Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour — Guide TerryHirao
November, 2024
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Hotel Ole'in Shizuoka pickup
- 9:33 – 10:18 Travel by bus Shizuoka Station ⇒ Nihondaira Ropeway
- 10:30 – 12:00 Nihondaira Ropeway & Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
- 12:30 – 13:16 Travel by bus Nihondaira Ropeway ⇒ Shizuoka Station
- 13:30 Lunch Yakiniku Gyurikimaru
- 14:30 By bus to Sunpu no Kobo Takumishuku
- 15:00-16:00 Making chopsticks at Sunpu no Kobo Takumishuku
- 16:00 By bus to Shizuoka Station
- 16:30 Return to Hotel Ole'in Shizuoka
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Shizuoka began at 9:00, when the guide met the guests at Hotel Ole'in Shizuoka pickup, and finished at 16:30. The day ran to 7 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch Yakiniku Gyurikimaru at 13:30.
From there the group visited Travel by bus Shizuoka Station ⇒ Nihondaira Ropeway at 9:33, Nihondaira Ropeway & Kunozan Toshogu Shrine at 10:30, Travel by bus Nihondaira Ropeway ⇒ Shizuoka Station at 12:30, By bus to Sunpu no Kobo Takumishuku at 14:30, Making chopsticks at Sunpu no Kobo Takumishuku at 15:00 and By bus to Shizuoka Station at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shizuoka Station to Nihondaira Ropeway by bus (710JPY); Nihondaira Ropeway to Shizuoka Station by bus (710JPY); Shizuoka Station to Togeppo Sunpu Takumishuku Entrance by bus (440JPY); Togeppo Sunpu Takumishuku Entrance to Shizuoka Station Front by bus (440JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 2,300JPY per person.
Can You Do a Private Day Trip to Shizuoka? A Licensed Guide's Report on Lunch and a Chopstick-Making Workshop
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Some care was needed for lunch due to certain dietary considerations, so I asked what they were able to eat. Since they mentioned they could have rice, meat, and vegetables, I took them to a yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant near Shizuoka Station that serves lunch. They were able to cook the food themselves at an indoor BBQ table, which they really enjoyed. After lunch, we went to the Takumishuku craft village in Suruga to make our own chopsticks. The chopstick-making workshop was a great hit with the guests.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Shizuoka Station～Nihondaira Ropeway | 710JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Nihondaira Ropeway～Shizuoka Station | 710JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Shizuoka Station～Togeppo Sunpu Takumishuku Entrance | 440JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Togeppo Sunpu Takumishuku Entrance～Shizuoka Station Front | 440JPY |
| Total | 2,300JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Shizuoka tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel Ole'in Shizuoka pickup at 9:00, and the tour finished at Hotel Ole'in Shizuoka at 16:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 7 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 16:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Travel by bus Shizuoka Station ⇒ Nihondaira Ropeway, Nihondaira Ropeway & Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Travel by bus Nihondaira Ropeway ⇒ Shizuoka Station, By bus to Sunpu no Kobo Takumishuku, Making chopsticks at Sunpu no Kobo Takumishuku and By bus to Shizuoka Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,300JPY per person across 4 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?
TerryHirao 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.
My name is Terry Hirao, Shizuoka’s local tour guide. You can call me Terry, as in Teriyaki. I love Japan and Japanese culture and can show you the best of Japan, its history, breathtaking beauty, delicious foods, Japanese Tea. Shizoka is located in the middle of Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka, two largest metropolitan cities and famous for Mt. Fuji, Japanese Tea and a lot more. The most popular destinations in Shizuoka are Nihon Daira Plateau, Kunozan Toshogu Shrines (National Treasure), Miho Pine Tree Grove (World Cultural Heritage). I hope I can help you enjoy your trip!!
Nov 6, 2024
andrew h
Very knowledgeable tour guide of the area
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Very…
Nov 6, 2024
andrew h
Very knowledgeable tour guide of the area
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Very nice tour, Terri san also very knowledgeable about the history of Japan and also of the area. Pick us up direct from cruise port and dropped us back – so no worries about getting to and from boat.
Will recommend to others.
Oct 21, 2024
Adventurer_from_Cda
We had a great time – we enjoyed having Terry H as our guide for Shizuoka/Shimizu! Thank you!
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu…
Oct 21, 2024
Adventurer_from_Cda
We had a great time – we enjoyed having Terry H as our guide for Shizuoka/Shimizu! Thank you!
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
We had booked a 6hr guided tour at Shizuoka/Shimizu. Terry H was our guide- He was very easy to find, with his orange bandana and jacket! Our adventure for the day included: Nihondaira Ropeway/ Kunozan Toshogu Shrine; Yume Terrace Observatory, Sumpu Castle Park (incl green tea tasting) and Shizuoka city tour. Terry then brought us back to the cruise port. We enjoyed our time with Terry- he was well prepared and even had some hand drawn pages to help explain some of the relevant history throughout the day’s tour stops. Thank you!
Sep 16, 2024
Jane_R
Great experience on this Mt Fuji private tour
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Terry…
Sep 16, 2024
Jane_R
Great experience on this Mt Fuji private tour
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Terry was a most amazing guide. He explained the history and culture of Japan so well and was so flexible in where we wanted to go on the day . The driver he engaged for us kept us safe and came with a very comfortable car for 6 . Even though Mt Fuji was shy on the day we had a most memorable experience . Thank you Terry – we can highly recommend you
Aug 21, 2024
Go02797182361
Too cloudy for Mt Fuji but still a great tour with Terry
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private…
Aug 21, 2024
Go02797182361
Too cloudy for Mt Fuji but still a great tour with Terry
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Terry was a fantastic tour guide! He had a binder full of photos and images to help us understand Japanese culture , language, and history. He was able to accommodate our request for a specific Japanese meal and secured a local restaurant. Our kids had a lovely time.