Shizuoka Minamiizu Hidden Gem

Minamiizu Town, a hidden gem in Shizuoka Prefecture, is full of surprises! The first thing that struck me was the ancient cypress tree at Shiratori Shrine, which, at 300 years old, has been designated a natural monument by the prefecture🌲

📍【Shiratori Shrine Sacred Tree】
This 300-year-old cypress tree is truly spectacular! The trunk diameter exceeds 3 meters, and the tree stands about 25 meters tall. Just standing beneath it and looking up is awe-inspiring. Locals regard it as a manifestation of the divine, and it is said that walking around the trunk three times will make your wish come true✨ Friendly reminder: The shrine is open from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and mornings are the best time for photos due to fewer visitors～

🏨【Accommodation Recommendation】
It’s best to stay near Minamiizu Station. We stayed at the "Minamiizu Onsen Ryokan," which is only a 15-minute walk from Shiratori Shrine. The hotel also has an open-air hot spring, and the cost is about 9,000 yen per night!

🚌【Transportation Guide】
1️⃣ From Tokyo: Take the Shinkansen to Atami Station (about 50 minutes), then transfer to the Izu Kyuko Line to Minamiizu Station (about 2 hours)
2️⃣ Local transport: You can walk from Minamiizu Station to Shiratori Shrine (15 minutes) or take a taxi (about 3 minutes)

🍣【Nearby Food】
1️⃣ Minamiizu Seafood Market: Fresh seafood cooked to order, must-try is the golden eye snapper sashimi
2️⃣ Beachside Teahouse "Shione": A restaurant with a 270-degree ocean view, famous for its Ise lobster rice bowl
3️⃣ Traditional Japanese Confectionery Shop "Kashiwaya": A 300-year-old shop specializing in kashiwa mochi (perfectly paired with the sacred tree)

📌【Useful Tips】
1️⃣ The stone steps to the shrine are steep, so wear non-slip shoes
2️⃣ Smoking and eating are prohibited within the shrine grounds
3️⃣ The best time for photos is between 9:00 and 11:00 AM when sunlight filters beautifully through the leaves
4️⃣ You can also visit the nearby Aonogawa Gorge, just a 10-minute walk away