Miho no Matsubara

A UNESCO World Heritage pine grove beach where 30,000 ancient Japanese black pines stretch for 3km along Suruga Bay with Mt Fuji rising behind. The site is the setting of the hagoromo legend (a celestial maiden loses her feather robe) and has inspired Japanese artists for over 1,000 years. Dawn visits in clear winter are otherworldly.

Location

Why Visit

• 1

  On clear winter mornings the reflection of Mt Fuji in the bay and pine silhouettes create Japan's most iconic landscape

• 2

  The grove contains pines over 700 years old — some planted during the Muromachi period

• 3

  The Hagoromo Pine marks where a celestial maiden hung her celestial robe — a tree visited by Japanese poets for centuries

Local Tips

The 7km arc of black pine trees with Mt Fuji behind is one of Japan's three official scenic landscapes. The white sand beach and shallow sea with Mt Fuji rising above the pines on a clear morning is sublime. The morning light (6–9am) gives the best Fuji clarity. Combine with Kunozan Toshogu Shrine on the headland above for a half-day Shizuoka coast circuit.