Shishidome Valley
Just 10 minutes by car from Higashi Katsura Station, this scenic valley is Tsuru’s top destination for nature enthusiasts. It offers beautiful scenery in all seasons, from the greens of summer and spring, to the gorgeous reds and yellows of maples, zelkova, and beech in the fall. The valley makes for a serene nature walk. The chorus of rushing water from the Shishidome River constantly echoes in the background, adding to the valley’s beauty.
At the bottom of the valley, visitors will find facilities for camping and fishing. Those who venture all the way to the crest of Nijumagari Pass can get a stunning view of Mt. Fuji on clear days. The trailhead to Mishotai Mountain (1682 m), a holy site connected with both Shinto and Buddhism and considered one of Japan’s top 200 famous mountains, can be found at the base of the valley. It takes approximately 5 hours to reach the summit from there.