Toriizaki Club HOTEL & SEAFOODS: a Sushi Auberge for a Romantic Escapade on Tokyo Bay

Kisarazu has been a gateway town for a long time. In the Edo period, it prospered from sea traffic heading to and from Edo (today’s Tokyo), and the city still frames itself as a port community shaped by movement across the bay. Access is particularly convenient for a short escapade from Tokyo thanks to the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line that links Kisarazu and Kawasaki via a bridge–tunnel route (23.7 km overall), making this a realistic destination even for a weekday evening.

As we approached Toriizaki Seaside Park in the afternoon, walking on the waterfront, I was already marveling at the open sky, looking forward to the sunset while thanking my lucky stars for the clear weather. Toriizaki Club calls itself a sushi auberge, and the experience certainly lives up to it: The whole place is built around the idea that dinner is the main event, with lodging as its natural partner. Alongside the suites and seafood dining, the complex also includes a golf simulator for extra leisure options. 

Shortly after check-in, a welcome drink and appetizers set the stage for what’s to come. It was quiet, with only a few other patrons at the time, so it was a great chance to just sit back and enjoy the moment while facing the warmth of the afternoon light. Besides me were two other couples who were also staying, highlighting how suitable the place is for a romantic getaway. No particularly outstanding sightseeing spots populate the vicinity, so this is a place meant to be enjoyed in itself, making every second count during your stay.

The rooms naturally keep the focus where it belongs: outward. The suites at Toriizaki Club are designed to make the best of the bay views even during simple downtime — coffee, a page of a book, the decision to take a relaxing nap — comes with a stunning backdrop. Room sizes fall in the 50–80 m² range, styled with a Japanese–Western inspiration with plenty of space. This is a suite meant to be enjoyed by staying in, rather than merely being a place to sleep between outings.

That’s why the other centerpiece is the in-room onsen bath, which reinforces the whole tempo of the stay: forget timetables (save for your dinner reservation). You do the evening at your own speed, with the bay on background duty. You can arrive, drop off your bags, and let the first soak do the rest, especially after the drive across the bay or a long train ride. Or get in after dinner for the most satisfying way to finish the day. Or both, of course. Naturally, the bath is no exception to the landscape-centered layout; its large windows allow guests to bask in the views while enjoying a relaxing bath.  

Depending on the season and your dinner reservation timing, you may get to see the sunset before or after dinner. Our visit took place during late Autumn, so an early sunset was expected before my course. Despite the clear weather, the horizon had been too hazy for Mount Fuji to be appreciated, but I knew from experience that the familiar silhouette would finally come into view right around dusk.

And what a sight it was. Shades of pink and orange slowly surrounded Japan’s greatest icon, and as the light gradually faded, the park lights emerged around the seaside promenade. Strategically placed wooden stools invite you to linger, sitting in awe at the timeless beauty.

With a few more spare minutes until dinner time, we took a short stroll around the park. A striking and well-lit torii gate is located at the corner of the park, its crimson red contrasting with the night sky. A nearby sign explains this is an homage, built in summer 2023, to remember the old torii gate sitting on the shoreline that marked the approach to the nearby Hachiman Shrine from the sea. Hence the name of Toriizaki, or “Torii Cape”. It was a long-beloved sight by locals and served as a reference point for ships entering or departing the port. Land development and port relocation became incompatible with the original torii gate, so this new one was placed to keep the memory alive.

Before long, it was finally time for the much-anticipated dinner at Sushi Ichikai inside Toriizaki Club. The sushi course is structured to last for around two hours, a deliberately slow pacing meant for the chef to place each piece in front of you at the moment it’s ready, giving you space to eat it properly. This is a time and place to savor the moment, with an impressive display of the best of Tokyo Bay’s fresh catch.

This slow feast for the senses sets the mood for a meaningful conversation between pieces and glances to the chef’s skillful preparation. My intuition felt rewarded as two other couples arrived at the counter. Not that it can’t be enjoyed among friends or business acquaintances, of course, but the setting certainly lends itself as the perfect date plan: as the hotel frames itself as a sushi auberge, the meal, in addition to the luxurious accommodation, is an integral part of the romantic overnight experience.

Morning at Toriizaki Club arrives in layers: first the quiet, then the bay light, then a delicious traditional Japanese breakfast. The breakfast is a careful presentation that echoed the previous night’s dinner experience, with grilled fish taking center stage among a variety of small side dishes. 

I had made sure to plan my breakfast to allow for enough time to take a morning walk before check-out. A stimulating stroll after this generous meal, enjoying the crisp air under the sun, felt like the perfect way to enjoy the bay until my time was up. Nearby, Nakanoshima Ohashi Bridge connects Toriizaki Seaside Park with Nakanoshima Park on a tiny island. The bridge, known as Japan’s tallest pedestrian bridge at 27 meters high and 236 meters long, was unfortunately closed at the time of my visit, but I strongly encourage you to stop by if you visit for its vantage views of the bay and its surroundings.

Toriizaki Club works its wonders by setting the right atmosphere: Tokyo Bay out front, Mount Fuji appearing on clear days, and a room taking care of the rest with a cozy setting and a private onsen bath. Next, dinner sets the mood for an unforgettable stay with a delicious and unhurried sushi course. For anniversaries, small celebrations, or a simple reset after a busy stretch, this is Kisarazu at its best: close enough to be practical, far enough to make the night feel like it belongs to you.

Q: How far is Toriizaki Club from Tokyo? 

A: It is approximately 30–50 minutes by car via the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line. If travelling by train, it is a short walk from JR Kisarazu Station, making it one of the most accessible luxury escapes from the capital.

Q: Can you see Mount Fuji from the hotel? 

A: Yes. On clear days, particularly in Autumn and Winter, Mount Fuji is visible directly across Tokyo Bay from the guest room suites and the seaside park.

Q: Does every room have a private onsen? 

A: Yes, each of the six exclusive suites at Toriizaki Club features its own private hot spring bath with large windows overlooking the bay.

Q: Is the restaurant open to non-guests? 

A: Yes. The sushi restaurant Hitomi is also open to non-guests, who are welcome to visit for lunch or dinner without staying overnight. The complex also includes a seafood dining options that cater to visitors exploring Toriizaki Seaside Park.