【東編】静岡の人気観光名所、日帰りで回りまくってみた！【三島・三嶋大社/熱海・来宮神社/御殿場アウトレット・温泉など】

【東編】静岡の人気観光名所、日帰りで回りまくってみた！【三島・三嶋大社/熱海・来宮神社/御殿場アウトレット・温泉など】

March 2, 2024 Saturday 6:00 AM Tokyo Station This is a day trip around Shizuoka’s tourist attractions. When you think of Shizuoka, there are many things that come to mind, such as Mount Fuji, eels, and seafood. On the other hand, some people may have the impression that this is a prefecture where the Nozomi Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, does not stop at any stations. Indeed, the Nozomi Shinkansen does not stop at Shizuoka. After passing through Shin-Yokohama, the next stop is Nagoya. However, the more you look into Shizuoka, the more you realize it is filled with interesting places and famous sites that you’ll want to visit. It is also huge, covering an area of ​​7,777 square kilometres! This is approximately 3.5 times the size of Tokyo and more than four times the size of Osaka Prefecture, making it the 13th largest city in Japan! So to begin with, it is almost impossible to visit all the famous sites of this vast Shizuoka prefecture in a day trip. So, this Shizuoka trip will be divided into three parts: East, Central, and West! This is the first part of a day trip to Shizuoka, titled the East Part! For reference, on my last trip to Kyoto, I wasn’t able to complete all the points in one day, so I decided to go back to Tokyo and try again a few days later…lol This time I will be touring the eastern part of Shizuoka, and there are a total of six tourist attractions! Will I be able to visit all six of these places and return to Tokyo in the same day…? To be honest, I’m a little nervous, but since this is my solo trip to Shizuoka, I’m going to enjoy it! Departing at 6:57AM Kodama 703 bound for Shin-Osaka Hi! Hey! Good morning! by Mt. Fuji I’ll be waiting for you in Shizuoka! 8:05am JR Mishima Station South Exit It took about 50 minutes on the Kodama Shinkansen from Tokyo Station! In preparation for my solo trip again this time, I prepared my own travel guidebook, my travel partner! (Production time: about 10 days) First of all, Mishima City is located in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture and has developed as a Monzen-Machi for the very famous shrine that we are heading to. Monzen-Machi is a town formed around a shrine or temple. Another feature of Mishima City is its famous, clean, crystal clear spring water, which has led to it being selected as one of the “100 Best Water Towns” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism! So, let’s head to the first checkpoint, the super famous shrine that Shizuoka is proud of! It’s about a 15-minute walk from the south exit. First, go out of the south exit and turn left. Next, cross this sidewalk and turn left. Sushi and Japanese restaurant Then turn right at this intersection. The landmarks at the intersection are the Dormy Inn Hotel at the back on the left and the post office just before it. Next, turn left here. On the left is a park with the deliciously named Shira-taki Park. (the word shira-taki also refers to konjac noodles…lol) Mishima, famous as a water town From here, follow the road along the Sakura-gawa River. A crystal clear river that is hard to believe…!! I’ll step back! Swim smoothly Hey you, we’re going to bump into you! After walking along the river for about five minutes, my first destination came into view! 1st Checkpoint: Mishima Taisha Big Shrine Simmesha as Stable for the Sacred Horse The Sacred Horses of Mishima Shinmon as sacred gate main shrine First of all, Mishima Taisha Big Shrine is a shrine located in the center of Mishima City, and its founding date is unknown. However, if you are told it is unknown, you might think, “Just tell me roughly when!” To give a rough estimate of when this shrine was founded, it is believed to have been founded in the 700s, as records of it remain in ancient books from the Nara and Heian periods. Also, in the past, the kanji used to characterize “Shima as island” at Mishima Taisha Shrine did not include the “Yama as mountain” character, but now the kanji with the “yama” character is used. Well, if that’s the case, I thought it would be easier to understand and more user-friendly to unify the kanji for “Shima” in “Mishima Station” to the one that also has the kanji for “Yama” attached. Within the grounds of Mishima Taisha Big Shrine, the main hall and other buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. In addition, the golden osmanthus tree just beyond the Shin-mon gate is a designated national natural monument. This osmanthus tree is 1,200 years old and is over 10m long! It is likely that the length is 10m including this curved shape. It is also famous for blooming twice, with its delicate pale yellow flowers coming into full bloom in early and late September. It is said that the sweet scent of this osmanthus can sometimes reach up to 8,000 meters away. It’s