Just about an hour from central Tokyo by train, Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture is the perfect destination for a laid-back daytime drinking session away from the city chaos.
Numazu has it all: a spot where you can drink craft beer while watching penguins, and a cozy “SENBERO” bar serving sake from across Japan paired with hearty miso oden. In this article, I’ll share a model course where you arrive around noon, hit two amazing spots, and head home satisfied by evening.
- ✨ Who This Is For
- Quick Overview
- Why Numazu Is Perfect for Daytime Drinking
- Stop 1: Penguins & Craft Beer — “ONE DROP”
- Stop 2: Japanese Sake & Simmered Oden — “Umaimon-ya”
- 📍 Model Timetable (Day Trip from the Tokyo Area)
- If You Have More Time: Visit Awashima Marine Park
- Wrap-Up: The Luxury of Slow Daytime Drinking in Numazu
✨ Who This Is For
- Looking for places to drink from lunchtime in Numazu
- Want to enjoy a casual day trip with a small-travel feel
- Love craft beer or Japanese sake
- Interested in a unique drinking spot where you can see penguins
- Looking for izakayas with senbeuro-style pricing (great drinks for surprisingly little)
- Want to bar-hop at a relaxed pace with a partner, friends, or family
- Ready to escape the city crowds and enjoy some quiet time
Quick Overview
- ~12:00 — Arrive at Numazu Station
- Stop 1 — Penguins & Craft Beer at “ONE DROP”
- Stop 2 — Japanese Sake & Senbeuro at “Umaimon-ya”
- Evening — Head home, or stay overnight and explore the next day
This is the course for adults who want to drink properly from lunchtime, without too much travel, and at a truly relaxed pace.
Why Numazu Is Perfect for Daytime Drinking
- About 1 hour from the Tokyo area — excellent access
- Restaurants and bars neatly clustered around the station and port area
- A laid-back vibe with the sea, mountains, and Mt. Fuji nearby
- Not overpriced like a major tourist spot — lots of great-value options
It hits the sweet spot: “not too far, not too close” — giving you both the ease of a day trip and the feeling of a little getaway.
Stop 1: Penguins & Craft Beer — “ONE DROP”
Getting There & The Vibe
About a 3-minute walk from Numazu Station’s South Exit. Cross the signal in front of the station and head into Nakamise-dori Shopping Street. You’ll pass the “Kinnikuman Museum” along the way. The spot you’re looking for is just before it — a round, softly glowing blue sign for 📍ONE DROP.
- Craft beer signage out front makes it easy to spot
- Semi-basement entrance — walk down a short flight of steps
- Inside: rows of craft beer taps line the back of the counter
- Surprisingly bright and welcoming for a basement — easy to walk in even for first-timers
The Star Attraction: Cape Penguins from a Local Aquarium
Head deeper into the shop and you’ll find a glass tank with 4 Cape Penguins inside. These penguins come from the local aquarium “Awashima Marine Park,” and their care is handled daily by the aquarium’s own staff.
- Daily feeding, health checks, and tank cleaning are all taken care of
- Remarkably odor-free — the enclosure is impressively well-maintained
- Some swim solo, some splash around in a group — spotting their different personalities is half the fun
I’ve visited plenty of penguin enclosures with my aquarium-loving son, and I went in wondering “Is it really okay to have penguins in a restaurant?” — I was pleasantly surprised. They’re clean, healthy, and clearly thriving.
Food: The Deep-Sea Fish & Chips Are a Must
The dish you absolutely have to try at ONE DROP is the Fish & Chips made with deep-sea fish.
- A uniquely Numazu dish you can only get here
- Crispy batter on the outside, soft and fluffy inside
- The homemade tartar sauce is delicious and pairs perfectly with beer
There’s also a kids’ lunch on the menu, making it a solid choice for family outings too.
Craft Beer: Fun to Choose, Easy to Enjoy
The craft beer lineup changes by the day, but you can usually expect fruity easy-drinking styles, hop-forward options, and dessert-like smooth choices.
On this visit, I had a Pale Ale, a Lager, and a Hazy — three pints in total 🍻 I had just run 10km from Kaganu-yama through Numazu Port and back to the station, so every sip tasted even better than usual!
One standout is the craft beer made with locally grown mikan (tangerines). The refreshing citrus note is perfect for a midday drink.
