Explore Shizuoka

Fuji Marine Pool - 富士マリンプール

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 02:36:00 +0000

Now that we've moved to Shizuoka city, this means we're a bit closer to Fuji city, which is a place I've been wanting to explore a bit more since I came to Shizuoka-ken four years ago.

We finally had that chance about a week or so ago when we were trying to find a water park to visit for the first time this summer, and also baby's first time swimming. So after some searching, I came across the Fuji Marine Pool (富士マリンプール).

Their facilities met all of our criteria: river pool, kids' pool, babies wearing swimming diapers OK. The place also has a neat little wave pool, several waterslides (some small speed slides and some tube slides), a concession stand/food shop, and lots of space to spread out towels and mats (which people do, so you'll want to get there early to find a decent spot, let alone in the shade). And Mt. Fuji in the background (not visible in the picture above though). Of course.

They also have a concession stand with various typical cheap food options (curry, yakisoba, ice cream, etc.).

We enjoyed spending our morning here with baby - definitely recommended!

When: Open the last Saturday in June until the first Saturday in September, 9am-5pm

Cost:
Adults 500 yen
Elementary/Junior High students 300 yen
Infants over age 1 100 yen

Lockers are 200 yen but you get 100 yen back when you leave (bring the locker card key upstairs as you leave).

How to get there:

25 minute walk from Yoshiwara station (吉原駅) or 5 minutes by car/taxi. Or take bus from Yoshiwara station going toward Numazu station or Higashitagonoura station (沼津駅または東田子の浦駅) and get off at Ono Shinden (大野新田). 3 minute walk from there to the pool.

〒417-0843
富士市田中新田275-9

275-9 Tanaka Shinden
Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0843

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Parking: Some. Get there early.

Japanese required: Enough to order food if desired and to pay admission.

Official Website: http://www.fuji-kousya.jp/mp/

Archery in a Volcano on the Izu Peninsula

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:04:00 +0000

What images come to mind when you think of archery, and doing it in a volcano? Fiery lava? Robin hood swinging on a rope over said lava, bow in hand?

Believe it or not, you can practice your archery skills in the crater of a dormant volcano - Mt. Omuro - located in Ito, Shizuoka.

I've done it twice, and it's a lot of fun. You can also hike around Omuro's perimeter and even go paragliding, so I've heard.

For more details, check out this post I recently wrote over on The Japan Daily Press.

Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt at Lalaport in Iwata

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:21:00 +0000

Frozen yogurt is incredibly difficult to come by in Japan. Sure, you can find yogurt everywhere, and throw it in the freezer if you feel so inclined (or an ice cream maker). Yet the widespread prevalence of soft cream all over this country surprises me that frozen yogurt has not yet become as ubiquitous. There are a few shops in Tokyo, in Osaka, and some of those large, urban areas, but if you aren't in a large metropolis, you're generally out of luck.

Unless you're in Shizuoka prefecture.

My husband and I drove to Iwata city in Shizuoka last weekend, planning to do some baby shopping at Akachan Honpo, amongst other shopping at the Lalaport Iwata mall - which is actually a relatively new mall and certainly worth a visit if you live in Japan and miss the atmosphere of a mall (as I, as an American, do). While we were at the mall, I suddenly noticed one of the food display signs as we were riding an escalator to the second floor. "Yogurt" in katakana (ヨーグルト) caught my eye, and the picture, though I hardly saw it, looked somewhat like soft cream.

"FROZEN YOGURT!" I grabbed my husband's arm. "We have to go check out that sign! What if it was frozen yogurt? What if there is a fro-yo shop at this mall!?"

He rolled his eyes but obliged as we went to check out the sign depicting an array of food options at the mall. As it turned out, to my gleeful excitement, the mall did indeed have a fro-yo shop, called Golden Spoon (which apparently is based in California).

This particular fro-yo shop offered a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, banana, peach, strawberry, yuzu and the flavor I love, simply tart. They also offer various toppings, though most, aside the fruit, would be more familiar to the Japanese palate than what we might see on the west coast of the U.S. (Such as corn flakes). No chocolate chips, unfortunately.

I ordered a large simply tart with strawberries, while my husband got a medium two-flavor banana and peach without toppings.

The creaminess was all-too-satisfying and I kept babbling to my husband about visiting once a week, just for fro-yo, never mind the 50 minute drive.