winter now, but I’d love to come back when the flowers are in full bloom! By the way, the name “Mishima” refers to the Izu Islands located south of Tokyo and Shizuoka, and it is said that in ancient times it was revered by people who feared the eruption of the Izu Islands. Later, during the Middle Ages, he came to be revered by many samurai families. The reason why Mishima Taisha Big Shrine attracted such reverence from the samurai was because it flourished as the “Ichino-miya” of Izu Province, meaning it was the most prestigious shrine. It is said that Minamotono Yoritomo, a very famous military commander from the 1100s, also prayed at this place for the revival of the Minamoto clan. There is a stone here where Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have sat and rested when he prayed. “Stool Stone” On the left is the stone on which Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have sat. On the right is the stone on which Masako Hojo, wife of Minamotono Yoritomo, is said to have sat. Also, perhaps because today is Saturday, there are many stalls set up inside the shrine grounds. Furthermore, from the 17th century onwards, as Mishima developed as a post town on the Tokaido, one of Japan’s five famous highways, it came to be worshipped by common people travelling along the road. The Railway Song is a famous song that was written over 100 years ago and which I introduced in my previous trip to Kyoto. The 16th verse of the Tokaido version contains the following lyrics: “Mishima has been developed in recent years. The fork in the road at the Zuso line is symbolic. At the station is the palace of a prestigious shrine, from which the area takes its name.” However, the “Mishima” sung about here does not refer to the current Mishima Station, but to a station called Shimo-togari. In 1934, the opening of the Tanna Tunnel, a gigantic railway tunnel approximately 8 km long, led to a rerouting of Japan’s main Tokaido Line. At that time, a new Mishima Station was established in addition to the old Mishima Station, and this is the current Mishima Station. As a result, the older Mishima Station was renamed to its current name, Shimo-togari Station. And the “prestigious shrine” mentioned at the end of the song is, of course, Mishima Taisha Big Shrine! Another thing Mishima is famous for is its crystal clear spring water. Ikutamano Mizu Water, which flows to the left of the Mizu-jinja Shrine, located immediately to the left after passing through the Shinmon Gate, is drawn from a spring water sourced from a well within the shrine grounds. The water source is water that flows underground through Mount Fuji, the largest mountain in Japan. Apparently, you can take the water you collect here home in a bottle. The water is so clear and beautiful! By the way, why is Mishima’s water so clean? The water from Mishima, which falls on the sacred mountain of Fuji and flows slowly underground for eons before springing forth, is pure and delicious, and fully meets the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s standards for Delicious Water. The city of Mishima’s official website describes the area as the “City of Water” and that “spring water is Mishima’s treasure,” as the area is blessed with water of excellent quality. It meets the criteria for being designated as one of the “100 Famous Waters” by the Ministry of the Environment, and has also been selected as one of the “100 Water Villages” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. If the Final Fantasy game were to be made into a live-action film, this area, centered around Mishima Taisha Big Shrine, is a representative water-related spot; it would undoubtedly be the setting for “Water Crystal”! *Strictly speaking, 2/3 of Mishima’s water comes from Mt. Fuji, and the remaining 1/3 comes from Hakone. Another place famous for its beautiful water is the Kakita-gawa Springs, located just west of Mishima! However, when I say, “Mishima has clean water!” some people might think, “So what?” If the water in a town is clean, for example in the Mishima area, there are many famous restaurants where you can enjoy high-quality eel raised in the clear, pure water from Mt. Fuji! About four months ago, I visited Sakura-ya, a famous eel restaurant in Mishima that was founded in 1856, with my mother. The restaurant’s official website states the following: “At Sakuraya, we start cooking by soaking the eels in underground water, which is the melting snow from Mt. Fuji.” “By soaking them for three to four days, we can remove the distinctive odor, reduce the amount of fat to just the right level, and the cold underground water tightens the meat.” As you can see from this, the quality of ingredients in Mishima is very high. (So delicious…!) You can also enjoy coffee made with Mishima’s clean spring water at the coffee shop. “Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is water, and seventy percent of the human body is water. Our deepest emotions and thoughts must be felt and thought by water.” 