Celebrations of the earth echo across the mountains. The clear flowing streams, gushing hot springs and vast color of the Southern Alps (Minami Arupusu) heal the travelers soul with splendid workings.
Abe Falls
About 40 minutes from the Umegashima hot-spring village, Abe Falls is the largest waterfall in Shizuoka City and one of the 100 most scenic falls in Japan. It is a favorite spot for viewing the brilliant green foliage of spring, retreating from the summer heat or enjoying autumn colors.
Address and Contact – Abe Falls 5276, Umegashima, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken 421-2301 Tel: 054-269-2457 (Umegashima Tourist Information Office)
Website: http://www.city.shizuoka.jp/deps/kanko/tabi_umegashima_guide2.html
Umegashima Onsen – Ryokon and Hot Spring Spa in Abe Great Falls 4797 Umegashima, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken 421-2301, Japan TEL 054-269-2263 FAX: 054-269-2264
Website: http://kusagiri.com/
Abe Pass
On the border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, this pass was used by the daimyo Takeda Shingen to transport gold during the wars of the 16th century. The seasonal colors especially the autumn leaves are spectacular and there are several lovely mountain streams near the pass. Also See: Abe Pass (Abe-Toge Pass) – Mt. Fuji & Nature http://www.japanguides.net/shizuoka/mt-fuji-nature.html
Fig: Flowered slopes of Mt. Akaishi and Mt. Arakawa
Abe River Fireworks
The climax of summer in Shizuoka is the fireworks display upstream from the Abe River (Abe-kawa or Abe-gawa) Bridge on the last Saturday of July. The night sky is set ablaze by 10,000 pieces launched from 50 sites. This summer festival is the largest fireworks display in Shizuoka City, held in last Saturday of July.
Address and Contact – Abe River Fireworks [Upstream from the Abekawa Bridge] 15 Hontori, Nishimachi, Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka Prefecture 420-0066, Japan Tel: 054-221-7199 Fax: 054-221-8199
Website: http://www.city.shizuoka.jp/deps/kanko/abekawahanabi.html
Kogane-no-yu (Golden Hot Spring
The baths of Kogane-no-Yu are renowned for smoothing the skin. Bathing is available in several styles including tepid baths, falls, walking baths and open-air baths. The shops offer various local delicacies and crafts.
Address and Contact – Kogane-no-yu (Golden Hot Spring) 5342 Umegashima, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken 421-2301, Japan TEL :054-269-2615
Website: http://www.koganenoyu.com/
Lake Ikawa
An artificial lake encircled by a 10 kilometer nature path. Special features include the Ikawa Daibutsu (a large Buddha statue).
Fig: Lake Ikawa
Southern Alps/ Minami Alps (Minami-Arupusu-shi) / Akaishi Mountains
This mountain range straddling the prefectures of Shizuoka, Yamanasni and Nagano includes 13 peaks that stand more than 3000 meter high. Ten peaks are in or on the border of Shizuoka City. The mountains offer outstanding panoramas of slopes covered with virgin forest.
Landscape of the Southern Alps embrace the primeval forest with precious flora and fauna. The mountains of the Southern Alps has a variety of climbing routes. The summer is crowded with hikers. In fall season, you can enjoy a superb view of one of Japan’s mountain.
Ikawa Information Station in the Ikawa mountain village is the front door or entrance of the Southern Alps, nestled in the wilderness offer Tourism deals, such as Kogane-no-yu (Golden Hot Spring), Riverwell Ikawa Ski Resort, Ski mountaineering camp, Ikawa Buddha, nature climbing trails, hiking while watching the mountains of the Southern Alps and Mt Fuji in the distance, you can enjoy the charm of each season.
Address and Contact
Ikawa Sightseeing Hall, Southern Alps Area [Ikawa Information Station] 964 Ikawa, Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka Prefecture 428-0504, Japan TEL: 054-260-2377
http://ikawa.ooi-alps.jp/
Riverwell Ikawa Ski Resort 2629-190 Ikawa Aoi Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture 428-0504, Japan Tel: 054-260-2316
Website: http://www.city.shizuoka.jp/deps/kouiki/riverwell.html
Southern Alps Area Ikawa Auto Camping Ground 449-2 Tashiro, Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka Prefecture 428-0505, Japan
TEL: 054-260-2322
Southern Alps Tokai Forest Reservation Center 1-753-1 Kanayaazuma, Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture 428-0013, Japan TEL: 0547-46-4717
Website: http://www.t-forest.com/alps/
Okuoi and Southern Japan Alps Mountain Park
Okuoi is located in the northern part of Shizuoka, surrounded by the nature of South Alps made of majestic mountains as much as 3,000 meters high; where part of the upstream region of the Oi-gawa River, which flows into Suruga Bay, is located. The region has been designated as a prefectural national park. Okuoi and Southern Japan Alps Mountain Park is divided into –
Okuoi and Southern Japn Alps Mountain Park 9-6 Otemachi, Shizuoka City (Shizuoka-shi), Aoi Ward (Aoi-ku), Shizuoka Prefecture (Shizuoka-ken) 420-8601, Japan TEL: 054-221-2664 FAX: 054-221-3278
Website: http://www.ooi-alps.jp/
Shizuoka City Promotion Division in Mountainous Areas
Shozuoka-shi (Shizuoka City) Forest Owner’s Association/ Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department 538-11 Sendai, Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka Prefecture 421-1212, Japan Tel: 054-278-3141 (Forest Owner’s Association) Tel: 054-294-8805 (Promotion Division) Tel: 054-354-2190, 054-354-2191 (City Hall, Agriculture & Forestry Division) Ikawa Tourism Association Branch Office: Tel: 054-260-2211 Ikawa Ferry: Tel.: 054-260-2505 FAX: 054-278-0246
E-mail: mid…@shizzmori.jp
Shizuoka City Forest Owner’s Association Website: http://www.shizzmori.jp/
Shizuoka City Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Promotion Division Website: http://www.okushizuoka.jp/
Southern Alps, Shizuoka City Promotion Division: http://www.shizuoka-citypromotion.jp/spot/event_minami-alpus.html
Shizuoka City Hall (General Affairs Division of Agriculture and Forestry): http://www.city.shizuoka.jp/deps/norinsoumu/index.html
Shizuoka Prefecture Forest Owner’s Association Website: http://www.s-kenmori.net/
Japan South Alps Library of Satellite: http://www.alps-lib.jp/
World Natural Heritage Site Promotion Council of Southern Alps/ Minami Alps (Minami-Arupusu-shi): http://www.minamialps-wh.jp/
Satellite Live Camera in Minami Alps: http://www.m-alps-live.jp/