The shop also offers "to go" bags to keep your fro-yo cold, and also sells fro-yo in quart sizes (for about 1400 yen or so).

If you want some delicious fro-yo in Shizuoka, here's what you need to know:

View Larger Map

When: Every day, open 10:00 - 21:00

How to get there: Go to Iwata Station (磐田) on the JR Tokaido line, and take a 35 minute bus to Lalaport Mall, or take the Tomei Expressway (the mall is an exit). (Can look up driving directions via the map above). Directions and bus times in Japanese, available here: http://www.lalaport-iwata.com/access/index.html

Cost: Varies, depending on size. My large with strawberries was about 500 yen.

Parking: Lots. Free.

Japanese required: Enough to order, but not difficult.

Official Website (in Japanese): http://www.goldenspoon.jp/

Shimada Obi Matsuri (Festival) 2010 - 島田帯祭

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Every three years in Shimada city, Shizuoka prefecture, a three day festival is held. 2010 just happened to be one of those years, and I spent quite a bit of time racing around Shimada on my bike to catch various events and happenings.

The festival began in the year 1696, during the Genroku era. At the time, it was customary for newlywed women who had moved to Shimada to go to the Oi Temple (a main temple in Shimada) to officially report their new residence and offer prayers for a safe childbirth. The women wore formal clothes to the temple, and afterward they would walk through the streets dressed in their fancy attire. Eventually, it was decided that this was too embarrassing for the women, and so instead, the men who carried the temple's portable shrine hung the women's obi (a wide, decorative band wrapped the waist over a kimono) from wooden swords they carried on their backs in place of the women and offered the prayers for safe childbirth. The obi was considered a very important part of a bride's wedding outfit, so the most fashionable and unique obi were gathered from around Japan for this event. The custom became a festival, and has continued ever since, every three years.

Of course now, the festival consists of much more than some guys carrying around obi. (That may get kind of old after three full days anyway...) So now, a visual tour of various events from the Shimada Obi Matsuri (and details for where, when, how to go at the end of this post):

A large float (yatai - 屋台、やたい) by one of the many towns in the city.

The town pulls their float (yatai) through the city - a long and arduous process.

Every now and then, the men take a break from pulling the float and small children dance in the float, or women and children perform a dance out in front.

These children were about four or five years old.

Then of course, the main procession:

Now, what you've all been waiting for - the obi!

So, want to go? Look no further. I've got the details for you below:

View Shimada Obi Matsuri in a larger map

When: Every three years - Friday, Saturday and Sunday in early October. Next one will happen in 2013. Events happen all day long each of the days.

How to get there: Go to Shimada Station (島田) on the JR Tokaido line (about 26 minutes from Shizuoka Station). The Oi Shrine is about a ten minute walk from Shimada station, and there will be processions along the main streets. Most people sit and stand on the sidewalks.

Cost: Free. Bring food or money for food.

Bathrooms: Some portable toilets around. Train station has bathrooms. Bring toilet paper or tissue and hand sanitizer as the bathrooms may not have or will run out of toilet paper.

Parking: Minimal around the main area. Best bet is to park a little ways away and walk.

Japanese required: None, unless buying food.

Official Website (in Japanese): http://simadataisai.web.fc2.com/

Fukuroi Fireworks Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 08:15:00 +0000

Every year in Japan, during the hot, humid summer months, people gather in various outdoor locations to enjoy 花火 (はなび, hanabi), or, fireworks. The shows are often impressive, with hundreds to thousands of fireworks of varying sizes, colors and designs. If visiting Japan during the summer, hanabi is one event you won't want to miss.

One larger and somewhat famous fireworks festival in Japan happens every year in Fukuroi city, Shizuoka prefecture. They put on quite the show, and is certainly worth viewing with the thousands of blasts they shoot off that night. Rather than tell you about it though, I've included pictures below. Scroll down for information about this festival and how to get there.

View Fukuroi Fireworks Festival in a larger map

When: Every year - typically on the weekend of the second week of August. Start time is of course when the sun sets, around 7 p.m. Goes until 9 p.m.

How to get there: Go to Aino Station (愛野) if coming from the direction of Tokyo. If coming from the direction of Osaka, then go to Fukuroi Station (袋井). There are many places to view the fireworks, including some paid seating areas, but I would recommend finding seats at Aino Park (愛野公園). Seats at the nearby river are also good. Aino Park is a 26 minute walk from both Fukuroi and Aino stations.

