Discovering the Local Taste of Shizuoka: Japan Rail Travel - JR Tokaido Line Local Food Tour

Overview

Welcome to my travel blog, where I'll take you on an unforgettable gourmet journey along the JR Tokaido Line in Shizuoka Prefecture. Get ready to savor breathtaking views, indulge in mouthwatering local delicacies, and immerse yourself in captivating collaborations with dramas and anime. Join me as we embark on this culinary adventure through the picturesque landscapes and vibrant flavors of Shizuoka. [Watch the full video]

Highlights

Day 1:

- Kaisen Donburi (Marinated Tuna Bowl) at Shimizu Fish Market KashinoIchi - Matcha Ice Cream from Nanaya (Shizuoka City) - Soup oden and Shochu at Isshin (Aoba Yokocho, Shizuoka City) Day 2:

- Asa Ramen at Mendokoro Ishigami (Shizuoka City)

- Shizuoka Oden at Ogawa (Shizuoka City)

- Hamamatsu Gyoza at Hamamatsu Gyoza Kinka (Hamamatsu City)

Day 3:

- Unagi Bento (Grilled Eel Boxed Lunch) at Yamayoshi (Shinshohara Station)

- Mikabi beef burgers at Granny's Burger (Mikabi Station)

- Coffee and homemade cookies at Eki Cafe (Miyakoda Station)

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Itineraries

Day 1: Taking the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo to Shizuoka

My journey began as I boarded the JR Tokaido Line, a major railway connecting Tokyo and Shizuoka. The double-decker trains operated by JR East offer comfortable travel, but remember to choose a seat on the first floor if you're prone to motion sickness.

Sea views from the train windows are always a treat for me. The train made a brief stop at Nebukawa Station, which is located on a cliff overlooking Sagami Bay. This station has earned its place among the top 100 stations in the Kanto region for its breathtaking sunrise view. Although it was only a brief stop, the beauty of the sea in front of me is really imprinted in my mind. While admiring the sea view, the train arrived at the famous hot spring town-Atami, where passengers must transfer to continue on.

I walked a short distance to a different platform and boarded another Tokaido Line train. After a while, the train ran between Yoshiwara Station and Higashitago-no-ura Station, be prepared to feast your eyes on the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji. Even on local trains, the views of the iconic mountain are nothing short of spectacular. My eyes changed the angle of view to watch Mt. Fuji as the train moved, and the immobile majestic Mt. Fuji stood in the distance as if watching me.

I arrived at the first point where we will leave the station. A short walk from Fuji Station, I turned into Fujishi Honcho-dori, a bustling shopping street in Fuji City. Against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, the Showa retro townscape offers a unique setting for photos. I captured the charm of this place with its nostalgic signs and crisscrossing electric wires that create a scene unlike any other.

My next destination took me to Shimizu Ward of Shizuoka City, the hometown of the beloved manga character, Chibi Maruko-chan, where visitors can explore Chibi Maruko-chan Land, a theme park featuring reproductions of Maruko-chan's house, school, and park.

I couldn’t wait to start this gourmet journey, so I headed to Shimizu Fish Market KashinoIchi（清水魚市場河岸の市）, just a 5-minute walk from Shimizu Station. This fish market offers an incredible selection of fresh seafood. Indulge in their specialty, the Kaisen Donburi, a bowl filled with marinated tuna. The tuna, marinated in their homemade sauce, is an explosion of flavors that will delight your taste buds. Remember to arrive early to avoid the crowds and secure your spot.

After lunch, I recalled my childhood at Chibi Maruko Land, then took the Tokaido Line again to Shizuoka City, where I spent the night. Shizuoka City is not only known for its beautiful natural environment and historical sites but also as the place where Tokugawa Ieyasu, a prominent historical figure, spent his later years.

Speaking of Shizuoka, one cannot miss its renowned green tea. Take a 10-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station to Nanaya（ななや）, established in 1907. Nanaya's Matcha Ice Cream, made with 100% locally produced matcha from Shizuoka Prefecture, offers a range of intensities for you to choose from. Be cautious with the higher levels, as I experienced difficulty sleeping (maybe it's just psychological) after trying No. 5 and 7. But I'm still willing to take the same risk and eat it again!

As the day draws to a close, I satisfied my dinner cravings at Isshin（一心）, an old izakaya located in Aoba Yokocho（青葉横丁）, also a 10-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station. Isshin is famous for its "Soup Oden," a delightful dish where ingredients are generously served in a spicy broth. Try their wide variety of ingredients, including their original barrel-aged shochu, "Asadachi." Even just sitting in the store looking at the yellowed decoration is enough to enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of Aoba Yokocho.

