Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

Explore Shizuoka with a licensed guide. Enjoy Mt. Fuji views, historic Tokaido Road, and customizable tours. Perfect for cruise travelers!

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Miho Seacoast (Miho no Matsubara Beach) - Miho-no-Matsubara has long been known as a fantastic spot from which to view Mt. Fuji, and has even been featured in traditional Japanese ukiyo-e paintings. There are approximately 30,000 pine trees on the 7km coastline, and the sight of Mt. Fuji beyond them is one that has represented Japan over the ages. When Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Heritage Site, Miho-no-Matsubara was included as a component. On the coast there you can also find Hagoromo no Matsu, a pine tree that is said to have been visited by an angel.
  • Kunozan Toshogu Shrine - Kunozan Toshogu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified Japan after it had been divided by war for centuries and established the Edo Shogunate about 400 years ago. The shrine is on the 216m-high Mt. Kuno in Nihondaira, and the recommended way to get there is by ropeway gondola from Nihondaira. There, you can witness a view of Suruga Bay and all the way to Izu Peninsula from the precincts. Once you’ve finished paying your respects at the shrine and enjoying the buildings with their richly colored decorations, be sure to stop in the Kunozan Toshogu Museum where you can see various treasures related to the Tokugawa family, such as armor and helmets.

Entrance fee to shrine building: 500 JPY/adult, 200 JPY/elementary school and junior high school student; entrance fee to museum: 400 JPY/adult, 150 JPY/elementary school and junior high school student
※Joint ticket for shrine building and museum: 800 JPY/adult, 300 JPY/elementary school and junior high school student

  • Nihondaira Ropeway - Nihondaira is a hilly area at an altitude of about 300m facing Suruga Bay and is known as a wonderfully scenic spot from which to see Mt. Fuji. The Mt. Fuji from here stands beyond the tea fields and looks as if it is attended by Suruga Bay, and if you change the direction of your gaze, you will also see the southern Japan Alps. A sight not to miss here is the nighttime view that can be enjoyed from sunset. As the sun sets, the lights of Shimizu City below will begin to shimmer, creating a romantic scene. Be sure to take a photograph with the nightscape in the background.
  • Nihondaira Parkway - Nihondaira is a hilly area at an altitude of about 300m facing Suruga Bay and is known as a wonderfully scenic spot from which to see Mt. Fuji. The Mt. Fuji from here stands beyond the tea fields and looks as if it is attended by Suruga Bay, and if you change the direction of your gaze, you will also see the southern Japan Alps. A sight not to miss here is the nighttime view that can be enjoyed from sunset. As the sun sets, the lights of Shimizu City below will begin to shimmer, creating a romantic scene. Be sure to take a photograph with the nightscape in the background.
  • Oigawa Kawagoe Square - Oigawa Railway is famous for the traditional steam locomotives that run for more than 300 days a year. Four steam trains are in operation as a part of its fleet, and the sight of the retro trains running through the pastoral landscape and along the beautiful Oi River is the envy of many railway fans. The trains run between Shin-Kanaya Station and Senzu Station from one to three times a day, taking about 1 hour to go approx. 37km (one way). All seats are reserved, so it is recommended to make advance reservations, although you can get a seat without a reservation if there is availability when you show up.
  • Shizuoka Sengen Shrine - Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is the collective name for a group of three shrines: Kanbe, Asama, and Otoshimioya. Standing in the vast precincts are magnificent shrine buildings such as the bright vermilion Romon Gate, the Ohaiden Hall, and the main shrines of Kanbe and Asama Shrines. “Chigomai”, which is said to have moved Lord Ieyasu, is dedicated during Hatsukaesai, the annual festival in April. The Shizuoka City Cultural Assets Museum, where precious documents connected with the Imagawa and Tokugawa families are preserved and exhibited, is located within the precincts.
  • Sumpu Castle Park - Tokugawa Ieyasu (originally named Takechiyo Matsudaira) was a hostage of the Imagawa clan in his youth. He spent his young years, middle age, and the end of his life in Sumpu (now Shizuoka City).
    Ieyasu, who united Japan, retired to Sumpu after his son Hidetada became shogun.
    Construction of Sumpu Castle began in 1607 (Keicho 12) by orders of the daimyo (feudal lord), with three concentric moats protected by stone walls (from inside to outside: Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru). On the north-west side of Honmaru, a seven-story donjon with a five-level roof was constructed.
    In its golden age, Sumpu outshone Edo (Tokyo) politically, economically, and culturally.
    After the death of Ieyasu, the donjon was almost completely destroyed in a fire in 1635 (Kanei 12). While the turret and gate were rebuilt, the tower was not. Sumpu Castle in the Edo era gradually declined in scale after that.
    In the Meiji era, the Honmaru moat was filled in for use by the 34th Infantry Regiment, and Sannomaru was used as a public space for government officers and schools.
    After the war, Honmaru and Ninomaru was turned into a park for citizens’ rest and relaxation.
    Famous for its hundreds of cherry trees which bloom in spring, it also has vivid azaleas which bloom in May.
    Higashi Gomon, Hitsujisaru Yagura, and Tatsumi Yagura have been remodeled using traditional woodworking techniques. Inside, you can see pictures and materials about the reconstruction as well as excavated materials.
  • Tea Museum, Shizuoka - “Tea Museum, Shizuoka” features exhibits introducing tea industry, history, and culture, as well as rich tea picking and rubbing experiences as well as courses that teach using the five senses, and offers opportunities for everyone both young and old to enjoy learning about tea. In addition, the museum holds training sessions and collects and distributes information for people in the tea industry and tea lovers both in Japan and abroad.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Licensed Local Guide
  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
What's Not Included
  • Other personal expenses
  • Lunch - Lunch (for yourself)
  • Entrance fee (for yourself)
Additional Information

