Ito Shopping Arcade
Buy locally produced groceries and get a taste of nostalgia for 1950s and 60s Japan in Ito’s shopping arcade
A 3-minute walk from the Ito station stands the Yu no Hana (lit. Hot-Spring Flower) Shotengai. Shotengai or shopping arcade – a group of neighboring streets packed with small shops and restaurants, sometimes covered by an overarching glass roof – is an important element of Japanese commercial culture
Nagaya Supermarket
Nagaya Supermarket has been around since 1948, and has been providing Ito locals and visitors with seasonal produce, fresh vegetables and citrus fruits grown locally by Ito farmers, fresh fish and other seafood collected directly from Ito Bay, and a wide variety of homemade bread, foods, and snacks made directly in-store.
In addition to providing great produce, Nagaya Supermarket is actively involved in local events, and proactively contributes towards the betterment of the environment.
Address: Kameda Branch
2-118-1 Minami Cho, Ito city, Shizuoka Prefecture, 414-0044
Phone: 0557-37-6529
Nukumoru – Ito Brand Shop
A Showcase Shop for Ito Brands
A brief five minutes from Ito Station to its location on Kinema Street, Nukumoru is run by Ito locals and acts as a loudseaker for Ito and it’s abundant produce. The store houses between 30 and 40 brands from the Ito no Ii Mono (The good things of Ito) Series. This selection highlights the edible treats and drinks produced in Ito’s enviable location between the mountains and the sea.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Closed on Wednesdays.
414-0011 Ito City, Matsukawacho, 4-16
Amanokoya Kaijotei (Seafood restaurant)
Dine where the locals dine at this amazing oceanside eatery
Budget: Lunch 1,000~2,000 yen Dinner 2,000~3,000 yen
There’s no way you can come to Ito and not try the seafood. At Amanokoya Kaijotei, you can enjoy the freshest seafood in Ito with a great view of the ocean.
If you’re looking for a break from sushi, Kaijotei boasts a wide variety of dishes for you to choose from, including seafood bowls (raw fish or other seafood over rice), sashimi plates, extensive lunch sets, and more. You can also enjoy a popular Japanese dinner staple with a twist, and treat yourself to Kaijotei’s wide array of luxurious miso soups.
1004 Kawana, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0044, Japan
www.izu-amaya.co.jp
+81 557-45-1780
Banban Shokudo
For fresh seafood at resaonable prices, you can’t go wrong with Banban Shokudo!
Located in Marine Town just minutes from downtown Ito, Banban Shokudo is a seafood restaurant associated with Izuchu, a shop that specializes in seafood delicacies, with himono, or dried fish, which is their main offering. The Ito region is known for its delicious himono – even those who are not too excited by the idea of eating dried fish may be convinced after hearing about its health benefits. Himono is extremely rich in protein and vitamins – more than double the amount found in average fish dishes! It is also a great source of calcium, potassium, EPA, and DHA.
Hours: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Address: Ito Marine Town 2F, 571-19 Yukawa, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 414-0002
Phone: 0557-37-0777
Cafe SORA
Budget: Lunch 1,000~2,000 yen
Situated a 10-minute walk from Jogasaki Kaigan Station is Cafe SORA, a cafe with a chic, artsy interior that specializes in macrobiotic vegan and natural food using local ingredients. Nestled among trees in a small, cozy building, Cafe SORA is a great place to experience vegan cuisine with a Japanese twist that is both delicious and healthy. Uniquely Japanese offerings on the menu include a tofu steak sandwich, fried veggie meat, and vegetarian taco rice, an Okinawan dish inspired by Mexican cuisine. For dessert, don’t miss the vanilla soy ice cream and green tea soy pudding.
908-69 Futo, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 413-0231, Japan
izu-cafesora.com
+81 557-51-7870
Café Tati
A taste of Ito with a European twist
Budget: 1,000 yen for lunch plate. 700 yen~ for coffee / cake
As most of Ito’s attractions lie in its natural outdoor beauty, you may find yourself wondering how to spend the time when the rain clouds roll through. Luckily, Café Tati has the answer. While away the hours in the wooden interior and comfortable atmosphere of one of Ito’s best kept secret cafés. Open 11:30-18:30, drop by for an early lunch, an afternoon coffee or a late afternoon drink.
