Queenie's Reviews Page 3/6

When visiting Shizuoka, don't miss Sumpu Castle Park, where Tokugawa Ieyasu lived in his later years! The former castle grounds have now been transformed into a lush city park, offering both a sense of history and a relaxing atmosphere.

Inside the park, you can see reconstructed historic buildings such as the Higashi Gomon Gate and Tatsumi Yagura Turret. Walking around at a leisurely pace feels like traveling back to the Edo period. The scenery is charming in every season, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in fall, and it's also a pleasant place for a casual stroll anytime.

It's within walking distance of Shizuoka Station, so it's very convenient to get to. If you want to experience Japanese history while enjoying a relaxing walk in Shizuoka, this place is well worth adding to your itinerary.

When visiting Shizuoka, I highly recommend adding Shizuoka Sengen Shrine to your itinerary!

This is the principal shrine of Suruga Province, known for its gorgeous and elaborate shrine buildings. As soon as you enter, you can feel the rich atmosphere of traditional Japanese culture. It's truly beautiful.

In the past, people climbing Mount Fuji first had to worship and purify themselves here before officially beginning their ascent. This history makes the visit even more interesting.

If you like Japanese shrines, history, and culture, this place is well worth visiting. It's also easy to get to by car, with a large parking lot nearby. After your visit, you can also stop by Nihondaira and include the shrine, mountain scenery, and beautiful views of Mount Fuji all in one itinerary!

If you're visiting Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, consider stopping by the historic Ryotanji Temple. Its most captivating feature is the beautiful garden designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. Sitting quietly in front of it and taking in the dry landscape garden and seasonal scenery is so relaxing that even spending half an hour doing nothing feels wonderful. The temple also houses many artifacts related to the Ii family and Ii Naotora. Behind the temple is the Ii family cemetery, including the graves of Ii Naochika and Ii Naotora. If you've seen the historical drama “Naotora: The Lady Warlord,” visiting this place really feels like stepping into history. Admission is JPY 700. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, making it well worth exploring and experiencing at a leisurely pace.

After taking a bus uphill from Shimizu Station and arriving at Nihondaira, what I looked forward to most was going up to the observation deck. The 360-degree view is almost unfair—you can see Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula, and on a clear day, even Mount Fuji.

But seeing Mount Fuji really depends on luck. As soon as the clouds roll in, it completely “disappears.” That's also why every moment when Mount Fuji reveals itself is such a delightful surprise!

Compared with the Fujiyoshida area, there are far fewer visitors here. There aren't huge crowds competing for space, so you can stroll around, take photos at your leisure, and enjoy Shizuoka's distinctive mountain and ocean scenery.

If you like seeing Mount Fuji but don't want to deal with crowds, Nihondaira is really worth visiting!

When visiting Nihondaira, don't miss this aerial ropeway connecting Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine! A round-trip ticket costs JPY 1,130, saving you the effort of climbing the mountain, and you can enjoy views of the valley and Suruga Bay during the short ride.

Interestingly, the Nihondaira Ropeway and Taiwan's Maokong Gondola are “sister ropeways,” and there's plenty of information about their relationship inside the station. The commentary differs on the outbound and return trips, with stories about Ieyasu and the history of Kunozan along the way. It was surprisingly interesting to listen to.

The station is also fun to browse, with Shizuoka specialties, Ieyasu-themed souvenirs, and even a model of Ieyasu's hand that you can compare yours with. If you're visiting Shizuoka, I highly recommend planning a trip to both the Nihondaira Ropeway and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine!

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine sits between the mountains and the sea. It is the original Toshogu shrine in Japan and the first resting place of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu. Taking the ropeway means you don't have to climb all 1,159 stone steps, and you can easily enjoy magnificent views of Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula. The most impressive sight in the grounds is the National Treasure shrine building, with black lacquer, vermilion, gold leaf, and intricate carvings that make it both ornate and solemn. Walking all the way to the shrine at the very back and experiencing the peaceful atmosphere steeped in history makes it truly worth a visit!

Walking into Jozankei feels like arriving in a Japanese hot spring town surrounded by mountains and forests. It has a history of about 150 years and was founded by the ascetic monk Miizumi Jozan. It still retains the distinctive atmosphere of a traditional hot spring district. My favorite spot was the footbath near the park entrance. The spring water was clear and clean, and quite hot, making it especially relaxing to soak my tired feet. Strolling slowly along the valley, listening to the babbling stream and feeling the mountain breeze, I naturally began to slow down. It's perfect for spending half a day with no rush, simply enjoying the leisurely pace.

You really have to get close to the water at Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido to appreciate its beauty. I especially recommend taking a boat ride or walking along the stream next to the visitor center. The water is so clear you can almost see straight to the bottom, and its deep blue color inevitably brings Jiuzhaigou to mind. The lake is surrounded by mountains, and the air is fresh and pleasant. As for cycling around the lake, the scenery is fairly ordinary. If you’re short on time, definitely save it for the lake itself—it’s much more worthwhile!

The Otaru Canal Cruise is a highly recommended experience when visiting Otaru! The boat slowly makes its way along the canal, and during the day, you can admire the well-preserved historic buildings and warehouses along the waterfront. Listening to the onboard commentary also gives you a better sense of Otaru's former prosperity as a port town. In the evening, the sunset and streetlights reflect on the canal, creating a completely different atmosphere. See the history by day and enjoy the romantic night views after dark—each time of day has its own charm, so don't miss it when visiting Otaru!

Mt. Tengu is an attraction you absolutely shouldn't miss when visiting Otaru! I specifically chose a clear day, took the train from Sapporo to Otaru, then transferred to a bus and the ropeway up the mountain. I enjoyed the mountain scenery all the way up, and once I reached the observation platform, I could see all of Otaru, Otaru Port, and the coastline. The elevation here isn't particularly high, which actually makes the view of the city feel just right. The views are also great as you slowly walk along the hiking trails. Overall, the scenery is every bit as good as Mt. Hakodate, with an added touch of romance unique to Otaru. I recommend heading up the mountain when you visit Otaru!