Tabelog ratingFermenCo. brings expertly crafted sourdough pizza to the Izu Peninsula, served from a stylish space with a terrace that opens directly onto Kisami beach. The heart of the kitchen is a large wood-fired oven, which produces pizzas with a distinctive long-fermented crust that draws praise from nearly every visitor.
The crust is the star: crisp on the outside, with a chewy, flavorful crumb thanks to the natural yeast. Toppings are creative and often feature local ingredients. Reviewers consistently recommend the signature “FermenCo.” pie (with sauerkraut, salsiccia, and mustard) and the Shimoda Blue Bismarck (with egg, truffle oil, and mushrooms). The seaside setting is a major part of the appeal, and the staff are generally described as friendly.
The restaurant's popularity means it can get very busy, especially on weekends, leading to queues and a waitlist system. The coveted terrace seats are limited, and indoor seating can feel cramped. Some diners have noted insects on the outdoor tables in the evening. A minority of reviews mention inconsistent toppings, and there are several reports of takeout being unexpectedly refused or limited.
Expect to spend around ¥2,000–¥2,999 for lunch and ¥3,000–¥3,999 for dinner. Recent diners paid approximately ¥2,500 for the signature FermenCo. pizza, ¥2,500 for the Shimoda Blue Bismarck, and ¥1,900 for a Margherita.
Most visitors find the prices fair for the high quality of the pizza and the unbeatable location. However, a few felt the toppings were sparse for the cost, so your sense of value may depend on your choice of pizza.
- Getting There: The restaurant is a 10-minute drive from Izukyu Shimoda Station. Alternatively, take a bus towards Irozaki, get off at the Iruda stop, and walk for 7 minutes.
- Reservations: Recommended, especially for weekends. When full, the restaurant uses a call-back waitlist system.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) and electronic money (transportation IC cards like Suica, iD, QUICPay) are accepted. QR code payments are not.
- Seating: There are 30 seats, including 20 indoor table seats and 10 on the terrace.
- Children & Pets: Children of all ages are welcome. Pets are allowed both inside and on the terrace, with the exception of large dogs.
- Takeout: Service can be unreliable; reviewers report it is sometimes refused or limited to a smaller menu, so it's best not to count on it.
- Parking: Available on site.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
