The Fuji Rivers runs by Mount Fuji, and is known as one of the most rapid rivers in Japan. The mouth of the river measures 1,950 meters, and is the widest in the country. Every spring and autumn, you can witness a reddish carpet forming on the riverbed. It’s not a flower garden, and it’s definitely not a swarm of bugs. The “red carpet” is a sight you can only find here by the Fuji River.
Where to Find the “Red Carpet”
The “red carpet” can be seen on the riverbed by the mouth of the Fuji River, located on the southern side of Fujikawa Ryokuchi Park. The “red carpet” phenomenon can only be seen between late March and early June and late October and early December, and under certain conditions.
What is the “Red Carpet”?
Sakura Shrimp
The “red carpet” is made up of sun-drying sakura shrimp. Sakura shrimp are small shrimp that can be found in deep waters, and are sun-dried by the river during certain seasons.
About the Sakura Shrimp
The sakura shrimp measures about only 5 centimeters long. With a clear shell with red insides, the shrimp gives of a dark-pink, sakura like color. The Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture is the only place in Japan where the sakura shrimp can be caught. Sakura shrimp-fishing season is in the spring and autumn.
Sakura Shrimp meets Mount Fuji
Sun-dried Sakura Shrimp
The sun-drying of the sakura shrimp is a rare sight on its own, but is made even more unique with Mount Fuji standing in the background.
Here in Shizuoka City is the only place in all of Japan and even Shizuoka prefecture where sakura shrimp are sun-dried!
Conditions for Sun-drying
Freshly fished the day before
The sun-drying process takes places immediately the day after the sakura-shrimp are caught (excluding Sundays and national holidays). The sakura-shrimp fishing season takes place between late March and early June in the spring, and between late October and early December in the autumn, with small variations depending on weather conditions. Saturdays and days before national holidays are break days.
Fishing can be cancelled due to bad weather. You can call the Fishing Information Center at 054-376-0439 after 1:00p.m. to check for fishing updates of the day.
Weather Conditions
The sakura shrimp sun-drying is only done on sunny days. And even on sunny days, the sun-drying might be cancelled due to the manager’s schedule. You can call 054-385-3185 before your trip to check if the sun-drying will be held or not.
What Time Should You Go?
The sakura shrimp are laid out between 7a.m. and 9a.m., and are sun-dried until about 2p.m, so make sure you go in the morning. If you go during the earlier hours, you can see the sakura shrimp getting spread across the land.
Access
Nearest station: JR Shin-Kambara Station (Tokaido Main Line)
From Tokyo Station
【Tokyo Sta.】Tokaido Shinkansen / for Nagoya
→【Mishima Sta.】JR Tokaido Main Line / for Hamamatsu
→【Shin-Kambara Sta.】about a 30-minute walk
From Shizuoka Station
【Shizuoka Sta.】JR Tokaido Main Line / for Atami
→【Shin-Kambara Sta.】about a 30-minute walk
From Shizuoka Airport
【Shizuoka Airport】Airport bus / for Shizuoka Sta.
→【Shizuoka Sta.】JR Tokaido Main Line / for Atami
→【Shin-Kambara Sta.】about a 30-minute walk
Be Respectful of the Workers!
Be sure to be respectful and courteous of the workers who are sun-drying the sakura shrimp. Visitors are free to take photos and watch, but are not allowed to touch the shrimp or to bother the workers. Eating, drinking and smoking are also prohibited near the shrimp.
Try the Fresh Shrimp!
At Yui Station, just two stations away from Shim-Kambara Station, you can taste the fresh shrimp brought directly from the fishing ports.
Information
Kambara, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka
54-385-3111
Sundays and public holidays
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