*Remember to bring a tarp and/or tent if hanging out all day. It's best to get there as early possible to claim a place to sit. At least arrive two hours early - otherwise you may be out of luck.

*Note on leaving: Leave before the finish to beat the crowds to the station if taking the train. Otherwise, be prepared to wait at the train station for a half hour or more just leave.

Cost: Free. Bring food or money for food.

Bathrooms: Yes. Bring toilet paper or tissue and hand sanitizer as the bathrooms will run out of toilet paper.

Parking: Minimal.

Japanese required: None, unless buying food.

Official Website (in Japanese): http://www.fukuroi-hanabi.net/

Horai Bashi - World's Longest Wooden Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:39:00 +0000

Horai Bashi, or 逋莱橋, currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest wooden walking bridge in the world (about 897 meters). Located in Shimada, Shizuoka, this toll bridge was constructed in 1879 to connect Shimada and the Makinohara are over the Oigawa River (大井川, meaning "Big River").

My husband and I have visited many times, seeming as it is so close to our home and a good "tourist" place to show visitors. And it was particularly gorgeous on a warm September evening, as the sun sank down in reverence to the Autumnal moon.

Tribute to the bride's world record status.

Looking out over the bridge and the Oigawa.

As the bridge is a toll bridge, be sure to pay 100 yen/person at either the building below, or drop in the box in front of the bridge. For children, 10 yen.

100 yen/per person to cross the bridge - buy your tickets here.

Tickets

If no one is manning the station, drop your money in this box.

Oigawa River and marathon course (walking/jogging/biking path)

Horai Bashi

Once you've made it across the bridge, you can turn around and head back, or continue on a short walk in the woods and tea fields, past statues, bells and stones.

A sign indicating what you can do on the other side.

The crane is a sign of good luck.

The bell of love. Yes, I rang it.

They look happy in conversation. Set in stone. Ha, ha... ok ok.

The happy ones make me smile.

She's actually based off an Indian god, and does, a lot.

Such a jolly fellow.

And once you've walked and explored enough, perhaps you head back over the bridge for some soba at the nearby soba shop, or to Apita for, a variety of offerings (it is a mall type store after all, with various restaurants. And crepes!)

Apita in the distance on the right.

The harvest moon.

Want to go?

View Larger Map

How to get there: Go to JR Shimada Station, 島田駅, about 26 minutes from Shizuoka Station, 静岡駅. Horai Bashi is a 15-20 minute walk from Shimada Station, or a 5 minute taxi ride. There are no buses here.

Cost: 100 yen/adult; 10 yen/child.

When to go: Anytime! Although in Winter it's quite cold and extremely windy! However, Mt. Fuji can be seen from the bridge on a clear day, and clear days typically occur during Winter.

Bathrooms: Yes. Bring toilet paper or tissue just in case. Apita also has bathrooms.

Parking: Some.

Japanese required: Only enough to ask for tickets, but you can just hold up your fingers for how many people if you don't know any Japanese.

Welcome to Shizuoka - 静岡県へようこそ

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 07:39:00 +0000

Writing a first post on a blog can be slightly daunting - what do you really say? Do you post a "normal" post, and simply announce, "this is the first post!" Or do you write a long, drawn-out history of the blog and idea behind it, even though you've just started and so much of it will develop over time?

In any case, I'd like to at least introduce this blog. Though there are hundreds and thousands of travel blogs and sites out there, I didn't create this to compete with others. I simply wanted to create a space to upload pictures, reviews and helpful tips for travelers and residents in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Of course, other folks also post blog entries about some of these things, but I wanted to specifically focus on the Shizuoka area, considering that I've lived here for over two years now. And, so that I can post other, different material than the norm over on "Surviving in Japan."

I am not affiliated with any travel or tourist organization, nor am I paid to write or post anything you see here. If this ever changes, I will certainly let you know. These are my personal opinions and experiences, and though that is obviously subjective - I will try to offer as objective a view as possible.

I hope you find what you see here interesting, helpful, and perhaps even amusing at times. Feel free to comment, ask questions, and offer your thoughts and opinions. And, make yourselves at home!

Kawazu, Shizuoka, Japan

Waterfall at Nanadaru (Seven Waterfalls), Kawazu, Shizuoka, Japan

Sakura (cherry blossoms) - Shimada, Shizuoka, Japan