Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県 Shizuoka-ken) is located in the Chubu Region (中部地方), and easily accessible from both Tokyo and Osaka. It is best known for its myriad of great dining options, and natural attractions such as Mount Fuji (富士山) and the many onsen hot spring resorts located in the Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島). Shizuoka Prefecture is also Japan’s biggest provider of tea, but also renowned for its musical instrument and motorcycle industries.
Experiencing Shizuoka City’s past
The capital, Shizuoka City (静岡市), is home to Shizuoka Station (静岡駅)—the major railway station in Shizuoka along the Tokaido Shinkansen (東海道新幹線) and the Tokaido Line (東海道本線). It is the perfect stop for lovers of fresh seafood, green tea enthusiasts, and samurai period Japanese history buffs.
It is the go-to place for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the deep history of Japan. The city was also formerly known as Sumpu (駿府), and was built and nurtured by Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康), one of the three Great Unifiers of Japan.
A city with a storied history
Visit Sumpu Castle (駿府城 Sunpu-jō) to experience how Ieyasu Tokugawa spent his retirement years shortly after establishing the Tokugawa rule. After passing the day to day operations to his son, he took up residence at Sumpu Castle in Shizuoka, continuing to pull the strings from the background.
Although many of the original buildings were destroyed by various wars, fires and earthquakes over the years, there have been some reconstructions and remains of the original castle that give you a good sense of what life was like more than 400 years ago when the Tokugawa ruled Japan.
Sumpu Castle Park (駿府城公園)
Address: 1-1 Sunpujokoen, Aoi, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka 420-0855
Nearest station: Shizuoka Station (静岡駅)
Access: 5-minute bus ride on the Sumpu Roman Bus (駿府浪漫バス) from the station
Remains of the past
Another great remnant of the past, easily accessible from Shizuoka Station, and worth a visit is Fugetsuro (浮月楼). While Sumpu Castle represents the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the early life of Ieyasu Tokugawa in the late 16th Century, Fugetsuro represents the end of this period in Japanese history (the late 19th century) when the Tokugawa Shogunate returned power to the Emperor of Japan and the Meiji Period started.
The Fugetsuro is a beautiful Japanese garden built by Yoshinobu Tokugawa (徳川慶喜), the last of the Tokugawa rulers, who retired to Shizuoka. Soaked in rich traditional samurai history, this garden is a popular spot for many wedding ceremonies.
Visitors can not only stroll through the garden but also enjoy a traditional Japanese kaiseki course meal in one of the many rooms looking out onto the grounds.
Fugetsuro (浮月楼)
Address: 11-1 Kouyamachi, Aoi, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka 420-0852
Nearest station: Shizuoka Station (静岡駅)
Access: 3-minute walk from the station
Exploring Shizuoka Station
In addition to Fugetsuro, there are many great areas to explore around Shizuoka Station. You can head to the small fishing town of Mochimune (用宗), stay in a stunning modern Japanese house and enjoy raw shirasu (しらす whitebait) straight off the boat.
Or head north to the foothills of the Southern Alps and discover wasabi fields that are said to have been planted at the behest of Ieyasu Tokugawa himself.
Mochimune Town (用宗)
Address: Suruga, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka 421-0122
Nearest station: Mochimune Station (用宗駅)
Access: 2 trains stops (7-minute) on the Tokaido Line from Shizuoka Station
Food & Drinks
Right by Shizuoka Station, there is plenty to look forward to when it comes to food and drinks. Not only will you be able to find all things green tea-related, but also have a chance to check out the local favourite spot to hang out—Shizuoka Oden Food Alley (静岡おでん街 Shizuoka Oden-gai).
Street food
Oden (おでん) is a type of hotpot that is popular in Japan. What makes the Shizuoka oden (静岡おでん) so special is that it uses a much darker dashi (出汁) broth which gives it a much richer flavour compared to its milder counterparts, and it’s served with the powdery mixture of dried ground fish and seaweed.
You can enjoy it at Shizuoka Oden Food Alley which consists of dozens of oden-specialty shops that only seat a few patrons and this creates a special atmosphere where after a few sakes, everyone becomes your best friend and all language barriers disappear.
Shizuoka Oden Food Alley (静岡おでん街)
Address: Tokiwa-cho, Aoi, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka 420-0034
Nearest station: Shizuoka Station
Access: 12-minute walk from Shizuoka Station
Cafes
If you are looking for a caffeine fix, it is now possible to pick up an espresso or soy latte at small hole-in-the-wall cafes around the city that give you an alternative to Starbucks. Try some of the green tea cafes that have popped up in the city where you are able to get a Matcha Latte, green tea espresso, green tea ice cream or shaved ice.
Closing
Exploring Shizuoka City is just a step into discovering what Shizuoka Prefecture has to offer. With plenty to see and experience, you should definitely add this popular urbanite retreat into your itinerary during your next trip to Japan.
