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Mariko

Beautiful, natural area near Shizuoka

I'll be honest, I really like Shizuoka City. There may not be so many sights in the centre - Sengen-jinja shrine and Sunpu Castle Park are the main two - but it's friendly, compact, and a good place to use as a base to explore the sights and countryside around.

One place you might spend a very pleasant day (or half day if you rush) is the Mariko district, a quick drive or bus ride from the centre. Once you get away from the main road and flyover it's a very tranquil, leafy place, where you can enjoy strolling around slowly and taking in the peaceful atmosphere.

One of the main draws here is Togeppo Saioku-ji, a charming little Buddhist temple surrounded by bamboo, with an immaculately tended garden. Not far up the road is Kansho-in, another temple, where you're welcomed at the gate by a motley crew of statues in a whole range of oddball poses.

It's not all temples, though. The Sumpu Takumi Shuku is a fun craft centre where you can see displays of traditional local crafts and, if you have time, try your hand yourself at bamboo weaving, indigo dye or, less traditionally, sandblasting or laser etching.

From here there's a 'nature walk' over a forested hill. It's more strenuous and takes longer than following the busy main road, but it's also more peaceful and scenic, with some attractive views along the way, and an enjoyable hush all in the trees.

At the other end of the walk there's Seigan-ji, yes, another temple, where you can contemplate the pleasant grounds as you rest after climbing over the hill. Close by is the site of the Mariko morning market, held on 28th of each month, when you can find stands selling flowers and fresh vegetables from local growers.

Getting there

From JR Shizuoka station or the bus terminal in Cenova shopping centre, take a bus on the Chubu-kokudo route. If you're starting at Togeppo Saioku-ji or the Sumpu Takumi Shuku, get off at the bus stop that rejoices in the name (deep breath) Togeppo Sumpu Takumi-Shuku Iriguchi, a 25-minute ride from the centre. Seigan-ji is close to the next stop, Niken-ya Odatara Fudosan Iriguchi, about half a mile (800m) further on.

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Kim 5 years ago
Nature, crafts, restaurants with thatched roofs? Sounds right up my alley! Great pictures.
Sleiman Azizi 5 years ago
Those morning markets can be a lot of honest fun. I like your words "...an enjoyable hush all in the trees."
Anonymous
Anonymous 5 years ago
great information
Elizabeth S 5 years ago
The welcoming committee is cute and weird! I'm becoming more and more intrigued with Shizuoka. I'm thinking of visiting at the end of December. What's it like there in that season?
Peter Sidell Author 5 years ago
Shizuoka City has plenty of history, and Sengen-jinja, a beautiful old shrine. A little way out of the centre there's Seiken-ji, a wonderful old temple. For onsens, I don't think there's much in Shizuoka city; Atami and Izu are the places to go.

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