Ride along the Abe River to Okushizu and the hot spring resort

From the north exit of Shizuoka Station, head to Asama-dori. After seeing the bust of Yamada Nagamasa, proceed to Chamachi and take a break at Chamachi KINZABURO. Pass the stone monument at the site of Kyosai Shokonsha in Kitabancho and head towards Miwa. Cross the Kano Bridge and drive along the bank of the Abe River upstream, pass under the Shin-Tomei Expressway, and turn left at the intersection north of Miwa Junior High School. Continue while looking at Ashikubo tea, which is said to have been brought to Shizuoka by Shoichi Kokushi, and you will see Nanso-ji Temple on your left. There are many unmanned sales in Ashikubo run by local farmers. Return to the intersection north of Miwa Junior High School, turn left, and drive along the Abe River again. Cross the Akebono Bridge over the Abe River and take a break at the Abegokoro Mountain Village Exchange Center, and you can return from here, or head to Shinfuji-no-Sato and further on to the hot spring resorts. The rest is up to your leg strength.

• Asama Street

  The road from the red torii gate along Abe Kaido to Sengen Shrine is as declared. Miyagasaki Town flourished as a temple town of Sengen Shrine when the castle town of Sunpu was established. Every October, the joint Japanese-Thailand "Nagamasa Festival" is held here.

• Bust of Yamada Nagamasa

  Nagamasa Yamada is famous for traveling to Ayutthaya, Siam (Thailand) with merchants from Sunpu in 1610 (Keicho 15) and serving as a leader of the Japanese. Sengen Shrine can be seen beyond the bust.

• Stone monument at the site of Kyosai Shokonsha

  Shizuoka Prefectural Gokoku Shrine, which has been worshiping fallen soldiers and military personnel as gods since the Meiji Restoration, was founded in November 1899 in Kitabancho, Shizuoka City as a joint shrine for the deceased. In 1942, it was moved from here to Shizuoka Prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Yuzuki.

• Tea Town

  Ieyasu, who loved tea, established a town within the castle town of Sunpu as a place specializing in the trading of tea. Wholesalers dealing in Abe tea, including tea from Shoichi Kokushi, were concentrated in Chamachi. Among them, Ashikubo tea was carefully protected as tea for Ieyasu's official use. It is said that the tea masters of Ashikubo who served the official use of tea received 1,000 ryo and 1,000 people's stipends every year as payment.

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  Abegokoro, the low-class city mountain village exchange center

  Many events and exchange courses are planned to promote cooperation and exchange between city residents and mountain residents. Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), the fourth Tuesday of each month, and the New Year holidays.

  Click here for the website

• Chamachi KINZABURO

  On the second floor, you can enjoy purchased "Chafuru" and other sweets with about 10 kinds of tea (free of charge) Business hours: Weekdays 9:30-18:00 (Sundays and holidays 10:00-17:00) Closed on Wednesdays Phone: 054-252-2476