Shimada City 5-Day Itinerary Recommendation

Shimada City, located in central Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, is a tranquil town that blends the charm of tea fields, historical culture, and natural landscapes 🌿. A 4-day, 3-night in-depth trip to Shimada City allows you to leisurely enjoy the scenery along the Oi River, explore century-old railways, relax in hot springs, and experience the local cultural charm.

📸 Photos have been sent to give you a glimpse of Shimada City's tea fields, rivers, and rural landscapes!

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📍 Itinerary Overview: Shimada City 4-Day, 3-Night Slow Travel Proposal

Day | Theme | Key Destinations
Day 1 | First Impressions of the Tea Region | Around Shimada Station, Tea Museum, Horai Bridge
Day 2 | Oigawa Railway Tour | Shin-Kanaya Station → SL Steam Train → Kawane Onsen → Senzu Station
Day 3 | Mountain Forest Exploration | Suspension Bridges, Sumatakyo Yume no Tsuribashi, Forest Trails
Day 4 | Local Culture + Return | Shimada City Museum, Shopping Streets, Souvenir Shopping → Return

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🚩 Detailed Travel Route

Day 1: Welcoming Travelers with Tea Fragrance

• Arrive at Shimada Station → Visit the **Tea Museum** to learn about tea-making processes and enjoy a tea-tasting experience
• Stroll across the **Horai Bridge** (the world's longest wooden pedestrian bridge) and take in the Oi River scenery
• Dinner Recommendation: Local dishes such as tea soba noodles or eel rice
• Stay at a city hotel, such as "Shimada Station Hotel" or "Hotel Route-Inn"

Day 2: Nostalgic SL Railway Journey

• Board the **Oigawa Railway SL Steam Train** from Shin-Kanaya Station
• Stop at **Kawane Onsen** for a hot spring bath and lunch
• Arrive at **Senzu Station**, where you can visit the railway exhibition hall or take the Ikawa Line mini train
• Stay at a hot spring inn in the Kawane area, such as "Kawane Onsen Hotel"

Day 3: Exploring the Hidden Gem of Sumatakyo

• Head to the **Sumatakyo Yume no Tsuribashi** (a dreamy suspension bridge over turquoise waters surrounded by forests)
• Hike to the nearby suspension bridge and enjoy the tranquility of the mountain forest
• Relax in a hot spring in the afternoon and stay at a mountain hot spring inn
• Dinner Recommendation: Mountain vegetable dishes and cuisine featuring Kawane tea

Day 4: Cultural Tour + Return

• Return to Shimada City → Visit the **Shimada City Museum** and **Shimada-juku Oigawa River Crossing Ruins**
• Shop along the shopping streets for tea, wagashi (Japanese sweets), and wooden crafts
• After lunch, take the JR or Shinkansen back home

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🍜 Recommended Local Delicacies

• Kawane Tea Soba Noodles: Refreshing tea aroma, best paired with mountain vegetables
• Eel Rice: Eels from the Oi River region are plump and flavorful; try the long-established "Unagi no Oigawa"
• Tea Ice Cream & Tea Sweets: The Tea Museum offers a variety of tea-based desserts
• Local Wagashi: Such as tea yokan (sweet bean jelly) and tea daifuku, perfect as souvenirs

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🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

Area | Hotel Name | Features
Shimada City | Hotel Route-Inn Shimada Station | Convenient location, hearty breakfast
Kawane Area | Kawane Onsen Hotel | Full hot spring facilities, great views
Sumatakyo | Sumatakyo Onsen Ryokan "Suikoen" | Serene mountain setting, walking distance to Yume no Tsuribashi

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🚇 Transportation Options

• JR Tokaido Main Line to "Shimada Station" or "Kanaya Station"
• Oigawa Railway connects Shin-Kanaya → Senzu → Ikawa, ideal for railway enthusiasts
• Sumatakyo requires a bus or self-drive; check shuttle schedules in advance
• From Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to Shizuoka Station → transfer to JR to Shimada

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💡 Travel Tips

• SL Steam Train requires advance reservations and tends to sell out during peak seasons
• Sumatakyo trails have varying elevations; wear hiking shoes
• Kawane tea is a local specialty; join a tea-tasting experience or buy tea leaves
• Shimada City has distinct seasons; spring and autumn are ideal for travel, summer offers a cool retreat, and winter is perfect for hot springs
• Shimada City Tourism Website provides maps and activity information in Chinese: Shimada City Tourism Info A

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