Today we went on a day trip outside Shizuoka. We took a bus to an area about an hour away from the city, known for its beautiful views over Shizuoka, the Sea of Japan, and Mount Fuji.
The bus ride itself was amazing. We passed through multiple cute villages surrounded by lush greenery and slowly climbed higher into the mountains toward the viewpoint.
After that, we visited a small temple nearby and decided to walk down to the village below. To get there, we followed a long, old stone staircase in front of the temple. It felt so mystical. I felt like I was walking through a fairy tale. The staircase, with its breathtaking views over the ocean and the small village where the path ended, had such a magical atmosphere. Thinking about it still gives me butterflies.
Down the temple hill and in the village
The path from the view point to the staircase was was so beautiful
Mount Fuji was hidden behind a thick layer of fog, but the view was still beautiful.
An enjoyable ride to the view point
When we arrived in the village, everything was quiet…so quiet that it almost felt abandoned. We could barely see any cars or people on those narrow streets. Well, I should admit that I did spot a couple of older locals making their way up toward the temple. What dedication!
Back to the village story. Google Maps told us there was a bus that could take us back to Shizuoka. The village was so calm, and the bus stop was so small and simple, that I honestly doubted it was still in service.
Well, to my surprise, just seconds before the scheduled arrival time, I saw the silhouette of a bus appearing in the distance. It felt like something out of a Studio Ghibli movie, where a magical bus arrives in a mysterious village to pick up spooky passengers. Hehe. I mean it.
The ride back was even more magical. We drove past traditional Japanese houses, tea fields, and rice paddies. The sun was slowly setting, casting a soft golden light over everything and giving the whole journey an even dreamier, fairy-tale atmosphere.
Well, on this note, I will end today's blog. I hope you have a lovely night followed by the sweetest dreams.
July 19th, 2026
Shizuoka, Japan