This tour is designed for travelers who visit Shizuoka by cruise ship. We will pick you up at Shimizu Port or hotels near the port. This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English-Speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Shizuoka City.

Shizuoka is home to amazingly unique food, history, culture and natural beauty. Follow in the footsteps of ancient travelers along the Old Tokaido Road while taking in the majestic views of Mt. Fuji and other natural attractions. Come to Shizuoka and see the unforgettable sightseeing spots for yourself!

Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that’s best for you.

Note1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note
2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Location
Miho Seacoast (Miho no Matsubara Beach)
Miho, Shimizu-ku,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(4 Ratings)
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1 star
Abecker
Oct 23, 2023
Wonderful and Exceptional Tour and Day - Hisato did a wonderful, extraordinary job. Thorough, intelligent, helpful and efficient. We had a great day with her and she made the trip memorable and special. The restaurant she brought us to was terrific. I wish she was our tour guide throughout Japa.
Review provided by Viator
Charles_k
Jun 21, 2023
Cloudy But Nice - Wonderful Guide. She was knowledgeable and took good care of us. Recommend her (Ikuyo) to everyone. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Review provided by Viator
Navigator657492
Jun 1, 2023
I would highly recommend this trip. - Our tour guide Ikuyo was amazing. We all met at our hotel which was really convenient for us. We all travelled by local train and bus to the venues, which we had requested to really experience the Japanese way of life. So grateful for the knowledge Ikuyo had as we had no idea the bus process was so different to the UK so this was really helpful. Our first site was the Nihondaira Yume Terrace, truly stunning the views were gorgeous with Mt Fuji clearly visible as the day was full of sunshine. We then took the ropeway to Kunozan Tosho-gu a very special place and we were blessed with the inner Shrine being open due to preparations for an event. This enabled us to walk right up to Tokugawa Ieyasu resting place which was so peaceful surrounded by trees. The day was made so much more interesting with Ikuyo sharing all of the history and explanations as we visited each location, sharing loads of information on Japanese culture which we all thoroughly enjoyed. I would also like to make a special mention to how amazing Ikuyo was as we were travelling back to Tokyo later that week and Ikuyo helped with translation for us to purchase all of the necessary train tickets as we planned to stop off at Odawara en route. It was a great example of Ikuyo going above and beyond which was really appreciated by us. A fantastic day made exceptionally chilled and relaxed for us with Ikuyo wonderful personality and knowledge. Thank you🙏🏽
Review provided by Tripadvisor
989madug
May 18, 2022
Was definitely a momerable experience! We had the best tour guide, Yassy! - We had an amazing and memorable experience during this tour. Our guide was Yassy (Yasuhiro Mochizuki). He connected with us in advance and customized the tour plan to fit our interests and preferences. Yassy was very friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and was attentive to all our needs during the tour. We were a couple and a child vising Japan for the first time and he made sure that we all enjoyed the tour alike, while focusing not only on the popular attractions but also the culture and lifestyle in general in Shizuoka/Japan. He arrived well prepared and was genuinely concerned about offering us the best possible experience. From the very beginning of the tour, he made us feel welcomed and comfortable and helped us figure out the the public transportation, and other practical needs as the tour progressed. Yassy was by far the best tour guide we have been with. Highly recommend him to anyone looking for a enjoyable tour experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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