Looking to find the best places to practice hiking in Shizuoka? Here are the top 7 courses we recommend!
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #1: Shiraito No Taki
Shiraito no Taki consists of two gorgeous waterfalls. There is one large waterfall that is 20 meters tall. The other waterfall is shorter and splits off into many smaller waterfalls. The falls themselves are easily accessible by a walkway with railing, but there are some nice paths nearby to hike along. This spot is perfect for those looking for an easy hike and some beautiful scenery. You can get to Shiraito No Taki from Gendoji Station.
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #2: Tateyama
There are plenty of gorgeous views and recreation in Shizuoka. Tateyama is a mountain surrounded by Lake Hamana, so you can see beautiful lake views from almost every direction as you make your way up the hiking trails. The stairways and trails on the lower parts of the mountain lead to some nice beaches. But the best part of Tateyama is Fujimi Iwa or “Fuji viewing rock”. This natural rock formation is one of the best places to view Mt. Fuji in Japan. Located on the summit of Tateyama, Fujimi Iwa offers unobstructed views of Lake Hamana and Mt. Fuji on days the sky is clear.
If that was not awesome enough, Tateyama is also home to the famous Kanzanji Temple. There is also a nearly 5-meter-tall statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon and small statues of the famous Japanese statues, jizo, on the trails. You can access Tateyama by taking the Entetsu #30 bus from JR Hamamatsu Station.
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #3: Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
The Shiraito No Taki are not the only awesome waterfalls in Shizuoka. The Kawazu Seven Waterfalls are an equally amazing sight. They are located in a stunning valley that is perfect for hiking. The valley includes a river, and it’s a great spot for hot springs. After your hike, there are plenty of hotels with hot springs that you can relax in. It takes about two hours to see all seven waterfalls. They vary greatly in height: the shortest is 2 meters tall while the other is 30 meters. You can get to the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls from Inazusa Station.
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #4: Mount Mankanho
This mountain offers amazing views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and Shizuoka City. The mountain is on the shorter side, at 470 meters making it a very easy to conquer hiking spot in Shizuoka. The hike to the summit is fairly easy and takes most people 2 to 3 hours to complete. This hike includes a suspension bridge. You can get a great view of the ocean and lighthouse from it. Since the bridge and lighthouse are popular tourist locations in Shizuoka, they can get a bit crowded. The nearest train station to the mountain is Shizuoka Station.
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #5: Minamiizu Yumigahama
Visiting Minamiizu Yumigahama is more of an easy walk alongside the beach of Shizuoka than a hike. However, you don’t want to miss this gorgeous location. The best time to enjoy Minamiizu Yumigahama is at night, so we recommend starting your stroll down the beach in the evening. At night, you can experience an incredibly beautiful sky filled with stars. You’ll even be able to see the winter diamond constellation. Minamiizu Yumigahama is part of Izu Peninsula Geopark, which has plenty of other cool places to explore in Shizuoka. The geopark is accessible by train, ferry, or bus. Trains and buses to the peninsula depart from Ito and Shuzenji Station.
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #6: Jogasaki Coast Trail
This hiking trail in Shizuoka is only 90 minutes away from Tokyo and offers stunning coastal views. The trail is 9 kilometers long and typically takes about 2 hours to complete. The hike is moderately strenuous and is a good choice for beginners and experienced hikers alike. After your hike, don’t forget to stop by the nearby town of Utogi, which is famous for wasabi. You can see their wasabi streams, which have been there since the 1600s. The closest train station to the hiking trail is Atami Station.
Hiking in Shizuoka Spot #7: Great Abe Falls
That’s right, more waterfalls! Nature in Shizuoka is full of them. Located in the small onsen town of Umegashima, the hiking tracks surrounding the waterfall are a wonderful experience and a fresh hiking spot in Shizuoka. We especially recommend the Abe Toge and Abe Great and Akamizu Waterfall tracks. It’s a good idea to stay in a local hotel and set off early the next day, as you can catch amazing sunsets at the Great Abe Falls. After you’re done hiking, go for a soak if your hotel has hot springs (we think it’s best to book one that does) The hiking trails are a two-hour bus ride from Shizuoka Station.