1st checkpoint cleared! The second point is located south from here in Izuno-kuni City. Izuno-kuni City is home to some of the most breathtaking panoramic spots not only in Shizuoka but in all of Japan, so let’s head there right away! First, head to Mishima-Tamachi Station, which is about a 10-minute walk from here. After leaving the large torii gate of Mishima Taisha Big Shrine, go left. Sorry, I made a mistake…! lol Once I leave the large torii gate, cross the sidewalk in front and turn right! Next, at this intersection, cross the sidewalk and turn left. Look for this kamaboko as fish cake shop! By the way, today was forecast to be a sunny day, but it’s a bit cloudy… I hope it’s sunny…! Because the next checkpoint is a place where the weather is very important. Next, turn right here. And so, I arrived at Mishima-Tamachi Station! This station also has a clear sign that reads “Front of the Mishima Taisha Shrine”. From here, it’s about an 18-minute train ride. Izu Hakone Sunzu Line to Shuzenji Temple Transportation IC cards were not accepted, so I had to buy a paper ticket for the first time in a while! “Welcome to Izuno-kuni City” 9:50 AM Izu-nagaoka Station First of all, Izuno-kuni City is located in the northern part of the Izu Peninsula and was established in 2005 through the merger of several towns. It is a town rich in nature, surrounded by majestic mountains such as the Hakone mountains to the east, Mt. Joyama and Mt. Katsuragi-yama to the west. In addition, a national highway and the Izu Hakone Railway run along the Kano-gawa River, a first-class river, and an urban area is formed in the surrounding area. And best of all, this city has some amazing panoramic spots, so be sure to check them out! First, I’ll take a bus from Izu-nagaoka Station. It’s about 10 minutes by Izu Hakone bus. Bus stop: Nagaoka Station, No. 1, bound for Nagaoka Onsen and Sea Paradise Class 1 River: Kano-gawa Bus stop: Izuno-kuni City Hall Your next destination is just a 5-minute walk from here. First, go in this direction. The bus driver was very kind! After I got off the bus, he used the microphone to tell me which direction to go, even though I hadn’t told him my destination! What a kind person…!! Gyoza Restaurant I found the sign for my destination! 2nd Checkpoint: Izu Panorama Park It actually took less than a five-minute walk from the bus stop mentioned earlier. First of all, Izu Panorama Park is a tourist facility located in Izunokuni City, utilizing the peak and base of Mount Katsuragi, which is 452 meters above sea level. As it is a panoramic park, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay from the summit, and the beautiful nature where you can feel the four seasons is also an attraction. By the way, although it is called a “360-degree panoramic view,” the view to the east and southwest is not very open. But just like in life, I think it’s better not to worry too much about the small details…lol There is no admission fee, so if you just want to enter, the only cost is the ropeway fare. This time, I bought a pre-sale ticket for 2,000 yen! So, let’s hop on the ropeway and take a 1,800m aerial stroll to the summit, which is 452m above sea level! *At the summit, there are restaurants and a private lounge available for a fee. That’s the mountain we’ll be climbing on the ropeway! I’m really looking forward to it, but my only concern is the clouds that cover it…lol Shop corner The ropeway entrance has a new and stylish atmosphere! The ropeway was individual, not shared! Wow! Faster than I thought… lol This ropeway was planned in the 1950s as a highlight of the Izu Nagaoka Onsen area. At first, the plan was so far-fetched that no one took it seriously, but the then-president of the city’s tourism association took the lead and persuaded the town to move forward. It opened in 1962 and became a talking point as “the best gondola in the Orient”. Unlike today’s gondolas, the gondolas of those days could carry up to 10 people and were accompanied by a guide. However, within a few years the business began to go under and a company called NC Resort Management took over. Also, the park was given its current name, Izu Panorama Park, in 2021. It shakes sometimes…lol It was amazing…! I reached the summit in 7 minutes. Wow…!! We reached the summit in 7 minutes. This is fantastic! Izu Panorama Park Mountaintop “Ao Terrace” And unfortunately it’s cloudy… lol Unfortunately, it was cloudy on the day we visited, but if the weather is good, you can enjoy a spectacular view like this! (From the distributed postcard) From the official pamphlet The mailbox is so cute…!! How does it feel to be a bird? If it’s a clear day, you can see a beautiful “upside-down Mount Fuji” like this. One of the highlights of Izu Panorama Park is not only the view, but also the walking routes. “A