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Day 2: Discovering Hamamatsu - Festivals, Local Delights, and Hamamatsu Gyoza

I started my second day with a breakfast that awakened my taste buds - Asa（morning in Japanese）Ramen. Originating from Fujieda City, Shizuoka, Asa Ramen is a light, non-greasy dish with thin noodles, slices of chashu pork, and a delicate soy-based soup. I would suggest you skip the hotel breakfast, find an Asa Raman shop, and join the locals in savoring this soul food that has remained a beloved breakfast tradition in Shizuoka. We were lucky to find a shop that serves Asa Ramen in downtown Shizuoka. Mendokoro Ishigami（めん処いしがみ）is a ramen shop about a 10-minute walk from Shizuoka Station that serves chicken broth with rich soy-sauce-based sauce. The clean and bright design accentuates the lightness of anticipating breakfast while traveling.

After breakfast, I took a leisurely walk to Sunpu Castle Park, a 15-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station, and imagined Tokugawa Ieyasu's magnificent castle from the remains under excavation. Lunchtime called for a taste of Shizuoka Oden, a local dish simmered in black soup. I headed to Ogawa（静岡おでんおがわ）, a well-loved long-established store in the Asama-dori Shopping Street. It has been operating for 70 years in the Asama-dori Shopping Street. They serve black oden simmered with a broth made from beef tendons and kombu (kelp), offering about 20 varieties of oden, from classic to seasonal ones. The interior of the shop has a nostalgic atmosphere like a traditional dagashiya (Japanese candy store). Ogawa also sells shaved ice, and it is a slogan that it is common sense to eat oden and shaved ice together in Shizuoka. It is said that these dagashiya sold shaved ice and oden together for decades, and it finally became a local food culture.

For the second night's stay, we found ourselves in Hamamatsu, known for its vibrant festivals. The annual Hamamatsu Festival, held in May, is a celebration of cultural heritage. The kite-flying battle and procession of ornate floats are the main attractions, drawing both locals and visitors to revel in the festive atmosphere.

The iconic Hamamatsu gyoza became our dinner choice. Renowned for its generous filling of cabbage and the delightful sweetness of onions, Hamamatsu Gyoza is a treat for the taste buds. We made our way to Hamamatsu Gyoza Kinka（錦華）, located on the 8th floor of Entetsu Department Store Main Building near Hamamatsu Station. We enjoyed the hand-wrapped gyoza and let ourselves be captured by the flavors of Hamamatsu.

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Day 3: Exploring Tenryu Hamanako Railway - Station Building Delights and Anime Collaborations

Today, I embarked on a gourmet exploration of the Tenryu Hamanako Railway, a third-sector railway company in western Shizuoka Prefecture (Kakegawa City-Kosai City). They have creatively converted unused station buildings into charming restaurants, contributing to the revitalization of the local area and preserving the historical value of these structures. Is there anything more blissful than just taking the train forward and tasting delicious food without leaving the station? When deciding on the order, it is natural to leave the stomach for the most craved thing. Kosai City is famous for farming eels. In particular, it is known as the birthplace of eel farming and has a history of over 100 years. The eel bento is the most appropriate way to start, isn’t it? Yamayoshi（駅のうなぎ屋 やまよし）at Shinshohara Station where I bought the Unagi Bento from, a specialty shop for grilled eel. This ekiben (train station boxed lunch) features crispy eel with a tender texture, complemented by a sweet and savory sauce.

Purchasing a Tenhama Line + Entetsu common-use free ticket is a smart way to travel, both for starting and ending in central Hamamatsu City. Next, I visited Granny's Burger at Mikabi Station and enjoyed hearty burgers made with Mikabi wagyu beef. The station's nationally designated tangible cultural property building provides a unique atmosphere to savor these delicious creations.

I continued my gastronomic adventure at Eki Cafe（MIYAKODA駅cafe）, located at Miyakoda Station. This cozy café with its relaxed Nordic-inspired interior offers a perfect respite. I treated myself to a cup of coffee and homemade cookies. I went further and walked about 15 minutes from the station to the nearby Dlofres Campus, which is a comprehensive facility where visitors can experience Nordic lifestyle from buildings, exhibition halls to small shops.

Although food was the focus of my itinerary, I also didn’t want to miss the charming painted trains that cooperate with dramas and animations, stepped into the world of the historical drama series "What to do, Ieyasu," or embraced the fascinating universe of "Evangelion" at Tenryu Futamata Station. These collaborations add an extra layer of excitement to the railroad adventures.

With my heart and taste buds fulfilled, it's time to bid farewell to Shizuoka and the unforgettable Tokaido Line Shizuoka Railway Gourmet Journey. I reflected on the beautiful landscapes, delectable cuisines, and cultural experiences I’ve encountered. Until we meet again, sayonara, and safe travels! PS: In fact, there are more delicacies waiting for me to taste at Tenryu Hamanako Railway. I was too full, and the store closed early, so I couldn't go, but it's definitely worth spending another day to visit.