At the very tip of the Miura Peninsula, barely 90 minutes from central Tokyo, the fishing port of Misaki feels like another world. Seagulls wheel above trawlers unloading the morning catch, weathered shops sell tuna in every conceivable form, and just across a short bridge, the wild cliffs of Jogashima Island drop into the Pacific. In mid-April, the town comes alive for the MISAKI Guruguru Spring Festival — a weekend of street food, live music, and local craft that turns the Misaki Shimomachi Shopping Street into a walking party. This guide covers everything you need to plan a spring day trip — or an overnight escape — to one of the Tokyo region's most underrated coastal destinations.
Misaki: The Tuna Capital
Misaki has been Japan's premier tuna port since the Edo period. The town's fishing fleet ranges as far as the Indian Ocean, and the morning tuna auction at Misaki Fish Market (三崎魚市場) is a smaller, more intimate cousin of Tokyo's Toyosu Market. While the auction itself requires advance reservation, the surrounding market streets open to the public from early morning, and the energy is infectious.
The real draw for visitors is maguro donburi — generous bowls of ruby-red tuna sashimi over rice. Restaurants line the streets near the port, each competing for the freshest cuts. A few essentials:
- Kurobatei (くろば亭): Famous for creative tuna dishes including tuna cheek steak and tuna gyoza. Expect a weekend queue.
- Misaki-kan (三崎館): A century-old ryokan-restaurant with a refined multi-course tuna kaiseki.
- Maguro House (まぐろハウス): Budget-friendly, no-frills donburi right by the bus terminal.
Beyond the standard maguro-don, look for toro-taku (fatty tuna with pickled daikon in a hand roll), maguro katsu (breaded and deep-fried tuna cutlet), and the local favorite misaki maguro ramen — a rich broth made from tuna bones.
The MISAKI Guruguru Spring Festival
From April 18 to 19, 2026, the Shimomachi Shopping Street transforms for the annual Guruguru Spring Festival. The name means "going round and round," and it fits: visitors loop through the narrow streets, sampling from dozens of food stalls, craft booths, and pop-up shops.
What makes this festival special is its grassroots character. Local fishermen grill fresh catches on the spot. Nearby farms bring Miura daikon (the peninsula's famously sweet radish) and spring vegetables. There are live performances by local bands, children's activities, and a stamp rally that takes you through the shopping street's hidden corners.
The festival is small enough to feel intimate and local, yet lively enough to fill an entire afternoon. Arrive by late morning to beat the lunch rush and give yourself time to wander.
Jogashima Island
Connected to the mainland by the Jogashima Ohashi bridge, Jogashima is a compact island of dramatic coastal scenery. The entire perimeter can be walked in about two hours, and the trail rewards you with some of the most striking cliff views in the Kanto region.
Key stops on the island loop:
- Umanose-domon (馬の背洞門): A natural sea arch carved by centuries of Pacific waves, and Jogashima's most photographed landmark. A steep path descends to the rocky shore where you can see the arch up close.
- Jogashima Lighthouse: One of the oldest Western-style lighthouses in Japan, built in 1870 by French engineer Léonce Verny. The views from the surrounding park stretch to the Boso Peninsula on clear days — and when conditions are right, Mt. Fuji looms to the west.
- Kitahara Hakushu Memorial Hall: The celebrated Taisho-era poet Kitahara Hakushu lived on Jogashima and wrote some of his most famous verses here. The small museum is a quiet, contemplative stop.
- Rocky tide pools: The island's southern shore is a playground of volcanic rock formations and tide pools teeming with sea life in spring.
In mid-April, the island's coastal paths are lined with wildflowers — rape blossoms and sea daisies brighten the cliff edges, and on a clear spring day, the contrast of yellow flowers, blue ocean, and green headlands is stunning.
Beyond the Port: Miura Peninsula Highlights
If you have a full day or plan to stay overnight, the wider Miura Peninsula offers more than most visitors expect.
