Horai Bridge, with its historical drama movie-set feel, was originally built for agricultural use in 1879 by the farmers who cleared Makinohara area.
It then began to by used as a community bridge connecting Hatsukura and Shimada.
Nowadays, this toll bridge solely for pedestrians and bicyclists has become one of Shimada's main tourist spots.
With a length of 897.4 meters (approx 0.6 mile) and width of 2.4 meters (approx. 8 feet) Horai Bridge is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest wooden footbridge.
It creates a fantasy world when it is lit up at night.
The Restored toll gate and a fording coolie station near the crossing point of the Oi River tell the History.
The hilly Kanaya and Kikugawa slopes presented challenging climbs for old Tokaido travelers during the Edo period.
A 430-meter-long stretch of stone pavement of the Kanaya slope was restored in 1991 by Kanaya residents.
A 611-meter-long (approx.0.4mile) parts of the old Kikugawa hill road discovered in 2000 is now designated as a prefectural cultural property. The stone pavements were originally built to prevent slipping.
Takeda Katsuyori built the castle in 1573 to complete the work of his father Shingen.
The fortress is believed to have been constructed on the order of Shingen.
The remaining dry moat and well built by Katsuyori and Ieyasu are designated as national cultural properties.
Matsuo Basho composed many well-known poems to depict the scenery during his trips along the old Tokaido highway.
A stone statue of this guardian deity is situated two minutes away from Higiri Station.
A festival is held on the 8th and 26th of every month.
A vast carpet of green tea fields covers the soil of Makinohara Heights on the western side of the Oi River.
Following the fall of the Shogunate government in the 1860's, this land was developed by former Tokugawa followers and Oi river crossing coolies into Japan's biggest tea plantation area.
The gorgeous view of Mt.Fuji from the plateau is one of the most popular scenes in Shizuoka Prefecture.
This park offers views of the towns of Kanaya and Shimada and the Oi River as well as Mt.Fuji, Suruga Bay, Izu Peninsula and Japan's Southern Alps in the distance.
Growing in clusters on the slope of the park are fawn lilies which are designated as a protected species of the city.
They are best from late March to early April.
In the Kawane area, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, there are a number of famous places for viewing cherry blossoms.
The best place is the Ieyama Cherry Blossom Tunnel. Here the Oigawa Tetsudo Steam
Locomotive (SL) is surrounded on both sides by cherry blossoms in full bloom.
This“Sakura Tunnel”paired with the famous Oigawa SL create a stunning site.
When the Oigawa River’s direction changed, a pond was created and has become a famous fishing spot for certain types of carp. The nearby Nomori Park is also an ideal place for exploring nature.
The permanent display on the 1st floor gives an easy understanding of crossing the Oi River in the Edo era and the 2nd floor hosts special exhibitions.
The annex building is used mainly for woodblock print exhibitions.
For inqiries, Call | 0547-37-1000 | |
Open | Open from 9 am to 5 pm Closed on Mondays and on the days following national holidays. |
|
URL | http://shimahaku.jp/ |
Closed on Mondays and on the days following national holidays.
Itawari no Yu
The indoor bath is supplied by hot springs that are known to be good for creating beautiful skin.
There are also outdoor baths for your enjoyment, including a “synthetic silk bath” and a“carbonated bath.”
The facility also includes a sauna, two private baths (reservation required), a cafeteria, and a relaxation room 70 tatami mats wide, along with other features.
For inqiries, Call | 0547-33-1148 | |
Open | Open from 9 am to 9 pm Closed on New Year's Day and Mondays (or Tuesday if the Monday is a national holiday) |
|
URL | http://www.itawarinoyu.jp/ |
Closed on New Year's Day and Mondays (or Tuesday if the Monday is a national holiday)
This cafe restaurant at the bottom of the Kanayazaka stone-paved path on the Old Tokaido highway offers a lunch menu and sweets made with local ingredients.
For inqiries, Call | 0547-45-5715 | |
Open | Open from 9 am to 5 pm Closed on Mondays, except on national holidays |
|
URL | http://ishidatami.info/ |
Closed on Mondays, except on national holidays
This retro-flavored station often appears in movies and dramas.
The station yard is like a railway museum with an exhibition of old passenger cars and trains.
This onsen facility consists of indoor and outdoor baths, heated pools, saunas and Jacuzzis.
The sodium chloride spring water is good for stiff shoulders and backs as well as skin problems.
It is equipped with eating and rest areas as well as cottages with hot spring baths.
For inqiries, Call | 0547-53-4330 | |
Open | Open from 9 am to 5 pm Closed on the 1st Tuesday of each month. |
|
URL | http://kawaneonsen.jp/ |
Closed on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
Opened in July 2014, the hotel accommodates up to 165 people with its eight Japanese-style guest rooms equipped with a free-flowing hot spring bath made of Japanese cypress and 38 western-style rooms.
Soak into the hot spring waters directly drawn from the Kawane Onsen in the indoor public bath and enjoy the carbonated water in the open air bath.
Buffer meals and Day use guests are also welcome.
Enjoy the relaxing bath time and relieve your tiredness.
For inqiries, Call | 0547-53-4320 | |
URL | http://www.kawane-onsen-hotel.jp/ |
This town has welcomed numbers of tourists since long ago. The wooden train station fits right in with the oldstyle atmosphere of the town, where you can feel the history and soak in the retro mood. This town is often used as a location site for films.
This green tea museum in Makinohara Heights introduces the history, culture and drinking customs of tea not only in Japan but across the world.
Visitors can take in the sight of Mt. Fuji from the restaurant and buy some souvenirs while there.
You're sure to enjoy having some matcha tea and traditional sweets in the adjacent restored traditional tea house and garden (done in the Enshu-style of tea ceremony).
For inqiries, Call | 0547-46-5588 | |
Open | Open from 9 am to 5 pm for museum, 9:30 am to 4 pm for tea house. | |
URL | http://www.ochanosato.com/ |