🌊 A day trip to Shimoda — exploring Shirahama Shrine, the marine aquarium, and local gourmet all in one go.
⛩️ First Stop: Power Up at Shirahama Shrine
Our first destination was 📍Shirahama Shrine, considered one of the oldest shrines in Izu.
A sacred place that has been revered for centuries.
💡 What is a SHINTO SHRINE?
SHINTO is Japan’s indigenous religion, and shrines are places where deities are enshrined. When visiting, you pass through a TORII GATE, cleansing your mind while sensing nature and sacred energy — a practice deeply woven into Japanese daily life.
💕 Love and Matchmaking Blessings
The shrine is dedicated to Ikonahi-hime-no-mikoto and Mishima Daimyojin, and is said to bring blessings for good relationships and love.
💡 At Japanese shrines, each one offers different “GORIYAKU” — blessings or divine favors from the deity. Shirahama Shrine is known for matchmaking and love, making it a popular destination for couples and groups of women.
🌊 Sacred Atmosphere at One with the Sea
The white sandy beach spreads right beside the shrine. And a vivid red TORII GATE standing atop the rocks… This scenery is truly breathtaking, valued as a place for purification and refreshment.
📸 A Stunning Photo Spot
The TORII GATE standing by the sea is incredibly photogenic ◎ The contrast of blue sky, blue sea, and red TORII is absolutely stunning — you will never get tired of shooting here! It was a serene, refreshing place that made my heart feel light ✨
🐬 Shimoda Marine Aquarium | We Brought Our Cats!
From Shirahama Shrine, we headed toward Shimoda Port to visit 📍Shimoda Marine Aquarium 🐠
Pets are welcome here — as long as they are in a carrier or held in your arms! There is even a space inside where pets can roam, making it a paradise for animal lovers ✨
We brought our two cats in our arms and went to say hello to the seals and penguins 🐈⬛🐈⬛ lol The cats stared with such curious expressions — their reactions were just the cutest 😂💕
At the entrance, staff will take a commemorative photo of you with your pet 📸 Such a wonderful service for pet owners!! The dolphin show takes place on the open sea 🐬 — the dynamic jumps were incredibly powerful! Parking is free, so getting there by car is totally stress-free ◎
💡 Access Info
Shimoda is accessible from Tokyo by the limited express “Odoriko” train in about 2.5 hours. Located at the tip of the Izu Peninsula, Shimoda is a historically significant port town opened to foreign trade through the Convention of Kanagawa at the end of the Edo Period.
🍔 Shimoda Port Gourmet | Savoring Local Flavors
Our last stop was Shimoda Port. Soaking in the harbor atmosphere, it was finally time for lunch 🍽️ 📍The Shimoda Burger features KINMEDAI braised in the traditional Japanese style, then fried and finished with a sweet soy sauce — a truly local burger.
💡 What is KINMEDAI?
Known in English as “Splendid Alfonsino,” this deep-sea fish is characterized by its vivid red color. A premium fish representing Izu and Shimoda, prized for its rich, delicate flavor. NITSUKE preparation brings out its umami to the fullest.
💡 What is NITSUKE?
A traditional Japanese dish where fish is slowly simmered in soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. The sweet and savory seasoning pairs perfectly with the umami of the fish.
The crispy fried fish with sweet soy sauce was hearty and satisfying — an absolute must-eat in Shimoda! Enjoying the freshest seafood straight from the source is the true joy of a harbor town 🐟✨
✨ Wrap-Up
Shimoda is the perfect place for a day trip — shrines, aquarium, and gourmet all within easy reach! There are also plenty of stylish cafes, so next time I would love to do a cafe crawl ☕ It is definitely a place I want to visit again ✨
#Shimoda #ShirahamaShrine #Shizuoka #JapanTravel #DayTrip #PetFriendly #Aquarium
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