I got on the Dream Ferry with “Izu Dream Pass”. Maybe I should explain about this ticket more in detail. Please see this PDF. There are 3 types of routes, “Koganeji Route”, “Wasabiji Route” and “Fujimiji Route”. I chose the red course “Koganeji Route” this time. With this ticket, taking Koganeji Route for example, you can take the Dream Ferry, Tokai Bus and Izukyu Line for 3 consecutive days. Though with each ticket, you can take the Dream Ferry only once ( to go or to come back ), you can use Tokai Bus, Izu-Hakone Railway and Izukyu Line as many as you like, as long as you are in the right route. Such a good deal, isn’t it ?

Now, by the crew’s yell, I look out to the sea. What I saw was……Whales ! Two whales were there with their back emerging from the sea ! ! He said it was quite rare we could have seen whales. Pictures ? You can’t blame me for it ! Because it was only a moment or so and too impressive to press the shutter button. Maybe I should be more professional……＾＾；

Anyway, he also said we could sometimes see dolphins and if they were around the ferry, he would announce it to the passengers. Surprising service, isn’t it ?
Now, let me show you in the Dream Ferry.

The picture in the left is the store where I met two friendly ladies. Please feel free to ask them for beers or guidebooks. The picture in the right is the “Ocean Room” that anyone can make use of for ¥500／adults or ¥250／children. The view from here is so magnificent just as the one from the captain room ! No reservation required. Please purchase an admission ticket at the vending machine beside the store.

When I went out again to eat Tako-Yaki, the ferry was almost in Toi Port. Tako-Yaki in Dream Ferry, especially Suruga-Yaki, is very famous and tasty with Sakura Shrimp in it. Please report me when you’ve got a chance to try it.

Toi Port is quite different in circumstances from Shimizu Port, surrounded by mountains. The water is much clearer and many people enjoy fishing. Toi is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Izu area. Toi Onsen hot spring, Toi Goldmine, Toi Swimming Beach, Fishing Park and other tourist spots.

My plan was to visit Koibito Misaki “Lover’s Cape” next. I got off the Dream Ferry and said good-by to it. Very tranquil air. A little bit too hot. I walked up the slope to the Route 136. There, the bus stop ! 10 minutes to go. I’d been taking some pictures from the bus stop until the bus appeared.

Next time, I’ll report about Koibito Misaki.

Enjoy your Summer !





S-Pulse Dream Ferry
Access ： From JR Shimizu Station East Exit,
Free Shuttle Bus is available.

Do you remember once I mentioned S-Pulse Dream Ferry when I wrote about Fishing Park and S-Pulse Dream Plaza ? This time, divided into 7 or 8 stories, I will report my small trip using “Izu Dream Pass”.

The morning was very clear. The blue sky and crystal-clear ocean welcomed me as if they had been expecting me. I set foot in Marine Terminal, that is in the picture above, got the “Izu Dream Pass” and headed for the Ferry named “Fuji”. Over the Shimizu Port could be seen spectacular Mt. Fuji. No better day !

This Ferry connects Shimizu Port with Toi port in about 65 minutes, accommodating 450 people and more than 50 cars. I stepped in it and walked around to see the inside. There were mainly 2 types of seats. One for personal travelers, the other for families. I didn’t take neither of them. Not time to sit at ease. I rushed out on the deck to look around for pictures. Suddenly, the sound of whistle. Announcement in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Time to say good-bye to Shimizu Port. I’ll be back soon. (*´∇｀)ﾉｼ

I went to some places for interviews. The store ladies were so friendly to answer all my questions. Some of the staff in the ferry speaks Chinese or Korean and part of English. On the guide-board are written Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean so that visitors from abroad don’t get lost. Even free English guidebook is available at the store. She was so kind to talk about me to the Captain and so lucky I was, I could talk with him. He told me many specialized things such as the decision of operation or cancelation of the Ferry and its time, sailing conditions, radio relay on the ocean and his various experiences during operations.

Then suddenly, one of the crew yelled.
What do you think I saw ?
Next time, I’ll show you what is in the Dream Ferry.

Good day !



S-Pulse Dream Ferry
Access ： From JR Shimizu Station East Exit,
Free Shuttle Bus is available.

