Shizuoka Things to Do

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Also referred to as Sattatoge Pass or Sattatoge Route. Satta Pass located between Yui and Okitsu has been the hardest place for travellers from Eastern to Western part of Japan. When natural disasters strike there making the main public transportation means inoperable such as Tomei Expressway, Tokaido Main Line, and Route one, even modern people may realize this fact.
The pass area also had strategic importance and a number of battles were fought there. Until Tokaido Highway was established during early 17th century the travelers had had to crisscross the trail along the precipice taking the risk of being washed away by the high waves. When Tokugawa Government prepared to welcome the entourage of Korean Emissary to Edo in early 17th century, the safety of the passage became the top priority for establishing the Tokaido Route. Mountain passage was then made and Satta Toge since then became a scenic spot for Tokaido travelers as Hiroshige's Ukiyoe woodblock printings show. After Ansei Tokai Earthquake the sea coast area was elevated enough to establish the seaside route. Present Route 1 is based on the seaside route. Today, Satta Pass is one of the most popular places for Tokaido Hikers with Mt. Fuji, Izu Peninsula and highway view under the pass, one of the landscapes representing Japan.

Also see Okitsu and Yui travel page.

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Nihonzaka Pass Trail is one of the oldest official highways in Japan. It was designated as an official highway in 646 A.D. Today the Nihonzawa Pass Trail is one of the crossroads for hikers for climbing mountains nearby.

**The trail between Nihonzaka Pass and Hanazawa has been closed since last September due to the bad trail condition by the storm damage.

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Meiji Tunnel is the first toll tunnel in Japan constructed in 1876. Before this tunnel was constructed travellers had to cross the steep Utsunoya pass trail which had been one of the hardest passes of Tokaido. Also the tunnel paved the way for the automobile age. First tunnel was cranked and had some faults and visibility was terrible. The first tunnel was burned down by the fire and the newer tunnel was completed in 1904. Newer tunnel had straight route attesting to the dramatic architectural achievement during Meiji period. To cope with the increased traffic, newer tunnel was built in 1930 about one hundred meters west of the Meiji Tunnel and Showa Tunnel in 1957 followed. Until recently Meiji Tunnel had been ruined and nicknamed as "Ghost Tunnel" occasionally used by locals. Since 1980s the historical value of the tunnel began to be appreciated and now the tunnel has lights and became a tourist spot for Tokaido walkers, free of charge and free of automobiles. Meiji Tunnel was introduced to the world by the landmark Patrick Carey book "Rediscovering the Old Tokaido". Near the entrance of Shizuoka side tunnel there is a small park with raised relief of Utsunoya Pass areas.

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Utsunoya is the in-between lodgng station between #20 stop Mariko and #21 Okabe located at the entrance of Utsunoya Pass trail one of the hardest places to cross in Tokaido Road. The old town attracts a lot of tourists even from overseas because of the town's traditional lodging station atmosphere. The major places of interest are Ohaoriya Historical House, Keiryu Temple Meiji Tunnel and Kishigami, buckwheat noodle restaurant.

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Okitsu used to be the 17th lodging station for Tokaido road about 10 kilometers northeast of downtown Shizuoka. Okitsu is also known for the start for Sattatoge Pass a scenic site well described in Hiroshige's work and some of the postcards for Japan. In Okitsu town area, Seikenji temple, Minaguchiya Gallery, and Zagyoso Villa are the popular places of interest. In Okitsu river tributaries there are also some nice places including Ojima Jinya, a quasi castle for Takiwaki Matsudaira clan with the great stone walls and the backdrop of Mt. Hamaishi and Shimizu Forest Park which also has a day-trip spa.

Also see Okitsu Travel Page for more information.

Before resting at the wooden arbor for the entire view of the garden, don't miss this intriguing stepping stones path behind the arbor to enjoy the walk under the plum trees. Such stepping stones path is usually located near the tea house and it gives you a pleasant surprise.

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After getting into the garden, the first thing that may capture your eyes is Yatsuhashi Bridge. Yatsuhashi bridge is a series of bridges that are crossed with zigzag pattern. The plants near the bridge are Japanese Iris that bloom during June. It was October and out of Iris season but lone Tsuwabuki or leopard plant entertains the visitor. You will see more of them when you go deeper into the garden.

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When you enter the Momijiyama garden, it is better that you buy a compound ticket for both the garden and East gate for 300 yen. Audio guide is available but only in Japanese. The writings of the entrance gate was by Tsunenari Tokugawa, 18th generation head of Tokugawa shogun family. When you enter the gate you will see the nice wooden fence. The entrance part of the garden is modeled after that of Ginkakuji Temple in Kyoto. It is perhaps intended to test your general knowledge of Japanese art and culture. After turning right you will see the cherry tree, placing a tree to hide the view of the garden is a sort of devise often used in Japanese garden.