Awa-ga-take

What it is

• A 532-meter high mountain spanning Kakegawa City and Shimada City in Shizuoka.
• The source of the Kikugawa and Sakasagawa rivers with tea plantations at the base.
• A site featuring Awawa Shrine and several wireless radio and television stations at the summit.
• The location of the Shin-Tomei Expressway tunnel which runs directly beneath the mountain.

What to see

• Cypress trees planted on the slope in the shape of the kanji character for tea.
• Panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay from the mountain summit.
• A hiking course that leads visitors from the base to the top of the mountain.
• Cherry blossoms that bloom across the area during the spring season.

When to go

• Spring is the best time to visit for viewing the cherry blossoms.
• Clear days offer the best visibility for seeing Mount Fuji and the bay.

Getting there

• Buses run from Kakegawa Station to the Higashiyama bus stop at the base.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.