RECOMMEND
Winter in SHONAN is the perfect season to savor freshly landed seafood straight from the
fishing ports.
You can enjoy seasonal gourmet dishes together with winter-only strolls and activities
unique to this time of year.
In this feature, we introduce winter gourmet highlights around Enoshima and the Odawara
area.
Savor Fresh Seafood
Gourmet in Enoshima
One of Enoshima's winter highlights is the illumination that beautifully lights up the island.
The ocean view from the Enoshima Sea Candle observation lighthouse is captivating at
any time of day, from daytime through dusk, making you want to linger and admire it.
From Katase-Enoshima Station to the Enoshima area, there are many restaurants where
you can enjoy seafood that has just been landed, allowing you to savor dishes made with
the freshest ingredients.
From SHONAN's famous“Shirasu”to seafood rice bowls, grilled live shellfish cooked
hamayaki-style, and set meals featuring firm, flavorful simmered fish or fried dishes, you
can indulge in a wide variety of seasonal ocean delicacies to suit your taste.
A rice bowl topped with raw shirasu caught that morning feature plump, translucent fish with a delicate softness that seems to melt on your tongue. You can fully enjoy their gentle elasticity and smooth, clean mouthfeel as they disappear almost instantly.
Meanwhile, the seafood fried set meal lets you enjoy the rich flavors of various seafood such as tuna, yellowtail, squid, shrimp, and scallops, all wrapped in a crispy batter.
Please note that SHONAN shirasu is subject to a fishing ban period, typically from January through early March each year. Because raw shirasu is only available when supplies are in stock, we recommend checking availability if you plan to visit specifically for this popular dish.
When strolling around Enoshima, why not visit Enoshima Shrine, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, the Sea Candle, and even extend your walk to the Enoshima Iwaya Caves at the far end of the island?
The ocean views along the way offer a refreshing sense of openness and freedom that feels far removed from everyday life.
There are also many shops on Enoshima offering a wide variety of casual isoyaki (grilled seaside snacks), making it easy to stop by during your walk and sample different kinds of seafood.
Click here for dining information around Enoshima:
https://feelshonan.jp/en/gourmet/?ar=fujisawa
Click here for sightseeing spot information around Enoshima:
https://feelshonan.jp/en/sightseeing/?ar=fujisawa
Enjoy Seasonal Seafood in Odawara
Around Odawara Fishing Port, many restaurants line the area, offering an abundance of seafood, including freshly landed local fish.
In addition to Japanese restaurants serving classic fishing port meals, you can choose from seafood BBQ restaurants, sushi restaurants specializing in local fish, and café-style eateries that welcome dogs, allowing you to pick a dining style that suits your preferences.
Many visitors travel from afar specifically to enjoy these popular gourmet offerings, and some dishes are so popular that they sell out by early afternoon.
This time, we were able to enjoy winter specialties such as kinmedai (splendid alfonsino), local fish sashimi, fried horse mackerel (aji fry), and richly flavored ara-jiru fish soup that warms both body and soul during the colder months.
Winter kinmedai is one of the most popular menu items. Simmered in a sweet-and-savory sauce, the fish has firm yet elastic flesh and allows you to fully enjoy its fresh, natural umami.
The plump-textured local fish sashimi varies depending on the day's catch, so if you have a particular fish in mind, be sure to ask the staff about the sashimi menu for that day.
Crispy aji fry can also be enjoyed in many other ways, such as tataki, sashimi, vinegared preparations, or nanbanzuke.
In the past, horse mackerel catches were so abundant around Odawara that it was even designated as the city's official fish.
Why not take this opportunity to savor some truly fresh seafood?
Around the fishing port, there are also shops selling fresh seafood, including turban shells landed in Odawara. Being able to take them home as souvenirs to enjoy later is another delightful bonus.
There are also winter-recommended spots around Odawara.
This time, we visited the Minaka Odawara Observation Foot Bath Garden, where you can enjoy a relaxing foot bath while taking in panoramic views of the SHONAN coastline and Odawara Castle.
Located in front of Odawara Station, Minaka Odawara is home to many popular local restaurants, making it a great place to shop for souvenirs, enjoy gourmet food, and spend time at a leisurely pace.
From the observation foot bath garden on the 14th floor, you can look out over the SHONAN sea, creating a refreshing and uplifting feeling. Below, Odawara Castle comes into view, making it an ideal spot for commemorative photos.
The foot bath itself is extremely soothing, inviting you to stay and relax while enjoying the scenery for as long as you like.
Around Odawara Castle, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll while admiring traditional buildings and historic townscapes.
Why not visit and discover your own favorite gourmet spots and attractions?
Click here for dining information around Odawara:
https://feelshonan.jp/en/gourmet/?ar=odawara
Click here for sightseeing spot information around Odawara:
https://feelshonan.jp/en/sightseeing/?ar=odawara