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
- Shimizu Port Hinode Wharf On foot
- Shin-Shimizu Station 9:00—Shizutetsu—Shin-Shizuoka 9:17— On foot—Sumpu Castle Park 9:25-10:20— On foot—Shizuoka Station (Purchase TOICA)—Bus 10:45—Hotel Lunch 11:30-13:00 —On foot— Nihondaira Ropeway 13:20— Kunozan Toshogu Shrine 13:25〜14:25—Nihondaira Ropeway 14:40—Taxi 15:00 (10 min wait)— Shimizu Port 15:30 Cruise ship
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Shizuoka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sunpu Castle, Kunozan Toshogu, and Nihondaira
The guests seemed to have a wonderful time, and I enjoyed the day as well. They had chosen the sushi at the Nihondaira Hotel, but it turned out to be somewhat unexpected for them, so perhaps I should have explained it in more detail. It seemed they had anticipated a lunch that would take less time. I believe they enjoyed everything we visited: Sunpu Castle Park, the Momijiyama Garden and the archaeological excavation site, the garden of the Nihondaira Hotel, the Nihondaira Ropeway, and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. I heard that their trip to Kyoto had been cut due to a typhoon. They apparently travel often by cruise, so they may come to Kyoto next time. In June, it was wonderful that Mount Fuji was visible.
Click here for more details: Mt. Fuji View Shimizu Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
I am relatively a novice guide but probably I am interested in quite a range of cultural and historical aspects of Japanese pursuits. After living in Tokyo for more than 20 years followed by seven year life in Britain, I have lived more than twenty years in Shizuoka and I now appreciate life in this mild, gentle and resourceful Shizuoka. I believe these will help me to talk about Shizuoka and Japan. My tea master is a distinguished man of learning and taste; the Kyonui (Japanese embroidery) master with whom I learn needlework is an extraordinary person. My academic field is eighteenth-century Britain. And I am involved in some projects that are supported by Shizuoka University and local entrepreneurs.
Jun 5, 2026
Voyage28079731367
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Mika: an excellent guide in Shimizu
We had a…
Jun 5, 2026
Voyage28079731367
Tripadvisor review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Mika: an excellent guide in Shimizu
We had a fantastic day with Mika in Shimizu. Mika picked us up at the cruise terminal and
showed us the beautiful sights nearby. The sushi lunch at the counter is also highly
recommended (do keep in mind that lunch takes about 1.5 hours).
Sep 6, 2025
Amee_H
Mt Fuji
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Great opportunity to see such a beautiful…
Sep 6, 2025
Amee_H
Mt Fuji
Viator review: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only
Great opportunity to see such a beautiful mountain, Mt Fuji & the surrounding area. Mika
was wonderful planning the excursion & gave us different agendas to fit the time off the
boat
Aug 7, 2025
Scott_D
Perfect Day with Expert & Generous Tour Guide in Shimizu
Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle…
Aug 7, 2025
Scott_D
Perfect Day with Expert & Generous Tour Guide in Shimizu
Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Shizuoka Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
This was our first port of call on our recent 12-day Japan cruise, and it was a lovely and reassuring way to start our journey. Mika-san was a phenomenal tour guide: she worked with me for months ahead of time to develop an itinerary that suited our goals of 1) maximizing our time in Shimizu; 2) maximizing our ability to see Mt Fuji; and 3) minimizing our interaction with huge groups of tourists. She even sent me links to a website that has a live-cam of Mt Fuji so that I can track visiblity in the days leading up to the tour.
Mika-san and our expert and friendly driver Kikuchi-san took great care of us as we drove first to Shiraito Falls (arriving well ahead of any other tour groups). We then went to the nearby Sengen Shrine and then made a final stop at the gorgeous pine-lined beach area called Miho no Matsubara. Mika-san worked with me ahead of time to select a perfect lunch spot for us, where we were the only locals. We were lucky on our day in late July to have some partial Mt Fuji sightings, although it shyly hid behind clouds for much of the day.
The amount of care and attention that went into the planning of our day here was outstanding. You are in a safe and expert pair of hands with Mika-san.