“Lake Tanuki”…where?

Lake Tanuki is located in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Although it’s called a “lake,” it was originally a small swamp, which was later artificially expanded and turned into a lake.
It’s in the Asagiri Highland and has a length of around 4 kilometers. There are many accommodation available in the area, and it’s a very popular destination for families.

A view of Mt. Fuji you can only get here, in Mt. Fuji’s own backyard

At the base of Mt. Fuji, you can enjoy a unique perspective of the mountain that’s not available anywhere else.
One notable feature is the Osawa Failure erosional valley, which provides a head-on view of Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately, when I visited the area, the weather was cloudy, so I missed out on seeing the mountain.

This location is famous not just for its natural beauty, but also for the opportunity to view both the majestic form of Mt. Fuji and the serene lake together. Throughout the year, photographers flock to this spot to capture this picturesque view.

There were lots of tents, as well as people strolling the promenade with a camera in one hand.

Introducing leisure activities at Lake Tanuki that both children and adults can enjoy!

Aside from the stunning Mt. Fuji view, there are plenty of other things to do at Lake Tanuki!

One of the best activities is cycling around the lake. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake and its natural surroundings while riding on the cycling course around its length. You can bring your own bicycle or rent one from the administrative building if you don’t have one. It’s a great way to explore the area all year round.

Of course, you can also simply go on foot! The lake has a circumference of around 4 kilometers, so you can walk around it in about an hour.

*If you go cycling, please watch out for pedestrians and practice common courtesy!

You can enjoy some serious camping too!

It was bustling with lots of campers when I visited. Some people were there with friends, while others had arrived with their families. It must have been dinnertime when I took these photographs, because, look at those delicious aromas wafted out from every tent!

Lake Tanuki has two main campgrounds – the “south side tent site” where you can set up your own tent and spend the night, and the “north side tent site” where you can come for day trips and barbecues. You can have a fancy picnic with tables and chairs, or you can set up your tent for some serious camping.

On nights with clear weather, you can see Mt. Fuji against a backdrop of a star-filled sky.

The aforementioned administrative building also sells firewood and charcoal. I believe they also have other camping equipment, but it’s best to ask them directly for details.

Other activities

I visited Lake Tanuki in February so it was the off-season, but during the camping season from June to November you can also rent a boat!

Learning through Playing at the Lake Tanuki School of Nature

The Lake Tanuk School of Nature is an educational facility that both children and adults can enjoy. It’s centered around the theme of contact between people and nature. You can reach it by foot from Lake Tanuki. There are signposts along the way as well, so it’s easy to find!

Now on to the Lake Tanuki Nature School building!

As you enter the building, you’ll notice the stunning wall of glass in front of you. From there, you can catch a glimpse of yet another view of Mt. Fuji that differs from the one visible from the Lake Tanuki side.

The building was packed with families and their children!
The facility is filled with areas for both adults and children to enjoy.

On the right as you enter, you will see the Exploration Area: Nature in a Sea of Trees.

It’s inspired by Mt. Fuji’s Aokigahara Sea of Trees, and hiding inside are some creatures that call the Sea of Trees their home.
I also went inside for a look. It’s quite challenging, even for adults. I would recommend parents and children to give it a try together!

There are many other areas based on the nature of Mt. Fuji and Lake Tanuki.

Out of everything there, the children especially enjoyed…

The Exploration Area: Cave Nature.

Inside it’s built like a cave, and it’s truly pitch black. You can get a helmet and a pen light at the reception, and your mission is to find the bats that are hiding in the cave.

Just like a real cave, there are parts where the ceiling is very low.
Once you’ve counted the number of bats in the cave, you report your findings to the reception.
If you get the answer right, you can get a sticker as a prize.

Fun for children and adults alike, also on rainy days

The kids’ corner is also equipped with toys for infants.
There are building blocks, a slide, a ball pit and more.

The Lake Tanuki School of Nature has a rich activity program.

The facility offers opportunities to genuinely experience nature, whether indoors, or outdoors around Lake Tanuki. Some of the activities require pre-registration.
There are also cottages where you can spend the night. They are of course equipped with kitchens and bathrooms, and guests can visit the hot spring baths and buffet restaurant in the adjacent Kyukamura (rest village) Fuji.

If you ever visit Lake Tanuki, do make sure to drop by the Lake Tanuki School of Nature.

Conclusion

So, what did you think?

