At 6:00 in the morning, I got to Numazu Fish Market “INO”. This time, thanks to a staff of the market, I was meant to tour INO. There already were so many onlookers on the second floor gallery despite a weekday early-morning. I looked down on the wholesale floor and found varieties of fishes and a throng of people around them. Right, auction ! Here in INO, not to mention seafood landed on Numazu Port, fresh seafood is carried in from all over Japan. Therefore, licensed buyers and intermediate wholesalers show up from around the country. INO is such a vigorous and exciting market ! Saba mackerel is what is landed most in Numazu, by the way. You like it ?＾＾

I was so special that time to be let in the market floor. I felt so excited because you know I love fishes ! Sea breams, flatfishes, squids, mackerels, horse mackerels and many more fishes, all seemed so good to me.＾＾ The auctions are basically bid by Kg. It goes so fast because seafood must be kept fresh. The live fishes are also traded by bidders with good prices.

After the tour of the market, the attendant was so let me in the cooled special auction room for big deals. I was so lucky because this room is rarely supposed to be open to the public. The atmosphere was rather strained, no wonder because in this room was auctioned large fishes such as Tuna and Swordfish. Especially tuna.

You know what ? The value of tuna is estimated by the cut meat of tails. Now which one do you prefer ? The upper white-looking one is to be regarded more valuable because the white meat indicates higher portion in fat.

The purchased frozen Tuna and swordfish are often cut with a large band saw because, you know.＾＾ Some load them onto the truck to be shipped to the next destination and others carry them to the store or restaurant nearby. On my way back, I saw just-landed fishes in a large container. They sorted them by species, mostly sardines, horse mackerels, and small squids. Large sea breams and cutlass fishes were found sometimes. Other unmarketable fishes are carried away to make them ground for fertilizer. No life is taken for nothing.
By the way, have you ever recognized the meaning of “INO” ? INO is the goddess of the sea in the Greek Myths. Sounds romantic for the name of a fish market, isn’t it ?

Basically, you can tour the fish market auction from the gallery on the 2nd floor. Groups might be allowed in the market floor for advanced inquiry. For those who are not good at getting up early in the morning, they have 3 restaurants on the second floor. Please enjoy yourself with plenty of fresh seafood at a low cost !

Numazu Fish Market INO
Access from JR Numazu Station ： 10 minutes by bus, or 30 minutes walk.
Fish auction hours ： 5:45 – 7:00
Admission ： Free ＊closed every Saturday

For Japanese (889KB)

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

I went toward the small construction, a little bit excited for fishes, and found out a sign board “Shinshin-Kisen Shimoda Office”. More excited for the word, “Kozushima Island”, “Shikinejima Island”, “Nijima Island” and “Toshima Island”, those of which are some of “Izu Seven Islands”. Yes, this is the boarding station for a passenger liner, operated every day except Wednesdays. Only once a day at 9:20. It goes through 4 islands and returns to Shimoda at 16:20 ( information as of Sep, 2010 ). Not a tour boat, but a liner that stops at each station for only 5-15 minutes for boarding. Exploring islands seems so exhilarating, isn’t it ?
By the way, Izu Seven Islands belongs to Tokyo, not Shizuoka. That means, each islands have another liner to or from Tokyo. If you are adventurous enough, and if you plan to visit Shimoda from Tokyo, the liner by way of any island you are interested in is one of the way ! Find further information from the website of “Tokai Kisen”. Good English website !＾＾

Now, the unknown island was just right there ! I saw a Black Ship passing over the island. The black ship, the tour cruiser in Shimoda Port, is called “Susquehanna”. The tour station is only 15-20 minute walk from Shimoda Station, next to “Kaikoku Shimoda Minato”. For further details, please open here “Izu Cruise”. The timetable is also shown.

Finally, I stood at the gateway to the unknown island. Later I found out its name. “Inubashirijima Island” is that. In front of the passage way were some men who rent the fishing kit with bait. No but to enjoy fishing in this fish-abundant sea !
I strolled on the pathway and talked to a fisherman. “My friend carries on a Japanese Inn and I’ve got to catch some fish for today’s dinner of customers’”. I laughed. He did as well. I knew it would be very difficult to catch fishes in this too hot weather, but in the evening, I was sure, he would.
Walking close to the island, I felt reassured because I accomplished my goal. I had not been expecting something in this island. I just wanted to stand on it. You understand me ? I passed through the tunnel to the other side, and found a white lighthouse with no one around. The sea breeze was lovely and cozy. The view was cool and sweet. I sat beside the lighthouse forgetting the time to pass.

By the way, there seems to be another island called “Karijima” next to this Inubashiri Island by the map I checked later. I had completely missed it and returnd the way I had come. Anyone, please report it to me !＾＾；

Next time, I’ll report the Perry Road.

Good day !＾＾

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾

I got on the Dream Ferry with “Izu Dream Pass”. Maybe I should explain about this ticket more in detail. Please see this PDF. There are 3 types of routes, “Koganeji Route”, “Wasabiji Route” and “Fujimiji Route”. I chose the red course “Koganeji Route” this time. With this ticket, taking Koganeji Route for example, you can take the Dream Ferry, Tokai Bus and Izukyu Line for 3 consecutive days. Though with each ticket, you can take the Dream Ferry only once ( to go or to come back ), you can use Tokai Bus, Izu-Hakone Railway and Izukyu Line as many as you like, as long as you are in the right route. Such a good deal, isn’t it ?

Now, by the crew’s yell, I look out to the sea. What I saw was……Whales ! Two whales were there with their back emerging from the sea ! ! He said it was quite rare we could have seen whales. Pictures ? You can’t blame me for it ! Because it was only a moment or so and too impressive to press the shutter button. Maybe I should be more professional……＾＾；

Anyway, he also said we could sometimes see dolphins and if they were around the ferry, he would announce it to the passengers. Surprising service, isn’t it ?
Now, let me show you in the Dream Ferry.

The picture in the left is the store where I met two friendly ladies. Please feel free to ask them for beers or guidebooks. The picture in the right is the “Ocean Room” that anyone can make use of for ¥500／adults or ¥250／children. The view from here is so magnificent just as the one from the captain room ! No reservation required. Please purchase an admission ticket at the vending machine beside the store.

When I went out again to eat Tako-Yaki, the ferry was almost in Toi Port. Tako-Yaki in Dream Ferry, especially Suruga-Yaki, is very famous and tasty with Sakura Shrimp in it. Please report me when you’ve got a chance to try it.

Toi Port is quite different in circumstances from Shimizu Port, surrounded by mountains. The water is much clearer and many people enjoy fishing. Toi is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Izu area. Toi Onsen hot spring, Toi Goldmine, Toi Swimming Beach, Fishing Park and other tourist spots.

My plan was to visit Koibito Misaki “Lover’s Cape” next. I got off the Dream Ferry and said good-by to it. Very tranquil air. A little bit too hot. I walked up the slope to the Route 136. There, the bus stop ! 10 minutes to go. I’d been taking some pictures from the bus stop until the bus appeared.

Next time, I’ll report about Koibito Misaki.

Enjoy your Summer !





S-Pulse Dream Ferry
Access ： From JR Shimizu Station East Exit,
Free Shuttle Bus is available.