A Sightseeing Guide to Miho no Matsubara, a Scenic Spot That Inspired Ukiyo-e

From the beach at Miho no Matsubara, be sure to take in the majestic view of Mt. Fuji.
The sight of Mt. Fuji rising beyond the pine grove and the white waves of Suruga Bay creates an atmosphere that feels truly symbolic of Japan.
This is also the scene that has inspired works of art, and it is one of the signature views of Miho no Matsubara.

Hagoromo no Matsu, the setting of the Hagoromo legend, stands in the center of Miho no Matsubara.
Here is a brief introduction to the Hagoromo legend passed down in this area.
A fisherman discovers a celestial robe hanging on a pine tree and tries to take it home, when he encounters a heavenly maiden.
The maiden asks him to return the robe, and in exchange, the fisherman requests to see a heavenly dance. After receiving the robe back, the maiden flies up into the sky.
The pine tree on which the maiden hung her robe in the legend is called Hagoromo no Matsu.
Hagoromo no Matsu has been replaced over generations due to Mt. Fuji’s eruptions and the decline of the trees, and the current tree is the third generation.
Hagoromo no Matsu is also the sacred object of worship of Miho Shrine. Miho Shrine stands a 7-minute walk from Miho no Matsubara.
The enshrined deities are Okuninushi no Mikoto and Mihotsuhime no Mikoto.
Haguruma Shrine, next to the pine tree, is an auxiliary shrine of Miho Shrine.
It is said that if you write your wish on a stone and dedicate it there, it will come true, so be sure to give it a try.

Miho no Matsubara is home to Approx. 30,000 Japanese black pine trees.
For Japanese people, pine trees are familiar yet sacred, used in New Year’s decorations and kadomatsu arrangements.
At the same time, they also appear at weddings and celebrations, and are seen as a symbol of dignity.
During the Edo period, this area was regarded as the land of Miho Shrine, and the pine grove was protected by successive shoguns, who prohibited logging there.
Be sure to walk not only along the coast but also through the pine grove itself.
Enjoy not just the beauty of the coast and Mt. Fuji peeking through the trees, but also the sacred atmosphere of the grove.
The approach known as Kami no Michi, lined with pine trees for 480 m from the entrance of Miho no Matsubara to Miho Shrine, is also beautiful and well worth a visit.

Kawamura Farm in the Miho area mainly grows tomatoes, melons, and edamame in greenhouses.
At the café, which is open on weekends only and run by the current owner couple, the 12th generation of the family, you can enjoy menu items made with vegetables and fruits harvested on the farm.
The current shop relocated and reopened in 2016. Its organic-feeling interior makes generous use of wood, and even the tables and chairs are said to be handmade by the owner.

Located along Miho Kaido near the World Heritage site Miho no Matsubara, this is the first branch of a classic Shizuoka soba chain with more than 50 locations mainly in Shizuoka and Aichi.
The signature menu item is sakura shrimp kakiage. The restaurant is especially particular about the quality of its sakura shrimp, using specially managed and processed shrimp from Taiwan for Shoan, as well as locally caught shrimp from Suruga Bay.
It also uses high-quality tempura oil and its own original tempura flour to create a crisp, fragrant texture.

This garden café stands along Kami no Michi, the Approx. 500 m pine-lined path leading from Miho no Matsubara, a component asset of the Fujisan World Cultural Heritage site, to Miho Shrine, which is known for the Hagoromo legend of the heavenly maiden’s robe.
The fully glass-walled interior is decorated with seasonal flowers and trees, creating a stylish and relaxing space.

This shrine was founded in 1617 by the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, who established the Edo shogunate.
It is said to have been built based on Ieyasu’s will that he be buried on Mount Kuno after his death.
The shrine building is in the gongen-zukuri style, with the main sanctuary and the worship hall connected by a stone passage.
Lavishly decorated with lacquer throughout, it is a representative early Edo-period structure and was designated a National Treasure building in 2010.

Nihondaira in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a hill area at an elevation of 307 m and one of Japan’s finest scenic spots, even having been ranked No. 1 in the Japan Tourist Destination Top 100 Contest.
Nihondaira Yume Terrace opened at the summit of Nihondaira in 2018.
It consists of an indoor exhibition area, lounge space, observation floor, and outdoor observation corridor, all offering sweeping views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and Miho no Matsubara.

This pine-lined approach to Miho Shrine, which is associated with the Hagoromo legend, runs straight for Approx. 500 m from Miho no Matsubara to the shrine gate.
It is said to be the path the gods took when they descended near Hagoromo no Matsu and were welcomed to Miho Shrine.
Lined with old pine trees that are 200 to 400 years old, the path is wrapped in a sacred atmosphere. It is also easy to walk thanks to a boardwalk designed to protect the pine roots, and it is barrier-free for wheelchair users as well.