See and Encounter Japanese Culture By Viewing Mt Fuji and Shizuoka

Fully experience Japanese culture, old and new – for example, try a traditional Japanese craft or attend a tea ceremony in a traditional tea-room.

From Shizuoka Station to Earthquake Disaster Prevention Center takes approximately 20 minutes by bus

1. 
   Take a tour around an earthquake and experience what its like to fight the fires it leaves behind. In the dome theater, images on a huge 400-inch screen help to make the scale of nature more real, white the direct experience of water in the indoor tsunami water tank lets you feel the awesome power of a huge tidal wave.

   Access – From JR Shizuoka Shizuoka, 15 minutes by bus.

   A little further away…

   Toro Archaeological Site

   
   Relics from approximately 2,000 years ago. This is an important historic park at which you can gain a real feeling for life long ago, by seeing old dwelling sites, daily items, and decorations.

   Access – approximately 15 minutes by bus.

   From Earthquake Disaster Prevention Center to Serizawa Keisuke Art Museum takes approximately 15 minutes by taxi.

2. 
   This exhibits works from the late Keisuke Serizawa, an internationally renowned textile artist. Here you can sec items such as is kimono, screens, and store curtains made with the traditional Japanese katazome stencil-dyeing technique.

   Access – From JR Shizuoka Station, approximately 20 minutes by bus.

   From Serizawa Keisuke Art Museum to Mariko Shuku takes approximately 20 minutes by taxi.

3. 
   The Tokaido was a busy route in the Edo period (1603-1867). At Mariko, a Tokaido station that still retains the atmosphere of old, you can enjoy graced yam soup, a specialty of this area.

   From Mariko Shuku to Sumpu Takumi-Shuku takes approximately 10 minutes walk.

4. 
   Here you can experience traditional crafts handed down from the era of Tokugawa Ieyasu (approximately 400 years ago). You can choose from a wide selection of activities that include ceramics, woodwork, and dyeing.

   Access – From JR Shizuoka Station, approximately 30 minutes by bus.

   From Sumpu Takumi-Shuku to Gyokuro-no-Sato takes approximately 25 minutes by taxi.

5. 
   At the Hyogetsu-tei tea house, which is carefully constructed using traditional methods, experience the Japanese tea ceremony while looking out over the beautiful Japanese-style garden and pond.

   Access – From JR Yaizu Station, approximately 40 minutes by bus.

   A little further away…

   Yaizu Port (Yaizu Sakana Center)

   
   Shizuoka Prefecture, with its long coastline, has many ports. You will never forget the variety of glistening fresh seafood laid out in a port fish market. Another special treat is the taste! Take the opportunity to enjoy sushi or sashimi straight from the sea.

   Access – From JR Yaizu Station, an approximately 10-minute walk.

   From Gyokuro-no-Sato to Yaizu Kuroshio Spa takes approximately 30 minutes by taxi.

6. 
   This beach-side hot spring is close to Yaizu port. The water contains levels of saltt, and is said to be good for the skin.

   Access – From JR Yaizu Station, an approx. 10 minutes by taxi

   Appreciate items related to Lafcadio Hearn at the Yaizu Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum

   
   An Irish author who depicted life in Japan, his works are loved around the world. He had a dose relationship with Yaizu and here you can see many items related in his life.

   Access – From JR Yaizu Station, approximately 10 minutes by bus.

   Day 2:

   A day in which you can see, touch, and taste Japanese culture by viewing Mt.Fuji, visiting historical sites, and partaking of sushi.

   From Yaizu Kuroshio Spa to Horai Bridge takes approximately 45 minutes by taxi, JR and walking.

7. 
   This has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the “longest wooden footbridge in the world” (897.4 meters). Cross the bridge at your leisure, and enjoy the view of tea fields around you.

   Access: Approximately 80 minutes by walking, JR train and bus.

   From Horai Bridge to Enshu Three Temples (Hattasan Soneiji Temple) takes approximately 45 minutes by taxi, JR and walking.

8. 
   One of the ancient Enshu Three Temples. Known for the God of Mercy who wards off evil, within the temple grounds, you can also enjoy Yakuyoke dongo that are said to have the same effect. This is popular as a springtime viewing spot for cherry blossoms.

