1
Miyoshi Sushi

Located in front of Ito Station, this sushi restaurant is perfect for a bite to eat before heading out for sightseeing. The small, family-run restaurant has a homey atmosphere where the chef will readily strike up a conversation, making it easy for even a woman traveling alone to drop by. Ito is known for its delicious local fish, and "Miyoshi Sushi" is at the top of that list. The sushi, made mainly with carefully selected seasonal local fish, is so delicious that it impresses even the discerning locals. With the "Nigiri Sushi" lunch, you can enjoy sushi made with fresh local fish caught that day for a reasonable price of 1,080 yen. It gets crowded with locals and tourists at lunchtime, so it is recommended to visit early.

Local
Supporter

You can taste rare fish and delicacies that can only be found locally. I was impressed not only by the sushi, but also by the small side dishes and the clear soup!

Miyoshi Sushi

• 1-16-15 Yukawa, Ito City, Shizuoka PrefectureMAP
• 1-minute walk from JR Ito Station
• 12:00–20:30 (L.O. 20:00)
• Thursdays
• 0557-37-4487

2
Matsukawa Promenade

The Matsukawa River flows through the center of Ito City. The "Matsukawa Promenade" extends along the left bank from the foot of Nagisa Bridge at the river mouth toward the upper reaches. The riverside path continues for about 1.5 km from Nagisa Bridge to Oka Bridge near Otonashi Shrine, which is known as the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo and Princess Yaehime met.
As you walk along the stone pavement, rows of willow trees appear, followed by rows of cherry trees, creating a very atmospheric scene. You can also see flocks of ducks and carp swimming gracefully on the river surface. In spring, the riverside is dyed pink with Higan cherry trees and Somei Yoshino cherry trees, making it very gorgeous. In summer, the cool scenery of willows swaying in the wind makes your heart feel light. Also, at night, the Tokaikan is lit up (for a limited time), and the scenery, which drifts with the romantic atmosphere of a hot spring town, creates different scenes for each of the four seasons, both day and night.

Local
Supporter

It is close to Ito Station, and you can enjoy making various discoveries while taking a leisurely stroll.

Matsukawa Promenade

• Along the Matsukawa River, Ito City, Shizuoka PrefectureMAP
• Approx. 5 minutes on foot from JR Ito Station
• 0557-37-6105 (Ito Tourism Association)

3
Otonashi Shrine

Near Oka Bridge, the final point of the Matsukawa Promenade, lies Otonashi Shrine, which enshrines Toyotamahime-no-Mikoto, a deity of safe childbirth and matchmaking. It is said to be the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo and Princess Yaehime met, and many women visit to pray for the fulfillment of their love, inspired by this Heian-period romance.
Additionally, this shrine has a long-standing custom of offering bottomless ladles to pray for safe childbirth, and the number of ladles displayed in the main hall shows how widely it is revered. The giant chinquapin and tabu trees in the precincts, which are over 1,000 years old and designated as city natural monuments, are also a sight to behold.
Furthermore, every year on November 10th, the annual festival known as the "Shiritsumi Matsuri" (Bottom-Pressing Festival), called a "bizarre festival of the world," is held, with a bottom-wrestling tournament and traditional performing arts livening up the event.

Local
Supporter

Within the shrine grounds, there are illustrated panels explaining the meeting between Minamoto no Yoritomo and Princess Yaehime, allowing you to learn the details of their story.

Otonashi Shrine

• 1-12 Otonashi-cho, Ito City, Shizuoka PrefectureMAP
• Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Ito Station
• Free
• 0557-36-2700
• None

4
Kuzumi Shrine

Kuzumi Shrine is located right in front of Ito City Hall. It is an ancient shrine that has gathered faith as the guardian deity of the Ito clan, a powerful family in Ito City, and is listed in the register of shrines from the Heian period. Standing out in the lush, tree-filled precincts is the "Great Camphor Tree," which is designated as a national natural monument. It is a giant tree said to be over a thousand years old, and its majestic appearance is truly worthy of being called a "sacred tree." In front of the giant tree, walk around it with a quiet heart. As you gaze at the sacred tree from various angles, you will feel as if the power of the Great Camphor Tree is filling your body. Also, pay attention to the chozuya (water pavilion) at the entrance of the shrine. The round concrete pillars supporting the roof were made using a torii gate that collapsed during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 (Taisho 12). You can catch a glimpse of the history associated with the shrine even in such places.

