Region
Chubu
Island
Honshu
Largest City
Shizuoka
Population
3,767,427

Shizuoka

Everyone's cup of tea

It's resorts galore in serene Shizuoka.

Situated roughly at the halfway point between Kanto and Kansai, Shizuoka is a relaxing rest stop for those traveling around the main island of HonshuMount Fuji rises in the west of the prefecture. Its volcanic foothills extend out to the Izu Peninsula. The area is filled with hot springs and resorts. Shizuoka also produces more than half of all of the green tea in Japan and is the best place to sip sencha (tea made using whole tea leaves) straight from the source.

Fuji and the Izu Peninsula

Shiraito Falls near Mount Fuji, Shizuoka

The beautiful Shiraito Falls at the foot of Mount Fuji.

The majestic Fuji-San straddles the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefecture. Though many of the main Fuji-related attractions are on the Yamanashi side, Shizuoka is home to the ancient Fujisan Sengen Shrine in Fujinomiya. It was built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is where climbers pray for protection before making the trek up the mountain. You can combine a shrine visit with a trip to the nearby Shiraito Falls, which are said to resemble hanging threads of silk.

5 Famous Foods You'll Find in Shizuoka

Yaki Gyouza1
Shizuoka’s star player is the beautiful Izu Peninsula, which is well-equipped for the crowds of tourists that descend on the numerous resorts during the holidays. Atami, Ito, and Shimoda along the eastern coastline are the most famous. They’re highly rated for their excellent beaches and hot spring facilities.

Shizuoka is less than two hours from Tokyo via a scenic coastal train line but worth more than a day trip. You definitely won’t be short of a place to stay. Head to the Dogashima-Kaigan coast for a more remote resort experience. There you can walk across the water between the mainland and the rocky Sanshiro-jima islands at low tide.

Hamamatsu

Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Hamamatsu..

Surfs up at the Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Hamamatsu.

Southwest are the cities of Shizuoka and Hamamatsu. Shizuoka is the prefectural capital where tea is religion. Hike the tea-covered slopes of Nihon-daira to see some great views of Mount Fuji and the city below. Hamamatsu has sprawling sand dunes where kite fliers come to take part in the annual kite-fighting festival. Nearby Lake Hamana offers scenic boat tours of the area, as well as the unsurprising but welcome addition of the Kanzanji hot spring resort. If you are traveling in summer, you will be greeted by a summer fest almost every weekend. Here’s our list of 15 summer festivals in Shizuoka.

Plan your trip to Shizuoka with the links below!

Trivia

Yaki Gyouza1

5 Famous Foods You'll Find in Shizuoka

You think you know wasabi? You have no idea.

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Places to visit

View over the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan at night

Izu Peninsula

A goldmine of beaches and hot springs with an enticing history to go along with it.

Atami Adult Museum Shizuoka Japan

Atami Adult Museum

The last Showa-era Japanese Sex Museum. This is definitely NSFW.


Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks Festival

Head to Fukuroi for the biggest fireworks fest in Shizuoka.

Atami Onsen skyline

Atami Onsen

These hot springs will make you feel like you're floating in the ocean.


Mt. Fuji, Japan viewed from Chureito Pagoda in the autumn

Mount Fuji

An unforgettable experience to check off your bucket list.

Ito in Shizuoka on the Izu Peninsula

Ito

Tattoo-friendly onsen, panoramic ocean views, and capybaras? Count us in.


Hamamatsu

Quenching your need for speed and gyoza.

Yaki Gyouza1

5 Famous Foods You’ll Find In Shizuoka

You think you know wasabi? You have no idea.


Snow Hiking on Mount Fuji

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to climb to the top of snow-covered Mt. Fuji and ski or snowboard down from the summit.

Shirahama Beach, Shimoda, Shizuok

Shirahama Beach

Head to the white sand beach closest to Tokyo pronto!


Shimizu Tanabata Festival

Can’t make it to the Sendai celebration? Do ? early!

Dontsuku Festival

Don’t call it a penis festival… then again...


Enshu Flying Dragon Festival

See a dragon spit fireworks into the night sky.

Clematis No Oka (Art Complex)

Modern art, flowers and good ol’ slow food.


Nakatajima Sand Dunes

Move over Tottori — Nakatajima has baby turtles & kite battles.

Mishima Skywalk

Walk on the wobbly side to get a whole new view of Mount Fuji.


Umi Bozu Izakaya

Oden on a stick! Bite into this Shizuoka-style dish at an iconic izakaya.


Fujinomiya

Prize-winning yakisoba, Japan’s top Sengen shrine and the new Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center make this an essential stopover.

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

Hike or take a ropeway up to this historic ocean-side shrine that is just as impressive as Nikko's Toshogu Shrine.


Shimizu Port

A view of Mt. Fuji and Japan’s first “sushi theme park.” What more could you need?

Hamamatsu Castle

Check out Shizuoka's "Castle of Success."


Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium & Coelacanth Museum

See the wonders of the deep,deep blue sea.

Shuzenji Onsen

A stunning onsen town a bamboo forest and wasabi ice cream but a tragic history.


Komakado Kazaana Cave

Explore Mt. Fuji’s lava tunnels not too far from Gotenba.

Nishiizu and Dogashima-Kaigan Coast

Japan’s unique geography in an untouched paradise with rocky sightseeing.


Okuoikojo Station

Ever been to a station that’s on a cliff? Here’s your chance.

Autumn scene of Shiraito waterfall

Shiraito and Otodome Falls

Easily accessible waterfalls rush like “white silk” adding to the magnificent Mount Fuji area.


Ryugashido Cavern

An underground waterfall at one of the largest stalactite caves in central Japan.

Sumatakyo Gorge

Make a wish while suspended over dream-like crystal-blue water.

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Fukui

Discover dinosaurs and the art of Zen in fossil-filled Fukui!

Traditional street in Takayama, Gifu prefecture

Gifu

Scenic Gifu prefecture is a rewarding stopping point on the way from Kanto to Kansai.

Hatago Iwa Rock Ishikawa Noto Hanto

Ishikawa

Rich cultural heritage, great seafood and some stunning coastal scenery.

Monkeys bathing in the onsen in Nagano

Nagano

World-class winter sports, hot springs (occasionally monkey-filled), delicious local food and a foreigner-friendly vibe.

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Niigata

The rice is right in Niigata, where there's skiing in winter, festivals in summer and sake all year round.

Toyama

Majestic mountains, tall dams, traditional villages and walls of snow.

Yamanashi

Pack a prized Yamanashi piece of fruit in your camping bag and head for the hills.

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