Fishermen Inns With Delicious Sea Food! Three Top Choices ~Nishiizu~

Seafood straight from the fishing boat!

The first such inn we’ll be introducing is “The Gyoka Inn Yamatomaru,” in Ugusu, Nishiizu-machi. Gyoka is the Japanese word for fires lit on boats that are meant to attract fish at night. 

Coming by car from Tokyo, you’ll find it after you exit the Tomei Expressway Numazu IC, travel through Mishima and Doi, and enter one road from the National Highway 136. Not many vehicles pass by here, so the inn almost gives the impression of a hideout. 

The owner of said inn is an active fisherman, and he lets you have a taste of the freshest fish he just caught. What you see in the picture is an assortment of sashimi, with a single, whole red snapper nearly falling out of the wooden boat-style dish. The shiny eyes of the red snapper are signs of its freshness. Only at a fisherman-owned inn can you have as much fresh, delicious sashimi as you want! 

After you’ve become full with such delicious food, why not take a break and go in the onsen? There are two types of bathes at the inn, and both are onsen that are good for the skin. Although you don’t have a view from the bath, you can have private use of the bath whenever it’s free. Behind the inn is Ugusu beach, so in the summer time you can go straight to the beach in your bathing suit and explore the seaside. 

[Onsen Data] Spring Quality: Calcium-Sulfate hot spring (hypotonic-alkaline hot spring) pH: 9.2 Spring Temperature: 40.5 Degrees Celsius  Non-guest Use: Not allowed

A man’s cooking made by captain of the fishing boat “Takimaru”

Next on our list is “Fukai,” an inn in front of Norihama Beach, about 10 minutes south on route 136 from our previous inn. 

This inn, also run by an active fisherman, is notable for the meals prepared by the captain himself, and pictured is their assorted sashimi. This is only one small part of the cooking, and they have everything from live spiny lobster to boiled fish that’s flavored to be not too sweet and not too spicy; all of which is prepared by the captain himself.

You are served reliable fish handpicked by fishermen, like this snapper that’s sweet and moist. You’re guaranteed a blissful moment with this delicious fish. 


The amazing emerald blue view 

Pictured is the view from a guest room at “Fukai.” As stated above, Nohama Beach is right in front, and it becomes a popular spot for beachgoers in the summer. 

Visible on the left are islands like Kameiwa and Jajiima, which surround the swimming area and act as a natural barrier to waves, keeping the waves within the area peaceful all year long. 

The hilly coastline, which is also a national park, is so beautiful that there are boats you can take to view it. You’ll be sure to make great memories exploring and playing on a beach with such beautiful nature surrounding you. 

Although this inn only has 4 guest rooms, each one is equipped with a half-outdoor bath, allowing you to gaze out at such a view as you bathe. Nishiizu, where the inn is located, is called the “Town of the Setting Sun.” Seeing the beautiful orange colored sunset as you bathe is especially excellent! The baths located in the rooms aren’t hot springs, but their public bath is. If it’s not in use, you are able to use it privately, and at night you can gaze at the glistening stars as you bathe in the outdoor bath. 

[Onsen Data] Spring Quality: Calcium-Sodium-Sulfate hot spring (hypotonic-alkaline high-temperature spring) pH: 8.8 Spring Temperature: 52.4 Degrees Celsius  Non-Guest Use: Not allowed

Fresh fish and warm dishes only found in the countryside!

Heading further south down Route 136 towards Matsuzaki, you find our next destination in the Kumomi region: “the Cute Inn Kumomien.” It is next to Kumomiobashi, which found right as you enter the Kumomi region. 

Although this inn isn’t operated by a fisherman, you can enjoy seafood directly from the sea, caught by the grandfather in their family boat. Pictured is the flounder sashimi. The picture shows only a limited selection of the food, and they let you enjoy the seafood as much as you want, from spiny lobster and abalone sashimi to fried scorpion fish. The vegetables used in the dishes are home grown by the grandmother, and these fresh vegetables combined with their homemade picked veggies give a very homely taste, making you feel like you’re truly enjoying all of the nature the area has to offer.  

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to get a taste of some of their more unusual ingredients, like kamenote (Japanese goose barnacle), which is related to shrimp and crabs and said to be a delicacy. 

Available 24 hours! Take a leisurely bath in the onsen 

The bathes at this inn are 100% natural free-flowing hot springs. It is a bit on the salty side, but seeps deep into your skin, leaving it feeling nice and smooth.  

Opening the door beyond the indoor baths separated by gender, you will find this outdoor bath. The outdoor bath is a bit unusual, being for both men and women. Those who are uncomfortable with that arrangement though, can take advantage of their “women-only time” as well. The inn has another private outdoor bath located on high ground, letting you enjoy a bath with an excellent open view of the sea. 



After you’ve heated up your body in the onsen, it might be nice to cool off at the beach right near the inn. 

Kumomi Beach is the beach that declared itself the “town with the prettiest view of Mt. Fuji.” On a clear day, you can get a view of Japan’s tallest mountain Mt. Fuji, as well as the two rocks known as “Usuzuki Iwa” floating in the sea. 

This inn only has 5 guest rooms, and is just as little and cute as its name suggests. It’s perfect for those who want to get away from the busy life of the city and enjoy a nice quiet time. 

[Onsen Data] Spring Quality: Calcium-Sodium Chloride hot spring (hypertonic, neutral, high-temperature spring) pH: 7.4 Spring Temperature: 50.6 Degrees Celsius  Non-Guest Use: Not Allowed