The Metasequoia Avenue at Susono Sports Park, Facing Mt. Fuji

A dawn-redwood avenue inside a municipal sports park that frames Mt Fuji between rust rows every late November - a field report from two dated visits, since no tourism page covers it.
Shizuoka travel guides: Mt. Fuji’s southern side, green tea country, the Izu Peninsula coast, and hot springs between the mountains and the sea.

A dawn-redwood avenue inside a municipal sports park that frames Mt Fuji between rust rows every late November - a field report from two dated visits, since no tourism page covers it.

From the dark fields at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the next meteor shower worth planning a night around is the Geminids on December 14, 2026: the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan expects about 60 meteors an hour from a…

A first-timer rescued after a night out at the 2nd station; a 58-year-old climber who didn't survive the Fujinomiya route — both in 24 hours. Five lessons on preparation, pacing and knowing when to turn back.

Vietjet's new Hanoi–Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport flight (2026): how far the airport really is from Fuji, getting to Kawaguchiko, and where Shizuoka Airport actually shines.

Mt Fuji is a UNESCO cultural — not natural — World Heritage Site. A Fujiyoshida local explains the 2013 listing, its faith-and-art story, and the 25 component parts.

Kinomiya Kenko Pan in Atami makes kogashi manju, a roasted-barley steamed bun sold as a Kinomiya Shrine specialty. What it is, the shop's hours and how to visit.

Farmers Gotemba, the JA Fuji-Izu farm market at the foot of Mt. Fuji: highland vegetables, Shizuoka wagyu, Koshihikari rice, local flowers and a new fresh-fish counter.

Toraya Kobo is the famous wagashi house's forest workshop-cafe in Gotemba, at the foot of Mt. Fuji - a thatched gate, a bamboo garden, and freshly made seasonal sweets with tea.

Tatsumi Shokudo in Susono, at the foot of Mt Fuji: a Showa-era diner serving hearty teishoku, stewed offal and beef-with-egg, with free rice. Hours, what to order, access.

Kinomiya Shrine, Atami: the 2,000-year-old great camphor, the walk-around-the-trunk ritual, free entry, nightly light-up, tea by the tree, and access.
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Nearly every image on Hidden Japan Gems was photographed by me on a Sony α7 across five years of walking Japan; a few licensed photos fill the gaps. Please don't re-use my photos without permission — reach out if you'd like to.
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