Omaezaki

Omaezaki is a small port town at the southernmost point of Shizuoka Prefecture, sitting on a cape that juts out into the Pacific. The Omaezaki Lighthouse, built in 1874 with British engineering assistance, stands on the clifftop and is one of the oldest Western-style lighthouses in Japan. On clear days, the views from the cape stretch to the Izu Peninsula and, occasionally, Mount Fuji. The area is known for its strong winds, which make it popular with windsurfers and kite-surfers. Green tea is grown inland, and Shizuoka produces more tea than any other prefecture in Japan. The local fish market sells fresh skipjack tuna (katsuo), which is the regional specialty, typically served as tataki (seared and sliced). The town is small and quiet, with limited English spoken and few tourist facilities, but the coastline is dramatic and the cape itself is worth the walk.