ref: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400.html
Japan travel itinerary
There are many people in Tokyo.
Tokyo is not a place to go for travel.
I want to help you experience destinations that Japanese people would recommend.
- Hidden gem restaurants that don’t feel touristy
That’s why I’m sharing this information.
Points of interest
- Cost
- Transportation methods
- Days needed
- Location and relation to Tokyo
I’m happy to help with any concerns you might have about traveling in Japan.
Introduction
Do you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Are you looking for a quiet and relaxing destination?
If so, you’re not alone.
When considering a trip near Tokyo, Shizuoka Prefecture often comes up as an option.
When people think of tourism in Shizuoka, Atami often comes to mind first.
But Atami can be crowded and may not provide the peace and quiet you’re looking for.
You’d prefer somewhere quieter and more relaxing, right?
In this article, I’ll introduce a 2-night, 3-day model itinerary for couples who want to immerse themselves in nature and forget the noise of the city.
Target Audience
- Couples planning a 2-night, 3-day trip from Tokyo to Shizuoka Prefecture
- People who want to avoid crowds and enjoy nature
- Those planning to travel by their own car or rental car
Destinations and Time Schedule
The schedule to fully enjoy Shizuoka’s natural beauty is as follows:
| Day 1 | 8:00 | Rent a car in Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 | Head to Gotemba Premium Outlets | |
| 13:00 | Shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets | |
| 17:00 | Head to Numazu for the first night’s accommodation | |
| 18:00 | Enjoy seafood and drinks at Darumaya | |
| Day 2 | 7:30 | Leave the accommodation |
| 8:00 | Walk around Senbon-hama Beach near Numazu Port | |
| 9:00 | Arrive at Mishima Skywalk | |
| 11:30 | Depart from Mishima Skywalk | |
| 12:30 | Lunch on the way (Shihokawa) | |
| 14:00 | Arrive at Shiraito Falls | |
| 17:00 | Head to the second night’s accommodation. Free time for the evening | |
| Day 3 | 8:30 | Leave the accommodation |
| 9:00 | Head to Fuji Safari Park | |
| 15:00 | Depart from Fuji Safari Park. Head back home. | |
| 21:00 | Return the rental car |
Day 1 Schedule Details
Day 1 mainly focuses on shopping.
(You can skip this if you’re only interested in experiencing nature.)
If you’re passing through Gotemba on your way to Shizuoka, I highly recommend stopping by Gotemba Premium Outlets.
First, Rent a Car in Tokyo
The journey begins.
The Tomei Expressway can get extremely congested, so keep an eye on traffic information.
I recommend departing early in the morning or traveling on a weekday if possible.
Shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets
First, let’s do some shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets.
Purchase items you’ve been wanting to get into the travel mood.
On clear days, you can see a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji.
First Night’s Accommodation in Numazu
If this were a day trip, you would head back to Tokyo from Gotemba Premium Outlets.
The return journey on the Tomei Expressway is also very congested. It can take twice as long as expected.
But this is a 2-night, 3-day trip. There’s no need to return to Tokyo.
Let’s spend the first night in Numazu, which has good access to the next day’s attractions and beautiful ocean views.
Enjoy Seafood and Drinks at Darumaya
Since we’re in Numazu, we should enjoy some seafood.
And when you have seafood, sake is essential.
That’s why I chose this restaurant.
There are several izakayas near the station, so feel free to explore and find one that appeals to you.
Since we have an early start tomorrow, it’s best to go to bed early.
Day 2 Schedule Details
Day 2 is a course where you can fully immerse yourself in nature.
Walk Around Senbon-hama Beach near Numazu Port
Before heading to the mountains, let’s experience the ocean atmosphere.
The view of the coastline with Mt. Fuji in the background is spectacular.
It’s also wonderfully quiet in the early morning.
The water is incredibly clear compared to Tokyo. It’s almost disrespectful to make the comparison.
Being October, there were only a few fishermen around, making it a peaceful and quiet experience.
Arrive at Mishima Skywalk
After enjoying the ocean, let’s head to the mountains.
We’ll visit Mishima Skywalk, which features an incredibly long suspension bridge.
It might not be suitable for those with a fear of heights.
As for the view, there are no words other than "spectacular."
There are also areas where you can interact with small animals and owls. So cute!
There are also many attractions for children, such as adventure playgrounds and long zip lines.
Source: Mishima Skywalk Official Website
It gets crowded as lunchtime approaches. By starting your activities early in the morning, you can enjoy the attractions without the crowds.
Lunch on the Way (Shihokawa)
Let’s have lunch as we head towards Shiraito Falls.
We discovered a restaurant with a lovely exterior (Shihokawa) on the way and decided to stop.
