Enjoying Mt. Fuji, ocean and hot spring at the same time – 2-day trip of Izu-Toi Onsen and Shuzenji Onsen making use of Shinkansen

Photo: Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association

Enjoying Mt. Fuji, ocean and hot spring at the same time – 2-day trip of Izu-Toi Onsen and Shuzenji Onsen making use of Shinkansen

When speaking about sightseeing of Mt. Fuji, many people may think of the famous Lake Kawaguchiko Onsen in Yamanashi. Here I want to introduce a new sightseeing route in Shizuoka, where you can enjoy Mt. Fuji, ocean and hot spring at the same time.

While the actual beauty of Mt. Fuji you can see depends on the weather, when viewing the sea and Mt. Fuji at the same time, it’s easier to view a beautiful Mt. Fuji in winter compared to summer when temperature of the sea rises.

Day 1

Travelling from the Shinkansen Shizuoka Station to the Shimizu Port Ferry Pier

It takes 11 minutes (3 stations) by JR Tokaido Line from the Shinkansen Shizuoka Station (where you can arrive in around an hour from Tokyo and 2 hours from Osaka) to Shimizu Station, which is the nearest station to the Suruga Bay Ferry Pier.

Free shuttle bus takes you from Shimizu Station to the Ferry Pier.

Shizuoka Station

Shimizu Statuion and the free shuttle bus.

 

 

Travelling from Shimizu Port to Toi Port via Suruga Bay Ferry

Suruga Bay Ferry, also known as “Route 223” (223 stands for Mt. Fuji in Japanese), runs from Shimizu Port to Toi Port in 70 minutes.

If the weather is fine, you can take in a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji on the ferry.

(Notice: Suruga Bay Ferry will end business in March, 2019.)   

Photo: Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association

We specially recommend the lounge (fare +500 yen).

Enjoying coffee and the spectacular view at the deck, you will feel that it’s just a short time before arriving at the Toi Port.

 

 

 

Travelling from Toi Port to Izu-Toi Onsen

After arriving at Toi Port, you can go to the hot spring area by car in 5 minutes. Toi Onsen, where you can also enjoy the beach in summer, is popular as a hot spring facing the sea.

There are also a number of high-class onsen ryokans. Toi Onsen is a perfect destination for couples.

 

Must-visit spot at Toi Onsen – Lovers’ Cape (Koibito Misaki)

You can go to the Lovers’ Cape, which is a popular spot among couples, from the hot spring area by car in 15 minutes.

You can hold your lover’s hand on the wide path leading to the observatory deck, where the magnificent view of Mt. Fuji is waiting for you. It’s a perfect spot for taking photos.

  

Onsen ryokan recommendations at Izu-Toi Onsen

Futaritowani En (ふたりとわに 縁)
All rooms are luxurious, modern Japanese-style rooms with open-air hot springs and terraces, commanding the view of Mount Fuji across the sea.

Fugaku Gunjo (富岳群青)
Apart from the superb view of Mount Fuji, all rooms are separate buildings with different and beautifully designed interior decoration.

Musouan Biwa (無雙庵枇杷)
All rooms are separate old folk house-style buildings, commanding a view of the ocean.

Arujisu (あるじ栖)
You can enjoy beautiful ocean views both from your room and from public open-air baths. It is a relatively economical yet great choice of accommodation in Toi Onsen.

 

 

Day 2

After walking leisurely along the seashore at Toi Onsen, the next destination is Shuzenji Onsen.

Travelling to Shuzenji Station through the hot spring area of Shuzenji

It takes about 30 minutes by taxi and 45 minutes by bus to travel from Toi Onsen to Shuzenji Onsen.

Shuzenji

The Shuzenji Temple, which is where the name of the place comes from, is located just next to the hot spring area.

Onsen ryokans and restaurants can be found also the river flowing through the centre of the hot spring area.

A free foot bath called Tokko-no-yu is located in the middle of the river.

This “Bamboo Path” is also a popular spot here.

Onsen ryokan recommendations at Shuzenji Onsen

Sora Togetsusou Kinryu (宙 SORA 渡月荘金龍)
The mountain views outside each room offer high levels of privacy. It is also a filming location of the famous TV drama The Full-Time Wife Escapist.

Asaba (あさば)
In Asaba, you can find a traditional Noh stage surrounded by water and greenery, and open air baths steeped in rustic flavor.

 

Sagasawakan (嵯峨沢館)
It is a quiet ryokan that will comfort your heart and soul. Besides eleven hot spring bathing areas outside your room, all rooms have private hot springs.

 

Shuzenji Station

It takes about 10 minutes by bus to go from the hot spring ares of Shuzenji to the Shuzenji Station.

Travelling from Shuzenji Station to Mishima Station

From Shuzenji Station, you can arrive at Mishima Station in around 35 minutes by Izu-Hakone Railway.

Mishima Sky Walk

The 400-metre-long Mishima Sky Walk opened in Febuary 2015 and is Japan’s longest suspension bridge only for pedestrians.

It offers great views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay and the mountains of Hakone. From Mishima Station, you can go there in 20 minutes by taxi and 30 minutes by bus.

Travelling from the Shinkansen Mishima Station to Tokyo/Osaka

From Mishima Station, it takes 56 and 132 minutes to return to Tokyo and Shin-Osaka by Shinkansen respectively.