"Anime"- A word used in English to refer to Japanese animation that is used by fans all around the world.

There is a city that is gaining a lot of attention recently because of a certain "anime."

The city is, "Numazu."

"Numazu" is a city located in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture. It is a renowned fishing port where you can enjoy fresh and unique seafood, as it faces Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan.

Numazu City instantly become famous in the summer of 2016 when an anime called "Love Live! Sunshine!!" was premiered on TV. The anime is about a school idol group, "Aqours" that tries to become save the school from closing. 

Let me now show you must-go places at "Numazu Port" so you can enjoy this little gem in Shizuoka Prefecture. 

The best thing about Numazu Port is fresh seafood. Although there are about 70 stores that offers seafood at the port, we all know that you need to start with sushi. 

"Ikeikemaru" is a conveyor belt sushi store that serves the freshest seafood at a reasonable price. It has been serving the highest quality seafood in Numazu for over 80 years. 

"Tencho Ichioshi Gokan Nigiri" (The manager's top 5 sushi) ¥710 (does not include tax)

One of the best sets you can have at "Ikeikemaru" is this "Tencho Ichioshi Gokan Nigiri."

It includes five pieces of sushi that reflects the seasons' best.

Savor the sweet taste of raw sakura shrimp, refreshing and slight bitter taste of raw shirasu, and seasonal local fishes. It is a set with a great deal that offers the treasures Suruga Bay offers. 

Not a fan of raw seafood or sushi? Try this aji furai (fried horse mackerel).

Aji furai is a favorite snack of Shizuokans along with "kurohanpen furai," which is made by frying black hanpen made with small fishes like sardines. 

This comfort food can be seen at most stores at Numazu Port. 

The crispy crust, the fresh horse mackerel, and huge size that looks as though it's swimming on the plate makes this snack special. 

Pour Japanese style "soosu" (sauce) and have a bite.

One bite into the crispy crust, and the flavor of the moist horse mackerel spreads into your mouth.

There is a great view of  the ocean and the "Water Gate and Observatory of Numazu Port, Byuo." It's great to have a peaceful place to just relax and enjoy the view.

It's fun to look around other stores at the port that sell local goodies, like green tea ice cream and shrimp crackers. 

There are panels and posters of "Love Live! Sunshine!!" all around the port. There are a lot of fans who will come here just to visit the "holy land" of the anime. 

Come and stop by Numazu during your next visit to Shizuoka!

Enjoy the treasures Suruga Bay provides, the serene and blue ocean, and local dishes.

Ikeikemaru

Business Hours: 11:00-22:00

No holidays

Website: http://www.asadore-ikeikemaru.com/index.html

Numazu Port

Website: http://numazuminato.com

～Enjoy interacting with adorable squirrels at this “zoo that revives your soul”～

Tokyo – Japan’s capital and a world-class metropolitan city.

In the west of Tokyo, Machida City, you will find “Machida Squirrel Garden,” a tiny zoo surrounded by beautiful nature.

“Machida Squirrel Garden” welcomes its 28th year this year and has been loved by the local people for many years.

It is known for being a “zoo that revives your soul” where you can interact with about 200 squirrels running freely, as well as other small animals including rabbits and guinea pigs.

The zoo was born in 1988 when there were not many places for disabled people to work. The city responded to parents strong requests to “create a place where disabled children can work” and began the project. The squirrels that were at the “Squirrel Garden” in Izu Oshima were moved, and “Machida Squirrel Garden” was born. Today, about 21 staff with disabilities work at the zoo.

The staff’s responsibilities vary, such as cleaning before the zoo opens, packaging the food to sell and selling it, and punching the tickets. The job of opening and closing the door that leads to the squirrel area is especially important. The Taiwanese squirrels are invasive alien species, and if one of them runs away, it must be caught as it could harm the ecosystem.

The great teamwork and the cheerfulness of the staff of the Machida Squirrel Garden may be one of the reasons why Machida Squirrel Garden has been a “healing trove” to many people.

Let me now introduce you to the lovely animals of the zoo.

A small squirrel zoo! “Squirrel Garden”

At the “squirrel garden,” you can interact with 200 squirrels running around freely and feed them. Don’t forget to wear gloves the staff will give you when you purchase food for the squirrels, as the squirrels have long nails and may jump on you. After purchasing the squirrels favorite food, sunflower seeds (¥100), it’s time to go on a little adventure.

The area with a circumference of 200m is filled with colorful houses the local children made and it’s as though you wandered into a fairy tail-like world.

As I went up the stairs with seeds in my hand, a squirrel came up to me.

The squirrel seen up close is adorable and makes me want to give more. 

Many squirrels started gathering when I was staring at the cute squirrel.

Some squirrels even will jump on you. If you have young children, be careful so they are not scratched or bit by the squirrels. 

Junko, an African spurred tortoise is walking around happily in the area. Junko is thought to be 18 years old. You will have a lot of fun looking Junko walking around freely with her marvelous hands and feet. 

A space where you can meet small animals including rabbits and guinea pigs! “Guinea Pig Area”

You can feet cute guinea pigs at the “Guinea Pig Area.” The guinea pigs cuddle with each other like family and will make you shout, “Too cute!”

