This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:30 Meet at Shimizu Port Hinode Pier
- 8:50 Nihondaira Ropeway, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
- 10:40 Nihondaira Tea Hall, Nihondaira Dream Terrace
- 11:40 Miho no Matsubara
- 12:40 Seikenji Temple
- 13:30 Lunch at S-Pulse Dream Plaza
- 15:00 Disband at S-Pulse Dream Plaza
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 8:30 at Shimizu Port Hinode Pier and ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at S-Pulse Dream Plaza at 13:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Nihondaira Ropeway, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine at 8:50, Nihondaira Tea Hall, Nihondaira Dream Terrace at 10:40, Miho no Matsubara at 11:40 and Seikenji Temple at 12:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nihondaira to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine (1,250JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 1,250JPY per person.
What Is a Private Car Tour of Shizuoka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nihondaira, Kunozan Toshogu, and Miho no Matsubara
I proposed and arranged a private car in advance, which the guests booked. Because the guests arrived earlier than the meeting time, we were able to start the tour right on schedule. We made it in time for the 9:00 opening of the Nihondaira Ropeway station, so there were no major crowds, and the guests were able to visit Kunozan Toshogu Shrine at a relaxed pace. Unfortunately clouds had rolled in, so we could not see Mount Fuji from Nihondaira or Miho no Matsubara, but we made up for this with photographs and video (inside the Mihoshirube facility). Since the guests enjoyed the outdoors, they were delighted to stroll around Miho no Matsubara. Although I had scheduled lunch for a later time, the guests had a snack (ice cream) at Miho no Matsubara, so there seemed to be no problem. For lunch, the guests enjoyed sushi and sake that matched their preferences at Esupurusu Dream Plaza. After lunch, the guests offered to do some shopping and walk back to Shimizu Port on their own, so the private car was released upon arrival at Esupurusu Dream Plaza (13:30), which the guests agreed to with no refund of the difference. The weather raised concerns about heat stroke, but because the guests had booked a private car, and thanks to the driver's cooperation, we were able to move smoothly between the destinations and could immediately cool off in the car after sightseeing, which made the guests very satisfied.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Nihondaira～Kunozan Toshogu Shrine | 1,250JPY |
| Total | 1,250JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Shizuoka tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Shimizu Port Hinode Pier at 8:30, and the tour finished at S-Pulse Dream Plaza at 15:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 8:30 to 15:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Nihondaira Ropeway, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Nihondaira Tea Hall, Nihondaira Dream Terrace, Miho no Matsubara and Seikenji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,250JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Anne is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Shizuoka itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello, I’m Anne. I was born and raised in Shizuoka. As a student, I volunteered as an interpreter guide in Kyoto. I love traveling and even worked for a travel company in the past. I like learning different cultures, too. After graduating from a graduate school in Australia, I came back to Shizuoka and have been teaching at a high school and a university. I am also certified as a Japanese (language) teacher. Through my experiences living in different places and my interest in Japan, I realized again the charms of Japan and Shizuoka. This passion for sharing the attractions of Japan, especially Shizuoka, led me to become a national licensed guide interpreter in March 2024. Shizuoka is an attractive destination for its rich nature, fascinating history and culture, and delicious local foods. I would be delighted to help you discover more about Shizuoka and make your stay even more memorable!
Sep 22, 2024
Bertold_K
Beautiful landscape
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Anne war eine freundliche und flexible Stadtführerrin.…
Sep 22, 2024
Bertold_K
Beautiful landscape
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Anne war eine freundliche und flexible Stadtführerrin. Sie hat sich auf unsere Wünsche gut vorbereitet und schnell dem heftigen Regen angepasst und unsere Tour verändert. Ihr Englisch und ihr Wissen sind sehr gut.
Auch wenn wir morgens am Strand Mount Fuji nicht sehen konnten war es sehr schön. Nihondaira ist auch sehr beeindruckend
Aug 30, 2024
G
Guy_P
Great all around view of Shimizu!
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Anne was…
Aug 30, 2024
G
Guy_P
Great all around view of Shimizu!
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Anne was extremely knowlegeable and authentic! And her recommendation to use a
private driver was a must!
Jun 17, 2024
Travis_P
Great tour
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
We had a great tour with Anne.…
Jun 17, 2024
Travis_P
Great tour
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
We had a great tour with Anne. Her knowledge of all of the sites we visited was excellent and
also her communication before the tour.
Jul 16, 2024
Cosmopolitan227787
Beautiful Shizuoka !
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
This tour was amazing. Anne our…
Jul 16, 2024
Cosmopolitan227787
Beautiful Shizuoka !
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
This tour was amazing. Anne our tour guide was so knowledgeable and interesting. She tailored our tour to our interests. Prior to the trip she kept in touch and asked questions about our preferences and made suggestions. The Miho-no-Matsubara (Miho Pine Grove) was spectacular. Anne suggested we visit The Shizuoka City Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art Featuring Utagawa Hiroshige. It turned out to be a highlight. Learning about Ukiyoe (woodblock prints) was fascinating. It was a good pace, we didn’t feel rushed. Because we had hired a car we were able to fit in a few more stops.