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About Shizuoka
Shizuoka Prefecture runs roughly 155 kilometres along Honshu's Pacific coast, wedged between the Southern Japan Alps and the sea. Shizuoka City, the prefectural capital, grew up around Sumpu Castle, the retirement seat of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, and today anchors a metro area known for the Nihondaira plateau's tea-terrace views of Mount Fuji and the vermillion halls of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Ieyasu's original mausoleum. Hamamatsu, the prefecture's largest city, built its fortune on musical instruments (Yamaha and Kawai were both founded here) and on unagi (freshwater eel) farmed around Lake Hamana, making it Japan's best-known eel-eating city. South of Shizuoka City, the Izu Peninsula juts into the Pacific and Suruga Bay, its coastline threaded with hot-spring resort towns — Atami, Ito, and Shuzenji inland, Shimoda and its beaches at the peninsula's tip. Miho no Matsubara, a pine-covered sand spit near Shimizu Port, is a registered component of the Fujisan UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most photographed Fuji viewpoints. Inland and to the west, the Toro archaeological site preserves a Yayoi-period rice-farming settlement, while Kakegawa and Hamamatsu castles recall the region's role in the wars that unified Japan. The Tokaido Shinkansen runs the length of the prefecture, stopping at Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, while the Izukyu and Izuhakone lines serve the peninsula's onsen towns. Shizuoka also produces roughly 40% of Japan's green tea and virtually all of its Suruga Bay sakura ebi (translucent pink shrimp), giving the prefecture one of Japan's most distinctive food identities outside the big cities.
- Capital
- Shizuoka City
- Largest city
- Hamamatsu
- Population
- 3.5 million
- Languages
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese Yen
- Time zone
- JST (UTC+9)
Explore Shizuoka by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Shizuoka
The 10 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
Miho no Matsubara
Sumpu Castle Park
Hamamatsu Castle
Kakegawa Castle
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Shizuoka Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Shizuoka, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Shizuoka
- Days 1-2Shizuoka city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Shizuoka
- Days 1-3Shizuoka comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Shizuoka, departure
Where to stay in Shizuoka
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ¥4,500–7,500 ($28–47)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ¥14,000–24,000 ($88–151)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ¥45,000–110,000 ($283–693)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
APA Hotel Shizuoka Ekikita
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Associa Shizuoka Terminal
Check rates on Booking.comHigh Set Hotel Shizuoka Inter (formerly Ascent Plaza Hotel Shizuoka)
Check rates on Booking.comRichmond Hotel Hamamatsu
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Shizuoka
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa
Unagi Yaotoku Honten
Hamanako Unagi Maruhama
Rin Unagi
Unagi Shumai
Ishimatsu Gyoza Main Store
Getting around Shizuoka
Shizuoka Prefecture stretches roughly 155 km along Japan's Pacific coast between Mt Fuji and Lake Hamana, so travel here means covering long east-west distances efficiently while also reaching into the mountainous Izu Peninsula to the south. The Tokaido Shinkansen and parallel JR Tokaido Main Line are the backbone, connecting Atami, Mishima, Shizuoka City, and Hamamatsu in well under two hours end to end. For the Izu Peninsula's hot spring towns and beaches, travelers switch to the Izukyu Line (Ito to Izukyu-Shimoda) or the Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line (Mishima to Shuzenji), both of which connect smoothly with JR services. A rental car is the best way to reach Mt Fuji's Fujinomiya 5th station, inland Izu onsen villages, and the Lake Hamana/Enshu region, while Shizuoka City and Hamamatsu each have compact, walkable centers served by local rail (Shizuoka Railway and Enshu Railway respectively).