I make it a point to introduce Japanese customs or traditions of the month when I write about monthly event information but September……it may be the most peaceful but boresome month of the year.
This time, I bring up a Japanese peculiar holiday, “Respect-for-Senior-Citizens Day”. The holiday originally came on September 15 but according to the law amendment called “Happy Monday”, it was shifted to the third Monday of September. That is, September 20 falls upon it this year. There are some hypotheses about its origin. The most elementary theory is like this：
In a small village, a mayor opened a drinking party on September 15 every year after harvest season. This drinking party had a profound meaning for young people. To carry on the senior’s knowledge, to respect seniors and to celebrate seniors to make the village better. The custom became prevalent in most part of Japan and in 1966, Sep 15 was designated as a national holiday.
Now, here is the event information in September.

Ise-Ebi Lobster Festival is, to be exact, not a festival but a service for the fishing season of Ise-Ebi Lobster. Enjoy your stay in Izu Area and taste the luxurious dinner.

Enjoy your September !

A new tour bus service has begun, for a limited period, from JR Shin-Fuji Station for visitors who’d like to enjoy a simple tour to Mt. Fuji.
This tour bus leaves Shin-Fuji Station at 10:45AM. Now, where is it taking you ?

1．Mt. Fuji ― 5th station of Fujinomiya Trail.
Enjoy a short hike and you can surely say “I’ve just tried Mt. Fuji Climbing” ! Japanese highest mountain is always ready to welcome you.
2．Shiraito Falls
Feel the spectacular view of natural beauty. You will be surrounded by the dignified but graceful waterfalls that have been created by the snow water from Mt. Fuji.
3．Fujisan Hongu Sengentaisha Shrine
Come and see for yourself the oldest shrine in Tokai Area. This is originally the very first point that climbers visit to prey for their safety before leaving for Mt. Fuji.

Only 3 stops, that enables you to see each point with sufficient time. Personally, I don’t like too-busy-to-look-around tours. I’m sure you can enjoy each spot better than other tours if you want to take much time walking around. The bus is scheduled to be back to Shin-Fuji Station at 17:00. If you have JR Pass, why don’t you come to JR Shin-Fuji Station and try this bus tour. The details are as follows：

Mt. Fuji Regular Tour Bus ： Departing from JR Shin-Fuji Station Bus Terminal #6
Operation period ：　Aug 7 – Aug 15, Sep 1 – Sep 20, 2010
Tour Bus Fare ： ¥3,500／adults ¥1,750／children
Tour Time ： 10:45 〜 17:00 (Scheduled to be Back to Shin-Fuji Station )
※ Only I bus available per day
※ Reservation required. ( Available on the day if not fully occupied )
Fujikyu Shizuoka Bus ： TEL 0545-71-2495

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This information has been given by Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau, where once I reported about Ninja and Charming Visitor Certificate. Please confirm the past article from here if you’ve got time.
I attach PDF for this Tour Bus just for your image. Unfortunately all info is written in Japanese. If you have any inquiry, please feel free to ask me or Fujisan Tourism & Communication Bureau.

Feel Mt. Fuji around !
Good day !＾＾

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

I’m so busy in summer. Too many events and fireworks here and there. Not easy task to plan schedules for research and report.
This time, very lucky to me, I could go to the fireworks display at Nihondaira. Remember once I reported Nihondaira, as one of my favorite place in Shizuoka ? If you haven’t read it, please see it from here. (o＾▽＾)o The view from there is really spectacular.

Nihondaira Festival is held in July every year in the garden of Nippondaira Hotel, which is located on the top of Nihondaira. The garden is extremely beautiful as you can see from the picture above !
We arrived at the garden around 18:00. Small events were almost finished and people began to open picnic sheets to occupy their space for watching fireworks.
We did, as well, on the grass. Exclusively good point.
Night was coming up. The garden had already been packed as potatoes in a truck. Over the crowd could be seen the exquisite view with Shimizu Port.

Suddenly, a fire ball was set off from the ground. A flower in the night sky ! And in a second, colorful flowers bloomed one after another.

Now, enjoy the extravagant fireworks in the picture. Fireworks display of Nihondaira is one of the largest festival in Shizuoka. About 10,000 of fireworks are set off with fantastic music every year. I kept taking pictures, though sometimes my sight went outside the screen of digital camera for the overwhelming sound of BANG BANG !

With clear sky and a slight wind, it was the best day for fireworks. Have you ever seen Japanese Fireworks, by the way ? Firework craftsmen try to become so creative every year that we can’t see it without getting excited.

The fireworks display lasted for more than 1 hour. Wild applause continued even after the festival had ended.
By the way, you can enjoy the garden and the fine view free of charge. If you’ve got a chance to go to Nihondaira, be sure to drop at the garden of Nippondaira Hotel, or stay overnight at Nippondaira Hotel, to get the city of Shimizu for yourself !

Enjoy your summer !＾＾


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