Nihondaira Ochakaikan Shizuoka Private Car Tour

This is the ideal tour for travelers who want to discover the highlights of Shizuoka and the port city of Shimizu efficiently, in a private vehicle with a government-licensed, experienced multilingual guide. Set on the shores of Suruga Bay beneath Mt. Fuji, Shizuoka is the heart of Tokugawa Ieyasu's domain and Japan's most famous green tea region. On this private 6-hour tour you will enjoy iconic Mt. Fuji views from the pine-fringed beach of Miho no Matsubara, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the lavishly decorated Kunozan Toshogu, where Ieyasu was first enshrined. Take in sweeping panoramas from the Nihondaira plateau, explore Sunpu Castle Park and the colorful Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, and sample fresh seafood at the Shimizu fish market beside the cruise port. Your private guide and vehicle let you set the pace, skip the crowds, and tailor the day to your interests, be it history, scenery, tea, or food, for a relaxed and memorable visit to Shizuoka and Shimizu.

Itinerary

1. Walk along Miho no Matsubara, a UNESCO World Heritage pine grove stretching along the coast with iconic views of Mt. Fuji rising across Suruga Bay. Stroll the black-sand beach lined with ancient pines, including the legendary Hagoromo pine. (45 min)
2. Visit Kunozan Toshogu, the lavishly decorated shrine where shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu was first enshrined. Admire the vivid gold-and-black gongen-style architecture and enjoy sweeping views over Suruga Bay from the hillside. (1h 0min)
3. Take in panoramic views from Nihondaira, a scenic hilltop plateau overlooking Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Izu Peninsula, and the surrounding tea hills. A perfect photo stop on a clear day, connected to Kunozan by ropeway. (30 min)
4. Explore the grounds of Sunpu Castle, where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his retirement years. Stroll the moats, stone walls, and reconstructed Tatsumi Yagura turret and Higashi-gomon gate within a peaceful park in central Shizuoka. (30 min)
5. Discover Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, a grand complex of vividly lacquered shrine buildings closely tied to the Tokugawa family. Admire the colorful carvings, towering main hall, and tranquil grounds at the foot of Mt. Shizuhata. (30 min)
6. Visit Kashinoichi at Shimizu Port, a lively market famous for fresh seafood from Suruga Bay, including renowned raw sakura shrimp and tuna. Browse the stalls and, if you wish, enjoy a fresh sushi or seafood lunch. (45 min)
7. Browse S-Pulse Dream Plaza, a lively waterfront complex at Shimizu Port with shops, a sushi street, and a Ferris wheel offering bay and Mt. Fuji views, a fun stop near the cruise terminal. (30 min)
8. Stop at the Nihondaira tea house and surrounding plantations, the heart of Japan's most famous green tea region. Enjoy views over neat rows of tea bushes, often framed by Mt. Fuji, and sample freshly brewed Shizuoka green tea. (30 min)

Meeting & end point