I left Matsuzaki by Tokai express bus at 13:01 and arrived at Izukyu Shimoda Station at 13:45. Because I had an appointment with a staff of Shimoda Ropeway, I just walked around it to take some pictures and met him for an interview.

Walk right to the front road from Shimoda Station, and Shimoda Ropeway is just right there. This ropeway leads you to the Mt. Nesugata, if literally translated, the mountain that looks like someone lying down, and indeed it did.

He gave me brochures and a promotion DVD.
On Mt. Nesgata is Nesugata Nature Park, where you can see flowers all the year around, Buddist statue “Aizen-Myoo” for love, babies and safe delivery and other wishes, and Photo Memorial Hall. Sounds good to me !＾＾
I took gondola which took not more than five minutes to the top. Walking through the gift shop, I stepped on the observation deck and found a spectacular view ! From the Nesugata Nature Park, you can see the city of Shimoda, Shimoda port, Izu Seven Islands, and magnificent mountains of Amagi. Walking along the walkway, I found some observation decks. Gracious to us tourists, isn’t it ? I dropped at every deck, taking pictures, and a little rest. Now, please see what I saw there.

I strolled farther, choosing the trails to “Aizen-Myoo-do”. Yellow flowers along the pathway. In about 20 minutes from the ropeway station, I passed Photo Memorial Hall and found a small red architecture. Beside it are hundreds of Jizo statues of 800 years ago. Please click on the middle picture to enlarge. Can you see statues with red aprons ? I pressed my hands together before them and stood in front of the red room. Aizen-Myoo was right there. Unsmiling but somehow affectionate and sympathetic. I closed my eyes to say thank you for everything in my mind.

Aizen Myoo

Click to enlarge

Photo Memorial Hall

On my way back to the ropeway station, I found a cannon beside the pathway. To that moment, I had completely forgotten that Shimoda is a city of history. This is the watch-deck for black ships of Commodore Perry. Peaceful nature park harmonized with old history. What a drastic wedding !

When you visit Shimoda, be sure to find Shimoda Ropeway and get this beautiful city and the wide open sea all to your self !

Next time, I’ll report one of the most adorable animals.
Good day !＾＾


Shimoda Ropeway
Access from Izukyu Shimoda Station ： 1 minute on foot
Gondola ticket ： ¥1000 for adults / ¥500 for children ( round trip )
Open ： 9:00 – 17:00 ( 9:00 – 17:15 in July and August )
About 3 minutes to Nesugata Nature Park ※Gondola leaves every 10 or 15 minutes

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ＾＾