Katsuura(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Shōwajima City, the best hotel with ocean views is Shinoura Seaside Hotel, located directly beside Shinoura Port. This coastal gem features spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean, traditional tatami mats, and private balconies ideal for watching sunrise. The hotel offers free bicycles for exploring nearby attractions like Shinoura Aquarium and Shinoura Coast Trail. Guests can also enjoy fresh seafood at on-site restaurants featuring daily catches from local fishermen, making it perfect for families and nature lovers seeking a tranquil seaside retreat.

The Shinoura Port area is the optimal choice for accommodation in Shōwajima City. This vibrant district offers easy access to major attractions including Shinoura Aquarium, Fish Market, and the scenic Fishing Port Pier. Staying here means walking distance to Shinoura Night Market, where you can savor freshly caught sushi and local specialties like sea urchin rice bowls. The surrounding streets, known as Umi no Machi (Sea Town), house charming boutique inns such as Umifuku Guesthouse and Shioyama Inn, blending traditional Japanese design with modern comfort. Enjoy the rhythm of fishing life and the soothing sound of waves from your window.

One of the most authentic cultural experiences in Shōwajima City is joining the early morning fishing tour at Shinoura Port. At 5 AM, local fishermen set out to sea, and visitors can participate by learning traditional netting techniques and tasting the day’s catch—especially fresh eel and mackerel. Additionally, the annual Shinoura Sea Festival in September features lion dances, fireworks over the water, and rituals honoring the sea. For deeper insight, visit the Shinoura Historical Museum, which showcases centuries of maritime heritage, from Edo-period fishing tools to modern aquaculture innovations.

Shōwajima City is ideal for families. The Shinoura Aquarium offers interactive touch pools, kid-friendly guided tours, and exhibits of over 100 species of marine life found in nearby waters. Adjacent Shinoura Beach Park features sandy shores, playgrounds, shaded rest areas, and rental beach umbrellas—perfect for relaxation. The Shinoura Coastal Trail, a 2-kilometer path with observation decks and educational signage, allows families to explore coastal cliffs and spot seabirds. Some guesthouses even host hands-on workshops, such as preparing sea urchin donburi, letting children learn about local cuisine through taste and tradition.

Must-try seafood dishes in Shōwajima City include fresh sea urchin rice bowl (uni don), renowned for its rich, sweet flavor; grilled eel skewers (unagi yaki), served with a savory tare sauce; and sashimi platter of mackerel and squid. Head to Shinoura Fish Market’s Umi no Ya stalls to buy daily catch directly from fishermen and enjoy them prepared on-site. At Shioyama Inn, guests can experience the "Sea Breakfast" menu, featuring homemade seaweed soup, grilled fish, and hand-pressed nori crackers—all sourced locally. These culinary delights reflect the city’s deep connection to the ocean.

Yes, transportation in Shōwajima City is highly convenient. Travelers can reach the city via Keisei Line to Sakura Station, then transfer to Chiba Express Bus for a 1-hour ride. Once in town, major sites like Shinoura Port, Aquarium, and Fish Market are within walking distance. For exploring further, Shinoura Tourist Buses connect to Chiba Prefectural Natural Park and Shinoura Coastal Trail. Many hotels offer complimentary shuttle services, especially during peak seasons—reservations recommended. Bicycles are widely available for rent, offering an eco-friendly way to discover hidden coves and quiet beaches.

The best time to visit Shōwajima City is during spring (March to May). The weather is mild, perfect for enjoying the sea breeze and viewing cherry blossoms at Shinoura Beach Park during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This season also marks the peak of sea urchin harvest, ensuring the freshest and most flavorful uni rice bowls. Summer offers cool coastal breezes along the Shinoura Coastal Trail, while autumn brings migratory birds to Chiba Prefectural Natural Park, ideal for birdwatching. Each season presents unique natural beauty and seasonal delicacies.

Shōwajima City is a paradise for photographers. Capture the golden sunrise over Shinoura Port, where fishing boats and lighthouses glow under soft morning light. The Shinoura Coastal Trail offers dramatic cliffside views, long exposure opportunities for waves crashing against rocks, and panoramic vistas of the Pacific. Visit Shinoura Aquarium at night for unique underwater shots under special lighting. At dusk, photograph the illuminated Shinoura Night Market with colorful lanterns and bustling street scenes. Use tripods and slow shutter speeds to emphasize motion and mood, turning fleeting moments into lasting memories.

Unique guesthouses in Shōwajima City blend tradition and tranquility. Umifuku Guesthouse is housed in a restored fishing village home with exposed wood beams and salt-washed walls, offering cozy rooms with private verandas facing the sea. Shioyama Inn, run by former fishermen, provides personalized "Sea Table" dining experiences based on daily catch. Each room includes handmade bath salts and a welcome note written in kanji. Many guesthouses feature shared garden spaces, meditation corners, and local art displays. These stays emphasize sustainable living and community connection, allowing travelers to live like locals while preserving the region’s heritage.

Nighttime in Shōwajima City is serene and enchanting. Enjoy the Shinoura Night Market with glowing lanterns, sizzling street food, and live folk music. For stargazers, the Shinoura Beach Park offers dark-sky viewing with minimal light pollution—ideal for spotting the Milky Way. Some guesthouses host "Starlight Tea Sessions," pairing local plum wine with ocean breezes and soft melodies. At night, Shinoura Aquarium opens special evening hours, illuminating nocturnal marine creatures like bioluminescent jellyfish. These experiences combine calmness, culture, and wonder under the stars.