Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi ()
When you visit Shuzenji, don’t miss a leisure park called Niji-no-Sato (home of rainbow), as its 123-acre park (same size of Tokyo Disneyland) accommodates various natural and traditional attractions.
English and Canadian villages in the park are modeled on the 17th century villages and flower gardens of the two countries. In the English Garden, there are museums of toys and railways. The two villages are connected with a small English-made steam locomotive.
In the Japanese garden, you can enjoy the in-season flowers, such as daffodil, plum, cherry, rhododendron, iris and hydrangea. In its maple forest, you’ll find breathtaking autumn colors from 1,000 trees between late November and beginning of December. During the season, the forest is beautifully lit up and draws many tourists.
At Takumi Village (craftsman’s village) in the Japanese Garden, you can experience and observe the traditional manufacturing processes of paper making, embroidery and ceramics making. There are souvenir shops and food joints, as well.
Niji-no-sato
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Apr – Sep), 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Oct – Mar), extended to 8 p.m. during the period of autumn leaves lit up (Nov. 12 - Dec. 4) Admission: (ages 12 or older) 1,220 yen, (ages 4-12) 610 yen Address: 4279-3 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Pref. Tel: 0558-72-7111 URL: https://www.nijinosato.com/ https://www.nijinosato.com/wp/wp-content/themes/nijinosato/_lib/pdf/english.pdf
