Tourism Shizuoka Japan highlights what’s new in the prefecture to mark the reopening of Japan’s borders

The prefecture of Shizuoka, home to the iconic Mount Fuji and located just one hour from Tokyo by bullet train, has been gearing up for the return of international tourism and welcomed over ten new openings and a selection of experiences between 2020 and 2022. With the welcome news that Japan’s borders have reopened, allowing visa-free travel to both groups and independent travellers from October 11th, Tourism Shizuoka Japan has rounded up the new developments that happened while the country was closed to tourism and that are now available for all travellers to enjoy! 

ACCOMMODATION 

Japan´s first The Unbound Collection by Hyatt property opened this month 

Opened on October 7th, Fuji Speedway Hotel is Hyatt’s first property in Japan under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. The hotel is located in Oyama town in the foothills of Mount Fuji, home to the historic Fuji Speedway racing circuit. Boasting 120 elegantly designed rooms, unrivalled views of Mount Fuji and a motorsports museum housing rare historic automobiles and other collections, the hotel is perfect for motorsport enthusiasts as well as keen cyclists - the Oyama region enjoys world-class recognition for its road cycling conditions suitable for intermediate and advanced levels. Other facilities include multiple fine dining restaurants and bars, an indoor pool, a fitness centre, natural onsen hot-spring bathing facilities, a spa, a flexible 400 m² ballroom and a 120 m² function room.   

A beer-themed hotel (opened in 2022) 

Located in the small port town Mochimune in central Shizuoka, The Villa & Barrel Lounge is perfect for beer lovers. Run by a local brewery - West Coast Brewing - and designed under the concept of “staying at a brewery”, the new villa boasts five guest rooms, three “Queen Rooms” and two “Loft Rooms”, the latter with two double beds each and accommodating up to four guests. All rooms feature beer taps serving up to ten litres of “Villa Room Exclusive Brew”, a craft beer designed exclusively for guests and which, if not finished, guests can take with them on departure, as well as a mini-fridge filled with canned and bottled beers also produced in their brewery. Other facilities include a communal taproom, with up to 16 different brews produced at the adjacent brewery, and a “barrel lounge” serving barrel-aged beers. Brewery tours will also be available to guests.    

100-year-old traditional Japanese-style house renovated into a luxury villa (opened in 2022) 

Located in the beautiful Izu Peninsula is LOQUAT Villa SUGURO. The new luxury villa is a renovated Kominka house (traditional Japanese-style house) dating back over 100 years, located in the mountains and boasting views of the Suruga Bay below, perfect for guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The new 160-square metre villa boasts two semi-double beds, a living room, a dining room, a study in the attic, as well as a relaxing open-air bath. For the exclusive use of a group of four, the new villa is ideal for both leisure and business travellers. Private chef and bartender services will be available at a fee.   

Three new glamping sites in the foothills of Mt. Fuji… 

Located in Fujinomiya City, the closest city to Mount Fuji, Gran Regalo Asagiri (opened in 2022) is perfect for travellers looking for a luxurious and secluded escape, as well as for those seeking adventure with the Fujinomiya Trail, which leads to Mount Fuji’s summit, starting in the area. The new site boasts eight dome-shaped tents with comfortable beds and stylish furniture. Each tent accommodates up to four guests and is inclusive of an adjected private bathroom and shower, as well as a private deck for barbecuing and enjoying the star-sprinkled sky. Guests can choose either stay-only or half board including breakfast and dinner.   

Moss Jurigi Camp Resort (opened in 2022) is located in Susono City at the southern foot of Mount Fuji at 1,000 metres above sea level and has been designed with the concept of “blending into the magnificent nature of the area and refreshing body and soul”. The facility spans over five hectares and boasts 16 spacious dome-shaped tents and three American Airstream trailers for guests to choose from and enjoy the scent of the trees, the humming of wild birds and the beauty of the lush moss that covers the lava rocks of Mount Fuji in the area. Each tent and trailer boast a barbeque area perfect for guests to prepare and enjoy alfresco breakfasts and dinners with ingredients provided to guests at the reception building.  

 

Mt.Fuji Satoyama Vacation (opened in 2021) is a new luxury glamping site in rural Fujinomiya, offering guests all-inclusive camping escapes away from the city. Boasting impressive views of Mount Fuji and surrounded by nature, the site is home to spacious yurt style tents furnished with comfortable beds, handmade furniture and heaters powered with solar energy. Communal areas include a sociable lounge, cafeteria serving local farm produce and washrooms. The site is run by En-Ya Mt.Fuji Ecotours, an eco-friendly local business specialising in sustainable tourism experiences that support the local community. 