What’s a trip without soba noodles? It was delicious.
Arrive at Shiraito Falls
After driving for about an hour from Mishima Skypark, we arrive at Shiraito Falls.
I was skeptical, thinking "it’s just a waterfall, after all…"
But when I saw the actual waterfall in person, I was speechless at its beauty.
Tired from walking, we took a break at a café near Shiraito Falls.
On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji from the loft.
Unfortunately, it was hidden by clouds during our visit. Too bad.
"Otodome Falls" near Shiraito Falls was also beautiful.
Though not a waterfall, the view of the river from the bridge was also nice.
Despite being such a wonderful tourist spot, it’s not overcrowded, which is a great point.
This would be impossible in Tokyo.
Second Night’s Accommodation. Free Time for the Evening
After enjoying the day, let’s head to our accommodation for the second night.
You can choose any place you’d like to stay.
You might consider staying near Shizuoka Station, though it’s a bit far, and enjoying the local nightlife.
Day 3 Schedule Details
On Day 3, we’ll spend the whole day at Fuji Safari Park.
Head to Fuji Safari Park
Let’s head to Fuji Safari Park to arrive right when it opens.
I highly recommend purchasing entrance tickets, tour tickets, and animal feeding experience tickets first thing in the morning.
Even when we went to book tickets for the most popular "Super Jungle Bus" tour about 30 minutes after opening, only tickets for the final departure (15:10 start) were available.
Source: Fuji Safari Park Official Website
Considering the animals’ condition, you’ll want to secure tickets for the morning bus tour.
The park is very large, so you might have trouble deciding how to spend your time.
Here’s how I used my time.
Morning: Walk Around the Safari Park’s Perimeter
Purchase a Walking Safari ticket and explore the park’s perimeter on foot.
The loop is about 2.5km and takes around 2.5 hours to complete.
While the bus tour covers the same area, there are some experiences you can only have on foot.
I recommend walking during the morning when you have the most energy.
The following feeding experiences are especially thrilling when done up close during the Walking Safari:
Direct lion feeding
Direct giraffe feeding
Just walking the perimeter is quite exhausting.
Afternoon: Enjoy the Bus Tour and Animal Interactions
After lunch, enjoy the bus tour and animal interactions.
There are many zoo-like animal spots throughout the park.
Walk around the park while waiting for your bus tour time or after the tour.
The Super Jungle Bus is an intense tour.
The bus roof is mesh, allowing lions and bears to climb on top of the cage.
We can feed these animals from directly below them.
Depart from Fuji Safari Park. Head Back Home.
After fully enjoying the experience, it’s time to head back.
The return journey on the Tomei Expressway can be very congested, so allow plenty of time.
I took the local roads and returned at a leisurely pace.
Positive Aspects of This Model Itinerary
Compared to Tokyo, the tourist spots aren’t crowded at all.
The charm is being able to enjoy each location at your own relaxed pace.
Other positive aspects include:
- You can enjoy both mountains and the ocean
- There are many opportunities to interact with various animals
An important point to remember is "By starting early, you can enjoy attractions before they get crowded."
Lessons Learned from the Actual Trip
I did this trip during a three-day weekend, and there were some things I’d do differently next time.
Book Accommodations in Advance
I secured all accommodations on the day of travel.
Since it was during a holiday period, I often had trouble finding available rooms.
Like with travel in general, it’s best to book accommodations in advance.
Purchase Tickets for Fuji Safari Park Immediately
Entrance tickets are cheaper when purchased online.
Popular attractions like the Super Jungle Bus and feeding experiences sell out quickly.
Make sure to book these as soon as the park opens.
Also, research in advance to see if anything can be prepared online.
You want to avoid the disappointment of traveling a long distance only to miss out on the events you were looking forward to.
Mountains Are Cold. Be Careful with Clothing and Footwear.
This model itinerary includes many opportunities to walk in the mountains.
While it’s not a major issue in clear weather, getting wet in the rain can make you very cold. Don’t neglect to prepare warm clothes and rain gear.
Also, wear comfortable walking shoes.
When walking on mountain paths, there’s a risk of tripping. You shouldn’t wear uncomfortable shoes.
Conclusion
In this article, I introduced a 2-night, 3-day trip to Shizuoka Prefecture.
While Atami is strongly associated with Shizuoka Prefecture, I discovered that there are many other enjoyable tourist spots, which completely changed my impression of the prefecture.
Compared to Tokyo, the lack of crowds means shorter waiting times and the ability to sightsee at your own relaxed pace, which I found wonderful.
You can enjoy both the ocean and the mountains. Why not explore the various attractions of Shizuoka Prefecture?