There were lots of leisure and lodging options.
Although I’ve written about my experience visiting Lake Tanuki in the winter, with all this nature around, there will be different things to enjoy in every season, so you’d want to come and visit again and again.
For those who are thinking of traveling to Shizuoka Prefecture, how about paying a visit to Lake Tanuki, which is fun for the whole family, children and grownups alike?

Incidentally, the Diamond Fuji phenomenon should be visible at Lake Tanuki for the week before and after April 20 and August 20 every year. During this time, it gets really crowded with photographers from very early in the morning (i.e., the middle of the night), so if you plan on taking pictures, make sure you do your preliminary research first.

Mankanho, located in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a 470-meter-high satoyama (a type of traditional rural landscape that combines elements of both forests and farmland) with a ridge line extending along Suruga Bay. Although it is a low mountain, it lives up to its name “Mankanho” due to the panoramic view of Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Izu Peninsula and Suruga Bay from the summit, enabling you to enjoy the scenic attractions of Shizuoka to the fullest. There is a spacious observation area at the top of the mountain, which is crowded on the weekends and holidays with hikers wishing to take in the spectacular view.

Along with Mt. Takakusa and Mt. Hanazawa, it is referred to as the “Yaizu Alps” , and it is a popular satoyama loved by local residents.

There are several routes to the summit of Mankanho, but today, we will introduce a hiking course that goes from “Hanazawa no Sato” to the “Kurakake Pass” and connects to the Tokaido Nature Trail BP (Bypass Course), which takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes one-way. This is an easy course that is recommended for beginner hikers and parents and children.

Hanazawa no Sato temporary parking lot ⇒ Kurakake Pass ⇒ Mankanho (Time required: Approx. 1 hour and 50 minutes)

Warm up with a stroll through Hanazawa no Sato!

＜Time: 9:35＞

Let’s now head to Hanazawa no Sato, where the start of the trail is located, by car!
We’ve parked the car at the temporary parking lot (free of charge). You can tell how popular this trail is as the parking lot is almost full of cars at 9:00 a.m. There is also the “Hanazawa no Sato” parking lot about 300 meters ahead.

If you wish to use the bus, get off at the “Takakusayama Ishiwaki Iriguchi” bus stop (Shizutetsu Justline), then head to “Hanazawa no Sato” on foot.

Hanazawa no Sato, the starting point, is a mountain village located in a mountain valley that is home to about 30 households. The town’s elegant atmosphere retains the atmosphere of the Edo period and is very popular as a sightseeing spot.

Rows of Nagaya-mon style traditional Japanese homes can be found along the gently uphill street. The murmuring of the river, the chirping of the birds and even the bells used to repel bears sound pleasant and comforting.

No matter where you take pictures, the nostalgic landscape of the town makes you feel as if you have traveled back in time.

An unmanned sales corner is located at the entrance of a private home. When we visited in November, mandarin oranges, persimmons and sweet potatoes were on display.

Around 100 yen per bag of mandarin oranges! What a bargain! We’ll purchase some to bring home with us.

The tanka inscription reads, “I wonder about that girl I met on the road to Abe in Suruga Province when I was in the Yaizu area.”

Hanazawa no Sato flourished during the Nara and Heian periods as “Yakitsube no Komichi”, a major mountain pass connecting Shizuoka and Yaizu, and is said to have such a long history that it was even mentioned in the Manyoshu (Japan’s oldest anthology of poetry dating back to the 8th century).

We discovered a functioned water mill that uses water from the Hanazawa River!

Our journey to Manganho is finally underway!

＜Time: 9:58＞

Here is where we will start our hike up the mountain! There’s a sign that reads, “Beware of bears”. Let’s hike with caution, wearing a bell to repel bears.

Although the hiking course is well maintained, there are some slippery and steep sections along the way, so if you don’t have trekking poles (hiking sticks), you can rent bamboo walking sticks instead.

We’ll climb up the wooden stairs.

Even though it is late November, the weather is so warm and sunny that we are sweating. Let’s cool down and refresh with the river water!

＜Time: 10:39＞

After hiking for about 40 minutes, you will arrive at the Kurakake Pass, which is a junction point. The left side leads to Mt. Takakusa and the right side leads to Manganho.

After a short break, we picked up the poles and continued climbing.

＜Time: 10:53＞

There is a signpost that reads, “1km to the summit”, which lifts our spirits. Let’s go for it!

Looking at the mountains of the Yaizu Alps, we felt very encouraging to keep going up.

＜Time: 11:10＞

The sky above us is opening up and it’s getting brighter. Are we almost at the summit?

We can hear the sounds of people talking! Just one more push to the top! Let’s go for it!

