World-Renowned Foodie Takefumi
Hamada Takefumi Hamada is the No. 1 ranked restaurant reviewer for six consecutive years as determined by the OAD (Opinionated About Dining) Top Restaurants, having dined at the best restaurants in the world. He is an advisor to businesses in entertainment, food and hospitality, as well as an investor in food technology. Takefumi has a background in finance, starting his career as an investment banker before moving on to private equity. He holds a B.A. magna cum laude, with distinction in Political Science, from Yale University.
Day 1
From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Mishima Station, a journey of about 40 minutes. It’s also possible to start from Hakone.
The day begins with a good walk. Shizuoka Prefecture is home to the old Tokaido road, which flourished as an important transportation route for 100 years. The cedar-lined, stone-paved section that connects with Hakone is remarkably peaceful. While your personal guide explains the history of the road, try to imagine how life was here back in the Edo era (1603-1868). If the weather allows, Mt. Fuji can be viewed from the remains of a castle.
Eel, a specialty of Mishima, is highly recommended for lunch. After lunch, take a stroll along Genbei River, which is fed by spring water from Mt. Fuji. The abundance of spring water is quite a surprise.
Head to Shuzenji by private vehicle. On the way, if the sky is clear, stop at Izu Panorama Park to enjoy spectacular Mt. Fuji views.
Shuzenji Onsen in Izu is a well-known hot spring destination for many famous writers and artists. Spend the night at Asaba, a long established and prestigious hot spring ryokan that is steeped in tradition. This ryokan is Japan's oldest member of Relais & Chateaux, an association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants with strict admission standards. Gaze from your guestroom window onto the striking garden, which seems to fuse with nature with each new season, and relax to the soothing burble of a nearby river. Savor Japanese cuisine rich in Izu ingredients, soak in hot spring water, and enjoy a true moment of tranquility and peace.
Day 2
If the weather is fine, then a trip across Suruga Bay aboard a Fujisan Suruga Bay Ferry is highly recommended. Mt. Fuji looming over the sea is a must-see for anyone visiting Shizuoka Prefecture.
Some of the fish landed in Suruga Bay, said to be the deepest bay in Japan, goes directly to Sasue Maeda, a fishmonger’s in Yaizu that is known to food connoisseurs around the world. The owner of Sasue Maeda has an excellent eye for fish and a reputation for bringing out the best in the ingredients. There is even a chef who relocated in order to have closer access to Sasue Maeda’s produce. The day’s lunch will be prepared by that very same chef, who opened the French restaurant Chisou Nishi Kenichi in Yaizu. Enjoy the spectacle of the courses being prepared in the open kitchen and relish the delectable tastes of freshly caught fish. This restaurant was chosen on the advice of Takefumi Hamada, who has been ranked No. 1 in the OAD Top Restaurant reviewer rankings each year since 2018.
If time allows, head to the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center after lunch. Designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban, the center resembles an inverted Mt. Fuji. It’s worth stopping by the center to learn more about the nature, history and culture of Mt. Fuji if you’ve been unable to see the mountain due to poor visibility.
There’s nothing quite like travel if you want to experience cultural and natural wonders and, at the same time, enjoy local cuisine.
On this occasion, travel to Shizuoka Prefecture, about one hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train. Not only home to Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture has a wealth of natural beauty, fascinating history and delightful food, and boasts many hot spring ryokans and outstanding restaurants.
Visit Shizuoka, which is close to Hakone but far enough from the crowded tourist centers, and spend time leisurely discovering local cuisine while enjoying stunning views of Mt. Fuji.