Cascading from the spring waters of nearby Mount Fuji, Shiraito Falls is a wide waterfall standing 20 meters high. Located in Fujinomiya, it is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is a protected Japanese National Monument. It is is a tranquil natural space, unique in its 150 meter width, and is consistently ranked among the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan.
The water moves down the rocks and moss in thin streams resembling white silk, which is where the waterfall get its name. At the base is a deep blue pool of calm water that makes for excellent photographs. It is best to visit in the summer, when the greenery is lush and the falls are heavy with water melted from Mount Fuji snow. It’s also beautiful in the autumn season when the leaves change, but can be visited year-round.
The Tenshi Mountains are a mountain range within close proximity of Mt Fuji in Shizuoka, Japan. The name Tenshi translates roughly to “Son of Heaven.” Though just outside of Tokyo, the clear lakes and creeks here, along with the view of Mt Fuji, make this countryside area seem worlds away from the city.
The largest mountain in the range is Mt Kenashi, standing nearly 2,000 meters tall on the border of the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. The scenic Asagiri Plateau stretches from here all the way to the base of Mt Fuji and is mostly used for pasturing and dairy farming, offering a glimpse of rural Japan.
The Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum houses the artwork of Utagawa Hiroshige (aka Ando Hiroshige), one of Japan’s greatest ukiyo-e artists. The museum displays more than 1400 ukiyo-e (traditional woodblock prints) from the artist and his contemporaries, including the famous, ‘Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido.’
Hiroshige had an influence on many European artists, including Monet and Van Gogh, the latter of whom incorporated certain ukiyo-e stylistic elements into his work, such as bright colors and unusual perspectives. The museum displays different pieces every month, showcasing a wide range of work that’s rotated in themed exhibitions throughout the year. It also has a museum shop selling a selection of prints and other gift items.
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