Shizuoka, Japan: travel guide
Sitting in Mt Fuji's shadow, Shizuoka is Japan's leading green tea producer, the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the gateway to the Izu Peninsula and Nihondaira plateau. The city enjoys 300 Fuji-view days per year.
- Country
- Japan
- Currency
- JPY
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Nearest airport
- FSZ
Top places to visit in Shizuoka
Sunpu Castle Park
Heritage · about 1 h
Moated park on the site of Tokugawa Ieyasu's retirement castle, with reconstructed gates and turrets.
Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
Temple · about 0.8 h
Lavishly lacquered shrine complex at Mount Shizuhata where Ieyasu came of age, blazing red and gold.
Nihondaira Plateau
Viewpoint · about 1.3 h
Hilltop tea-covered plateau named a top scenic spot of Japan, with a ropeway and Mount Fuji panoramas.
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
Temple · about 1 h · entry JPY 500
Ornate 1617 shrine and original burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, reached by ropeway or 1,159 steps from the sea.
Miho no Matsubara
Beach · about 1 h
UNESCO-listed pine-grove beach on the Miho peninsula framing Mount Fuji across Suruga Bay.
Toro Ruins
Museum · about 1 h
Reconstructed Yayoi-period paddy village and archaeology museum on the excavated Toro settlement.
Things to do
- Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Tour Tour · 3 h · from JPY 4,000 per person
- Shizuoka Green Tea Experience Cultural · 2 h · from JPY 3,500 per person
Where to stay in Shizuoka
- Central Area about JPY 3,000 per night
Tea region city with accommodation
Hotels
- Hotel Associa Shizuoka 4-star
- Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Shizuoka-eki Kita 3-star
Where to eat
- Sushi Common Shizuoka japanese, sushi, seafood · about JPY 2,500 per person
- Umino Shizuoka Oden japanese · about JPY 1,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Train main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Roppongi bar overcharge
Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife
Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.
How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.