Miura Peninsula Day-Trip Driving Itinerary: Exploring the Distinctive Port Towns of Misaki and Yokosuka

The first place to visit is Jogashima Park, located at the southernmost tip of the Miura Peninsula.
Hearing “southernmost tip” may make it sound difficult to get to, but this is a scenic spot that is easy to visit and great for refreshing yourself.
From the parking lot, walk ahead and you will enter the hiking trail.
Although it is called a hike, the path is well paved and flat, so you do not need special shoes.
As you pass through a tunnel of greenery, the sound of waves reaches your ears, making for an especially pleasant morning walk.

After about 10 minutes of walking, the view suddenly opens up to a truly spectacular scene.
The deep blue sea and overlapping rock layers create a beauty that looks almost like art.
One especially eye-catching sight here is Umanose Domon, a sea cave carved away by waves over many years.
It is said to have been named for the large hole in the rock and the arched formation above it, which together resemble the back of a horse.
Take in the scenery of Jogashima, created by the power of nature and the passage of time.

Misaki is known as one of Japan’s leading “tuna towns.”
Tuna fishing became active here around the early Showa period (1926–1930), and today Misaki is known as a port with one of the highest tuna landing volumes in Japan, as well as a place where many kinds of tuna from around the world gather.
If you visit Misaki, tuna cuisine is something you will not want to miss.
Around the fishing port stretches the Misaki Shitamachi Shopping Street, which strongly retains a Showa-era atmosphere. Restaurants line the area, serving dishes that are unique to a tuna town, such as sashimi made from tuna heart with a firm, crunchy texture and rare cuts like cheek meat.
Enjoy walking around town as you look for a favorite place to eat.

For shopping, head to Urari Marche next to Misaki Port.
It has a diverse range of shops, including tuna specialty stores, shops selling an abundance of seafood, fresh local vegetables popular as Miura vegetables, and prepared foods made with these ingredients.
Shop staff will also tell you tasty ways to eat the products and how to prepare them, and these interactions are part of the fun of visiting a market.

After enjoying plenty of tuna, you may want dessert too.
A recommended place for that is Misaki Donuts Misaki Main Store, created in 2012 by renovating what was originally a watch shop.

This donut specialty shop serves donuts made with local ingredients.
The display case is lined with around 15 to 20 colorful donuts at any given time, from standard items to seasonal varieties.
The lineup makes choosing part of the fun.
With their round, charming shape, the donuts are especially memorable for how soft and fluffy they feel the moment you pick them up.
The light texture, created by frying dough mixed with soy milk for a short time, has won many fans.
In addition to the decoration on the surface, the donuts are filled with ingredients such as locally grown fruit.
With each bite, the flavor of the ingredients spreads through your mouth, pairing perfectly with the dough.
Enjoy them with the shop’s original coffee, blended for a clean taste that brings out the sweetness.

A recommended flavor is Lemon Cream Cheese, which has been popular since the shop first opened.
You can taste a rich cheese flavor along with a clear lemon aroma.
The secret is finely chopped lemon peel, which combines with smooth cream cheese for a refreshing finish.

After having donuts at Misaki Donuts Misaki Main Store, head to the next port.
Enjoy the coastal drive of about 50 minutes toward Yokosuka.
If you see scenery you like along the way, it can be nice to stop and take in the view.
However, some areas prohibit stopping or parking, so be sure to follow traffic rules.

After arriving at Yokosuka Port, the first place you will want to visit is the Memorial Ship Mikasa, whose presence immediately catches the eye.
This battleship was active during the Meiji period and is one of the “world’s three great memorial ships,” alongside the United Kingdom’s HMS Victory and the United States’ USS Constitution. It is also the world’s oldest existing steel battleship.
Today, it is fixed in place and preserved within Mikasa Park, and you can actually board the ship to get a real sense of its history.

On the deck, full-scale restored cannons, the command tower, and other features are displayed close enough to touch, creating an impressive sense of power.
You can also get a glimpse of the cutting-edge technologies of the time, such as wireless communications, and the lives of more than 900 naval personnel.
The lower level retains its original appearance and features real uniforms and medals, as well as interactive exhibits using VR and a steering simulator.
One of its appeals is that it can be enjoyed even by those who are not deeply familiar with history.
A smartphone guide is also available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, guided tours are also offered without reservations.
They are recommended for those who want to learn more in depth.
Why not take a look at a side of history that can only be felt in Yokosuka, a city that developed as a naval port?

After visiting the Memorial Ship Mikasa, head to Dobuita Street, where you can feel Yokosuka’s distinctive culture.
This shopping district developed as a town in front of the gate of the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base, and is lined with restaurants with English signs, variety shops, sukajan specialty stores, and more.
As you walk along the street, you will experience a distinctive atmosphere where Japanese and American cultures blend together.
The sukajan, known as a Yokosuka specialty, is especially worth a look.
While enjoying streets with an international feel, take the opportunity to experience culture unique to Yokosuka.

HONEY BEE is located on the corner where Dobuita Street’s main street meets the side facing National Route 16.
This American diner has been serving the same classic flavors since it opened in 1968.

The dish to try here is the menu item called BREAK FAST.
Regardless of the time, the first meal you eat that day is called “BREAK FAST,” and it is one of HONEY BEE’s signature items.
At HONEY BEE, you can order it at any time of day.
Although the signature Navy Burger is tempting, this BREAK FAST plate is so satisfying that each bite makes you want to become a regular.
The bacon is hand-cut in the shop and smoked. It has plenty of thickness, yet the fat leaves a clean aftertaste, and the plate comes generously topped with two fried eggs along with french fries.
In Yokosuka, where many cultures mix, this is the kind of everyday flavor you sincerely hope will remain part of the city for years to come.

For the final stop of this driving trip, return once more to Mikasa Park.
Illuminated with gentle light, the Memorial Ship Mikasa has a different atmosphere from the solid, powerful impression it gives during the day.
There are also many benches throughout the park, making it pleasant to spend a relaxed moment while feeling the sea breeze.
At night, the fountains in the park are lit up in colorful lights.
Be sure to visit and experience the scenery with its dreamlike atmosphere for yourself.