We’ve reached the summit! Mt. Fuji is clearly visible! The 360-degree panoramic view is breathtaking!

＜Time: 11:35＞

The observation area at the summit was already crowded with hikers. We were blessed with great weather on the day of our visit, and the majestic Mt. Fuji was clearly visible. It feels so good! Suruga Bay is also shining brightly.

Beyong Suruga Bay, you can faintly see the Izu Peninsula.

Yaizu Port and the townscape of Yaizu are also clearly visible.

The hike took around two hours. Even though it was for beginners, it was a little tough on us as we were a bit out of shape. We started to become a bit discouraged midway through, but ultimately it was worth the effort!

Please come and see the vast panoramic view that cannot be captured by a camera lens with your own eyes.

There are also a gazebo, tables and benches at the observation area, so you can have your lunch and relax here.

The return trip back down the mountain is quick and easy, and only takes about an hour. Although our knees are in pain, it feels great!!

Reward yourself with some sweets! Storehouse & Garden Cafe “Country Oven”

After reaching “Hanazawa no Sato”, head to the cafe inside a traditional Japanese house along the street. Reward yourself for your hard work with some sweets and coffee for a moment of relaxation.

Here at Country Oven, you can enjoy homemade sweets and coffee while being surrounded with the nostalgic atmosphere in the garden of a 130-year-old traditional Japanese-style house with a warehouse.

I’m in the mood for tarts and creme brulee! I couldn’t choose, so I decided to order the “snack set” (assorted sweets and drink included) recommended by the owner.

Feel a sense of relaxation and nostalgia with the vintage atmosphere of the miscellaneous goods.

Handmade cakes and breads are also available for takeout. The wooden box showcase is simple and has a warm feel to it.

Pick and enjoy the refreshing flavor of mandarin oranges!

You can enjoy mandarin orange picking near the entrance to Hanazawa no Sato (Mid-October to late December).

Pick as many as you want for an unlimited amount of time! You can also take home the oranges that you picked as souvenirs. Enjoy the taste of freshly picked mandarin oranges!

How did you enjoy the 1.5-hour hiking course from Hanazawa no Sato to Manganho?

We began with a stroll through the nostalgic streets of the town, followed by a hike up the mountain while being pushed by the beauty of nature and then a breathtaking panoramic view beyond our imagination at the summit of the mountain! Finally, we relaxed and unwound with some sweets… It was truly a wonderful day.

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Hamamatsu Castle is conveniently located just a 15-minute walk from the north exit of Hamamatsu Station. If you have some spare time, we recommend taking a leisurely stroll along Ieyasu’s Promenade, which leads you to various sites related to the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu. From the ages of 29 to 45, Ieyasu resided in Hamamatsu Castle, which was later occupied by successive generations of daimyo (feudal lords) descended from those who had supported him prior to his rise to power. Many of these daimyo even attained the rank of roju (elder) during their tenure at the castle, hence the castle’s nickname “Promotion Castle” or “Shussejo” in Japanese.

Let us begin by looking at the life of Ieyasu and the period he spent at Hamamatsu Castle.

The life of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, was born in 1542 as the eldest son of the lord of Okazaki Castle. At the age of seven, he was sent to Sunpu as a hostage of Imagawa Yoshimoto. Following Yoshimoto’s defeat by Oda Nobunaga at the Battle of Okehazama, Ieyasu returned to Okazaki Castle, formed an alliance with Nobunaga, and took the name Tokugawa Ieyasu at the age of 24.

In 1570, Ieyasu moved his base of operations to Hamamatsu and began constructing Hamamatsu Castle. He then engaged in a struggle with Takeda Shingen for control of Totomi Province, culminating in a crushing defeat by the Takeda army at the Battle of Mikatagahara in 1572. Despite this setback, Ieyasu would go on to become one of the most successful and influential figures in Japanese history, eventually achieving unification of the country and establishing a lasting peace.

The Battle of Mikatahara: Ieyasu’s greatest defeat

At the age of 31, in 1572, Ieyasu faced a significant challenge when Takeda Shingen and his army marched into Totomi Province on their way to the capital. Shingen had already seized control of the northern part of the province, and led his army of 27,000 men southward. Ieyasu, commanding a smaller force of 12,000 soldiers, moved towards Mikatahara to confront them. However, despite their efforts, the Tokugawa army was defeated by the larger Takeda army and its renowned cavalry. Ieyasu himself narrowly escaped death and fled to Hamamatsu Castle.