foot bath where you can see Mt. Fuji” There were even dogs on the summit! Mount Katsuragi Summit Observatory View from the observation deck Katsuragi Shrine This shrine dates back to the Heian period, more than 1,200 years ago, and is the origin of the name Mount Katsuragi. “The hundred Jizo statues are on the other side” “One Hundred Jizo Statues” These Jizo statues have been enshrined here since the Kamakura period, approximately 800 years ago. I’m back at the foot of the mountain! The summit area was so amazing I can’t put it into words…! I’m satisfied now, so can I end my trip for today? lol If this were a two-day, one-night trip to Shizuoka, I think I could go to Mishima Taisha Shrine, then take in the spectacular views at Izu Panorama Park, have lunch, and then check into the hotel! That’s how satisfied I am already! So, the 2nd checkpoint also cleared! The third checkpoint, from here I head northwest and have lunch in Numazu city! First, let’s head to the Onsen Station bus stop, which is about a 10-minute walk from here! From there it’s a 30 minute bus ride. First, go through the front entrance to the other side. The traffic cones are in the colors of Mt. Fuji…!! Next, turn left at this exit. Then turn right at this intersection where there is a shoe store. Soon I arrived at a 7-Eleven on my left. And then there was the bus stop! The bus stop is spacious, like a gas station. And as the name Onsen Station suggests, there are many hot spring inns in the area! There is also some space which is rare for a bus stop. It’s a cute space that looks like a kindergarten! It is probably a spot where you can read used books on the spot. Izu Hakone Bus to Numazu Station 12:30 AM Numazu Station South Exit *The voice makes me wake up…lol It was supposed to be a 30 minute bus ride but it took more like 45 minutes, probably due to heavy traffic. I slept well…! First of all, Numazu City is located on the western side, at the base of the Izu Peninsula. It is currently the central city of eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, but in ancient times it served as a transportation hub connecting the land and sea routes of the Tokaido, and flourished as a post town on the Tokaido during the Edo period. A post town is a place that served as accommodation for travelers traveling along the highways, as well as handling transportation and postal services, during the Edo period, when trains and cars did not yet exist. For example, the famous “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido” is a road that connects 53 post towns, starting from Nihonbashi, passing through Hakone, Shizuoka, and Nagoya, before arriving at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge in Kyoto. Another well-known route is the “Sixty-nine Stations of the Nakasendo,” a road that connects 69 post towns, starting from Nihonbashi, passing through Gunma, Nagano, and Gifu, before finally arriving at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge in Kyoto. Numazu City is located next to the warm Izu Peninsula, so it is generally warm and snow rarely falls. And when you think of Numazu, the first thing that comes to mind is probably that specialty, right? So, let’s go and try this delicious “that” right away! It’s about a 10-minute walk from the south exit of Numazu Station. First, go in this direction. This was my first time in Numazu, and I had imagined it to be more of a fishing port…! Numazu is famous as a fishing port, but the area around the station is surprisingly urban. Turn left here. By the way, Numazu is also famous as a town that appeared in the anime “Love Live!” As a result, there were many signs for the anime in front of the station. I’m curious to know how many people actually living in Numazu are fans of “Love Live!” 3rd Checkpoint: Seafood Restaurant Yamasho Main Branch It was about a 10-minute walk from Numazu Station! This time, I ordered the Seafood Five-Color Bowl! (2,040 yen) The five colors refer to five different types of fish: tuna, bonito, mackerel, horse mackerel, and amberjack. The set includes a small bowl and miso soup. It was unbelievably delicious! The official website states: “The year 2023 will mark 46 years since we first opened as Fresh Fish Restaurant Yamasho.” This suggests that the company was founded around 1977. “A sushi restaurant where you can enjoy the seasonal freshness of Numazu” “We have always maintained a commitment to providing authentic products, such as fresh seafood and sun-dried fish, at reasonable prices.” This restaurant was very lively and the interior felt like another world! Three sushi chefs were busy working. There were counter seats, table seats, and even a tatami room at the back. The moment I walked in I knew this was a great restaurant. The sushi was delicious, of course, and even though I don’t like spicy food, I was able to easily finish the ginger that was served with the sushi! When