Oiso Walking Guide — Port, Villas and Cafes in the Birthplace of Japan's Seaside Bathing

Around Oiso Station there are 16 walking spots, ranging from a fishing port and a historic beach to a tea shop, a wine diner and a 180m panoramic hilltop. [Oiso Beach](/en/spot/3cc1341e-80a8-4af2-8e59-f53ae0182d3f) is where military doctor Matsumoto Jun opened a sea-bathing resort in 1885 (Meiji 18) after taking an interest in the health effects of seawater, and it is considered the birthplace of Japan's sea-bathing culture. Ito Hirobumi, Okuma Shigenobu and Yoshida Shigeru later built villas here, and the shoreline still carries that quiet, unhurried air.

A suggested route

Start near the station at [Jibaya Hokkori](/en/spot/a887ea21-dbd7-4bf0-8ba1-d3ed15d1b998) and [TE HANDEL platform](/en/spot/87124576-aba7-4ca4-b25e-64382f8283f4) (both at Oiso 1009), stop by [Oiso Inoue Kamaboko](/en/spot/33d75264-237c-46e1-80e5-8c73c7f42ad4), then head for the water. Walk from [Oiso Beach](/en/spot/3cc1341e-80a8-4af2-8e59-f53ae0182d3f) to [Oiso Port](/en/spot/1dd07166-05a3-49aa-8647-922866a70652), continue west to the [Former Yoshida Shigeru Residence](/en/spot/7b52715e-2905-49ef-81c9-57181bf05a8f) (admission until 16:00), [Shonan Soy Studio](/en/spot/7ee25675-00b4-43b8-b846-8f7c5dd55805) and [Taberareru Chokubaijo](/en/spot/5ed538d2-3b3d-44cf-a481-611681d27816). If your legs hold out, take in sunset at [Shonandaira](/en/spot/353c4132-f47e-4469-a49b-b7dd1cac4d42), then close the day at [CANCAN](/en/spot/b7314f96-443d-410e-b85c-20c92a564e84) or [Wadokoro Ichigyo](/en/spot/7327e8ac-da6c-4010-8077-e21300950045).

Oiso Beach

In 1885 (Meiji 18), military doctor Matsumoto Jun opened a sea-bathing resort here after noting the benefits of seawater, and Japan's sea-bathing culture is said to have begun at this spot. Ito Hirobumi, Okuma Shigenobu and Yoshida Shigeru went on to build villas nearby, and a seaside summer-retreat culture flourished. That calm atmosphere still lingers along the shore.

Oiso Port

A port for fresh local fish and sea fishing. On the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 to 11:00 a "fish morning market" opens, where you can buy whole fish and fillet them yourself. Timing your visit to the market is the fastest way to understand what this town eats.

Former Yoshida Shigeru Residence

A reconstruction of former prime minister Yoshida Shigeru's home, inside the prefectural Oiso Jyoyama Park. Admission closes at 16:00, so plan backwards if you save it for the afternoon. It is the clearest way to feel the seaside villa culture in person.

Shonandaira

A roughly 180m hill straddling Hiratsuka City and Oiso Town. The 360-degree panorama takes in Mt. Fuji and Sagami Bay, and the night view after sunset is beautiful too. Getting both sea and mountain in one day is Oiso's quiet luxury.

Oiso Long Beach

Opened in 1957, this outdoor pool grew out of an idea Yoshiaki Tsutsumi of the Seibu Group had as a student: a giant pool along the coast. Known as the stage for the TV show "Geinojin Suiei Taikai," it has symbolized resort culture alongside the adjacent Oiso Prince Hotel. The sea is right there, and yet the pool is the star.

Oiso Prince Hotel Tennis Courts

Tennis courts at the Oiso Prince Hotel, with sand-filled artificial turf available from 4,400 yen per hour. A good option on a day when you want to actually move between stops.

Shonan Soy Studio

An old-house lab that transforms soybeans in seven directions. From the cafe you can peek into the production floor, so you can watch the work while you drink. It sits in a residential pocket at Nishikoiso 123.

TE HANDEL platform

A tea shop in Oiso. The owner also runs TANK, a cafe and gallery elsewhere in Oiso Town, so you can hop between the two if you like what you taste. Located at Oiso 1009, near the station.

Cafe L'eau

An Oiso cafe with big windows that let the sunlight in. It serves course meals made with local ingredients alongside natural wine, and the raw whitebait bruschetta is 500 yen. Original apparel, vintage clothing and spices are on the shelves too. On Wednesdays it opens for dinner only.

CANCAN

A wine diner in Oiso built around the bounty of the sea and the land. A port and farmland this close translate directly onto the plate.

Wadokoro Ichigyo

A kappo restaurant founded in 1997 by owner-chef Kyoji Ozaki. Dashi-forward cooking is the strength here, and the simmered wild yellowtail collar is stewed for four days until even the bones are edible. Omakase courses start at 4,400 yen, and Tuesday to Thursday evenings are reservation-only.

Udon AGATA

An udon shop run by an owner born in 1997, serving hand-cut udon at lunchtime only. That makes it the natural midday break in this walk. Find it at Tsukikyo 29-7.

maru Shoya

An Oiso shop for yaki-musubi grilled rice balls, where a salt version sometimes joins the lineup. Just the right thing to eat on the move.

Taberareru Chokubaijo

A farm stand where you can eat the vegetables on the spot. Direct sales run on Saturdays only, so match your day of the week if this is on your list.

Jibaya Hokkori

A souvenir shop dealing in Oiso's local products, with regional produce and processed goods on the shelves. A sensible last stop for something to carry home.

Oiso Inoue Kamaboko

A kamaboko fish-cake shop in Oiso. The kind of shopping that only happens in a town with a working port.

One last tip: Oiso changes face with the day of the week. Oiso Port's fish morning market runs the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 to 11:00, Taberareru Chokubaijo sells on Saturdays only, Udon AGATA is lunch-only, and the Former Yoshida Shigeru Residence closes admission at 16:00. A plan that starts on a Saturday morning misses the least.