“FRONT”, the special shop locating in front of Shimoda station, sells various local products in Shimoda region, the tip of Izu peninsula. The name seems to be derived from the historical aspect of Shimoda as a front line for trades among overseas countries.
An outside appearance of “FRONT” next to Shimoda station.
At early evening, the shop welcomes visitors with wormful light. The front banner at the right side emphasizes the special black tea produced by absolutely organic manner.
This shop “FRONT” has established for selling special local products for visitors since 1961, the same time when “Izukyu Express Railway” started its business. Based on the official web page of “FRONT”, their mission is to let visitors make good memories in Shimoda, thus they sells special local products which satisfied visitors and can remind visitors of memories in their trip in Shimoda.
Specialty local products strictly selected are displayed for sale in a nice atmosphere.
This shop also sells a special black tea produced on the deep mountain side in Shizuoka tea estate. The black tea is produced by the absolutely organic manner. The tea plantation for the black tea has been managed without any agricultural chemicals for more than 30 years.
A booth for the special black tea. It is explained on the description board that tea plantation for the black tea has been managed absolutely organically for more than 30 years. “IPPIN”, on the description board at right side, means “the finest products strictly selected” in Japanese.
The chief staff said, the tea plantations are located inside forest on the deep of mountainside in Shzuoka tea estate, such isolation prevents the tea plantations from infection of pests and invasion of harmful insects. Tea farmers cultivates tea plants of native varieties and strictly manages tea plantations.
“FRONT” has a café space next to the retail shop. We can enjoy cups of the black tea with local sweets.
Various local products delight our eyes.
Slightly dried “Kinme-dai” (Splendid Alfonsino). One night drying after soaking in salt solution condense their umami more.
Izu Peninsura has various fruits, such as strawberry, varieties of mandarin orange, blueberry and new summer orange etc. Jams of them are popular local products.
Honey of new summer orange’s flowers.
In Izu Peninsula, “Guri cha” is main type of green tea. Crude tea of this type “Guri” is produced by the same manner of Sencha till the 2nd rolling, but is not processed by the final rolling so-called “Seiju”.
“Guri cha”, main type of Sencha in Izu Peninsula.
Tea leaves for “Guri” is dried after 2nd rolling. Thus the shape of loose leaf is not tin.
Tea bags of Guri tea are set as a service items in hotels around Izu Peninsula due to its local popularity.
A tea bag of Guri cha in a hotel in Shimoda.
I put these tea bags into my thermos and bring for walking in Shimoda city. It was delightful to enjoy cuppa of Guri tea with nostalgic street views or wonderful beaches.
A cup of Guri tea with a nostalgic street view and a clean stream in Shimoda city.
A cup of Guri tea with a background of a wonderful clean seawater in Shimoda.
Trip to Shimoda region would provide wonderful experiences!! The special black tea and local products sold in “Front” would give additional satisfactions for the trip!!
< Shop information >
Address : 1-5-2, Higashi Hongo, Shimoda city, Shizuoka prefecture.
Access : In front of Izukyu Shimoda station. We can go to the station from Tokyo by 1 time exchange at Atami station, from Tokaido line to Ito line on the No.1 platform in Atami station. If you use a resort-style limited express “Super View Odoriko” , you can go to Shimoda station directly from Shinjuku station.
Business hours : 9:00 – 17:00 ( Café time opens from 10:00 to 17:00
Official Web Page : http://www.front-shimoda.jp/index.html (described in only Japanese)