Surprise Attack at Saigagake

Following his defeat at the Battle of Mikatahara, Ieyasu retreated to Hamamatsu Castle and began planning a strategy to turn the tables on the Takeda army. He concocted a clever scheme to lure them to Saigagake cliff and then used a white cloth to make it appear as if a bridge had been erected across the chasm. To further confuse the enemy, he set Fusaiji Temple ablaze to create the impression that Hamamatsu Castle was on fire. The Takeda camp was then tricked into thinking that they were being attacked from behind, causing many men and horses to panic and fall to their deaths while crossing the fake bridge.

Despite his defeat at Mikatahara, Ieyasu’s reputation as a military strategist grew due to his bold resistance against Takeda Shingen, who was considered the most powerful warlord during the Warring States period. Three years later, the Oda and Tokugawa clans joined forces and defeated the Takeda army at Nagashino, gaining control of Totomi Province. Ieyasu later relocated his residence to Sunpu Castle in 1586. He then emerged victorious against the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara after Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s death. As a result, he was appointed shogun in 1603 and founded the Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the Edo shogunate.

Hamamatsu Castle – the “Promotion Castle” (Shussejo)

Understanding the historical background of the castle and its connection to Tokugawa Ieyasu can enhance one’s appreciation for the structure.

Hamamatsu Castle was built in the Teikaku style, with the main keep’s enclosure standing at the highest point of the Mikatahara Plateau. The honmaru, ninomaru, and sannomaru were arranged in a staircase pattern. The main keep was rebuilt in 1959, and the main gate was restored in 2014. The castle’s stone walls are also a notable feature, built in the nozurazumi style with natural stones piled on top of each other. Despite appearing unstable, the inside is packed with pebbles and gravel, making it very strong.

The castle is known for having ten wells, and the well in the foundation of the main keep was left intact during the castle’s reconstruction. This well can now be seen in the basement of the main keep. Only five castles in Japan still have a well in the basement of the main keep, including Iga Ueno Castle, Nagoya Castle, Matsue Castle, Kumamoto Castle, and Hamamatsu Castle. These unique features and historical connections make Hamamatsu Castle a fascinating destination for visitors interested in Japanese history and architecture.

We can go inside the main keep and look at a lot of items on exhibition (It cost 200 Yen for one adult)

The Enshu Sea and Lake Hamana are clearly visible from the observation deck. On days with good weather, you can even see Mt. Fuji.

Highlights of Hamamatsu Castle Park

Hamamatsu Castle Park offers not only historical and architectural delights but also natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The Miyama-style Japanese walking garden is a peaceful retreat where visitors can enjoy the picturesque waterfall, pavilion, and pond. The park is particularly famous for its shidarezakura blossoms in the spring and momiji leaves in the fall, which draw large crowds of visitors seeking to enjoy the seasonal colors. Moreover, the stone stage is a perfect spot for picnics, and the central lawn regularly hosts various events such as concerts, festivals, and sports activities. With its combination of history, nature, and leisure activities, Hamamatsu Castle Park serves as an oasis for the city’s residents and a popular destination for tourists.

Today we are at Fuji Safari Park in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
We arrived before the gates opened and waited in the car in high spirits.

The park opens at 10:00 a.m.
More cars arrived one after another, and we became somewhat nervous.

Then when the gates opened at 10:00 a.m,all the cars started rushing in.

After paying the entrance fee at the entrance gate, it’s finally time to enter the park.
The parking lot is inside the park, about a 50-meter drive in. Parking is free and there are up to 1,400 parking spaces available.

Fuji Safari Park Tour

Fuji Safari Park opened in 1980, and the site area is said to be as large as 16 Tokyo Domes! It is home to over 900 animals of more than 70 species.

There are three main ways to enjoy the animals in the park.

(1) Drive around in your own car.

(2) Drive around in the Safari Navigation Car.

(3) Drive around in the Jungle Bus.

Other tour options are also available, but today, we decided to join the “Jungle Bus Tour,” which is the easiest tour to join and offers the most exciting experience.

We parked our car and headed to the Jungle Bus Tour Ticket Office!

Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the Information Desk located next to the parking lot at the end of the toll gates.

The monitor on the ticket vending machine shows the availability of the bus tours, so be sure to check it before buying the tickets.

The Jungle Bus Tour and Super Jungle Bus Tour

There are two types of jungle bus tours, the regular Jungle Bus Tour and the Super Jungle Bus Tour.
The differences between the two are how the buses are decorated and the way the animals are fed.