2-6 Nagisacho, Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture 414-0023, Japan
http://cafetati.sakura.ne.jp/
0557-36-3732
Jupiter
Welcome to Jupiter, a small family owned and operated Italian restaurant situated amongst the lush greenery of Ito where you can enjoy dishes that combine the best of Western and Japanese flavors. Located a 20-minute walk from Izu Kogen Station (or a 5-minute taxi ride from there), Jupiter will charm you with its quaint exterior and friendly owners who welcome everyone to their restaurant.
Hours: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (last orders taken at 3:00)
Closed Every Wednesday (could change depending on season)
Address: 1039-101 Yawatano, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0232
Phone: 0557-54-3736 (reservations accepted)
Access: 5 minutes by taxi from Izu Kogen Station, or a 20 minute walk
Kenny’s House
Enjoy excellent food in a unique environment on the Ito coast! Kenny’s House, founded and opened in 1999, brings to you great food, and an excellent place to relax!
For starters, their red wine tomato base beef stew (served with vegetable soup and locally made bread) is highly recommended. For dessert, their hand-made soft serve ice cream is a favorite!
Kenny’s House especially recommends their chicken curry, white curry, and katsu sandwich to their foreign guests.
Kouka Chinese Restaurant
Never judge a restaurant by its exterior
Budget: 800 yen~
Looks can be deceiving. Many may pass by Kouka on the assumption that they would be entering a typical narrow-counter restaurant, and while the exterior might give such an impression, those who pull open the doors are greeted by a welcoming, well-maintained, spacious restaurant.
http://www.sushinosuzumaru.com/
+81 557-37-4413
Nonki Zushi (Sushi Restaurant)
Sushi for lunch? Bring the children too!
Budget: Lunch Course 3,000 yen~ Dinner Course 4,000 yen~
Entering a sushi restaurant through a rattling wooden door as your head brushes past a cloth banner is a uniquely Japanese experience that many visitors treasure during their trip to the Far-East. Nonki Zushi brings this experience to life, as you enter into the home of some of Ito’s freshest fish in a family-run, informal and friendly environment.
Restaurant Ikki
Dine where the locals dine at this cozy restaurant that serves a variety of appetizing dishes
Budget: 3,000~4,000 yen
Located 7 minutes from Ito Station, Ikki is not likely to be a restaurant you simply stumble upon. Nestled down a narrow street off the main road, its appearance may give off a “regulars only” vibe, but rest assured that Ikki welcomes locals and visitors alike, especially those from abroad. You can sit at the bar, or be seated in the small room in the back if you have a larger group. Seats are limited, however, so you might want to get there early. One great point about Ikki is that they don’t specialize in any one thing, meaning it will be easy to satisfy a variety of tastes. On their menu you’ll find sashimi, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), unagi (grilled eel), oden (Japanese hotpot), and many more delicacies.
Shokusai Shunmi KOMAKI
Try the best of Japanese-themed dining at this restaurant that caters to vegetarian palates
Budget: Lunch & Dinner 1,000~2,000 yen
Located down the street from K’s House, this eatery puts pride in offering customers meals that are not only delicious, but also healthy and organic. On Komaki’s menu you’ll find a variety of Japanese-themed dishes, such as seafood bowls, tsukemen noodles, sauteed chicken, and fried tofu with vegetables, all of which use locally sourced ingredients.
12-17 Higashimatsubarachō, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0022, Japan
+81 557-37-2666
Sukiyanen
Fish with a side of jazz
Budget: 4,000~5,000 yen
Based on the owner’s love of the creatures of the sea and the improvisatory musical form, Sukiyanen is a traditional relaxed Japanese restaurant (or “izakaya”) serving up the freshest seafood with its John Coltrane.
Along with the skillful chefs, the Ito climate plays its part in the Sukiyanen menu. Vegetable sticks served straight from the Ito earth provide sweetness and crunch without anything added. Simply order “today’s vegetable sticks.” Furthermore, the fish served straight from the ocean provide an unparalleled freshness.
〒414-0021 静岡県伊東市松原本町10-14
http://sukiyanen.net/
0557-38-3309
Suzumaru Sushi Restaurant
Experience the best seafood that Ito has to offer
Budget: 4,000~5,000 yen
Located 5 minutes from Ito Station, Suzumaru makes the most of its proximity to the sea to provide fresh and seasonal seafood with world renowned Japanese attention to culinary art and unrivaled care in presentation.
