Incredible Views of Mount Fuji, Miho Beach

There is aways something wonderful about spotting Mount Fuji, no matter how many times I see it. It is visible from Tokyo and Yokohama on a clear day, but is often obstructed by clouds and haze. I consider myself lucky when I get a good view!

Ukiyo-e artists Hokusai and Hiroshige each created a series of prints titled “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,” and Hokusai later went on to complete “One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji.”  Perhaps someday when I retire, I will try to visit the locations of all the famous prints.  In the meantime, a great day trip is Miho Beach in Shizuoka Prefecture, as depicted one of my favorite Hiroshige prints, The Pine Forest of Miho in Suruga Province.  I recommend visiting Miho Beach in the morning on a clear crisp day for the best chances of getting a great view.

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From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station.  The trip takes about 60 minutes by Hikari, or 90 minutes by Kodama, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.  Get seats on the right side of the train leaving Tokyo, and you may get a view of Mount Fuji on the way!

At Shizuoka Station, transfer to the JR Tokaido line to Shimizu Station.  The trips takes about 10 minutes and is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

From Shimizu Station, transfer to a local Shizutetsu bus to the Sekaiissan Miho-no-Matsubara Kaminomichi Iriguchi bus stop, about 25 minutes.  The buses depart from the west exit of the station every 15-30 minutes.  I highly recommend a visit to the Shimizu Station Tourist Information Office right near the bus terminal for a local map and updated timetable.

From the bus stop, it is about a 10 minute walk to Miho-no-Matsubara. (Miho Pine Grove).  There is a lovely boardwalk through the pine grove with beautiful trees.

Some of the unique pine trees are hundreds of years old and need a little help standing up these days.

When you reach the edge of the pine grove, the contrast of the pine trees against the beach with the backdrop of Mt. Fuji really sets in.

The further you walk, the less crowded it gets.

On a recent walk with my mother, these fishermen were the only people that we saw for hours.

There are swimming beaches during the summer months, but I’ll pass on the crowds and take my clear view of Mt. Fuji.  On the way home, I suggest a stop by the Kashi-no-Ichi Market Fish Market, right across from Shimizu Station.  The seafood is fresh and inexpensive, with endless options of seafood restaurants and stalls.  A perfect end to a day at Miho Beach.