I asked the waiter about the ginger when paying the bill, he told me that this restaurant even takes ginger seriously! Well, 3rd checkpoint also cleared! The next, fourth checkpoint is in Atami City, east of here. So, first I walked back to Numazu Station and then took the Tokaido Main Line from there! The answer for my trip to Shizuoka has now been revealed! After enjoying the spectacular views at Izu Panorama Park, take a bus to Numazu and enjoy a delicious five-color seafood bowl at the seafood restaurant Yamasho. It’s the perfect plan! It was a restaurant that was well worth the 40 minute bus ride! The seafood bowl that was put in front of me was so delicious that it disappeared in no time…lol Initially, I had planned to split this Shizuoka trip into two parts, an east part and a west part. It was a day trip, so we just didn’t have enough time. After much deliberation, I decided to split my trip to Shizuoka into three parts: East, Central, and West. After all that worrying, this eastern leg of the journey has been a really good one so far! Also, although I expected to have to wait in line at the restaurant earlier, I was lucky to be able to enter without waiting! At first there were seats available, but after I was shown to a counter seat, the counter seats quickly filled up with customers, so I was really lucky…! Please come to Numazu again! 1:30 PM JR Numazu Station From here, take the Tokaido Main Line train for about 2 minutes to Atami! JR Tokaido Line To Atami Snack time after lunch! (Black Thunder as a famous Japanese chocolate snack) What I found surprising was that this train ran in the opposite direction to the seats! From Numazu, which faces Suruga Bay, I arrived in Atami, which faces Sagami Bay, on the other side of the Izu Peninsula! First of all, Atami City is located in the easternmost part of Shizuoka Prefecture and is famous for its well-known hot spring town, Atami Onsen. In 1950, the Atami fire occurred in Atami, destroying approximately 1,500 buildings, including the city hall, police station, fire station, and inns. Despite the devastating fire, the Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964, and within 10 months of opening, Atami Station saw an average daily passenger count of over 8,000. At the time, this was the fifth highest number after Tokyo, Shin-Osaka, Nagoya, and Kyoto. In 1969, the number of tourists reached its peak of 5.32 million per year (an average of 15,000 per day). However, 20 to 30 years after that peak, in the 1990s, the number of tourists gradually decreased due to the collapse of the bubble economy, economic downturn, declining birthrate, and aging facilities. However, since 2015, the trend has reversed and is showing signs of recovery. This is mainly due to the development of the coastal areas and the rise of new large resort hotel chains such as Hoshino Resorts, which have transformed the area from an “old Showa-era hot spring town” into a “stylish and convenient resort destination.” By the way, the name “Atami”, which is written as “hot sea”, comes from the fact that hot springs bubbled up from the sea with incredible force, turning all the seawater into boiling water, which led to this place being called “Atsuumi-gasaki”, which was then extended to be called “Atami”. During the Edo period, that is, the 1600s to 1700s, the place name “Atami” became established and flourished as a resort and tourist destination. It is said to be such a historic hot spring that water from Atami was presented to the shogun several times a year. And Atami City is home to a super famous shrine, just like Mishima, so let’s head there right away! From here, it’s just one stop on the JR Ito Line. I’ll get off at Kinomiya station. JR Ito Line to Ito (This is a short line with only 6 stations in total) PM2:30 JR Kinomiya Station From here it’s about a 7-minute walk to the fourth checkpoint! When I leave the station, it’s in that direction. Such a narrow road…! It’s like a one-way street! Next, go through this tunnel. I see it! I see the fourth point! 4th Checkpoint: Kinomiya Shrine Kinomiya Inari Shrine main shrine First of all, Kinomiya Shrine is located in the Kinomiya area of ​​Atami, and has long been said to bring good fortune and good luck. