I am a beach bum. I grew up working at the beach, and although I am now working in the city and will complain all week about getting up early for work, I will gladly get up at 5 a.m. to see that early morning sun on the beach. I LOVE the beach. Most people stuck in Tokyo take a day trip to Zushi, or when those summer holidays hit, you can find half of Tokyo, me included, running for the seaside towns in Shizuoka. One of my favorite areas to getaway is Shimoda, and if you’ve been there you already know why. And if you haven’t been, pack your sunscreen and suit, and catch a train.
To be honest though, Shimoda has always been missing that hometown beach feel for me. It has stalls near the beach and many good restaurants in town, but for me, one of my favorite things about the beach was the local shops where you could relax and grab a drink or a quick meal, and places that don’t have to worry about your kids running around while you recharge for round two in the sun. All this was missing, until this June when Marina’s Fish Taco opened. Stocked with a netted-in half pipe for the kids, an awesome wooden swing, shaded tables, and an easy walk from the beach, now I feel like Shimoda has it all. It’s hard to say what my favorite part of this place is, the tacos, the cold beer, the frozen margaritas, or the fact that everyone –staff and customers alike—wants you to enjoy yourself.
When I was in Shimoda this month a group of us were walking to the convenience store when I saw this place and we decided to take a break here before our laborious walk in the afternoon sun. Fast forward a few hours, we finally decided to say goodbye to our new friends and head back to our home since the sun had been down for a few hours and it was last call. If you find yourself in Shimoda, definitely don’t pass up a chance to visit this place.
