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Nihondaira is a gorgeous location in Shizuoka Prefecture and has some laidback activities to appreciate the region’s natural scenery and mild year-around climate. It is known as being one of the best places to get a panoramic view of majestic Mount Fuji, complete with the Pacific Ocean for a backdrop. I had been patiently waiting for a clear, cloud-free day to journey up the hilltop to Nihondaira. The day finally came at the end of October!

Travel tip: Late spring through early fall are terrible times to photograph Mount Fuji because the weather is typically quite hazy with low visibility due to frequent storms and cloud cover. October through April are the best months to snap good photos as there’s usually a prominent snowcap and the days are fairly cloud-free due to the cool, dry weather.

Although my friend and I did not staying overnight at the Nihondaira Hotel, we ate at one of its many restaurants with sweeping views, specifically the semi-upscale Upper Lounge on the sixth floor. While we chatted and enjoyed our lunch, we took in the amazing view of Mount Fuji through the large windows which lined the entire right side of the restaurant. It was a beautiful day: not a cloud in the sky with Suruga Bay reflecting the same bright blue from above.

Once we were done eating, we walked outside to the hotel’s grassy field to take some photos. It was quite windy, but our mini photo session was really enjoyable and we captured some beautiful shots. Afterward, my friend and I went to the Nihondaira Ropeway where we rode a cablecar to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine at the base of Nihondaira. We spent some time walking around Kunozan and paying our respects at the shrine. Upon arriving back at the top of the ropeway, she and I enjoyed skewers of sakura ebi odango (tiny shrimp-flavored rice cakes on a stick) that were deep-fried and brushed with shoyu (soy sauce), as well as cones of matcha soft serve ice cream made with locally produced Shizuoka green tea.

Travel tip: Shizuoka Prefecture is known for having extremely fresh and tasty seafood, which can be enjoyed year around. Sakura ebi are a speciality of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka, so it’s best to try this local food while in the prefecture.

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It was a wonderful day enjoying what Shizuoka has to offer. If you’re looking for a relaxing day and want some amazing photos of Mount Fuji while you’re in Japan, I recommend spending a day at Nihondaira! For more places of interest and food recommendations in Shizuoka City, please view my Shizuoka Travel Guide by clicking here. Similarly, you can find more travel guides for other cities in Japan by clicking here.

Peace and happy travels,

Tay