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but it is believed to have been around 710. One of the main reasons why Kinomiya Shrine is so famous is the huge camphor tree located at the back of the main hall, so let’s go and see it right away! Kinomiya Shrine Okusu as the huge camphor tree This tree has been designated a national natural monument. First of all, this large camphor tree, located at the rear left of the main hall, is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. The tree is about 20m tall and has a trunk circumference of about 24m. In 1933, it was designated a natural monument. Furthermore, in a survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in 1992, it was recognized as the second largest tree in the country. *The number one giant tree is the Kamo Camphor Tree at Kamo Hachiman Shrine in Kagoshima Prefecture, which is said to be about 30m tall. It is said that if you walk around this tree once, your life will be extended by one year and your wishes will come true, making it one of Japan’s most powerful spots. I was asked which way is the correct way to look at this large camphor tree, but due to my lack of knowledge I couldn’t answer…lol After researching it, it seems like it doesn’t matter which way you go. You can also see a clear stream like this next to the large camphor tree. It’s a powerful, clear stream! A backrest installed for looking up at the large camphor tree The view from the backrest As it is a very popular shrine, it also has plenty of dining and drinking spaces, including cafes! In addition to the main shrine, there are three other shrines at Kinomiya Shrine. The first is Kimiya Benzaiten, located to the upper right of the main hall. This is a shrine where Benzaiten, the only goddess among the Seven Lucky Gods, is enshrined, and is said to be a power spot for financial luck. The second one is Kunomiya Inari Shrine. This is a shrine that was created with a branch shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha is a shrine famous for its “Senbon Torii” as Thousand Torii Gates, which I also introduced in my previous trip to Kyoto. Nowadays, it is said that the shrine brings good fortune in business, bountiful harvests, safety in the home, and the fulfillment of wishes. And the last one is Mitsumine Shrine. This is a branch shrine of Mitsumine Shrine in Chichibu, where a dog is enshrined. Another thing that Kinomiya Shrine is famous for is its heart mark “Inome” which resembles a boar’s eye. This upside-down heart mark is derived from the shape of a boar’s eye, and is said to serve as a talisman that wards off evil and brings good fortune. So, although many people look at it thinking it is a heart symbol, the correct way to look at it is upside down. The main hall also has a boar’s eye shape. Can you find it? Kinomiya Shrine does not occupy a large area, so I think it is an easy place to visit even for people with weak legs or elderly people. So, the 4th checkpoint also cleared! Next, the 5th checkpoint is located in Gotemba City. Well, let’s go back to Kinomiya Station! It’s a very nice day, and I wish I had this sunshine at Izu Panorama Park…lol We arrived at Kinomiya Station. From here, we took the JR Ito Line and headed back to Atami Station, which was just one stop away! I have nearly an hour more time than originally planned! Learning from my experience during my last trip to Kyoto, this time I was really conscious of time! And if I have the time, I’d like to take it easy towards the end of the trip. What is this amazing train design…? The Black Ship Train! By chance, I came across a train with a motif of the Black Ships led by American Commodore Perry, which was the catalyst for Japan ending its isolation and opening up its ports in the 1800s! Although this is a tourist train, it is a local train with all unreserved seats. *Commodore Perry’s black ships arrived in Shimoda, further south of Atami, and Yokohama, a port city northeast of Atami, in the 1800s. Soooo lucky…! So, I’m back at Atami Station! From here, we hop on the Tokaido Main Line and head back to Numazu. This time, I discovered the Saphir (Sapphire) Odoriko, a tourist express train that runs through Izu…!! Well, I arrived at Numazu Station! From here, I changed to the JR Gotemba Line and traveled for about 40 minutes! JR Gotemba Line Gotemba bound 4:40 PM JR Gotemba Station Gotemba City is a lush highland city located at the eastern foot of the sacred Mount Fuji, with a population of just over 90,000. Sorry wait, my hands are cold so I’ll put on gloves…! This town is a transportation hub for sightseeing around Mount Fuji as well as Hakone. The city is located at an altitude of about 250-700 m, and due to its high altitude, the climate is cool and the area receives a lot of precipitation. In winter, the city has a very cold and harsh climate for a city in Shizuoka Prefecture, but in summer, it is cool and there are almost no instances of extremely hot days or tropical nights. The town is also surrounded by mountains, including Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, as well as Mount Hakone to the east, the Tanzawa Mountains to the north, and Mount Ashitaka to the southwest, making it a recommended area for mountain lovers! By the way, in the 15th stanza of the Tokaido section of the song “Railway Song,” which I also introduced in Mishima’s book, the town of Gotemba is sung about as follows: “This is Gotemba. I’ll try mountain climbing in the summer. It’s 3,776 meters high, and you can see the 13 provinces at a glance.” In these lyrics, the “It’s 3,776 