⚠️ One Important Thing to Check Before You Go: Penguin Rest Hours
The penguins are not visible at all times. They have scheduled rest periods during the day when the tank area is closed. On the Sunday I visited, rest time was from 15:00 onwards. Mondays are closed entirely.
Don’t be the person who shows up just to see the penguins and misses them — always check the latest schedule on their official site or SNS before you go.
Stop 2: Japanese Sake & Simmered Oden — “Umaimon-ya”
Getting There & The Vibe
Leave ONE DROP and stroll down Nakamise-dori Shopping Street toward Numazu Port. Cross one traffic light, keep walking, and you’ll spot the charming retro “Tsuji Photo Studio” on your left. Right across from it is 📍Umaimon-ya, a hidden gem serving Japanese sake from all over the country alongside traditional obanzai.
- Run by a lovely couple — warm and welcoming
- Both owners have a gentle, approachable manner — even shy people will feel at ease
- The vibe gives you that “ahhh, I can finally relax” feeling — the perfect wrap-up to a daytime bar hop
Cute Little Cups from All Over Japan
The counter is lined with one-cup sake from all across the country. Tons of charming local designs — just picking one is half the fun. Finished cups can be taken home as souvenirs or collectibles. Tell them “something light to start” or “less acidity please” and the owner will find the right one for you — great even for sake beginners.
The Must-Try: Deeply Simmered Miso Oden & Obanzai
The food menu changes daily, but my absolute favorite is the deeply simmered miso oden — a rich, dark-brown treasure. The look is intense, but it’s not salty — it’s pure, concentrated umami. The daikon is roughly twice the size of what you’d get at a convenience store, starting at around 100 yen per piece — outstanding value.
It’s clearly a popular item — when I arrived around 3pm, I was told “we’ve only got one of each left.” I barely made it. If you’ve got your eye on it, aim to arrive a little earlier to be safe.
SENBERO-Friendly Pricing
What makes Umaimon-ya truly special is how affordable everything is. A few pieces of oden or obanzai plus one or two one-cup sakes — that’s all it takes to get a pleasant buzz at true SENBERO prices. The perfect daytime drinking spot.
Seats are limited, so a reservation is safer if you want to guarantee a spot — though I’ve walked in without a reservation and gotten seated most times. ⚠️ One heads-up: the restroom is outside the shop, which can be inconvenient on rainy or cold days.
📍 Model Timetable (Day Trip from the Tokyo Area)
- 10:00 — Depart from the Tokyo area
- 11:30–12:00 — Arrive at Numazu Station
- 12:00–14:00 — ONE DROP: craft beer, lunch & penguins
- 14:30–17:00 — Umaimon-ya: Japanese sake, oden & obanzai
- 17:30–18:00 — Depart Numazu → back home by evening
“Drink properly from lunchtime, and still be in your own bed that night.” The perfect greedy-adult day trip.
If You Have More Time: Visit Awashima Marine Park
If you can swing an overnight stay, exploring the next day is highly recommended. Awashima Marine Park — the home base of the very penguins you met at ONE DROP — is something special. The entire uninhabited island of “Awashima” in Suruga Bay is one big aquarium.
- A short 3-minute boat ride from the mainland — the adventure starts the moment you board
- Japan’s largest-class “Frog Hall”
- Dolphin and sea lion shows (the up-close sea lion show is a fan favorite)
- A walking path around the island with stunning views of Mt. Fuji on clear days
Hotel prices in the area have been more reasonable lately, so a “Day 1: daytime drinking, Day 2: aquarium and nature” two-day trip is a seriously good option. ※ Hours and admission fees are subject to change — always check the official site for the latest info.
Wrap-Up: The Luxury of Slow Daytime Drinking in Numazu
- Numazu is just under an hour from Tokyo — the perfect distance for daytime drinking
- Stop 1, ONE DROP: craft beer and deep-sea fish & chips, with penguin company
- Stop 2, Umaimon-ya: sake from all over Japan and deeply simmered miso oden — a true senbeuro experience
- A day trip is more than enough — but if you can stay overnight, Awashima Marine Park is waiting
Step away from the city crowds, find a spot with drinks you actually care about, and take your time over a midday glass. Why not make Numazu’s daytime drinking course your next day off?
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