Sit at the counter to witness the sushi artists at work and enjoy a menu that changes daily based on the morning catch. Don’t forget to ask for a recommended sake to match.
1 Chome-8-36 Shishido, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0004, Japan
www.sushinosuzumaru.com
+81 557-36-7387
Trattoria e bar IL GOLFO
Local Ito ingredients meet Italian home cooking
Budget: Lunch 1,000~2,000 yen Dinner 4,000~5,000 yen
Japanese and Italian cooking share similarities in their respect for the seasons and making use of local produce. In this way, the two types of cuisine are intrinsically linked and Trattoria e bar IL GOLFO, an Italian restaurant run by Japanese chefs, pays respect to these culinary traditions.
Japan, 〒414-0038 Shizuoka-ken, Itō-shi, Hirono, 2 Chome−1, 広野2丁目1-3
+81 557-36-9603
Gion Bento – Inarizushi and Fried Chicken
A taste of Ito’s history and soul
Gion opened after the war in 1946 by a Tokyo silent film narrator by the name of Moriya looking for a fresh start in Ito. Inari Shrine, the childhood home of Moriya’s wife was the inspiration behind the shop making and selling inarizushi – sushi rice wrapped in a pouch of fried tofu. Some think that the Shinto god Inari was believed to have a particular fondness for fried tofu, hence the name. Others suggest that the fried tofu was used as an offering for Inari’s messengers, the foxes, to eat after delivering their messages. Either way, from post war to this day, Gion Bento has continued to sell inarizushi as part of its “bento” lunch boxes – a selection of portable plastic boxes filled with rice and a variety of meat, fish and vegetables, affectionately known as Ito soul food, ideal for train travelers on a long journey or for those hungry and in a hurry.
3 Chome-12-1 Yukawa, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0002, Japan
Hyakkafu (Sekishuan Confectionary)
East meet West in this charming flower-shaped Japanese treat When shopping for omiyage in Ito, stopping by Japanese confectionary Sekishuan is a must.
You’ll find a variety of Japanese treats to match the seasons, but one of their most popular is a flower-shaped small cake called Hyakkafu. Underneath a thin outer layer is sweet white bean paste with a hint of vanilla. Butter, fresh cream, and mascarpone cheese give this treat its rich, milky taste, and will keep you coming back for more. They are sold in sets of 3, 6, 10, 14, and 21, making it easy to bring back a lot for friends and family. Be careful, however, as they only last for around 15 days.
Price is approximately 175 yen per treat.
1255-90 Kawana, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0044, Japan
www.sekishuan.co.jp
+81 557-44-1800
Ichikawa Seicha Guri-cha (Ishikawa Tea Company Green Tea)
If you’re looking for the best in delicious local green tea, look no further than Ichikawa!
With Shizuoka Prefecture being famous for green tea (known as “guri-cha”), it’s something that you can’t miss trying when visiting Ito. Ichikawa Green Tea is perhaps the most popular green tea maker among Ito locals. Even within the standard “guri-cha” green tea, you’ll find over 10 varieties, each using different quality tea leaves. The standard pack is 100 grams, and can cost anywhere from 324 yen to 2,700 yen depending on the price. While the standard guri-cha is meant to be drunk hot, there is also a type made especially for cold brewing at 864 yen for 100 grams. You’ll find three Ichikawa Seicha locations in Ito City, with the closest (Eki-mae) located a mere 3-minute walk from Ito Station. The Eki-mae shop is closed Thursdays.
〒414-0004 Shizuoka-ken, Itō-shi, Shishido, 1 Chome−2, 猪戸１丁目２ー１
www.guricha.jp
+81 557-37-0939
Kasho Hiyoshi – Crispy Danish
A yummy pastry that brings together East and West
Loved by locals and visitors alike, Kasho Hiyoshi is a small pastry shop that offers both Japanese and
Western pasteries. Its signature pastry is the Sakusaku Danish (Crispy Danish). Inside a tube-shaped
flaky pie crust topped with powdered sugar is fluffy, red-bean flavored cream, making this special treat one
with both a Western and Japanese touch. You can also find variations such as the chocolate-covered
Chocolate Danish, or strawberry chocolate-covered Strawberry Chocolate Danish, but please note that the
availability for these may vary. The price is 160 yen for a regular Sakusaku Danish,
and 180 yen for a Chocolate Danish or Strawberry Chocolate Danish. Also available for take out.