meters high” refers, of course, to Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan. The last “13 provinces” refers to the 13 former provinces from which Mount Fuji can be seen, specifically the following locations: Sagami, Musashi, Kazusa, Shimousa, Awa, Kouzuke, Shimotsuke, Hitachi, Izu, Suruga, To-tomi, Kai, and Shinano. And best of all, Gotemba is home to a huge shopping resort that rivals any theme park, so let’s head there right away! But as soon as the shuttle bus left, it was gone…lol The temperature in this town is completely different from Atami, Numazu, and Mishima, where I was just now. My fingers are cold…lol The free shuttle bus to Gotemba Outlets stops at bus stop number 2 in the bus rotary at the Hakone Otome Exit of Gotemba Station. So after a 15 minute bus ride from Gotemba Station, I arrived at our destination! 5th Checkpoint: Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall First, this is the largest outlet mall in Japan, located on a vast site with a view of Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site! This facility is apparently the flagship of the Mitsubishi Estate Group’s “Premium Outlets,” of which there are around 10 in Japan. Gotemba Premium Outlets is made up of three areas: the WEST ZONE, which we are currently in, the EAST ZONE, and the HILL SIDE, and three bridges connecting them: the Dream Bridge, the Hope Bridge, and the Hillside Bridge. As the official website describes it as “Japan’s leading shopping resort,” this place is far too vast to be described with a simple word like “shopping mall.” So I think the term “shopping resort” is a perfect description! This outlet mall opened in the summer of 2000. On the other hand, this outlet did not exist in Gotemba until the 1990s, but this location is one of the symbols of Gotemba, and I cannot imagine a time when this outlet did not exist. For example, in Yokohama, the famous Red Brick Warehouse opened as the commercial and cultural facility it is today in 2002. Before that, Yokohama Minato Mirai’s streetscape did not have the image of a major tourist destination that it is today. For example, in the 1980s, the rundown warehouse area was used as a filming location for TV dramas. That is how Gotemba Premium Outlets has now become one of the indispensable landmarks of Gotemba City and Shizuoka Prefecture. The Gotemba Outlet was renovated and reopened in 2020, marking the 20th anniversary of its opening. Specifically, in addition to the two areas we are currently in, WEST ZONE, and the EAST ZONE on the opposite side, a new area called HILL SIDE has been created. Let’s head to the new area, HILL SIDE, for dinner! The Great Bridge of Hope connects the West Zone and Hill Side This new area has plenty of restaurants and cafes as well as clothing stores, and as its name HILL SIDE suggests, it offers a spectacular view of the hillside! In particular, the food court “ITADAKI TERRACE” is a restaurant that offers a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji if the weather is good! The name of this restaurant “ITADAKI TERRACE” is a clever combination of “itadaki”, which means the top of a mountain, and the Japanese greeting “itadaki-masu” when starting to eat…lol I visited this outlet mall for the first time in several years and was surprised to see how it had been transformed into such a stylish, new space! Although I hadn’t decided where to have dinner this time, I decided on this restaurant because it looked like it had a nice atmosphere! SALON GINZA SABOU -Rice Restaurant- This restaurant, run by apparel brand JUN Group, has the following to say on its official website: “This is a diner-style restaurant where you can enjoy the delicious taste of the legendary rice brand, Yukihotaka.” “You can create your own set meal style by combining about 30 types of small dishes, side dishes, and rice accompaniments that further enhance the flavor of the rice cooked in the clay pot.” “You can also enjoy a view of Mt. Fuji from inside the restaurant.” This time, for my main meal, I chose the Deep Fried Taiyo (as the sun) Chicken, which was also featured on the restaurant’s sign! The side dishes are, from the front of the picture, simmered abalone, Hokkaido salmon roe marinated in soy sauce, simmered braised chiken and vegetable, and simmered hijiki seaweed. What’s more, you can have as much rice as you want! (Miso soup included) It was so delicious…!! (total 2,510 yen) 6:45 PM, 5th checkpoint cleared! The last, 6th point, is located within this outlet. It’s just a short walk from the HILL SIDE area where I am currently located, so let’s head over right away! I took the elevator up to the sixth floor of the outlet mall’s multi-storey car park. In stark contrast to the bustle from earlier, this space is very quiet and calm. 6th Checkpoint: Hot Spring Facility Konohana-noyu On the official website, it says: “This hot spring is characterized by its