 

… as well as a two additional new accommodation options providing a perfect base to explore Japan’s beloved icon  

Popular resort town Gotemba, known for its winter illumination events, welcomed the opening of Yagi no Oka Cottage (opened in 2021) - a series of 15 spacious and modern two-story holiday homes surrounding a pond nestled in the foothills of Mount Fuji. Built from sustainable local materials, guests can enjoy the natural surroundings of the area as well as local onsen facilities, restaurants, and impressive night-time light and water shows.  Offering affordable hostel accommodation on the old Tokaido road with panoramic views of Mount Fuji, along with the opportunity to take part in traditional Japanese experiences and activities, 14 Guest House Mt.Fuji (opened in 2020) opened in the town of Yoshiwara, Shizuoka. A perfect base for adventure seekers and hiking enthusiasts, the hostel offers private and shared rooms along with a communal kitchen, work space and rentable event space.  Meanwhile, guests have the opportunity to explore the local culture and traditions of Shizuoka through a variety of experiences including origami, calligraphy and sushi-making classes.   

Curation Hotels celebrate Japan’s traditional crafts and architecture (opened in 2021) 

Just 45 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo, in the coastal onsen resort town of Atami, Curation Hotels are a new collection of beautifully restored traditional Japanese homes available for private holiday rental. The luxurious Tonoya-an – a folk house with 3 bedrooms that is over 87 years old, Suto Suien – a villa with 3 bedrooms which is also over 87 years old and Momoyma-Gaen – a building which is over 45 years old with 4 bedrooms that was shortlisted in the Hotel & Property Awards 2021, have been exquisitely renovated to combine traditional architecture and crafts with modern contemporary design to offer guests a truly unique stay and luxurious experience. 

 

Cycle-friendly inn in the Izu Peninsula (opened in 2021) 

JU-ZA CYCLE YADO Minamiizu is a cycle-friendly inn with a focus on sustainability on the southern tip of the spectacular Izu Peninsula. Located in Koura, a fishing town with a long maritime history overlooking Suruga Bay on the west side of Minamiizu Town, the 56-year-old inn was revived and offers both Japanese-style rooms and dormitory accommodation as well as specialist equipment for cyclists such as cycle pits and shower booths. 

 

New hot spring hotel SOKI ATAMI (opened in 2020) 

Located in the coastal resort town of Koarashicho, Atami on Shizuoka’s popular Izu Peninsula, SOKI ATAMI (opened in 2020) offers guests panoramic views of the ocean. Consisting of reception, guest rooms and restaurant wings, the property boasts a central ‘Village Garden’ planted with citrus trees and local flora. Each of the hotel’s 54 rooms come complete with a personal hot spring whilst other facilities include a larger public onsen bath and a top floor Tea Salon & Bar overlooking Atami Bay. Here guests will be able to enjoy local tea, seasonal Japanese meals and the region’s impressive firework displays from an outdoor terrace. 

 

EXPERIENCES  

Hiking experience along ancient Tokaido hiking route (2022) 

For five centuries, the Old Tokaido foot highway has linked Japan’s modern capital Tokyo with the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Osaka. With this new five-day Tokaido Tour travellers can enjoy one and half days of hiking and three days of leisurely exploration, with local guides immersing visitors in the authentic history, culture and natural heritage of this historic part of Japan. Included in the itinerary are visits to two Japan Heritage Areas, historical landmarks such as the Yamanaka Castle Ruins, the kilometre-long Cedar Avenue - lined both sides with towering 400 year-old Japanese cedar - traditional teahouses and a sushi making session. The full itinerary is available here.   

E-bike tour to discover the majestic Mount Fuji area (2022) 

The Mt. Fuji Nature E-bike Ecotour allows visitors to discover Shizuoka’s stunning scenery and traditional life, enjoying local food and drink en route. The experience includes visiting Lake Tanuki, riding through a traditional Japanese village, trying fresh spring water from Mount Fuji and fresh rainbow trout at a local farm, as well as riding to the World Heritage Shiraito falls. After the action-packed day, visitors return to basecamp for a local craft beer surrounded by paddy fields in front of Mount Fuji.   

Ridge walk MISORA with 360° views of Mount Fuji and Shizuoka’s spectacular coastline (2021) 

The Komuroyama Ridge Walk “MISORA”, which offers spectacular 360° views across ocean and land, opened on the summit of Mt. Komuro within the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, - known for its impressive displays of gorgeous azaleas in spring. The loop-shaped promenade, at 321m above sea level with a total length of 166.3m, provides vistas of Mount Fuji, Sagami Bay, the Boso Peninsula, the Seven Islands of Izu and the Amagi Mountain Range. An onsite café with observation deck serves a delicious selection of refreshments.