静岡県伊東市和田1-12-32
New Sco-An East Izu original spicy citrus sauce
Add a spark of spice to your cooking
Famous in the region, the new summer orange – thought to be the product of a chance meeting between a yuzu and pomelo – has a certain sour acidity that leads those eating it to add a spoonful of sugar. However, this extra sweetness is unnecessary when combined with green chilli as the flavors compliment each other perfectly to create an original zingy, spicy citrus sauce known as the New Sco (a take on taba-sco!) Used to boost flavors in an array of dishes, the sauce is especially recommended for adding zing to pasta, pizza, or steak.
823-37 Yoshida, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0051, Japan
itoshirako.shop-pro.jp
+81 557-45-4111
New Summer Orange Baked Cheesecake (Sekishuan Confectionary)
A Tantalizing Sweet and Sour Souvenir
Ito omiyage -souvenirs or mementos to take home- focuses on its oranges, in particular the new summer orange. This varietal, unique to the region and therefore a source of local pride, has a taste similar to the worldwide booming superfood yuzu, and works particularly well when combined with other sweet flavors due to its slightly sour and acidic properties. This sweet and sour combination comes to the fore in the New Summer Orange Baked Cheesecake.
Japan, 〒414-0002 Shizuoka-ken, Itō-shi, Yukawa, 1 Chome−14-12
www.sekishuan.co.jp
Restaurant Ikki – Tobiuo no Chinchin-age (fried fish cake made with flying fish)
The tastiest fish cake you’ll ever try!
Chinchin-age is a delicious specialty of the Izu area, which includes Ito. Ground up fish and squid are
mixed together with vegetables and fried to perfection to create a fish cake that is juicy and slightly sweet.
While chinchin-age is usually made using a variety of local fish, the chinchin-age at Restaurant Ikki uses
tobiou, or flying fish. Miso, soy sauce, and sugar are just some of the ingredients added to give this snack
its sweet, distinctly Japanese flavor. With its chewy texture accompanied by the crunchiness of the vegetables,
It’s unlikely to be anything like you’ve ever tried, but once you try it, you’ll find yourself wanting to come back
for more! 450 yen for 2 pieces, 700 yen for 4 pieces. Also available for take out.
14-15 Matsubarahonchō, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0021, Japan
Sugisaki Kashiten (Sugisaki Confectionary) – Daifuku & Odango
Don’t miss these two popular Japanese snacks in a variety of flavors
Sugisaki Kashiten bills itself “The Daifuku Shop” for a reason – the daifuku (small round mochi stuffed with
anko, or sweetened red bean paste) and odango (a sweet dumpling made from mochiko, or rice flour)
and sold here are two of the store’s biggest hits that draw locals back again and again. The standard daifuku,
Mame Daifuku (bean daifuku) is 110 yen, while the slightly salty Shio Daifuku (Salt Daijuku) is 130 yen.
4-7 Matsubarayubatacho, Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture 414-0005
Sweets House Wakaba
Sweet House Wakaba Soft Serve Ice-Cream
Sweet taste of a golden past
When asked what makes the soft serve ice-cream at Sweet-House Wakaba so special, the owner simply replied “No change!” Bearing in mind that the café was established in 1948, this is quite a statement. Ito’s Cinema Street acts as a time slip that transports you back to a golden era of Japan and Sweet House Wakaba, located on the street, offers an original soft serve ice-cream recipe that has been enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for nearly 70 years.
静岡県伊東市中央町6-4
Yamaroku Himono-ten – Himono (Dried fish)
Try these traditional snacks of dried fish packed with flavor
When you think of Japanese cuisine, you might automatically think of raw fish – however, fish is enjoyed in several ways, and himono, or dried fish, is one of the most popular snacks. Ito locals highly recommend the himono at Yamaroku, which is vacuum-sealed to make it easy to take home. Yamaroku’s most popular flavor is Torosaba Mirin (fatty mackerel seasoned with sweet sake), which has been featured on several TV shows and in magazines.
5-6 Higashimatsubarachō, Itō-shi, Shizuoka-ken 414-0022, Japan
www.yamarokuhimono.co.jp
+81 557-37-3039