Nihondaira Yume Terrace

Situated between Suruga Bay and the Southern Alps, Shizuoka City offers various leisure and cultural destinations overlooked by visitors. One of them is the exquisite Nihondaira Yume Terrace, designed by celebrated architect Kengo Kuma.

Nihondaira Yume Terrace

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Approximately forty minutes by bus from Shizuoka Station, the site stands on a plateau at an altitude of about 308 meters, and presents 360-degree lookouts stretching to Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay,  Miho-no-Matsubara Forest, Shimizu Port, Izu Peninsula, and the Southern Alps. Kuma completed the terrace building in 2018, keeping modern engineering and traditional Japanese aesthetics in mind. The overall structure follows an octagonal geometric layout, based on the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) at Horyu-ji Temple in Nara. It consists of three stories, which use floor-to-ceiling glass walls and local cedar. The wood frames are finely cut into complex branch-like patterns.

Interior Highlights

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The first floor houses the Exhibition Area, showcasing the history, topography, and culture of Nihondaira through picture scrolls, graphic panels, and 3D projection mapping. Limestone-textured tiles take inspiration from the classical European style. Tinted glass railings border the corridors and the staircase. An intricate weave of multi-directional timber ceiling beams emphasizes the interior’s prominent characteristics. A beautifully curated Japanese pocket stone garden outside with reflective flooring purposely mirrors the hovering pine trees and blue sky. While ascending the grand wooden staircase, visitors gaze upward to the magnificent timber ceiling design. Their protruding beams embody a forest-like atrium, resonating Mount Fuji and its environs. The diagonal framework allows flexible, multiple perspectives of the oval interior layout.

The second floor comprises the lounge and café, which face an expansive 1,200-square meter exterior garden. Savor the exhilarating backdrop of seasonal flowers while sipping special Shizuoka teas served in the café. Several paintings depict scenes of Mount Fuji and the landscapes of Nihondaira.

The observation deck is located on the third floor. Visitors can take in panoramic outlooks from various angles while encircling the 200-meter wooden walkway. This finely designed corridor extends as a loop toward the watchtower. There are also benches on the outdoor walkway to sit on as people fully absorb the superb sight. As the observation deck is open 24 hours a day, the gorgeous night scenery is exceedingly popular, which is considered one of the best panoramic vistas in Japan. It has been designated a Japan Night View Heritage Site. On a rainy or stormy day, a monitor screen permits visitors to catch a clear glimpse of Mount Fuji and the neighboring terrain.

Beyond the Terrace

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Visitors often combine a tour of Nihondaira Yume Terrace with a ropeway ride to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. The Nihondaira Ropeway Station is a five-minute walk from the terrace. The shrine is another five-minute ride on the cable car. Less than ten minutes on foot is the Nihondaira Hotel, also designed by Kengo Kuma. Like the terrace buildings, the hotel is famous for its distinct wooden interior and stunning views.