Shizuoka

Shizuoka is a stop on the Tokaido Main Line and Tokaido Shinkansen Line between Tokyo and Osaka, and on the Tomei Expressway.

The Shizutetsu train line runs from Shin-Shizuoka station in the Cenova shopping mall to Shin-Shimizu station. It is worth noting that none of the stations are integrated into the JR train system. However, Shizutetsu Buses do operate service from Shizuoka station to the Cenova mall. Shizutetsu buses can be used to get anywhere in the city.

• 🌍 Miho no Matsubara (三保の松原). A spot on the Miho peninsula with pine trees and views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. One of Japan's New Three Views. 
• 🌍 Nihondaira (日本平) (35 min by Nihondaira Line bus from Shizuoka Station; also accessible by ropeway from the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine). A 308-meter hill in central Shizuoka, with good views of Mt. Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Shimizu Bay and more. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Kunōzan Tōshō-gū (久能山東照宮). The actual burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Dynasty. (His official mausoleum is at Nikko.) Most structures here date from 1617. 
• 🌍 Sunpu Castle (駿府城 sunpu-jō) (a few blocks up the main street from the north exit of the subway station, with several arrow signs pointing the way). The castle has not been restored, but the restored guard house is very interesting. The original castle was started in 1585 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, one of the founders of the Edo government. In 1607 Lord Ieyasu retired as shogun and started repairing and expanding the original castle. The tower and other buildings that now exist were constructed following blueprints from the 1630s. There is a lifelike statue of Tokugawa and many small replicas of the castles and surrounding buildings, as well as a small but beautiful display of dolls. Nearby is a children's park and a garden with a tea ceremony available. Certainly a place to explore if you have a couple of hours or more to spare. ¥200. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Abe Falls (安倍の大滝). A popular waterfall, considered to be one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Shizuoka City Toro Museum (登呂博物館). 09:00-16:30. A recreated Yayoi Period village with an accompanying museum with exhibits, artifacts, and information about the Yayoi Period. In addition, they offer a variety of experiences where visitors can try their hand at performing various tasks in the Yayoi way. ¥300. (the recreated village can be viewed for free). (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Togetsubo Saiokuji Temple (吐月峰柴屋寺). A Muromachi Period temple known for its garden. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Shizuoka City Museum of Art (静岡市美術館). Features a variety of special exhibits along with its own permanent exhibits. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art (静岡市東海道広重美術館). Utagawa Hiroshige is one of Japan's most renowned ukiyoe artists, and among his most famous works were those of the 53 stations of the Tokaido Road. Six of the stations are located within present-day Shizuoka City, and the museum is located where Yui Station (Yui-shuku) once stood. The museum focuses on the entirety of the collection, not just those in the city, as well as other works by Hiroshige. This was the first art museum built in Japan dedicated to Hiroshige's works. ¥520. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Shizuoka Sengen Shrine (静岡浅間神社). It was originally called Kanbe Shrine and served as the tutelary shrine of the former Suruga Province and was later made a Sengen Shrine (shrines dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji). Tokugawa Ieyasu had the shrine rebuilt near Sunpu Castle for easy access. Over 26 of the structures are designated National Important Cultural Properties. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Jirocho Residence (次郎長生家). This is the former residence of local yakuza member, Shimizu no Jirocho. He inherited a rice-selling business after the death of his uncle but later started a gambling business and built up enough influence to take territories along the river and around Shimizu port. Although the port was already bustling, his contributions helped further develop the local area and industry. (updated Feb 2020)

• 🌍 Tanaka Castle (田中城, Tanaka-jō), Fujieda. Built in 1537 by the Imagawa clan, and demolished in 1871. The current structures include remnants of the moats and stonework, as well as a large yagura, reconstructed in 1992 to serve as a local history museum. (updated Feb 2023)

There is a rotenburo (unisex communal bath) for those brave enough to try it in beautiful surrounds on the coast called Fujiyoshi Onsen.

Each Saturday there is a flea market at the shrine in central Shizuoka. The vendors sell mainly Japanese knick knacks such as tea sets, lacquerware and the like. You can haggle about 30% off their asking prices without working too hard, or try for more if you`re especially stingy.

• 🌍 Tamaruya (田丸屋本店). A shop selling Shizuoka wasabi and wasabi goods. (updated Feb 2020)

Near the port, we can eat fresh fish, such as sushi.

• 🌍 Taigetsuro (待月楼). Lunch 11:00-14:00, Dinner 17:00-20:00 (Reservations required for dinner). In business since the Taisho era, this is one of the premier restaurants to try Shizuoka's tororo-jiru (mountain yam soup). It's located in the historic Mariko area, a former station (Mariko-juku) along the Tokaido Road. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Steppin' Cafe (ステッピンカフェ). A popular burger joint. They have a signature "Steppin Burger" but also have over 15 other burgers, including avocado burgers, teriyaki burgers, and Shizuoka Maguro Burgers. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Unaji (鰻魚治), 2-23 Minamicho Suruga-ku. A restaurant specializing in Shizuoka's famous eel (unagi) dishes. (updated Feb 2020)
• 🌍 Yaizu-kō Minami (焼津港みなみ) (About 5 minutes walk from Shizuoka Station), ☏ +81 54-283-5777. specialty restaurant for tuna, and it should be rare to see here without a line in front of the restaurant. (updated Feb 2024)

Shizuoka Cola is a unique locally made tea-flavored cola, using Shizuoka's famous tea.

• 🌍 Freakyshow Bar (フリーキーショウ) (near the Gohuku-cho area, a 10-minute walk from Shizuoka Station), ☏ +81 54-273-5588. One of the finest local places to drink in downtown Shizuoka. The bar often features local live entertainment on weekends but has limited seating so arrive early. The menu is not typical of most Japanese izakaya instead focusing on a more eclectic mix of western and European fare. All menu items and drinks are reasonably priced with no tax or cover charge. Recommended are the Godzilla Burger and White Russian. The proprietor, Toshiyuki Kosaka, is also reasonably fluent in English so foreigners visiting the area will have little trouble communicating with the staff. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Hippy Shake (ヒッピーシェイク) (A short walk from either JR Shimizu or Shin-Shimizu.), ☏ +81 54-364-1748. Caters to foreigners, giving them discounts or sometimes free food. It's got great atmosphere and an inventive menu of original cocktails. Drinks ¥500. (updated Dec 2015)

• Mount Fuji, the iconic Japanese volcano
• Fujieda
• Fujinomiya
• Kawanehon
• Yaizu
• Shimada
• Kakegawa
• Numazu
• Shibakawa