overwhelming view of Mt. Fuji, high-quality hot spring water from its own source, and 19 private open-air baths.” This open-air bath also offers a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji! And there is also a modern Japanese restaurant called Dining Hana-goromo, which offers a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji. So, this place is conveniently located next to the Gotemba Outlets and is a space where you can relax after your travels. This hot spring also has an accommodation facility called HOTEL CLAD, where more than half of the rooms offer views of Mount Fuji. For example, if you visit the outlet late at night, I recommend a luxurious plan where you can enjoy a bath in a hot spring with a view of Mt. Fuji before staying the night at HOTEL CLAD. The name “Konohana noyu” comes from Konohana Sakuya-hime, a goddess in Japanese mythology who is enshrined at Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Big Shrine. This goddess is enshrined on Mount Fuji as the goddess of safe childbirth and fire, and is also said to embody the beauty of cherry blossoms. So, I’m off to take a dip in the hot springs to soothe my travel fatigue! This hot spring is attached to an outlet mall, but its opening hours are different from that of the mall. In March, the outlet mall closed at 8 p.m., but this hot spring is open until 10 p.m. (last admission is at 9 p.m.) Photo from the official pamphlet The facility is operated by the Odakyu Railway Group. Photo from the official pamphlet This facility opened in 2019, so the interior is really clean and lovely! It was a wonderful hot spring…!! I’d like to talk about my impressions at length, but since there is only one return bus per hour, I first have to hurry to the bus stop! For now, I have completed all six checkpoints this time! First, take the free shuttle bus from the HILL SIDE area to the WEST ZONE. In about 5 minutes, I arrived at the WEST ZONE! From here, I boarded the bus bound for JR Mishima Station. (Departing at 19:45. If I had missed this bus, the next one would be an hour later, so I was glad I made it in time…) If you are going to Mishima Station, just wait at platform 2. Please note that Fujikyu Mobility is a route bus and not a tourist bus, so reservations are not required. 8:30 PM Arrived at JR Mishima Station! The bus ride was said to take about an hour, but it actually took about 45 minutes! 10:00pm Tokyo Station After about 16 hours, I’m back at Tokyo! This was such a wonderful trip! Shizuoka is an amazing place and the plan I came up with was a great success! Most of the checkpoints on this trip were places I had never visited before, but it was worth the worry in the end, and it turned out to be a really good trip! My last trip to Kyoto took me two days in total due to lack of time, so this time I was able to move briskly and complete it in one day, which was a relief. From my experience, time is a major issue, especially when it comes to day trips. And that’s also one of the joys of traveling. In other words, how meaningful a trip can I make in the limited time I have? 1st Checkpoint: Water City – Mishima Taisha Big Shrine 2st Checkpoint: Izu Panorama Park The only disappointment was that it was cloudy, but I would definitely like to visit again! 3rd Checkpoint: Numazu Seafood Restaurant Yamasho That 5-color seafood bowl tasted like Suruga Bay…lol 4th Checkpoint: Atami Kinomiya Shrine What a pleasure to say hello to this magnificent 2000 year old tree! 5th Checkpoint: Gotemba Premium Outlet Mall 6th Checkpoint: Hot Spring Facility Konohana Noyu I used to love hot springs when I was in my 20s, but I haven’t been there much in recent years. So, have you ever experienced that once you break a habit, it feels like the next time you do it is very far away? However, this time, although it was only for a short time, I was able to enjoy a hot spring for the first time in a long time, and after remembering how wonderful it was, I have a feeling that my hot spring boom will come back…!! So, I’m going to give myself a perfect score of 100 for this trip! I didn’t find traveling by train or bus difficult, and it was a refreshing experience to be able to ride the Tokaido Main Line for the first time! Normally when traveling that section, I would take the faster Shinkansen rather than the conventional Tokaido Main Line. But this time, I had a lot of fun riding the local train going back and forth between Atami and Numazu…!! By the way, there are still two parts to go in this Shizuoka travel series: the central and western parts, so I hope you’ll wait for them. So, thank you so much for watching this video!!! See you on another trip!!

2024年3月　東海道シリーズ 第2弾
「静岡の人気観光名所を日帰りで回りまくってみた！」
東エリア編

東京駅発＆日帰りの、静岡一人旅です！
具体的には、6ヶ所の人気おすすめ観光名所を回っていきます

1. 三島　三嶋大社
2. 伊豆の国　伊豆パノラマパーク
3. 沼津　お食事処・山正
4. 熱海　来宮神社
5. 御殿場プレミアム・アウトレット
6. 木の花の湯（日帰り温泉）

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