Nihondaira
日本平
One of the places locals name first when asked what to see here.
What this place is
Nihondaira (日本平) is a scenic area located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan. A plateau at the centre of Shizuoka city, with a maximum altitude of 308 metres (1,010 ft), Nihondaira is famous for its views of Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, the Japanese Southern Alps, Shimizu Port, and Suruga Bay. It was selected by the Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun and Osaka Mainichi Shimbun as one of the top 100 Landscapes of Japan in 1927 and a National Place of Scenic Beauty of Japan in 1954. The Nihondaira Ropeway connects Nihondaira to Kunōzan Tōshō-gū in 5 minutes. The area lends its name to the home stadium of J.League football team Shimizu S-Pulse, who play at Nihondaira Stadium.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- A setting that gives you the character of the area in a single visit.
- Scenery and detail that shift with the season, the weather and the time of day.
- Easy to combine with other stops nearby, so it works as the anchor of a half-day plan.
What you can do here
- Take the main viewpoint first, then explore the quieter edges most visitors skip.
- Read the on-site information boards — they usually explain far more than online listings.
- Photograph in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewest people.
- Pair the visit with a nearby café, market or hot spring to round out the trip.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
Getting there by public transport
Good to know before you go
- Check the last admission and last bus/train before you go; rural services stop early.
- Carry cash — smaller sites and rural transport may not accept cards or IC.
- Weekday mornings are consistently the calmest time to visit.
Traveler reviews
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