Shizuoka Multisport: Bike, Hike, Kayak the Home of Mt. Fuji

Arrive in Shizuoka at 10 :00 AM and be welcomed by our team.

Shizuoka is easily approachable by Shinkansen or bullet train from Tokyo, and takes 1 hour 20 minutes to travel from Tokyo to the Shizuoka station.

After introductions, we head to our hotel to drop off luggage and set up our bikes. Since formal check-in does not happen until later in the day, we suggest that you keep your cycling gear handy in your backpack so that we can dive straight into the action.

Our adventure begins in the heart of Shizuoka City as we pedal through its vibrant streets, passing the historic grounds of Sunpu Castle, once the home of the mighty Tokugawa shogunate.

From there, we venture out to the serene Abe River, cycling through picturesque enclaves and lush landscapes until we arrive at Gokurotei, surrounded by the region's famed green tea fields.

A delightful lunch awaits, followed by an immersive traditional tea ceremony—a quintessential Japanese experience that offers a glimpse into the country’s cultural heritage.

Afterward, we enjoy a scenic loop ride back toward Shizuoka, passing through the atmospheric Meiji tunnel before arriving at the Takumishuku arts center.

Here, we unleash our creativity in a hands-on craft workshop, choosing from options like lacquerware chopsticks, bamboo crafts, or indigo dyeing, and craft a unique souvenir to remember our journey.

The day concludes with a return to our hotel near Shizuoka Station. We have dinner at an Izakaya, or a traditional Japanese restaurant and bar serving food and drinks in a causal setting.

We start the day with a ride to Yume Terrace, offering stunning views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. If the weather is cloudy, we’ll opt for a coastal detour, conserving energy for the climbs ahead.

Enjoy a scenic descent to the coast and cycle along the Miho Matsubara Pacific trail, stopping at Miho Matsubara, a serene pine grove steeped in legend.

A short and picturesque water taxi ride takes us across Shimizu Port before we continue our journey.

Our route includes a section of the historic Tokaido road, which connected Tokyo (formerly known as Edo) with Kyoto. This route was the most important of the 5 Japanese imperial highways of the Shogunate era. These were first built in the early 1600s by the Tokugawa Shoguns to exert control over the outer provinces, and for this reason were kept well-maintained throughout history. All five highways culminated in Nihonbashi, the central business district of Tokyo. Just as all roads led to Rome in ancient Europe, all roads led to Edo (Tokyo) in medieval Japan!

We pass through the well-preserved Yui and Satta Pass, known for their breathtaking views of the Fuji on one side,and the Pacific Ocean on the other. We’ll also stop at the Hiroshige Art Museum, where art enthusiasts can explore a collection of traditional Japanese masterpieces.

The day culminates with a challenging yet rewarding climb as we cycle towards Fujinomiya, bringing us closer to the iconic Mt. Fuji.

The day begins with a visit to Fujinomiya Sengen Shrine, a sacred Shinto site dedicated to Mt. Fuji. We get to experience the serenity of the shrine and fill our water bottles with pure spring water coming down from Mt Fuji itself.

A scenic ride takes us to the breathtaking Shiraito Falls, where cascading waters and stunning views create a picture-perfect setting.

The highlight of the day is the Fuji Skyline—a challenging ascent with thrilling switchbacks and spectacular panoramas. After conquering the climb, enjoy a rewarding descent, culminating at Mishima Station, where the day’s adventure concludes.

Mishima is a place that holds a special place in the contemporary Japanese imagination. The mercurial Japanese writer and ultra-nationalist Yukio Mishima took his pen name from Mishima and Mt. Fuji.

Yukio in Japanese means snow.

Yukio Mishima was considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature 5 times, but never awarded one.

A passionate royalist, Mishima attempted a coup d'etat in 1970 in an attempt to reinstate the Emperor of Japan. When the coup failed, he committed suicide through the Japanese ritual of harakiri or seppuku in which Japanese Samurai warriors disembowel themselves with their sword or katana. He was all of 35 years of age at this time.

For dinner, we have the chance to enjoy Unagi or grilled eel, a local delicacy for which our hotel for the night is famous.

