Western Izu, Shizuoka
Exploring the Nishi-Izu Skyline A winter pause on the ridge to warm my hands
The Nishi-Izu Skyline is a mountain road running about 10.8km from Heda Pass to Funabara Pass, with views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay from the ridgeline. On a sunny afternoon in January, I got out of the car at a car park along the way. Beyond the withered pampas grass, I could see one ridge after another. I warmed my hands as I took in the view, turning it into a winter detour worth lingering over.
On a sunny January afternoon, I stopped for a break on a ridge road in western Izu, Shizuoka. I warmed my hands while gazing at the mountains beyond the pampas grass.
WinterA sunny afternoon in January
Taking in the winter mountains in my red scarf
By the time I reached a car park partway along the ridge, the grass beyond the window looked unmistakably wintry. I parked my red car with its roof up and pulled my cream coat closed. After tugging my white knit hat back into place, I stepped out into air that felt cold against my cheeks—nothing like the warmth inside the car.
I pressed my hands together beside the car and let my fingertips warm up little by little. The end of my red scarf fluttered, and the dried pampas grass moved beyond the low stone wall to my right. With so few branches blocking the sky, winter has one lovely perk: you can see all the way to the distant mountains.
Beyond the paved path, rounded mountain silhouettes overlapped in the distance. The nearby tree branches were fine and sharply defined, while the mountains farther off grew faint. As I studied the contrast between them, the restless feeling I'd had while looking for the next bend began to settle.
A little farther along was a gazebo. I looked from its roof to the stone wall and decided to take my time here today. The road offers views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay, but what I loved about this spot was the quiet view of the winter grasses and distant ridges. When I gave my eyes a rest from searching for famous sights, I realised the kind of scene I love on a trip was right there in front of me.
Once my hands had warmed up, I took one last look at the mountains before going back to the car. Next, I'd like to stop in Toi for a meal made with shiitake mushrooms. After spending time in the winter mountains, even the wait for a hot meal sounds like something to look forward to. I straightened my scarf and checked the rest of the route on the map.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialities to try
Toi Shiitake Croquettes
Toi grows thick, fragrant donko shiitake mushrooms, harvested from around October through March. Green Hill Toi lists a shiitake croquette set meal. After warming my hands in the winter mountains, I'd love to stop for a hot meal like that.
Highlights
From Heda Pass to Funabara Pass
The road runs for about 10.8km from Heda Pass to Funabara Pass via Mount Daruma and Mount Garan. Since it follows the ridgeline, I found myself looking forward to seeing what mountains would appear around the next bend.
A road with views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay
The Nishi-Izu Skyline offers views of both Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay. I also wanted to stop at a car park and take in the winter grass and distant mountains.
Road and walking information
Nishi-Izu Skyline
- Road length
- About 10.8km
- Road elevation
- 800〜900m
The road runs from Heda Pass, past Mount Daruma and Mount Garan, to Funabara Pass. I stopped at a car park and spent some time taking in the mountain views.
The elevation given is the height of the ridge the road follows. I'd love to follow the ridge from Heda Pass to Funabara Pass and enjoy the views along the way.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
