NATURAL BEAUTY

·Mt. Fuji -- This splendid mountain is spectacular in all seasons
·Southern Japan Alps
·Nihondaira -- The "Plateau of Japan" offers exquisite vistas
·Shiraito Falls -- The "Falls of White Thread"
·Enshunada -- Expansive sand dunes
·Hamanako -- A marine paradise

Just one hour from the congested metropolis, Shizuoka prefecture offers visitors a microcosm of the Japanese archipelago. Majestic mountains and sparkling rivers, as well as waterfalls and ocean, green hills and quaint mountain villages await the visitor to this prefecture. Come and see a field of magenta azalea in Spring, cumulus clouds gathered over a rice fields in Summer, bright red maple leaves highlighting a forest in Autumn, and the snowy landscape of Mt. Fuji in Winter. Four distinct seasons makes a visit to Shizuoka rewarding at any time of year.

Mt. Fuji (See No. 1)

Southern Japan Alps -- The Southern Japan Alps National Park is a great place to view these majestic peaks, which can be seen across the entire northern park of the prefecture.

Nihondaira -- The plateau at Nihondaira is a favorite of all Japanese. It's panoramic vista looks out on the port of Shimizu,
Miho-no-Matsubara, and, naturally, Mt. Fuji. The vista at night is exceptionally beautiful as lights from low lying cities and towns glitter like a million stars. 35 minutes by bus from Shizuoka Station.

Shiraito Falls -- The cascading "Falls of White Thread" have been named by the Environmental Agency as among the clearest in the country. The water originates in collected rainfall and melted snows of nearby Mt. Fuji, and is transported by channels formed of solidified lava from ancient eruptions. 40 minutes by bus from Fujinomiya Station.

Enshunada -- On the Pacific Ocean side, the sands of these expansive dunes are lined with beautiful patterns etched by the wind. These dunes, the spawning place of loggerhead turtles, are actively protected by environmentalists and ecologists. Nature-loving volunteers protect the eggs of these rare turtles which return only in 15-year cycles.

Hamanako--Lake Hamana is the center of many leisure and recreational activities. The hotels, inns and hot springs attract visitors to the spa at Kanzanji. From your hotel window you can view the fireworks display, one of the most spectacular in Japan, it's held here on
July 27 and 28.
Nearby are the amusement park "Pal Pal", the Flower Park, and Hamamatsu Zoo. Enjoy the panorama surrounding lake from the ropeway that carries you to the top of Mt. Okusayama.
Lake Hamana is also famous for its marine sports. Here you can rent various types of motor boats and sailboats and can enjoy cruising in the breezes that brush the lake.
Abundant tasty shellfish can be gathered at Bentenjima from April through August.
You can see the words of poets praising the beauty of Hamanako engraved in stone along the cycling route on the east side of the lake. Bicycles can be rented at Kanzanji or Nagisaen.

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