Suruga is a nature-rich area in central Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its mountainous areas, tea fields, and beautiful blue coastline. This area should be top of your planning list for your summer journey to Japan. Due to the many natural sites and resources, this area which is just a few hours south of Tokyo makes a great location for all sorts of activities, whether spent in the cool waters surfing or in the thick forests for some hiking. This article will highlight the beaches and available nature trails, along with activities many should take advantage of if they get the chance to travel to Suruga in the summertime, perfect for people of all ages, friends, families, and couples!
Surfers Enjoying the Waves at Shizunami Beach – Photo Credit: ANA
Beaches
Because Suruga Bay comes in contact with a lot of land, there is a long and winding coastline between the main area of Shizuoka and the Izu Peninsula, offering a lot of beach space and fun in the sun. This blog will introduce you to some of the most popular beaches you can find in the area.
Shizunami Beach
Shizunami is a huge, sandy beach known for its waves that are great for surfing. While many come to take a quick dip in the cool water and fight off the heat, it is also not uncommon to see many people walking around with surfboards. Thus, this beach is a great chance to get into surfing yourself, as the area has several surrounding shops with surfboard rentals. The waters are also quite shallow at the shore, making it a perfect worry-free beach for families with small children.
Address: Shizunami, Makinohara, Shizuoka 421-0422, Japan
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Miho Beach
This beach is named after the Miho Peninsula that runs into Suruga Bay. With popular views of Fuji along the coastline, Miho is recommended to those who are looking for a beach with a stunning backdrop. Something interesting about this 3-kilometer stretch is that it has no sand, and is instead made up of small rocks and pebbles. While it may not be popular for surfing like Shizunami, this beach’s attraction is the walking and cycling trails along the tree-lined paths that follow the coast.
Address: 2375 Miho, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, 424-0901, Japan
Hours: Open 24/7
Mochimune Beach
Being very easy to reach from downtown Shizuoka, this spot is both accessible and popular with the people in the city. The 1.5 stretch of shore is a perfect destination for couples as they can enjoy the calm waters and peaceful strolls along the beach, an activity Mochinume is particularly known for. Beyond walking, you can also partake in beachside barbeques, all while enjoying the overwhelmingly beautiful view of Mt. Fuji looking over the waters.
Address: 4-chōme-17 Mochimune, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, 421-0122, Japan
Hours: Open 24/7
Omaezaki Beach
Located in a beach town in Shizuoka, Omaezaki is a relaxing area to check your beach trip off your list. Similar to Shizunami, this area is also a popular surfing destination, attracting many surfers who dott the waters with colorful boards. This is due to Omaezaki having a long stretch of coast with strong breezes and sturdy waves, perfect for those who want to break out their boards and catch some waves.
Address: 1581 Omaezaki, Shizuoka 437-1621, Japan
Hours: Open 24/7
Hanazawa no Sato Village Trails – Photo Credit: VisitSuruga
Nature Trails
While very popular for its beaches, Suruga is home to just as many mountainous and river-filled areas where you can experience its beautiful nature. From the popular Oigawa River area to stunning parks, Suruga has various locations to suit the needs of those looking for a hike or a simple stroll.
Sumata Gorge
Mountains and beautiful foliage surround this area, scattered with suspension bridges that have great views. To fully enjoy the Oigawa River scenery, there are nature trails around the Sumata Gorge and Oku-Oi area where you can enjoy the sights of the blue water, see faraway views of the many abundant tea fields, and even Mt. Fuji far in the distance tucked away in the clouds. Away from the city and enveloped in the stunning sights of Suruga, this is a perfect area for a nature walk. By taking the Sumata Gorge path you can reach certain points in the trail where the lake stretches out before you, making for a breathtaking view.
Address: Inuma, Kawanehon, Haibara District, Shizuoka 428-0402, Japan (For Sumata Pass)
Hours: Open 24/7
Yoshida Park
While at first, it may not seem like a nature trail, Yoshida Park is spacious enough with many twisting and turning paths lined with seasonal flowers that it is a great opportunity to take a peaceful stroll in Suruga. With flowers such as tulips, cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, sunflowers, and more, any season makes this park a colorful walking destination. Since it is positioned right at the coast, the park is partly surrounded by water to add to the views you can enjoy while walking through the paths within Yoshida. With such an easy path guide to follow and beautiful views and scenery, this park makes an easy, laid-back trip for everyone.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6v7nVuGJasvjSh1o7
Hours: Open 24/7
Hanazawa No Sato
Hanazawa No Sato is an old village located in the mountains of Suruga with restored buildings that have been preserved since the Edo period. The main reason why this village is a recommended destination for a hike is that the landscape around the buildings and in the area has been left untouched, leaving the people in the village and nature to exist in harmony. In the area, there is a temple called Hokkeji which when you walk past you’ll find the starting point for the nature trail. The trail will take you up a 470-meter-high hill called Mankanko Hill, where you can enjoy various views of popular sights such as Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula at the summit.
