5 Must-See Nature Escapes in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture is home to a rich landscape of lush nature that’s hugged by the sea, many mountains, and of course, Mt. Fuji.
The region is easily accessible from Tokyo by train, making it a great destination add-on for visitors to the big city.
Here’s a roundup of 5 must-see nature escapes in Shizuoka Prefecture.
1. Mt. Fuji
The first goes without saying: Mt. Fuji stands as Japan’s tallest mountain, seated between Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures. With its silhouette shrouded in the grandeur and beauty, the mountain is loved from across Japan as a national symbol.
There are 4 different hiking routes to take to the top, and once at the summit, you’ll find an unforgettable view that’s truly breathtaking!
2. Tanuki Lake
A lake tucked into the expansive Asagiri Highlands. It’s famed as a picture-perfect spot to catch Mt. Fuji. The tree-lined lakeside offers a wash of bright colors across each season, but the cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves are particularly beautiful.
Many know and love this spot for its camping, boating and hiking.
- Address
- Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)
3. Shiraito Falls
The largest waterfall in the Mt. Fuji foothills.
This destination is included in the general World Heritage Cultural Site designation granted to Mt. Fuji as a “Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration”.
If you take the long set of adjacent stairs leading down from the observation space, you’ll find the basin of the waterfall. The falls are especially impressive and mystical up close. Even in the summer this area stays quite cool, so you might want to bring a coverup just in case.
4. Yume no Tsuribashi (Suspension Bridge of Dreams) – Sumata Gorge
This 90-meter long suspension bridge hangs 8 meters above the Sumata Gorge Oma Dam Lake. Visitors are often overcome by its unexpecting beauty, while the bridge itself is full of thrills for anyone who takes the trembling walk across.
The bridge is located a 30-min. walk from the Sumata Hot Springs Village. Remember to bring walking shoes and comfortable clothes for traversing this rocky gorge.
5. Mishima Skywalk
Opened in 2015, the 400m long suspension bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. It spans the Hakone Seiroku at an altitude of about 415 meters, with a drop of 70 meters. From the bridge, you can see Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, and Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan, so together with the longest suspension bridge in Japan, you can see the 3 tops of Japan from one place. If the weather is good, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains of the Izu Peninsula and the urban areas of Mishima and Numazu.