Miura Kaigan Beach: On the peninsula's western coast, this long sandy beach faces Sagami Bay with views of Mt. Fuji. In spring it's uncrowded — perfect for a quiet walk before summer beach season begins.
Miura Vegetable Stands: The peninsula is famous for Miura daikon, spring cabbage, and watermelon (in summer). Roadside stands sell produce directly from farms, and prices are far lower than Tokyo supermarkets. In April, look for spring cabbage and early tomatoes.
Koajiro Forest & Tidal Flats: A protected natural area on the eastern side of the peninsula, Koajiro features mangrove-like tidal flats, forested walking paths, and excellent birdwatching. It's one of the last pristine coastal wetlands in the Kanto region.
Getting There
From Tokyo (Shinagawa/Yokohama): Take the Keikyu Line to Misakiguchi Station (三崎口駅), the southernmost station on the line. From Shinagawa, the Limited Express takes about 70 minutes. From Misakiguchi, Keikyu buses run to Misaki Port (三崎港) in about 25 minutes.
The Misaki Maguro Day Trip Ticket: This is one of Japan's best-value day trip passes. For around 3,570 yen from Shinagawa, you get:
- Round-trip Keikyu train fare to Misakiguchi
- Free bus travel on the peninsula all day
- A maguro meal at your choice of 30+ participating restaurants
- A leisure ticket for one activity (Jogashima boat cruise, souvenir shop voucher, hot spring entry, etc.)
The ticket is available at Keikyu station vending machines and represents extraordinary value — the meal alone would cost 1,500-2,000 yen. Highly recommended.
By car: The Yokohama-Yokosuka Road connects to Route 134 along the coast. Parking is available at Misaki Port and Jogashima, though lots fill on festival weekends. Arrive before 10 AM.
Suggested Itinerary: A Perfect Spring Day
9:00 AM — Depart Shinagawa on the Keikyu Limited Express (grab the Maguro Kippu at the station)
10:15 AM — Arrive Misakiguchi, then bus to Misaki Port
10:45 AM — Explore the morning market streets and Shimomachi Shopping Street. If visiting during the Guruguru Spring Festival (April 18-19), wander the stalls.
12:00 PM — Maguro lunch. Use your Maguro Kippu meal voucher at one of the participating restaurants.
1:30 PM — Walk or bus across Jogashima Bridge to the island. Hike the coastal loop trail (allow 90 minutes to 2 hours).
3:30 PM — Return to Misaki. Optional: use your leisure ticket for a hot spring soak at one of the local onsen facilities.
4:30 PM — Pick up fresh tuna and local snacks for the train ride home.
5:00 PM — Bus back to Misakiguchi Station, then Keikyu to Tokyo.
Tips for Your Visit
- Weekday vs. Weekend: The Guruguru Festival runs Saturday-Sunday, and the port area gets crowded. For a quieter tuna experience without the festival, visit on a weekday.
- Weather: The peninsula is exposed to ocean winds. Bring a light jacket even on warm April days. If rain threatens, Jogashima's coastal trail can be slippery — pack shoes with grip.
- Combine with Kamakura: Misakiguchi and Kamakura are both on the Keikyu/JR network. You could visit Kamakura in the morning, then head south to Misaki for an afternoon of tuna and sea cliffs.
- Overnight option: Several minshuku (family-run guesthouses) near the port offer fresh-caught seafood dinners and ocean-view rooms. A night in Misaki means you can catch the early morning market atmosphere that day-trippers miss.
Misaki and the Miura Peninsula prove that you don't need a bullet train to find coastal Japan at its most authentic. The tuna is world-class, the scenery is rugged and real, and the local festivals carry a warmth that the bigger tourist destinations sometimes lack. For a spring day that tastes of salt air and fresh sashimi, head south to the tip of the peninsula.
Image: View from Jogashima Island, Miura, Kanagawa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
