The Miho No Matsubara Pine Grove spans about 7km along the Miho Peninsula coastline which protrudes into the Suruga Bay. This beautiful place where about 54 thousand black pine trees grow has been the subject of literature and art since ancient times. In Japanese folklore, it is known for a legend in which a celestial being descended to the earth. When sunny, Mt. Fuji can be glimpsed beyond the pine forest. The combination of Mt. Fuji, the pine forest, and the sea give the pine grove the aesthetic of a still-life paining.

Yamauchiya is a family-run strawberry plantation. Shizuoka Prefecture, with a relatively mild climate compared to other areas of Japan, is one of the top production areas for strawberries. At Yamauchiya, strawberry picking is open to the public from January through May. Fresh strawberries just picked that morning are also available for purchase, as well as slow-simmered strawberry jam with no preservatives, coloring, or additives. We recommend trying the akihime strawberries, a variety that has been developed over the years to be sweeter than other types.

The shrines dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first general of the Edo Era (1603-1868), are all named "Toshogu" and are scattered throughout Japan. Among them, the Kunozan Toshogu is a shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu was first enshrined, and it has a history of over 400 years. The beautiful Spring cherry blossoms, the fresh Summer greenery, and the colorful autumn leaves from Fall to Winter are sure to inspire visiting travelers. Photographers will have a special appreciation for Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.