Trip to Shuzenji

A couple visiting Japan from Sydney—with the wife using a wheelchair—actively enjoyed their planned itinerary in Tokyo, including Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo National Museum, and teamLab☆Borderless, despite the prolonged rainy weather. Next, they headed to their most anticipated destination: Mizu no Sato Marukyu Ryokan in Shuzenji.

During the drive from their hotel near Tokyo Station to Shuzenji, they expressed a wish to stop at the Mishima Skywalk—a spot they had researched beforehand for its views of Mount Fuji. The journey took just over two hours, taking them via the Shuto Expressway, Tomei Expressway, Odawara-Atsugi Road, Hakone Shindo, and the Tokaido (National Route 1). Unfortunately, however, Mount Fuji was shrouded in clouds, and they were unable to see it.

Undeterred, they set off again for Shuzenji. They traveled via the Izu Jukan Expressway (which utilizes the ETCX system, NOT ETC, Electronic Toll Collection), passed through the Shuzenji hot spring district, and arrived at Mizu no Sato Marukyu Ryokan. They exchanged smiles and greetings with the staff welcoming them at the entrance, marking the start of their week-long stay. During their visit, they not only enjoyed the hot springs and meals but also strolled through the Shuzenji hot spring district and visited nearby spots like the Izu east coast using a local taxi. They were particularly impressed by the hospitality of the driver—who carried a “Pocketalk” translation device—and felt that the device’s functionality and the driver’s service truly embodied the spirit of Japan.

When I arrived to pick them up on the morning of their checkout, the husband asked if we could stop at Fujikawa Rakuza, saying, “I’d like to try seeing Mount Fuji one more time.” On the way to pick them up, the weather at the Ashigara Service Area Westbound on the Tomei Expressway allowed only the summit of Mount Fuji to be seen through the clouds. However, since they were scheduled to fly home from Haneda Airport that day, we had to forgo the detour via Fujikawa—which locates in the opposite direction of Tokyo—due to time constraints.

However, after leaving Shuzenji and driving along the Izu Jukan Expressway, they were delighted to see the mountain completely free of cloud cover. We later stopped at the Ashigara Service Area Eastbound, but the facility was undergoing renovations and covered in scaffolding; furthermore, the view of Mount Fuji from the area advertised as a “dog run with a view of the mountain” was obstructed by trees, revealing only the peak—a bit of a disappointment.

Deciding to try again, we stopped at the Ayuzawa Parking Area, next stopping area from Ashigara Service Area, where the east end of the parking lot offered a panoramic view of the entire mountain, allowing the husband to capture the perfect photo. Afterward, we encountered no major traffic jams and arrived at Haneda Airport almost exactly on schedule, traveling via the Tomei Expressway, the Shuto Expressway Yokohama and Bayshore Routes.

There is no doubt that the couple enjoyed their stay in Japan, and we are truly happy to have played a part in making that happen.