Shizuoka Travel Guide

The first place that comes to mind for Shizuoka beaches is the Izu Peninsula. This outlet of land is a serene natural paradise with beaches large and small. The most popular is Shirahama Beach, an 800-metre-long beach good for surfing and sunbathing and with a pretty traditional shrine. A little further south are Sotoura Beach and Iritahama Beach, which are less crowded but somewhat more relaxing. For something a little different, you can head to the Dogashima Coastline for its rocky cliffs and mysterious caves.

Outside of the Izu area, most Shizuoka beaches are rockier or windier, but for a spectacular view of Mt Fuji on a clear day, head to the stony shores of Miho no Matsubara.

At the northern base of Mt Fuji you’ll find the famous Fuji 5 Lakes, also known as Fujigoko. Although not technically in Shizuoka prefecture, they’re worth a visit if you’re in the area for an iconic shot of Mt Fuji. The 5 lakes are Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Yamanakako, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko and Lake Motosuko.

Each offers a unique view of the mountain as well as activities, but Lake Kawaguchiko is the most popular as it has various restaurants, shops, and accommodation options. Lake Yamanakako is the next most developed, with a few small towns and activities. The others are less developed but no less scenic. In fact, Lake Motosuko is famous for its hilly landscape that appears on the 1,000-yen bill.

Mt Fuji is the most famous mountain in Japan, and over the years has inspired many poets and artists. On a clear day, the mountain can be seen from as far as . It spans both Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and is open for hiking during summer. Although often touted as a tourist hike, the hike is not suited to beginners and many suffer altitude sickness at the top, so make sure to research beforehand.

For non-hikers, there are plenty of opportunities for pictures, and you can go on tours or drive to the 5^th station, which is 2,300 metres above sea level. Or for a scenic drive, head to the Fuji Skyline.

Shizuoka offers many activities for families. For something indoors, Chibi Maruko Chan Land lets you step into a cartoon world. For a bit of history, the remains of Shizuoka Castle make a nice change of scenery, or for those more interested in marine life, a visit to Tokai University Marine Science Museum is a unique and educational experience.

Hamamatsu is a well-known built-up area and, when visiting Shizuoka on the bullet train, many will go through Hamamatsu Station first. There are a lot of things to do in the area, and there is no shortage of flower parks, such as Hamamatsu Flower Park with its beautiful wisteria in summer. There is also a lot of history and culture that can be experienced at Hamamatsu Castle, and the various temples and shrines like Ryotan-ji.

For something a little different, you could visit the Nakatajima Sand Dunes. For indoor activities, you can’t go wrong with a bit of shopping or museum hopping.

Although not as built-up as neighbouring Hamamatsu, Shizuoka city centre still has some interesting spots worth visiting. One of the prettiest shrines in the area is the Kunōzan Tōshōgū Shrine, located right by the Nihondaira Ropeway that takes you to the Nihondaira Yume Terrace. There, you can see beautiful views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding area.

From the terrace, you might spot Shimizu Port, which you can visit for the fish market and shopping. There are a few galleries and museums in the area too, such as the Shizuoka City Museum of Art – great for a rainy day.

For dining and restaurant options in Shizuoka, you’re spoilt for choice with local specialities and fresh seafood. Shizuoka residents pride themselves on Sawayaka, a chain that only serves its delicious Japanese-style Salisbury Steak in Shizuoka. If you’ve come to the coast to sample fresh fish, though, you might want to try out Shimizuko Minami’s super-fresh tuna, or Hama no Kakiageya’s flavourful fried shrimp.

For something more homey and down-to-earth, you could try the traditional soba noodles of Togakushi Honten or the old-style tororo jiru grated yam at Chojiya. Stop by one of the fish markets if you want simple, fresh sashimi.

Shizuoka is an area famous for its shopping, mainly due to the scenic and swanky Gotemba Premium Outlet. On a clear day, you can see Mt Fuji while walking through the shops, where you can find all your favourite brands. But it is very popular, so the car park can get very full.

If you’re looking for fresh fish and an insider experience, you might consider a visit to one of their many markets, like the Shimizu Fish Market, the Inatori Port Morning Market, or the Omaezaki Kaisennabura Market. There are plenty of regular clothes and souvenir shopping opportunities at the malls too, like at Zaza City Hamamatsu.

Shizuoka is not as big on bars and clubs as some of the major cities like Tokyo, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do after sunset. For clubs, head to G2 Shizuoka for hip-hop and Dazzbar for house and techno. There are more options for bars though, with the smooth jazz of Dot Cool and the great cocktails of Botanical and Bar Oz.

If you want to try drinking like a local, heading to an izakaya is your best bet. Izakayas are Japanese pubs or taverns where you can find small dishes and simple drinks. Some of the local haunts are Domadoma, Kodarumatei, and Girogiro.

Other than sitting by the beach or snapping shots of Mt Fuji, there are plenty of activities to do in Shizuoka. If you want to make the most of the sea, there are good spots for surfing, but also some very interesting spots for diving and seeing the local sea life.

If you’re not ready to hike up Mt Fuji, there are lots of hiking trails and even a few other mountains in the area to wear in your hiking boots. There are also rivers and observation decks around Shizuoka that don’t require as much physical exertion to enjoy.