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in JPY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥2,500–4,000 ($16–25) hostel or budget business hotel | ¥8,000–14,000 ($50–88) mid-range hotel or standard ryokan | ¥25,000–75,000 ($157–472) premium onsen ryokan with private bath |
| Food (per day) | ¥1,200–2,200 ($8–14) | ¥3,000–5,500 ($19–35) | ¥12,000–35,000 ($76–220) |
| Transportation | ¥400–800 ($2.50–5) | ¥600–1,500 ($3.80–9.45) | ¥2,000–5,000 ($12.60–31.50) |
| Activities | ¥400–1,500 ($2.50–9.45) | ¥1,500–3,000 ($9.45–19) | ¥5,000–18,000 ($31.50–113) |
| Daily total | ¥4,500–7,500 ($28–47) | ¥14,000–24,000 ($88–151) | ¥45,000–110,000 ($283–693) |
Best time to visit Shizuoka
Mount Fuji is most reliably visible from Nihondaira and the Fujinomiya Fifth Station on clear winter mornings (December–February), when humidity is lowest, though temperatures are cold. Izu's beach season runs July–August; typhoons are most likely in September, and travelers should monitor JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) alerts during that period. Cherry blossoms peak around Sumpu Castle Park in late March to early April.
Essential travel tips
- Buy a TOICA or Suica IC card at Shizuoka or Hamamatsu Station for seamless travel on trains and buses
- Kodama and Hikari Shinkansen trains stop at Shizuoka and Hamamatsu; Nozomi trains do not — check the timetable before booking
- Sit on the right side of northbound (Tokyo-direction) Shinkansen trains for the best Mount Fuji views near Shizuoka
- The Izukyu Line's coastal route between Ito and Shimoda is one of Japan's most scenic ordinary train rides — no reservation needed
- Visit Nihondaira on a clear winter morning for the best odds of an unobstructed Mount Fuji view
Safety information
Shizuoka Prefecture has an extremely low crime rate even by Japanese standards; violent crime against visitors is rare and most travelers experience no safety issues at all
Shizuoka faces the Nankai Trough, a major offshore fault zone; the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issues Nankai Trough earthquake advisories and coastal areas display blue-and-white tsunami evacuation signs pointing to high ground - note the nearest evacuation route (hinan basho) at any coastal hotel or ryokan
Install the JMA-linked Safety tips app or a local earthquake early-warning app (Yurekuru Call) which gives several seconds' warning before shaking arrives - useful for tourists without Japanese-language emergency alerts
If a strong earthquake strikes near the coast, move to high ground or a tsunami evacuation tower immediately rather than waiting for an official tsunami warning, especially around Shimoda, Yaizu, and the Suruga Bay coastline
Typhoon season runs roughly August-October and can disrupt Shinkansen and local train schedules with little notice; check JR Central's service status page before travel days during this window
Mt Fuji is an active volcano under continuous monitoring; the summit and fifth-station areas are safe for typical sightseeing, and rangers close trails if activity levels change - check current alert status before any hiking above the fifth station
Roads into the Izu Peninsula's mountainous interior and around Amagi can be narrow and prone to landslides after heavy rain; drive cautiously and heed road closure signs
Onsen (hot spring) etiquette is strictly enforced - wash thoroughly before entering the communal bath, and note that many traditional establishments still prohibit visible tattoos, though tattoo-friendly options exist in Atami and Ito
Frequently asked questions
Is Shizuoka safe to visit in 2026?
Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the safest regions in Japan for travelers, with very low crime and a relaxed, orderly atmosphere in its cities and coastal towns. The primary safety considerations are natural hazards - earthquake and tsunami risk from the nearby Nankai Trough, occasional typhoons, and Emergency services: police at 110, medical at 119 (ambulance).
What is the best time to visit Shizuoka?
The best time to visit Shizuoka is March–May and October–November. Shizuoka Prefecture has a mild, humid subtropical climate moderated by the Pacific coastline and the warm Kuroshio Current, making it noticeably warmer and less prone to winter cold than Tokyo. Coasta
Do I need a visa to visit Shizuoka?
Entry requirements follow Japan national rules. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for 90 days. Check the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mofa.go.jp) for current requirements. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with your nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
What currency is used in Shizuoka?
The currency in Shizuoka is the Japanese Yen (JPY). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
What language is spoken in Shizuoka?
The main language(s) spoken in Shizuoka: Japanese. In tourist areas, English is generally understood. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated by locals.
What are the top attractions in Shizuoka?
The top attractions in Shizuoka include Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Miho no Matsubara, Sumpu Castle Park, and Hamamatsu Castle. Each offers a unique experience, from historic landmarks to natural wonders.