Enjoy splended view of Mt. Fuji and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine!

The first place you visit after arriving at JR Shizuoka Station is "Miho no matsubara pine tree grove," that is one of the 25 sightseeing places designated as the UNESCO World Heritage under "Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration." When the weather is fine and clear, you can see Mt. Fuji so beautifully at the seashore after walking through the pine trees. You can really enjoy its beautiful shape with snow on top while listing to the sound of waves from the sea. You can walk on the seashore while you are looking for the best scenic spot for your memorable photos.

You will be driven up to Nihondaira where you can see Mt. Fuji with Suruga Bay magnificently, if the weather is fine. You will take a ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu.

If you are interested in Japanese history, it is worthwhile to visit and see its sophisticated historical architectures and statues by your own eyes.

Kunozan Toshogu is a shrine built in 1617 for Tokugawa Ieyasu to be enshrined, by the order of his son, Tokugawa Hidetada.

Ieyasu was the first Shogun of the Edo period. The Shogun was the supreme commander in the feudal system, the highest position of samurai given by the Empire at that time. The shrine has 14 buildings including its main building which is the origin of an architectural style called "Gongen-Zukuri" and was designated as a National Treasure. They were beautifully painted with lacquer and gorgeously decorated with gold foils. Each architecture and sculpture has some legendary stories, which I will explain you in detail if you like. If you are interested in Samurai swards and armors, it would be interesting to visit the museum just in front of the shrine.

After getting back to Nihondaira by the ropeway, it can be good to have a lunch at Nihondaira Hotel, while watching Mt. Fuji just in front.

When we drive down to Shimizu Port, we will visit Shimizu Port Seamen's Inn Museum "Suehiro," where you can see the displays of Jirocho's final years and the history of Shimizu Port. Jirocho is probably not famous overseas, but he is still very popular among seniors in Japan because his biography as the hero of that time was often performed by "Rokyoku" recitation at the theaters and aired on the radio till the end of the 20th century. In fact he lived there at the end of Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration. You can see the lifestyle and culture of those days.

Since Shimizu Port is a fishery port famous for tuna and local fishes, we will stop by at S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA and enjoy some shopping before returning to Shizuoka Station.

It is rare to see Mt. Fuji clearly even if the weather is fine. We have more chance to see it in the morning when the air is clear, therefore it is better to arrive at Mino no Matsubara, the first sightseeing spot, possibly early in the morning.

You also see it from Shinkansen bullet train on the way to JR Shizuoka Station.

In order to enjoy the beauty and history of Kunozan Toshogu, it would be better to have some idea about Japanese feudal times and the great achievement of Tokugawa Ieyasu, which I will explain you on the way to Kunozan Toshogu.

There is another "Toshogu" in Nikko which is very famous not only for Japanese but also overseas visitors. Kunozan Toshogu was built in 1617, just one year after Ieyasu died. Nikko Toshogu was built later than that. I will tell you the similarities and differences between two Toshogus from various angles such as architecture, sculpture and historical importance, which may lead you more interest in Japanese architectures and history.