Miho no Matsubara (Mt. Fuji from the pinery of Miho), Shizuoka

“Miho no Matsubara” (Mt. Fuji from the piney of Miho) is one of the three major Matsubaras in Japan, along with “Kehi no Matsubara” in Shiga City, Fukui Prefecture and “Niji no Matsubara” in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. It is also selected as “Japan’s 100 Best Beaches with White Sand and Blue Pine”. The sight of a white sand beach and a blue pine forest backed by the majestic Mt. Fuji is a true Japanese landscape. “Miho no Matsubara” was also registered as a component heritage of Mount Fuji, which is a World Heritage Site.
It is a scenic place where about 54,000 black pine trees grow and has been the subject of literary arts and arts since ancient times. In particular, “Robe-of-Feathers Myth”, in which a heavenly woman danced to this land, is famous, and a place name appears in the Noh song “Hagoromo”.
Miho no Matsubara runs around the Miho Peninsula almost half way along the coastline. The promenade (cycling road) is maintained, so you can enjoy walking and cycling while watching the white sandy beach, the green pines and the blue sea. If it is sunny, you can see Mt. Fuji over the pine forest. The combination of Mt. Fuji, pine forest and the sea is a wonderful sight like a picture.
You can also see “Akafuji” where the sunset colors the mountain surface of Fuji red on a clear evening. It will be a good memory to take a photo.
Every October as part of the Hagoromo Festival, “Miho no Matsubara Takigi Noh” (firelight Noh, performed by the light of torches or bonfires) is held. The program is “Hagoromo” based on “Robe-of-Feathers Myth” from Miho no Matsubara. “Hagoromo” is simple and easy to understand, so even beginners can enjoy it.
The bonfires used in Takigi Noh are ignited at the Hakuryojinja Shrine, and the Hakuryo procession, which is stored in the Hagurumajinja Shrine through the way of God, is performed.
The approach from Hagoromo’s pine to Mihojinja Shrine is called God’s Way. Old pine trees over 200 years old are lined up on both sides of the road, creating a tasteful atmosphere.
Mihojinja Shrine is a shrine located a little inland from Miho no Matsubara. The age of the founding is not clear, but it is as old as it appeared in “Engishiki” (codes and procedures on national rites and prayers), and was protected by the Tokugawa family in the early Edo period. Since ancient times, “Dance of Hagoromo” derived from “Robe-of-Feathers Myth” has been transmitted, and it is dedicated in the dance hall at the festival or Hagoromo festival.

The regions and places that deeply connect with Mt. Fuji have been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage

Mt. Fuji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, but in reality it is not Mt. Fuji alone. According to UNESCO, “Mt. Fuji, the subject of faith and the source of art” is registered, and not only Mt. Fuji, but also regions and places that deeply connect with Mt. Fuji have been registered together since ancient times.

The surrounding lakes such as Yamanakako and Kawaguchiko

In addition, Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine which is said to be the headquarters of Sengen-jinja Shrine nationwide, which enshrines Mt. Fuji as the object of worship, has also been registered. In addition, it is registered as a part of the World Heritage even to the surrounding lakes such as Yamanakako and Kawaguchiko.

There is a deep connection with Mt. Fuji both historically and culturally

The area to be registered extends to 25 places, but most of it is a spot near Mt. Fuji. The reason why Miho no Matsubara (Mt. Fuji from the pinery of Miho) 40 km away from Mt. Fuji was registered as a world heritage is because there is a deep connection with Mt. Fuji both historically and culturally. Its beginning dates back to the Heian era (about 1,200 years ago), and many cultural properties are left in the form of waka poems and paintings.

Majestic atmosphere as the path of God

This place is also the stage of “Tennyo no hagoromo densetsu” (Legend of the celestial raiment of an angel), there is a pine tree of the celestial raiment which is said to have been said that the heavenly maiden has come down and plumed down. Also known as a cherry blossom spot, Mihojinja Shrine, which was built in the Heian era, and 500 meters of pine trees connecting Hagoromo pine and Mihojinja Shrine, has a majestic atmosphere as the path of God.

Scenic sites famous for the set with Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji

Miho no Matsubara is a spot registered in Japan’s three major road bordered with pines, but its beautiful view has been popular since the Heian era. Pine trees with a length of 7 kilometers and 30,699 of pine trees have been considered scenic sites famous for the set with Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji since ancient times. And the paintings and waka which depicted the beautiful scenery, have always been described with Mt. Fuji as a set.

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