The hood and coloring of the bus for the Jungle Bus Tour are decorated in the style of a tiger, rhino and hippopotamus.
The animals are fed from the side of the bus.

Meanwhile, the Super Jungle Bus has a bit more subdued decoration, with a black and white camouflage pattern.
However, this one feels a bit more “professional”.
The animals can be fed from anywhere above and both sides of the bus.

I guess this is what makes it “Super” 😁.

Feeding the bears at Fuji Safari Park

We’re finally ready to take off in the Super Jungle Bus!!
Passengers board from the back of the bus and the wire mesh doors are closed.

First up is the American black bear, which is said to be the bear that served as the model for the Teddy bear.
They look scary but cute. Terrifying yet cuddly!!

When the bait is pushed up toward the ceilling, the bears have no trouble climbing up the bus and taking it.

You can even smell the bear’s breath through the wire mesh ceiling and sides of the bus.
Looks like the bears forgot to brush their teeth this morning!

Part of the ceiling is covered with acrylic panels on the wire mesh, which is said to be an “anti-drooling” measure for the bears.
But still, please beware of the “bear droll” when feeding them from the ceiling.

Feeding the lions at Fuji Safari Park

We’ve been waiting for this moment! It’s finally time to feed the lions. We’ll be feeding them chicken wings…

When the bait is thrust out from the side of the bus, a lion with big fangs tilts its head and bites at it a close range of 30 cm from my face.
Crunch, crunch, crunch… You can hear the sound of the bones cracking.
Wow… This is awesome. Everyone from men and women, young and old, are very excited.

Besides the bears and lions, you can also feed the camels and giraffes…

Other animals that you can see at the park include tigers, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, zebras, etc.
There are over 900 animals of more than 70 species, so various animals appear one after another.

The bus tour guides are very good talkers.
They will tell you about lots of animal trivia, such as “the American bison’s large shoulders are very muscular to support its large head” and “the branched antlers are deer antlers, and unbranched horns are bull horns.”

Fuji Safari Park’s “Petting Zone”

Fuji Safari Park is divided into two major zones.
One is the “Safari Zone,” where you can ride around in a bus or car and see carnivorous and herbivorous animals.
The other is the “Petting Zone” (“Fureai zone”) , where you can interact with the animals.

After experiencing the Jungle Bus Tour, our next stop is to look around the “Fureai Zone”.

There are porcupines, kangaroos, capybaras, alpacas, squirrel monkeys, guinea pigs…These cute little animals will comfort you.
Enjoy them with your family or with your partner ^^.

Fuji Safari Park “Safari Derby”

A derby is held only on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and Mondays at the “Fureai Ranch” located within the Fureai Zone at Fuji Safari Park. This is a must-see event!

A group of American Miniature Horses, a breed of horses that are smaller than ponies, can be seen running around with all their might.
They’re very cute with big heads and eyes, and are about the size of a large dog.
These cute horses are very energetic and run around at full speed.

When you see the horses running as fast as they can, you can’t help but think, where does all that power come from?”
As they round the corners, their bodies lean in and tilt at an angle while their tails and mains flutter in the wind.
Watching these adorable horses run at full speed to get to the finish line is a must-see event!

We highly recommend adjusting your time and watching them in action.

The official website says that the event starts at 12:30 p.m., but I recommend you heading to the “Fureai Ranch” at around 12:00 p.m and purchasing a ticket (100 yen/ticket) to “bet” on the winner of the horse derby.
If you bet on the winning horse, you might receive an original present!

Fuji Safari Park bakery

There is even a bakery at Fuji Safari Park.

This bakery has all of their breads with animal motifs!

Although it is a bit awkward to take a bite out of these cute animals…
Part of the bakery is a workshop where visitors can experience baking their own bread!
What an scrarily impressive bakery at Fuji Safari Park!

Fuji Safari Park “Safari Shop”

And after enjoying Fuji Safari Park, don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs!
You can find a variety of souvenirs including original goods.
There are snacks, toys, stuffed animals… After looking around, I wanted to buy everything!

So, how did you enjoy our Fuji Safari Park experience?
There are still many other attractions in the vast area, so it is impossible to introduce them all at once.

There were a lot of things that we didn’t see or missed, such as the “Rabbit House” and “Cat House”.
Rabbit and cat lovers will love those place, where you can actually play with rabbits and cats.

When people think of Fuji Safari Park, they tend to focus only on the “Safari Zone,” but some other think “Fureai Zone” may be the best part of Fuji Safari Park.

Thank you for reading to the end.
We hope you come and visit Fuji Safari Park!