   Access – From JR Fukuroi Station, 15 minutes by bus

   Be a monk of a day!

   
   Experience the life of a Buddhist while visiting Fukurous famous Enshu Three Temples. Wear the vestments of a real monk, experience Zen meditation and ascetic training sitting under waterfalls and eat the Spartan vegetable dishes unique to temples. This gives you time to unwind and relax.

   Hattasan Temple Yakuyoke Dango

   
   Hattasan’s specially, Yakuyoke dango, are a traditional sweet comprising dumplings filled with sweet bear jam.

   From Enshu Three Temples (Hattasan Soneiji Temple) to Banshozan Kasuisai Temple takes approximately 25 minutes by bus.

9. 
   A famous temple rebuilt and renamed by Tokugawa leyasu. In the large temple grounds, you can enjoy the main building and study, and you can also view peonies in spring, fringed, orchids in summer and beautiful foliage in autumn.

   Access – From JR Fukuroi Station, approximately 10 minutes by taxi.

   From Banshozan Kasuisai Temple to Yusanji Temple takes approximately 25 minutes by bus.

10. 
    An ancient temple, founded in 701. Within its expansive grounds there is much to see, including a cedar grove, mountain streams and waterfalls, a temple gate that has been designated an important cultural asset, and a three-story pagoda.

    Access – From JR Fukuroi Station, an approximately 10 minutes by taxi

    From Banshozan Kasuisai Temple to Yusanji Temple takes approximately 45 minutes by bus, JR train and taxi.

11. 
    Hamamatsu Castle within Hamamatsu Castle Park was built by Tokugawa leyasu, and is known as the “Caste of Success,” from where he set off to conquer the whole country. The park also features a Japanese garden, and central grassed area. Here Tokugawa Ieyasu lived for 17 years. The reconstructed donjon contains weapons and many other important leyasu-related materials and you can enjoy the magnificent panoramic view from the top of the keep. Towards the end of March, approximately 500 cherry trees surrounding the Castle Tower begin to bloom and many people gather here for cherry blossom viewing.

    This feudal period castle, located in the middle of modern downtown Hamamatsu, was built by the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1570. Tokugawa spent much of his youth here before going on to become prominent and recognized as an accomplished statesman. Thus the castle is a popular symbol of determination and success.
    
    Although the castle itself has been restored from the original, the stone wall, famous for its unusual layered construction, has stood as it stands now since feudal times. The view from the donjon , the topmost parapet, is most beautiful in the cherry blossom season (March/April). The art museum and the “Shointei” tea house around the castle attract visitors as well.

    Address and Contact – Hamamatsu Castle (Hamamatsu-jo) 100-2 Motoshirocho, Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Shizuoka Prefecture 430-0946, Japan Hamamatsu Castle, Tel: 053-453-3872, Fax: 053-453-4001 Hamamatsu Castle Park, Tel: 053-411-6687, Fax: 053-464-7274 Entrance: Adults ¥150, free for jr. high school students and younger, disabled people, and those aged 70 and older Hour: 8:30 to 17:00 (Monday to Friday), Holiday: Dec.29~31

    Website: http://www.hamamatsu-navi.jp/shiro/

    Access – From JR Hamamatsu Station, an approximately 5 minutes by taxi or 20 minute walk.

    Festivals and traditional culture in Hamamatsu

    
    At the Hamamatsu Festival held every year in early May, you can enjoy viewing traditional events such as giant kite flying and flamboyant portable shrines, floats and the kites and shrines can also be seen year-round at the Hamamatsu Festival Pavilion. More Details: Hamamatsu kite-flying festival and float procession

    From Hamamatsu Castle to Shizuoka Station takes approximately 60 minutes by taxi and JR train.

Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association experienced guider will help you to experience Japanese culture! They are well known to Mt Fuji stations on the ancient highways, and other Shizuoka sights. Excellent art has lived on in many renowned feed modern artist, such Serizawa Keisuke. If you have an interest in art work you can go on one of the experience courses that have become increasingly popular among overseas visitors? Along the way you can also pick up a unique souvenir of your trip.