They are more vocal than the squirrels.

After you purchase food including lettuce and carrots, it’s time to feed the guinea pigs. When I fed one, many other guinea pigs started to come around the area. 

There are rabbits and turtles in the space next to the guinea pigs. 

You can purchase cookies and other souvenirs including stuffed animals at the gift shop. 

“Machida Squirrel Garden” is a lovely zoo surrounded by the abundant nature including Mt. Nanakuni that will revive your soul just by walking around it. 

The zoo that is created by nature, animals, and staff will lift up your spirits. Please come and visit Machida Squirrel Garden for your next holiday. 

Machida Squirrel Garden

Opening Hours:

Weekdays, Sundays, Holidays 10：00-16：00

(April – September Only on Sundays and holidays 10：00-17：00)

※Ticket sales will finish 30 minutes before the closing time

Closed days:

Every Tuesdays (Opened in the case it’s a holiday. The following day will be closed)

June, September, December/Tuesday-Friday of the first week of the month (zoo maintenance)

12/27-1/2 (Closed during the end and the beginning of the year)

Entrance fee:

Children (From 3 years old until Elementary School age)・・・・¥200

Adults (From Jr. High School Students) ・・・・・・・¥400

※Group discounts are available 

~Tsukiji is the one and only place where you can encounter seasonal foods.~

Do you know the movie called “Tsukiji Wonderland” that created the opportunity to introduce Tsukiji.

This movie is a documentary that closely interviewed Tsukiji for a long period for about a year, with the full cooperation of the Tsukiji Market. Many places overseas have already decided to release this movie. Although I would, of course, would like you to watch the movie, Tsukiji Market is also a place perfect to enjoy by visiting in person. Tsukiji offers various ways of enjoying the market. You can dive deep into the market or just peek into it. Today, let’s stroll through the market by taking just a peek.

First, let’s look at how to get here. You will arrive at the market in about 20 minutes by using the subway called the Toei Oedo Line from the Shinjuku Station. You will get off at “Tsukiji Station” using the A1 exit.  

Tsukiji Market is divided into two main facilities, the Outer and the Inner Market. The Outer Market is an area the public can shop and enjoy meals. The Inner Market is where bidding and wholesalers are conducted and where wholesalers sell seafood from the ocean to intermediate wholesalers. As a general rule, only registered contractors are allowed to use the facility. The existence of intermediate wholesalers is unique to Japan. 

Intermediate wholesalers are those who risk their lives to choose the best fish. Professional chefs build trust by connecting with intermediate wholesalers and can get a hold of quality ingredients. You can observe part of the Inner Market after 10 A.M. 

 I came across a mini car of a turret truck at the Outer Market and bought one for myself.

After leaving the Inner Market where cameras are not allowed in most places, I headed to the Outer Market after visiting the “Sui Shrine.” The Sui Shrine is a god created at the riverside fish market during the beginning of the Edo Era. It is always kept clean by the people of the market and is a restful place where you can also admire seasonal flowers.  

When you arrive at the Outer Market, you will see that each store has a crowd even when it is too early for lunch. I plowed through the crowd and began by eating a tamagoyaki (a sweet Japanese omelet) and started strolling the area. 

A freshly made tamagoyaki is slightly sweet and warm. It is easy for anyone to eat it, as it is sold stabbed in a skewer. 

You can buy products from all over Japan such as raw seafood, dried goods, pickles, seasoning, vegetables, and fruits. Although the Outer Market is a place with a vibrant atmosphere that is different from the Inner Market, I recommend trusting your intuition when choosing where to eat lunch.

I ordered a kaisen don (seafood on rice) and a negitoro ikura don (minced raw tuna and salmon roe on rice) at a store that invited me to dine as I passed by. The store provides an English menu and spoons and forks for people who can’t use chopsticks and is the embodiment of thoughtful Japanese service.

Although I still wanted to savor different Japanese treats, I was already full. I left the Tsukiji Market after visiting Namiyoke Inari Shrine at the Outer Market. 

The Tsukiji Market is also called the sacred ground of Japanese food. It has been decided that the market will shortly relocate from Tsukiji to another place. The market’s commitment to protect Japanese food will continue to be inherited even after the relocation. The facility, “the TsukijiUogashi” will continue to remain at the Tsukiji Market even after the relocation. 

The Tsukiji Market that makes one want to visit over and over again is a true wonderland and a place worthy to encounter the essence of Japan. To know a year at the Tsukiji Market is to know Japanese food. Spring is the season shellfish is delicious, as you enjoy Japanese egg cockle sushi and white fish tempura. In the summer, you treat yourself with daggertooth pike conger with shredded dried plum in which the bones are carefully treated and sweetfish cooked with charcoal fire. By the time you hear the sounds of fall, saury welcomes its peak season. During the winter when the cold seems to chill your bones, you savor sashimi of thinly sliced blowfish and black-throat seaperch. Abundant seasonal seafood come along the market throughout the year. Why don’t you try visiting this place this season? 

Opening year: 1953 Surface area: 230,836㎡ Number of workers per day: 14,000 Number of people who visit for shopping: 28,000 Transaction volume: Approximately 1600 tons Building: A western Bauhaus design is adopted for the style for the windows and the roof.