One of the possible options to reach at the Toshogu shrine
dedicated to the Tokugawa Ieyasu, the great emperor of Japan, is to ride a bus
from JR Shizuoka station to the Kunozan Yamashita. As the name indicates,
Kunozan yamashita bus stop is at the bottom of the hill Kunozan. From the
bottom of the hill, 1159 steps goes to the shrine at the top of the hill. That
would have been more adventurous, but it might be a too difficult task for
children. Moreover, the aerial ropeway ride would be more exciting to the
children.
Frequency of buses are not so good from JR Shizuoka station to the Nihondaira hill top from where the ropeway starts. As per the instruction from the tourist information center located near to the ticket gate of JR Shinkansen line, we boarded the bus at 9:27 AM. The bus fare is 550 Yen per adult. The bus fare can be paid inside the bus before getting down. Even if you don't know how to pay, the driver will help.
The bus journey takes around 35 minutes from JR Shizuoka station to the Nihondaira ropeway iriguchi (entrance station). There is a zoo in between JR Shizuoka station and Nihondaira hill top with approx. 800 varieties of animals. If time permits it is worth to get down and visit the zoo. We could see the entrance of Nihondaira gakuin university on the way to the hill. The road to the hill top is with many curves and zig-zag. Persons with trouble of vomiting during travel has to take care by keeping a towel or anti-vomit medications during the bus ride.
