The Tokai Bus Awashima pack with park admission (about ¥4,000 from October 1, 2026), the port bus both ways (about ¥460) and Byuo (about ¥300). The Shinkansen from Tokyo is extra.
Best time to go
Spring and autumn. Clear, dry winter days give the best view of Mt. Fuji across the bay.
Closing days
Byuo closes at 14:00 on Thursdays. Awashima Marine Park closes only for maintenance or bad weather.
Walking (our estimate)
Moderate: roughly 6–8 km, plus a steep optional climb on Awashima.
Love Live! Sunshine!! is set in Numazu, a port city on Suruga Bay, and Numazu City officially counts the series' locations among its "100 Treasures". Most of the story happens in Uchiura, a quiet bay south of the center with Awashima island just offshore. The city has also installed 23 manhole covers with the series' art. This route takes the Shinkansen from Tokyo, starts with the covers at Numazu Station, rides the local bus out to Uchiura for Awashima and Mito Beach, and comes back to Numazu Port for the sunset view from Byuo.
Times, fares and opening hours are approximate. Check the official pages under Sources before you go (last checked September 18, 2026).
1
Day 1
Tokyo → Numazu Station → Uchiura → Numazu Port → Tokyo
Manhole covers in town, Awashima and Mito Beach by bus, sunset at the port.
Early morning
Tokyo → Mishima → Numazu
Take a Kodama on the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Mishima (about 1 hr; in the 2026 timetable Kodama 801 leaves Tokyo at 6:30 and reaches Mishima at 7:26). At Mishima, change to the JR Tokaido Line for Numazu, the next station. Awashima Marine Park opens at 9:30 from March to October and at 10:00 from November to February.
1
Morning
Numazu Station south exit and the manhole covers
The station's south exit appears in the first season. On the plaza, on the west side of the Numazu Sangyo Building, is the Love Live! Sunshine!! manhole cover that Numazu City installed in June 2026. The city's official manhole map shows where all 23 are.
From the south exit, stop 3, take a Tokai Bus bound for Kizure Nokyo or Eri and get off at Marine Park (about 30 min, about ¥840; about ¥970 from October 1, 2026). Tokai Bus says its buses appear in the anime, and Love Live! Sunshine!! wrapped buses are in service.
2
Late morning
Awashima Marine Park
A boat leaves the pier next to the parking lot about every 15 minutes and reaches the island in about 3 min; the fare is included in admission (about ¥3,000 adult). The city's tourism portal says the Frog Pavilion is the model for Kanan's diving shop and the path up to Awashima Shrine is where Aqours train. Allow 2–3 hours.
Ride the bus one stop (about 3 min) to Mito, or walk along the shore (about 20 min). Mito Beach is the small beach that comes back in key scenes, with Awashima across the water. Izu-Mito Sea Paradise is next door if you want a second aquarium (about ¥2,600 adult, open roughly 8:30–17:00 with last entry at 16:00). A little further on, the Sannoura tourist information center from episode 6 is open roughly 9:00–17:00.
Walk on to the ruins of a Hojo clan sea fort, which also appear in episode 6. A Love Live! Sunshine!! manhole cover is here, and from the top there is a view of Mt. Fuji over the bay. Catch the bus back to Numazu Station from the Nagahama-joseki stop (about 30–40 min).
From Numazu Station, a bus to Numazu Port takes about 10–15 min (about ¥200; about ¥230 from October 1, 2026). Byuo, the port's giant water gate, appears in episode 11. The deck is open roughly 10:00–20:00 (Thursdays until 14:00) and costs about ¥300. The city's manhole map shows another cover near the port food street.
Minato 83 at Numazu Port has seafood restaurants, shops and the deep-sea aquarium; hours vary by shop. Then bus or taxi back to Numazu Station, JR to Mishima and the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
A round-trip bus ticket from Numazu Station plus park admission. Buy it at the Tokai Bus office in the Numazu Sangyo Building by the south exit (closed Thursdays, Sundays and holidays) or at the Numazu Tourism Association.
Tokai Bus accepts Suica, PASMO and the other nationwide IC cards, which is the easiest way to pay for the Uchiura and port buses.
Izu-Hakone Bus (from Izu-Nagaoka)
If you stay in Izu-Nagaoka, Izu-Hakone Bus runs from Izu-Nagaoka Station to Izu-Mito Sea Paradise (about 25 min).
Some links here are partner links: we get a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
Please note
Visiting with respect
Uchiura is a small fishing community where people live. Keep your voice down, don't block the narrow road or the bus stops, and don't photograph residents or their homes.
Several places in the anime are models for private homes, a working inn and a hotel. Don't enter them or photograph them from their grounds; see them only if you are a guest.
Manhole covers are in the street and on sidewalks. Stand clear of traffic and people walking past.
Awashima Marine Park asks visitors to come in cosplay only on its cosplay event days, and not to change clothes in the restrooms.
Take your trash home from the beach and the castle ruins.
Good to know
FAQ
Is Awashima Marine Park still open?
Yes. When we checked in September 2026 the park's site was posting news and announcing events for October 2026. It closes only for maintenance or bad weather, so check the site on the day.
Can I see both aquariums in one day?
It's tight. Awashima Marine Park recommends 2–3 hours and Izu-Mito Sea Paradise about 1.5–2.5 hours. Pick Awashima Marine Park for the island and the Love Live! Sunshine!! events, or Izu-Mito Sea Paradise if you are short on time, since it is right by Mito Beach.
Can I visit Chika's house or the school?
No. This route sticks to public places.
Where are all the manhole covers?
Numazu City publishes an official map of the 23 Love Live! Sunshine!! covers, most around Numazu Station, the Nakamise shopping street, Numazu Port and Uchiura.
Is there more to see in town?
The city's route page also lists Plaza Verde (with a color manhole and the steam locomotive from Aqours concerts) and Numazu Civic Culture Center, where Aqours sing in episode 11 and color covers are on display.
Transfer
Combine with nearby routes
Have more days? These routes start or end close to this one.