Address: 1 Hanazawa, Yaizu, Shizuoka 425-0001, Japan
Hours: Open 24/7
Oku-Oi Area
Similar to the Sumata Gorge, the Oku-Oi area is a prefectural national park surrounded by mountains and waters, and is considered to be the beginning of the Southern Japan Alps, a large stretch of mountains in Japan. If you explore this beautiful area in Suruga, you’ll have opportunities and experiences that you can’t find anywhere else. These include exploring abandoned tunnel sights and taking a hike around the Nagashima Dam Lake and the Ikawa Dam, both with several different hiking trails to choose from. Many take the trip up to the Oku-Oi area due to it being untouched and protected, giving many that authentic nature seclusion experience. You’ll also get the chance to see the huge railway that crosses the river!
Address: Shizuoka, Japan
Hours: Open 24/7
E-Bike Tour in Suruga – Photo Credit: VisitSuruga
Activities
With an abundance of beaches, forests, and rivers, there are multiple activities available for anybody in Suruga. With the Oi River, Suruga’s beautiful coastline, and strong blue waves in the sea, activities in the area will leave you connected to nature and the sea, leaving you with experiences that are hard to find elsewhere in the world.
E-Bike Tour of Suruga Bay’s Coastline and Harbor
This activity takes place on the Pacific Ocean Bike Path, giving you a fun opportunity to bike around the endless feeling coastline of Suruga. With views of dunes, strawberry fields, and bright blue waters in the distance, this bike ride is something you won’t want to look past. Since the experience requires 4 people, you can improve your bike ride by inviting some friends or family for a bike ride together along the ocean. The bike tour ends at a hot spring cafe in Mochimune Beach, following a few drinks of craft beer from the West Coast Brewing Taproom.
Address: 3-chōme-11-1 Kusanagi, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, 424-0886, Japan
Website: https://fieja-japan.com/sustainable-tourism-e-bike-tour-4/
Price: 25000 Yen
Mountain Ranges Visible from Paragliding in Suruga – Photo Credit: VisitSuruga
SkyTEC Flying Academy
If you’re looking to take in the vastness of Suruga, the SkyTEC Flying Academy offers paragliding opportunities. Through this experience you will be able to fly 700 meters above the green countryside, the Oi River, and beautiful tea fields, one of Suruga’s most popular land features. You’ll even get to see the ever-stunning Mount Fuji from the most unique perspective you’ll ever find! After the paragliding experience, you’ll be given some Shimada tea to give you a taste of the number one producer of green tea in Japan. If you go with others, you’ll also get a memorable souvenir photo to look back on this thrilling experience with friends and/or family.
Address: Japan, 〒428-0105 Shizuoka, Shimada, 34°59’16.8″N 138°04’29.6″E
Website: http://sky-tec.net/
Price: 12000 Yen
Surf the Personalized Waves at Shizunami Surf Stadium – Photo Credit: surfstadium
Shizunami Surf Stadium
Last but definitely not least, if you’re in Suruga in the summer and are looking to ride some waves, you must make a stop at Shizunami’s surf stadium. No matter what level of surfer you are, the stadium accommodates the waves of everybody who tries their hand at surfing the water. More experienced surfers will appreciate the consistency of the waves, which is perfect for honing your skills.
Address: 2220 Shizunami, Makinohara, Shizuoka 421-0422, Japan
Website: https://www.surfstadium-japan.co.jp/
Price: $50-70 per Hour Session (Varies on Experience Level)
Explore More of what Suruga has to Offer
If you’re looking for more nature-immersed plans for your Japan travels, many overlook the area of the Izu Peninsula and miss out on the nature-abundant areas such as Suruga. From long beaches perfect for walks, strong waves for surfers, shallow waters for families, and on top of that views of Fuji as you enjoy your day in the sun, the beaches in Suruga can be enjoyed by anyone. For those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life and escape into the thicket of nature, woods, and tall mountains, many can find solace and peace in the numerous trails along the many winding rivers, or through flower-filled parks, and even old villages surrounded by nature perfect for hiking. No matter what your preference may be, if you wish to get away from the bright lights and loud noises of the city, let Suruga be the place for your nature and beach needs.
Feature photo credit: VisitSuruga
