *kinmedai* (splendid alfonsino).
It might not look all that appetizing to foreigners, I suppose. Haha.
But it’s seasoned with a soy sauce base that has a hint of sweetness—a flavor profile Japanese people absolutely love.
Plus, the *kinmedai* is fatty and packed with umami; it’s incredibly delicious.
You won't be able to stop eating the white rice. Haha.
By the way, let me tell you about the first time I visited Shimoda.
I took a taxi from the station to the famous beach.
Back then, paying in cash was the norm.
I only had large bills on me and no small change.
The taxi driver told me he didn't have any change.
So, I said, "In that case, I'll just stop by a nearby convenience store to get some smaller bills."
But the driver replied:
"You don't need to do that. You're heading to your hotel after you're done at the beach, right?
I'll give you my name and phone number; just call me when you're ready to go to the hotel.
You can pay the fare then."
With that, he drove off.
Even though we hadn't paid the fare yet.
He trusted me—a stranger he’d just met.
If I hadn't contacted him, the time he spent driving us would have been for nothing.
I was so happy that he trusted me like that; from then on, every time I visited Shimoda, I’d call him and ride in his taxi.
He showed me all sorts of shops.
He even told me about places only the locals knew.
He was the first and last person I ever became close friends with while traveling.
We exchanged contact details, kept in touch, and met up during my annual vacation.
Though, I mostly saw him inside his car. Haha.
It might have been an unusual relationship.
But I think it was a special one.
I respected him, and he liked me, too.
He has retired now.
And though he’s up in the sky these days, I think of him every time I visit Shimoda.
Shimoda is a truly special place to me.
It has beautiful ocean views and delicious food, and if you're lucky, you might even meet a kind, respectable person like him. Haha.
If you’ve read this blog post, I hope you’ll experience Shimoda for yourself someday.