Discover Shizuoka: 5 Must-Try Fuji Mountain Restaurants for an Unforgettable Culinary Journey

Translation result

Landscapes and flavors that come to define a country might look accidental, but they’re really the product of nature and time. In the third episode of EBS1’s four-part series World Theme Travel — Lee Ji-yeon’s Small Town Japan — the journey heads to Shizuoka, the region that cradles Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. With mountains, the sea, and the food that grows between them all in view, Shizuoka effortlessly blends scenic sightseeing with a foodie getaway.

Episode 3, “Fuji’s Favorite Eats: Shizuoka,” airing on the 6th, opens as a love letter to Mount Fuji seen from every angle. The show hunts down the best Fuji-view spots — from the dramatic Fuji Dream Bridge that spans the road to the highway’s Fuji-kawa service area — each offering a distinct perspective. It’s the same mountain, but its presence shifts with your vantage point, turning Mount Fuji itself into a destination.

The trip naturally drifts down to Suruga Bay. Look down from Fuji and you’ll spot another local treasure: sakura shrimp, tiny red shrimp harvested from beneath the waves in spring and fall. These bite-sized gems shine when lightly fried to a crisp or enjoyed fresh. A meal paired with Fuji’s backdrop is a Shizuoka-only experience.

Next is Shiraito Falls, sculpted by meltwater from Fuji’s perennial snow. With recent rain swelling the flow, the water fans down the cliff like the “white threads” its name evokes. Those delicate strands of water weave together into a sweeping, unforgettable scene.

Mount Fuji’s other gift to Shizuoka is tea. At Gyokuro no Sato, the show highlights gyokuro, one of Japan’s finest teas. Rather than rushing, the program treats tea like a ritual, slowing the pace of travel. A cup brewed with the right water, temperature, and patience carries the essence of Shizuoka in every sip.

The journey then reaches the gateway to Japan’s Southern Alps: Sumata Gorge. Named among “100 Natural Spots in Japan to Preserve for the 21st Century,” the gorge’s showstopper is the Gokonoe Dream Suspension Bridge. From the swaying span, emerald waters and the canyon unfold below — a view that blurs the line between reality and reverie.

The final stop is Kawanecho in Shimada City. After passing a 300-year-old cherry tree, the show arrives at a restaurant serving Shizuoka’s celebrated eel. Their approach is simple and confident: skip steaming and grill the eel Kansai-style, yielding a crisp exterior and a moist interior. Clean water removes any off-flavors, and grilling the whole eel is a deliberate choice — letting pure flavor do the talking.

Episode 3 of World Theme Travel maps a layered journey that begins with a single vista of Mount Fuji and expands into sea, food, tradition, and nature. Shizuoka’s charm comes together in moments you see and moments you taste, a reminder that travel is a collection of experiences, not just miles. Lee Ji-yeon’s Small Town Japan Episode 3, “Fuji’s Favorite Eats: Shizuoka,” airs May 6 at 8:40 PM.