Local
Supporter

The trunk of the large camphor tree is covered in moss and has some hollow parts, but you can truly feel the breath of life!

Kuzumi Shrine

• 1-16-40 Babacho, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Ito Station
• Free
• 0557-37-1050
• None

5
Anjin Memorial Park

At the mouth of the Matsukawa River, which flows through the center of Ito city into Sagami Bay, an open landscape overlooking the vast ocean unfolds. Located in one corner is Anjin Memorial Park. It was built to commemorate the fact that Miura Anjin (English name William Adams), a British diplomatic advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu, built Japan's first Western-style sailing ship here in Ito. The park features a bust of Miura Anjin by Kenji Shigeoka, a leading Japanese sculptor from the local area, as well as a monument to the San Buena Ventura, the ship Anjin built, making it a place where visitors can enjoy art. While learning about his achievements, you can gaze out at the same ocean scenery that has remained unchanged for 400 years beyond the statues and reflect on the era in which Anjin lived.
Across the Matsukawa River from Anjin Memorial Park is Nagisa Park, which also features scattered works by Shigeoka. The scenery, which offers a panoramic view of the Boso and Miura Peninsulas, combined with the sculptures, creates a unique landscape.

Local
Supporter

There is also a bronze statue of the San Buena Ventura, which is the origin of the name for the post-bath lounge at Kai Anjin, making it a recommended spot for a commemorative photo.

Anjin Memorial Park

• 6 Nagisa-cho, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 15-minute walk from JR Ito Station
• 0557-36-0111 (Ito City Tourism Division)

6
Tourist and Cultural Facility Tokaikan

Walking from Anjin Memorial Park along the Matsukawa promenade, you will see the Tokaikan, a tourist and cultural facility, appearing through the willow trees. It is a hot spring inn that opened in 1928 (Showa 3), and its classical building is eye-catching. After closing in 1997 (Heisei 9), it was donated to Ito City and opened to the public as a tourist facility where visitors can admire the precious wooden architectural beauty of the Showa era. Because the founder was a lumber merchant, high-quality woods such as cypress, ebony, and rosewood were used generously throughout the building, and intricate craftsmanship, where artisans competed to show off their skills, can be seen everywhere. The design allows you to truly appreciate the high level of craftsmanship of that time.

A large public bath where you can enjoy the hot spring atmosphere of the Showa era

The original large public bath from that time still exists inside the building. It is open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, allowing visitors to enjoy a bath while feeling the atmosphere of a high-class inn that symbolized Ito in the Showa era. The fully tiled bathhouse has a nostalgic atmosphere. The water, which pours from the mouth of a carved Chinese lion, comes from a private source. The gentle, alkaline simple spring water will soothe your body.

Local
Supporter

Experiencing the baths of a long-established inn that represents the Ito of the Showa era would also make for a wonderful travel memory.

Sightseeing and Cultural Facility Tokaikan

• 12-10 Higashimatsubara, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 7-minute walk from JR Ito Station
• 9:00–21:00
  Bathing is available only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 11:00 to 19:00
• Third Tuesday (open if it falls on a holiday, closed the following day), January 1st
• Admission: Adults 200 yen, Children (elementary to junior high school students) 100 yen
  Bathing fee: Adults 500 yen, Elementary school students and younger 300 yen
• 0557-36-2004
• None
• From mid-September to late December 2024, construction will be carried out on the outer walls (north and west sides) of Tokaikan. During the construction period, scaffolding will be set up on the city road (Higashimatsubara-cho Line 4), so you will not be able to see the exterior of the building.

7
Izu Gelateria Capri

A gelateria located at a corner of the scramble intersection on Kinema-dori, just a short bike ride from Tokaikan. The gelato, which is carefully prepared by hand from scratch, features around seven varieties at any given time, with a focus on the flavors of ingredients like fruit and milk. In addition to year-round staples like milk, chocolate, and fresh caramel, seasonal flavors using fresh ingredients are introduced one after another. The rich yet refreshing taste and smooth texture are truly exquisite. Both cups and cones are available, so you can enjoy your gelato while taking a break on the bench in front of the shop, or while continuing your stroll.

Local
Supporter

They all look delicious, making it hard to choose, but I recommend the farm milk. You can taste the flavor of fresh, pasteurized milk!

Izu Gelateria Capri

• 1-20 Matsukawa-cho, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 7-minute walk from JR Ito Station
• Weekdays 12:00–18:00
  Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00–18:00
  *Hours may change during summer or for events
• Tuesdays, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
• 0557-38-7230