Sumata Valley

If you take the Oigawa Main Line from JR Kanaya Station to Senzu Station, you can catch a bus for 860 yen to Sumatakyo Onsen. The Sumata River is a branch of the Oi River and Sumata Valley is stunning. The bus lumbers through winding mountain roads with breathtaking views before depositing you at the last stop - Sumatakyo Onsen. Once there, there are easy to understand maps that will tell you the way to the onsen, restaurants and hiking trails - all easily accessible.

I went in summer, but it's supposed to be even more stunning in fall when the leaves change color. You can hike paths with mountain goats, cross a suspension bridge and wander along the river. When you're finished, head to the outdoor onsen and pay only a couple of hundred yen to relax in natural hot spring water while you look up at the trees and mountains. Makes a great day trip. Be sure to walk with your camera.

Sumatakyo onsen

Heading into Sumata Valley by bus

Sumata Valley

Sumata Valley

Green Shower Road

One of the suspension bridges you can cross

Hiking along the Sumata river

Watch out for mountain goats

Yoshiwara Gion Festival

This festival is held on the second Saturday and Sunday in June every year and apparently has been taking place for the past 250 years. It's a pretty big event for Fuji City. The main street in Yoshiwara (Yoshiwarahoncho) is completely transformed as floats and mobile shrines are pulled by colorfully dressed Fuji City denizens and the sound of drums and flutes takes over. It's fantastic to see your solemn neighbors letting loose and drinking beer in the streets. And of course, the usual matsuri fare of fried foods on sticks is available for purchase.






Here's a short video of the fun. Seriously, this is the liveliest I've ever seen the locals of this city.

Oigawa Railway

To me, one of the best things about Japan is the train system. Shizuoka has some awesome scenic lines like the Minobu Line and the Oigawa Railway. The bit of Japan through which the Oigawa Railway passes is beautiful and epic. I use the word epic a lot to describe nature in Shizuoka because it leaves me in such awe.

Kanaya

The Oigawa Railway has two lines - the Oigawa Main Line and the Ikawa Line. Check out the Wikipedia entry for more information. I took the Main Line from from its start at JR Kanaya Station to its end at Senzu Station. The journey is 75 minutes of bliss. The trains themselves are like museums. This is also the line that operates the famous Shizuoka steam locomotive. You can ride the locomotive but you have to check the times in advance as (I think) it only makes one return trip each day. The normal trains are much more regular.

The Main Line goes along the Oi River, with views of flower covered river banks, tea fields and lots of green. Children wave at you at the small town stops along the way. The one way fare is 1810 yen and worth every penny I think. You don't have to go all the way to Senzu but I did because I wanted to visit the Sumata Valley. Kawane Town, known for its onsens, is also along the way. The Jorudan site is a great tool for planning train travel anywhere in Japan. The pictures below are all summer shots. I'd like to go back in the fall when the leaves change color. That is supposed to be the best time to visit.

Lake Tanuki

I've decided to post things that may not be in Fuji City, but are still easily accessible and worthwhile (in my opinion). I'm very much in love with nearby Fujinomiya and sometimes wish I lived there instead. One of my favorite places there is Lake Tanuki. It's a man made lake that's famous for a mirror reflection of Mt. Fuji.

Lake Tanuki is great for fishing, biking, walking and camping. There are some really good camp facilities like showers and cooking areas. There are also a lakeside restaurant and nearby temple. It's a nice walk to nearby Shiraito waterfall, too. A Japanese colleague warned me not to go in summer because an overgrowth of algae makes it a little smelly. Here are some pictures of my visit this spring.



Transportation to Lake Tanuki is easy. You have to go to Fujinomiya Station first, either by bus from Yoshiwara Chuo Station or by JR train. There's a bus from Fujinomiya Station to Shiraito falls and Lake Tanuki. I think it's platform number 2 but please check to make sure. Also be sure to check the bus times back. The last bus back from Shiraito falls to Fujinomiya Station is at 5:10 p.m. on weekends and is probably much earlier from Lake Tanuki. You can always walk from Lake Tanuki to Shiraito falls and catch a later bus like I did.