Best selected 12 Sightseeing Spots

Nagao Pass		Peace park
"Nagao Tohge"		"Heiwa Koen"
Located on the border of Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mt. Fuji and Mt. Ashitaka ridge and the entire city of Gotemba below. On a clear day, you can also see the far-away Suruga Bay. In fall, all the mountains are spectacularly ablaze with a golden carpet of pampas grass.		Only a five-minute drive from Gotemba Interchange on the Tomei Express-way it is a popular tourist sight all through the year. You can take a walk to the white Indian pagoda set on the hill. This elegant temple has some Buddha relics, which were presented by the first prime minister of India.
Otome Pass		Higashifuji Gardening Center
"Otome Tohge"		"Higashiofuji Engei" Center
Located on a popular hiking track 1,000 meters above sea level and on the ridge of Mt. Hakone, it is one of the best 3 locations for viewing Mt. Fuji. This pass has many legends and folklore, which have been told since ancient times.		The Higashifuji Gardening Centre boasts a variety of tree and flower species from around the world, throughout the garden. Such species include the famous tulip from Netherlands. In the garden there is also a historic sight where one of the well-known Japanese generals, Yoritomo Minamoto, commanded his fellow warriors to go hunting..
Twin Fuji		Jinbayama shrine
"Fujisan Futagoyama"		"Jinbayama Jinja"
Laid at approximately half the height of Mt. Fuji (2,000 meters above sea level), they look like Mt. Fuji, as the name suggests, except they are smaller. The views from their summits are spectacular and beautiful.		In the precincts of the shrine, a number of pairs of scissors, in different sizes, are dedicated. It is said that they are used to cut the roots of illness and get rid of vicious minds. It is traditional for people to lend a pair of these scissors to cure sickness and to bring back a bigger pair in return when they recover.
Otainai Seiko Park		Komakado Caves
"Otainai Seikoen"		"Komakado Fuuketsu"
This park is famous for itÕs lava cave, a Natural Monument, and the wide variety of birds and alpine plants. It is a great place to observe nature and its dynamism. The lava cave resulted from a previous eruption of Mt Fuji. Otainai means Ôhuman wombÕ, and the cave had been named after this, because the lava made rooms that are said to resemble the human womb. If you go inside the cave, you will find small hollows that resemble, and are named after, the liver, lung, heart and so on.		Also assigned as a Natural Monument, the Komakado cave is one of the biggest well-preserved lava caves in Japan. The total area is 7.542 square kilometers. It is divided into a main cave and one auxiliary cave each with a length of 291 meters and 110 meters respectively. A clear ribbed trace, made by the lava flow, along the ceiling can be sighted.
Curtain rock		Niihashi Sengen shrine
"Maku lwa"		"Niihashi Sengen Jinja"
This interesting looking rock formation, with a width of 100 meters and a height of 30 meters, can be seen along the Mt. Fuji (Gotemba entrance) to Twin Fuji climbing trail.		This shrine was built in 1193 when the well-known Japanese general, Yoritomo Minamoto, commanded his fellow warriors to go hunting. It was dedicated to him and also Michizane Sugawara, who was honored as the Deity of Learning. The 'dance of the sacred lions' ceremony is held annually, in July, when climbing season starts. This ceremony is held to wish for the safety of the travelers, and the children perform the ritual dance, which is called 'Chigo-no-mai'.
Lake Higashiyama		Night View of Gotemba
"Higashiyama Ko"
Lake Higashiyama is a man-made fishing lake, which was originally constructed by Choemon Osakaya in 1667 with the permission of the Lord of Odawara castle. While fishing at this lake, you can appreciate the beauty of the Mt. Fuji, which is beautifully reflected on the lakeÕs water surface.		You can enjoy the beautiful night views of Mt. Fuji from 'Otome New Road', which links Gotemba with Hakone. The picturesque contrast of Mt. Fuji in the darkness and the lights from the city create a fantastic scene.
Copyright (C) Gotemba City , Shizuoka. All rights reserved.