Today is a day filled with a cultural and culinary exploration blended with lessons in Japanese history.

The day begins with a peaceful walk along the Genbe River, renowned for its crystal-clear waters fed by Mt. Fuji’s springs and its inspiring conservation story.

Our cycling journey takes us through the picturesque landscapes of Izu no Kuni. We visit the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces, a set of 4 furnaces dating back to 1857 that are today recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

These furnaces were set up by the Tokugawa Shogunate to build canons in order to ward off the perceived threat to Japanese isolationism posed by increasing western presence on Japan's coast, such as the American naval expeditions led by Commodore Perry in the 19th century.

Izu no Kuni was also once a stronghold of several powerful Samurai families, the traditional Japanese warrior class. Several of their old houses have been well-preserved and are in good condition. We pay a visit to one such Samurai residence, and experience first hand the inner lives of these famed Japanese warriors.

Our adventure continues with a forest climb leading to one of Japan’s largest terraced wasabi farms. Here, we'll learn about the intricate art of wasabi cultivation from a local farmer, offering a deeper connection to this iconic Japanese ingredient.

Wasabi, also known as Japanese horseradish is a spicy condiment native to Japan. The special thing about wasabi is that it only grows in areas watered by clear, flowing mountain springs. This makes wasabi cultivation very intricate, and the supply of good quality wasabi very rare indeed.

We stay tonight at Kona Stay, a bike-friendly hotel where we can take our bikes to our room too, if we want. The hotel even has a small onsen or hot spring for guests to enjoy.

Today, we trade bikes for hiking boots to descend upon the historic Shimoda Kaido path.

Our scenic 10km hike through Shimoda takes us through the Amagi Tunnel, lush forests, wasabi farms, and the stunning Nanadaru area, home to seven cascading waterfalls. The Amagi Tunnel, cut entirely out of the rocks of the Amagi mountains, was a central setting in the Nobel-prize winning Japanese novelist Yasanuri Kawabata's novella, The Dancing Girl of Izu.

After the hike, we transfer to the coastal town of Shimoda, stopping at the pristine white sands of Shirahama Beach.

Shimoda is a historic port town. It was at Shimoda that the American ships under Commodore Matthew Perry first landed, pressurizing Japan to open up for western trade for the first time in close to 250 years. Under the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan had adopted a policy of isolationism from 1639 to 1853 in order to keep western influences such as Christianity at bay.

At Shimoda, Japan finally opened up.

The first American embassy in Japan was opened at Shimoda. The town was also the final resting place of several American sailors belonging to Commander Matthew Perry's expedition.

In Shimoda, a walking tour leads us through Perry Road, named after the very same Commodore Matthew S. Perry, and the charming old quarter, where the town's rich history comes alive in front of our eyes.

You’ll also have the chance to visit the Shimoda History Museum, enriching your understanding of this picturesque town’s cultural significance.

Today, we cycle along the stunning south Izu coast, making stops at picturesque dunes and dramatic sea caves. Our journey leads us to Cape Irozaki, where we’ll walk to the Cape Irozaki Lighthouse and Shrine, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline.

After a break for lunch at Cape Irozaki, we embark on a challenging ride to Matsuzaki. For those seeking an extra adventure, there’s an optional detour to the beautiful Ishibu rice terraces, adding another scenic layer to this exciting day.

Start the day with a thrilling sea kayaking tour along the coast, exploring the serene waters and rugged coastline of the Suruga Bay. This 2 hour tour on highly stable fin pedal drive kayaks is a great way to experience the beauty of the Suruga Bay. Expect some more unexpectedly beautiful views of the Izu peninsula from here.

We have lunch around noon, following which the day’s adventure continues with a challenging ride up to the Nishina Pass Skyline Route, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting).

The journey concludes in the peaceful hot spring town of Shuzenji, offering a perfect end to the day’s exertions with a chance to unwind. We stay for the night in a traditional Japanese ryokan.

After a memorable adventure, we’ll transfer to Mishima Station for your onward travel, bringing an end to this incredible journey through the Izu Peninsula.