Nippon Daira Hotel: Nihondaira Twin Room with Mount Fuji View

On the third day of my 3-night, 4-day trip to Nagoya and Shizuoka, I stayed at the Nippon Daira Hotel, which boasts the best views in Nihondaira—a renowned Japanese tourist destination that was ranked as Japan's top scenic spot for ten consecutive years in the 1990s. Upon check-in, I enjoyed afternoon tea and later visited the Upper Lounge & Bar, making it a total of four meals at the hotel. Check-in starts at 2 PM, so I took the shuttle departing Shizuoka Station at 1:20 PM. The ride took about 30 minutes, and upon arrival at the hotel entrance, staff members greeted me and took my luggage. The shuttle bus does not require any identification verification, so it seems possible to use it for sightseeing purposes without a reservation. The hotel has 80 rooms, with about 20 offering views of the Yume Terrace and the remaining 60 featuring Mount Fuji views. The rooms are located on floors 3 to 5. Air purifiers are placed every 5 meters along the corridors. I checked in and was assigned Room 305, a Nihondaira Twin Room with a spacious area of 45 square meters and a 9-square-meter terrace. Being on the 3rd floor, the view includes a grassy lawn right below. Superior rooms include sofas, and corner suites seem to have view bathrooms. Even as a solo traveler, the twin room felt very spacious. On the first day, the weather was cloudy and rainy, so Mount Fuji was not visible. After enjoying afternoon tea, I took the shuttle to Higashi-Shizuoka Station and visited Shimizu. Dinner was scheduled for 7:30 PM, as I had pre-selected the time when booking the hotel. The kaiseki dinner consisted entirely of fish dishes, paired with drinks like draft beer, sweet potato shochu, and highballs in sequence. I savored over ten types of fish from Shimizu Port. Rain began pouring heavily. After dinner, I relaxed in my room before heading to the hotel's Upper Lounge at around 10 PM. I was the only guest there and enjoyed the solitude. I ordered champagne, but the second glass lacked bubbles, so I canceled it and opted for Hakushu whiskey instead. Feeling full, I paired the drink with pistachios and almonds. The sound of rain echoed through the large windows as the night deepened. The lounge closes at midnight, so I wrapped up before then. I soaked in the bathtub with bubble salts and then fell asleep. I woke up at 5:30 AM after about four hours of sleep. When I opened the curtains, Mount Fuji greeted me. I spent time admiring the view until sunrise, captivated by the picturesque scenery. Mount Fuji's beauty is truly mesmerizing, no matter how many times you look at it. At around 7:30 AM, I went for breakfast. The first shuttle departs at 10 AM, so I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. The manager I met during afternoon tea had reserved a great table for me. I expressed my gratitude, as Mount Fuji had appeared, making the experience even more special. After breakfast, I went for a walk. Heading towards Yume Terrace, I walked for about 15 minutes and found a plum garden. At the starting point, Kanzakura cherry blossoms—known for blooming early—were in full bloom, painting the area pink. Amidst the blossoms, Mount Fuji stood majestically. As I climbed higher, the view of Mount Fuji rising above the cherry blossoms created a stunning picture. Birds chirped, adding to the heavenly atmosphere. After soaking in the beauty for a while, I returned to the hotel. The view from the room was even more breathtaking. Whether lying on the bed, sitting in a chair, or standing on the balcony, Mount Fuji filled my view. I checked out and settled the bill. All expenses, including afternoon tea, dinner drinks, champagne, and Hakushu from the bar, were charged to the room for a single payment. Considering the savings from the hotels on the first and second days, the overall cost was reasonable. Thank you.