Susono is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture that stretches out along the foot of Mount Fuji. It is an industrial city surrounded by nature, with Mount Hakone Gairinzan (the Hakone Outer Rim Mountain) in the east and the Ashitaka Mountain Range in the west. Susono is blessed with a mild climate, has great public transport accessibility, and is a city that intricately balances nature in the city and its industries.
The city’s greatest pride is the magnificent views of Mount Fuji from the city. Susono invites tourists from around the world to admire the beautiful and grand ridgelines of Mount Fuji and enjoy the distinguished views on display in each season.
In 1982, Susono City formalised a sister city relationship with Frankston, Victoria, and this year marks the 40th anniversary of their partnership.
Suyama Sengen Shrine
Suyama Sengen Shrine is one of the components of the Mount Fuji UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the starting point of the Suyama mountain trail where giant cedar trees over 500 years old stand. The shrine is known as a “power spot”, a location that is said to boost the luck and health of visitors.
There is a stone lantern with a heart-shaped small window in the shrine precincts. If you look through the heart-shaped window, you can see the hall of worship. In addition, the reflected upside-down image of the Shrine can be seen on the water in the Temizuya, the area where visitors cleanse their hands and mouths, making it another attraction in the Shrine.
Susono City Central Park
Susono City Central Park is a Japanese-style garden around the Goryu Waterfall. Inside the park, there are attractions such as the Goryu Waterfall, which is designated as a natural monument by the Shizuoka Prefectural Government and a suspension bridge. The loop around the park takes about 30 minutes by foot. There are also shops in the park where visitors can enjoy local specialties such as boiled dumplings.
