Shimizu Port: Mt. Fuji Views, Kunozan Shrine & Miho Beach Tour

4.94

(145 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—sort of grassy and sweet—when we stepped out near Nihondaira Plateau. Our driver, Mr. Sato, waved us over to where the green tea fields stretched out below the observatory. It was still early, so there was a bit of mist hanging around Mt. Fuji’s peak (not the postcard view yet, but honestly, it felt more real that way). Our guide Yuki handed us tiny cups of hot green tea from the Ocha Kaikan shop—she said it’s best sipped slowly, looking at the mountain. I tried, but mostly just kept staring at those rows of tea leaves and thinking how different this was from city Japan.

We took the Nihondaira ropeway next—five minutes gliding above treetops and Suruga Bay flashing silver underneath. There were some school kids in our car who giggled every time someone pointed at Fuji-san through the glass. At Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Yuki explained all these little details about Tokugawa Ieyasu (I didn’t know he’s actually buried here). The shrine itself is painted in colors I can’t even name—red? Vermillion? Gold? There’s a lot of steps after you get off the ropeway; my legs complained a bit but it was worth it for that hush under all those old trees.

Later on at Miho Beach, we wandered through the pine grove while a salty wind tangled up my hair. You can see Mt. Fuji again from here if you’re lucky with clouds—I only caught a glimpse between branches, but somehow that made it better. We stopped by the Miho no Matsubara center too; there’s this old legend about a feather robe that Yuki told with so much drama she made us laugh (my attempt to repeat her pronunciation ended in disaster). The black sand felt cool under my shoes and I picked up one smooth stone to keep—it’s still in my pocket now.