Ryotanji Temple in the Oku Hamanako region is a famous temple that honors forty generations of the Ii family, as well as the memorial tower of Ii Naotora, who is still popular as a lady warlord of the Sengoku Period. Ryotanji Temple, which was landscaped in the early Edo Period, is said to be the number one garden of the Tokai area, and is designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the country. The garden is the most important feature of the temple. In addition, there is a relaxing forest, which was included in "Japan's Top 100 Forests," and you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons from inside the garden.

There is a local railway in Japan where you can feel the charm of the land, one of the most popular local railroads in Shizuoka, Tenryu Hamanako Railroad. Familiarly nicknamed Tenhama Line, it connects Shizuoka along the east to west from Shinjohara to Kakegawa. The railroad passes through Lake Hamana and Tenryu River, making it possible to enjoy the nostalgic Japanese landscape from the train windows. This railway line is popular not only for local people but also for tourists. The scenery from the train windows shows you the beautiful Japanese landscapes. Some of the wooden station buildings are also becoming Registered Tangible Cultural Property Sites of the country. Head to Miyaguchi to enjoy the leisurely relaxation of the local railroad.

At a place only 5 minutes on foot from Miyaguchi Station, there is a sake brewery called HANANOMAI BREWING. This company produces sake called "Hananomai” (flower dance), which is a famous local Japanese sake wine in Hamamatsu. This sake brewery has a history of over 150 years and holds an observation tour in which the chief brewer guides the tour himself. With a tour lasting about 60 minutes, you can enjoy the building of the historic main store, as well as learn techniques of sake making, and enjoy tasting the brewery’s sake! Please drink and compare the local sake to the Yamada Nishiki produced in Shizuoka Prefecture. Yamada Nishiki is said to use the highest quality of sake rice, and the sake is brewed from natural groundwater, a grace from the mountains of the Southern Alps Akaishi series. Find your favourite, and take it home as a souvenir.

Kakegawa Castle, built by Mr. Imagawa who was a powerful daimyo of the Sengoku Period, is famous for the influential Daimyo who wanted the location to be used as a military base for the Totomikuni area(presently Shizuoka Prefecture). This castle has gone through a lot of castle owners, but in the ten years when Yamauchi Kazutoyo owned the castle, during the Sengoku Period, the castle tower, the major gate, the castle town, and the castle town were built, and it became known as Tokai's famous castle. Even after entering the Edo Period, the castle owner changed and the castle tower also collapsed due to a big earthquake that hit the Tokai district at the end of the Tokugawa Period, but the castle tower was rebuilt during the Heisei Period. For a castle tower to be rebuilt in wood was very unusual at the time, but it communicates the beauty of days passed. In addition, the Kakegawa Castle Goten (daimyo’s mansion) was rebuilt in the late Edo period, and it is a very valuable piece of history as an existing castle palace.

One more railroad worth mentionting in Shizuoka is the Oigawa Railway, where you can enjoy long SL trains! Oigawa Railway is a line running north to south along the Oi River, and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Oi River and green tea fields while riding on a Steam Locomotive which was made in the Showa Period. There are several railroads that offer SL trips in Japan, but the Oigawa Railway operates 300 days or more per year, and it is Japan's top train as far as running hours, total traveling kilometres, and active traveling number. Enjoy a railroad trip while enjoying the scenery from the train window inside a retro car. Following the Japanese people and getting a station lunch will be an unforgettable experience. However, as all seats are designated and you must reserve seats three months in advance, do not forget to confirm your traveling situation and make a reservation in advance!

Around Senzu Station, which is the last station of the SL journey, there are souvenirs and restaurants and it is also an event venue for regional festivals. There is also a museum called "Otoginosato" that has a theme centered around the concept of sound only 2 minutes away on foot, as well as onsen that can be enjoyed on a day trip. The top recommendation in this area is a little ways away from the station, but it is said to be the last mystique of the Oi River, Sumatakyo Gorge. The gorge of the Sumata River, a tributary of the Oi River, offers beautiful scenery alongside the emerald green river. Even though it is as beautiful as a dream, you can enjoy the scenery and the thrill at the "Yume no Tsuri Bashi (Suspension Bridge)" which is said to be scary enough to turn your dreams into nightmares!

If you come to Japan, you cannot return home without trying an onsen. Luckily it is easy to find onsen everywhere in Japan. Kawane Onsen is also located in the upstream part of the Oi River, and you can relax in the hot water while watching the SL trains running along the mountain tracks. At Kawane Onsen Hotel, they offer a day-trip onsen service that you can experience easily. Please spend a relaxing moment while watching the scenery in the outdoor bath.

Don’t miss the Nihondaira Ropeway where you can enjoy a 5 minute aerial walk between the summit of Nihonbaira and the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, a Place of Scenic Beauty in Shizuoka City. From Nihondaira, which has been ranked first in the Top 100 Scenic Spots in Japan, you can see the Suruga Bay, you can also see the Southern Alps and Mount Fuji, which is the highest mountain in Japan. After enjoying the scenery, visit Kunozan Toshogu Shrine which is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, a shogun who built the Edo Period. The shrine, which is a National Treasure, was built in the early Edo Period, and it is overwhelming in its luxurious creation. At the neighboring Museum of Kunosan Toshogu, you can see the items of Ieyasu and the Tokugawa family. Please try to immerse yourself in Edo Period Japan in this museum which holds on to the prestige of Ieyasu Tokugawa.

In Shizuoka City, there is Miho no Matsubara (Miho Pine Grove) which is a Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan, and was selected as one of Shin Nihon Sankei (New Three Great Views of Japan) and Nihon Sandai Matsubara. This land has been familiar to Japanese people since the Heian Perod, and contrasts nicely with Mount Fuji. The green of the pine forest, the blue of the sea, with the contrast of the splashed white is beautiful, and was also drawn in Ukiyoe in Utagawa Hiroshige. Also, many years ago it was said to be the site of the legend of Hagoromo (The Feathered Robe) where the angel wearing a Hagoromo floated down. If you come here, you will surely understand why Japanese people have loved this scenery since ancient times.