Exploring Shizuoka with International Students Part 6
From the Power Spot of Kinomiya Shrine to Mt. Fuji’s Panoramic Views at Jukkoku Pass

Shizuoka is home to numerous historical shrines, temples, and stunning sightseeing spots surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Its location and excellent transportation links have made it a cultural crossroads for centuries, blending traditions and influences from both eastern and western Japan. Recently, we visited Kinomiya Shrine in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with Widya Medianto from Shizuoka Eiwa Gakuin University.

Kinomiya Shrine, located just a 5-minute walk from JR Kinomiya Station, is an ancient site believed to have been established over 1,000 years ago. 

The shrine is surrounded by lush greenery, where visitors can enjoy the sight of towering trees, the chirping of birds, and the soothing sound of a flowing stream. One of the shrine's highlights is a massive camphor tree, standing proudly beside the main shrine. Estimated to be over 2,000 years old, this magnificent tree is designated as a national natural treasure. Legend has it that if you walk around the tree while thinking of your dreams, they will come true.

Widdy shared her thoughts, saying, "This place is perfect for a peaceful walk. I can relax and immerse myself in nature. And this massive tree is just amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Kinomiya Shrine is renowned as one of Japan's most significant power spots. Many visitors come here with heartfelt wishes, such as “May I meet a good partner” or “May my business thrive.”
So, what did Widdy wish for from the deity of Kinomiya Shrine?
Widdy: “I wished for a nice boyfriend, lol.”

There is another sightseeing spot, Jukkoku Pass, located just a 10-minute drive from Kinomiya Shrine. The name Jukkoku Pass comes from the fact that this place offers a view of ten ancient provinces: Izu, Suruga, Tōtōmi, Kai, Shinano, Sagami, Musashi, Kazusa, Shimousa, and Awa.

A 3-minute cable car ride takes visitors to the top of the mountain. From there, we enjoyed a stunning view of the ocean and mountains in Shizuoka under the clear autumn sky.
Widdy exclaimed, “This is an amazing view! It’s so beautiful. I want to come here again with my friends from the international students group.”

 To the north of the mountain, you can spot Mt. Fuji, which has been registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. Widdy, who loves mountain climbing, shared her experiences with Mt. Fuji.
“I climbed Mt. Fuji three times with my international student friends. We started climbing at midnight, reached the summit in 7 to 8 hours, and watched a beautiful sunrise. The view from the top was breathtaking. It wasn’t easy to climb, but it was an incredible experience. Seeing Mt. Fuji from here, I feel like climbing it again because it’s calling me, saying, ‘Widdy, come here!’”
Widdy embraced the beauty of Shizuoka, from the greenery-rich Kinomiya Shrine to the stunning views from Jukkoku Pass. As a final note, she shared a message for international students who are considering coming to Shizuoka in the future.

“Shizuoka is a wonderful place to live. It’s rich in nature and food culture, and has so many places to explore. I hope more and more international students choose Shizuoka as their place to learn.”

Thank you very much, Widdy!