Would you like to enjoy a nice day-trip starting from Shimizu? I will offer you a fully-customized itinerary to make as many of your wishes come true as possible.
In north-east of Shimizu, you have Mt. Fuji, sacred sites related to the mountain and green tea farms. In the west, you will see central Shizuoka, with a castle ruin park, green tea merchant district and a fabulous shrine. On top of a hill near Shimizu is Nihondaira area with a superb view and the gorgeous Kunozan Shrine.
Shimizu Port
Take a shuttle bus or local bus to station, and from the station, take a train to Fujinomiya
Museum on Mt. Fuji
And famous Fujinomiya yakisoba noodles for lunch? Head to a tea farm using a taxi service.
Enjoy tea leaf picking experience and tasting various kinds of green tea (Shizuoka produces 40 % of green tea in Japan) (60 min).
Go to Fuji Station using a taxi.
Take a train and a bus to return to the port.
(If you have more time, and/or charter a car, Shiraito Falls--World Heritage Site--and/or Japanese sake brewery might be added.)
Shimizu Port
guide fee, and making necessary reservations
Transportation fare of you and the guide:
Train from Shimizu to Fujinomiya is ¥590, and it is ¥350 to Shin-Shizuoka.
Chartered taxi fare for 5 hours for example is ¥35500 for an ordinary taxi for 4-5 passengers, and ¥53500 for a minivan taxi for 9. The capacity of taxis excludes the driver. Depending on our itinerary, we may catch cruising taxis on the streets or use public transportation.
Toll for expressways (Tomei Toll Road between Shimizu and Fuji is ¥880) and parking fees
Admission fees: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine ¥500, Access ropeway to Kunozan ¥1250, Tokaido Hiroshige Museum ¥520, Sumpu Castle Park ¥360, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center ¥300;
Lunch (if you wish to have one) for you and the guide: around ¥1000 to 2000 depending on your choice. You may wish to enjoy the best sushi in Japan (around 6,000 yen)! Shimizu is the biggest port to land tuna in Japan.
I will present to you estimated expenses in the course of our discussion. I can also take care of your local expenses during the tour, make a calculation sheet to sum up, and ask you to pay the total amount at the end of the tour (if you like, to make your life easier).
The above sample itinerary is a 7-hour tour to the NORTH-EAST of Shimizu (#1).
Other destinations are...
#2. Traveling to the WEST of Shimizu, with the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine as the main attraction, adding some other places in the vicinity (Observation Deck Yume-Terrace, a green tea farm, the tavern of Shimizu Jirocho and/or the Miho Pine Grove)
#3. Traveling NORTH-WEST to the central Shizuoka City, visiting Sumpu Castle Park, Sengen Shrine, green tea merchants and/or a green tea farm.
#4. Traveling SOUTH-WEST to Toro, visiting Serizawa Keisuke Museum and historical ruins (and a museum) of Toro village about 2000 years ago.
View of Mt. Fuji is weather dependent. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Please let me know in advance your areas of interest and how much you wish to walk during your excursion. It will help me plan your itinerary better.
It is expensive, but chartering a car allows you to spend more time at each spot, or visit 1 more place, and it is more comfortable, of course. Public transportation is punctual in Japan, but not be frequent outside of major cities, including the areas around Shimizu. Please ask your guide for detail.
I can work for you in other cities if my travel cost is covered.
I am sorry I can not work for male solo travelers.
Christpher R.
A Pleasant Day at Hakone--Nature, History, Fine Art & more!
“The best rainy day in Hakone”
Fumie is an amazing guide from first contact to the last. She was very consistent with communication. By the time our family of 5 met Fumie outside of the JR gate, Fumie had already set our itinerary including making us dinner reservations based on previous emails. Our time in Hakone was misty and rainy, but Fumie made the trip well worth the time. She expertly navigated the tricky trip up to Owakudani for the famous kuro tamago. She had lots to knowledge about pretty much everything Japan. Lake Ashi, with the mist on our day, added to its mystique. Hakone shrine in a light drizzle was amazingly peaceful. Fumie helped us make Hakone memorable by allowing us to go at our own pace but still hit all the high notes. She was patient and courteous. She took very good care of us and our 3 children. Hakone will forever be in our memories as a lovely day strolling in the light sprinkle, enjoying the views, and appreciating its beauty. Many thanks to Fumie for strolling alongside us.
Fumie U.
(18 reviews)Thank you, all the members of Chris-san’s family. It was my great pleasure working for you, and I want to send my big hugs to you all. I was initially worried that the ropeway and the excursion boat on the lake might be suspended because of the weather, but they operated, thanks probably to your deeds, always kind to other people (we say that, somehow, in Japan). You were a charming family who are great at seeing positive sides of things. May I ask a favor? Will you send me the photo you took at the end, of all of us? Thank you!
“What an enjoyable day!”
Fumie was such enjoyable company. She was very efficient, did more than expected and I wish we could have spent more time with her and its environment. She kindly accommodated my 'bum leg" which developed a few days prior. Unexpectedly and amusingly, at a garden two of my high school school mates of 60 years ago were there; she got to meet them. To Fumie: Doumo arigatou gozaimashita! Thank you very much! Yokatta deshita. Hope to return...soon!
Fumie U.
(18 reviews)Thank you, Joyce-san, for the nice comment. It was my pleasure and privilege to be a part of your wonderful trip. I wish you all the best and hope to see you again.
Roger C.
Extension of 4 hours, for a day trip from Shimizu port, customized for you
Customized
“A wonderful day in Shimizu with Fumie”
My wife and I and our friends were on a Viking cruise and stopped at the port of Shimizu. Fortunately for us the cruise ship was staying overnight in Shimizu and we were able to book an eight hour tour. Fumie met us at the cruise port at 9 AM. Fumie had arranged for a private car and driver for the four of us to visit a tea plantation, have a delicious lunch in a "farm to table" restaurant, go to the World Heritage site and museum of Mt. Fuji, visit the waterfalls by Mt. Fuji and taste sake at a sake factory. It was a busy day but because we were a small group we did a lot. Fumie is truly a professional. She offered us options on things to do in and around Mt. Fuji. Her English and her personality are excellent and she gave us insights into the people of Japan. She respected our physical abilities as senior citizens and planned a pace accordingly. I highly recommend Fumie as a tour guide.
Fumie U.
(18 reviews)Thank you, Roger-san, for the great words on me. It was a pleasure serving your team and I hope you will come back in the future. Wishing you the best, Fumie