10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Fujinomiya

Aeon Mall Fujinomiya is a huge shopping mall that brings in shoppers from Fujinomiya City and beyond. Located in front of Fujinomiya Station, the mall is close to all the main tourist destinations and has a wide range of local products, so it’s definitely worth looking in.

Seasonal events and fairs are held here throughout the year. It’s a vibrant and lively place with restaurants, a food court, cinemas, and a game arcade. The food section brings together all the local culinary delights, so you'll have no trouble picking out souvenirs.

KOKOZURAYO is a souvenir shop in the car park of the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine. This place is always bustling with tourists thanks to its wide range of local delicacies. Highlights include sausages from Asagiri Ham, yokan (sweet bean jelly) from Ueno Seika, and goma iwashi (sesame sardines) from Kikuya.

There's also an eating space popular with the locals, where Fujinomiya yakisoba (pan-fried noodles) are cooked on an iron plate right in front of you. If you like it, you can always pick up some of the Marumo Food Industries noodles used in this dish, which are on sale inside the restaurant, as a souvenir. For dessert, don't miss the sumptuous Asagiri milk ice cream.

IDEBOKU Milk House is a milk bar and gelato shop set in the corner of a dairy farm. Its additive-free Italian-style ice cream made from fresh milk is absolutely delicious and keeps the customers returning for more. Make sure you try the yoghurt and ice cream bars too.

Bread baked with raw milk is another popular item on the menu. At the Daichi cheese and pizza shop next to the Milk House, some makanaipan (bread prepared for staff meals) carefully baked using traditional methods is available to buy. The pizza and cheese dishes are also tasty as you'd expect.

S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA is a commercial complex located on the seafront, less than an hour's drive from Fujinomiya. One of the most popular tourist spots in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, it houses a shopping mall, amusement park, cinema, museum, restaurants, and other facilities on the waterfront.

Chibimarukochan Land and Shimizu Soccer Shop are 2 of the most popular destinations here. Another popular tourist attraction is the retro Shimizu Irifune Street. Take a ride on the “Dream Sky” Ferris wheel for a panoramic view as far as Mt. Fuji.

Umyana is the Fujinomiya branch of a farmer's market operated by JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives). As the largest farmer's market in Shizuoka Prefecture, it not only offers a rich selection of fresh local vegetables, but also meat, fish, fruits, side dishes, processed foods, and even cut flowers.

This is an excellent place to stop by and taste local delicacies such as Fujinomiya yakisoba (pan-fried noodles), bento (boxed lunches), donburi (rice bowls topped with various ingredients), and soft-serve ice cream. Surprisingly, fresh peanuts are the most famous item sold here, and the delicious peanut ice cream is well worth a scoop.

Kamatei Kamabokoten is a shop that specialises in kamaboko (a hardened fish paste snack). It’s been here since the Meiji era and still has a charmingly old-fashioned façade. In fact, it’s crammed with carefully crafted fish paste products made using spring water from Mt. Fuji. If you’re looking for novel souvenirs, you could go for kamaboko in the shape of Mt. Fuji, containing cheese, sakura shrimp, and other ingredients.

You’ll also find many other fish paste products such as hanpen (sliced fish cake), gobomaki (burdock root roll), and datemaki (sweet egg omelette), which go well with oden (a Japanese-style stew) or can be enjoyed on their own as snacks. Try grilling them and serving with soy sauce or wasabi for an extra kick.

Toda Bookstore Fujinomiya is a branch of a leading bookshop chain, but it’s long been a favourite of local residents and is firmly rooted in the local community. Handily located right on the bypass, you can stop by whenever you’re exploring the city, doing some shopping, or eating out. You can find a huge selection of magazines here.

There are also sections full of books dedicated hobbies. Stationery, calendars, and diaries are sold here as well. Check out the guidebook section if you’re looking for in-depth info on the local area.