#Japan #Shimizu #Tuna Festival #Shimizu Port

Shimizu Port Tuna Festival 2025

The Shimizu Port Tuna Festival, held on November 8-9, 2025, celebrates Shimizu City's claim as Japan's top producer of frozen tuna. This local festival invites visitors to partake in a plethora of exciting activities, including free tuna tastings and a thrilling tuna-cutting show.

Event Overview

Under the catchphrase “Every Day is Tuna Festival in Shimizu,” the event showcases the allure of Shimizu Port tuna through various activities that happen year-round. The pinnacle of these activities, the Tuna Festival, gathers tuna-related food booths, tuna storage experiences, smoked tuna workshops, and promotional displays from neighboring towns along the Chubu Expressway, making it a fantastic family event.

Schedule of Events

Pre-Festival Celebration

• - Date: November 8, 2025
• - Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• - Location: Shimizu Station East Park
• - Highlights: Tuna-related food vendors and stage performances

Main Festival

• - Date: November 9, 2025
• - Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• - Locations: Shimizu Station East Park and Shimizu Fish Market’s 'Kashino-ichi'
• - Highlights: Tuna-related food stalls, stage performances, and various interactive workshops.

Visitors can experience a live tuna-cutting show, purchase freshly cut frozen tuna from onsite vendors, and enjoy tasting free tuna samples. Other events include the tuna refrigerator experience at -60°C, a smoked tuna-making workshop, and a chance to enjoy tuna miso soup with a fun tuna lottery.

Importance of Shimizu Port

Shimizu Port is located adjacent to Suruga Bay, Japan's deepest bay, providing a stunning backdrop that includes the iconic Mount Fuji. Known as one of Japan's three greatest beautiful ports, it's famed for its calm waters, bolstered by the protective barrier of Miho Peninsula. Suruga Bay's unique geography contributes significantly to tuna fishing, where nearly half of Japan's tuna consumption is sourced.

Tuna is not just a local delicacy; it plays an integral role in the economy of Shimizu, which boasts the highest volume of frozen tuna landings in the country. The Shimizu Fish Market, featuring the 'Kashino-ichi' facility, serves as a hub where wholesalers offer fresh seafood directly to consumers, ensuring high-quality seafood experiences.

Tuna Festival Highlights

• - Tuna Cutting Show: A popular feature that educates visitors about the various cuts of tuna and their characteristics while showcasing the skill involved in preparation.
• - Free Tuna Samples: Limited quantities of free tuna will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, drawing large crowds eager to taste the fresh catch.
• - Refrigerator Experience: Participants can step inside a tuna refrigerator and experience chilling temperatures that can freeze towels in seconds, providing a unique and entertaining experience for families.
• - Workshops: Hands-on experiences like smoked tuna production allow attendees to create gourmet snacks in just 30 minutes.

In addition, various restaurants and food stalls will present an array of tuna-based dishes, such as tuna rice bowls, tuna dogs, and tuna ramen, embracing the town’s rich culinary heritage.

The Rich Heritage of Shimizu Canned Tuna

Shizuoka Prefecture is renowned for its canned tuna production, starting back in 1929, when Shimizu first pioneered the canning of tuna for commercial sale. Utilizing local southern bluefin tuna, the industry prospered with exports to the U.S., paving the way for Japan's canned tuna reputation. Today, over 90% of Japan's canned tuna is produced in Shizuoka, and local businesses are celebrated at annual events. Visitors can discover the variety of canned goods available at the Shimizu Canned Goods Market, and learn about the historical significance of canned tuna at dedicated museums.

As the festival approaches in November, it promises not just to honor the tuna but to celebrate the spirit of Shimizu Port and its community. With a lineup of tantalizing events tailored for both families and culinary enthusiasts, the Shimizu Port Tuna Festival 2025 is set to mark a memorable experience for all who attend.