Shizuoka Prefecture stretches along Japan's Pacific coast between Tokyo and Nagoya, framed by the southern slopes of Mount Fuji, the hot-spring resorts of the Izu Peninsula, and the deep waters of Suruga Bay. Home to Japan's largest green tea harvest, its top eel-producing city, and the closest classic views of Mount Fuji outside Yamanashi, Shizuoka pairs UNESCO World Heritage scenery with feudal-era castles and coastal onsen towns across 7,777 square kilometres of the Chubu region.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
Highlights: Suruga Bay and Mt Fuji panorama from the Nihondaira observation deck · Nihondaira Ropeway descent to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine · Lacquered mausoleum and museum of Tokugawa Ieyasu relics at Kunozan Toshogu · Tea terraces and a small tea museum on the Nihondaira plateau
Miho no Matsubara Pine Grove
Highlights: Classic framed view of Mt Fuji across Suruga Bay through the pine grove · UNESCO World Heritage-listed pine forest and black-sand beach · Hagoromo pine tied to the celestial-robe legend and nearby shrine · Miho Matsubara Visitor Center exhibits on the site's cultural history
Mt Fuji Fujinomiya 5th Station
Highlights: Torii gate marking the Fujinomiya climbing route trailhead at 2,400 meters · Views over Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula on clear days · On-site shokudo serving noodles and curry near the summit trailhead · Access point for a full Mt Fuji summit climb during the July-September season
Atami Hot Spring Resort
Highlights: Hillside onsen ryokan and public hot spring foot baths near the harbor · Heiwa-dori shopping arcade for local snacks and citrus sweets · MOA Museum of Art's Japanese and Asian collection with sea-view gardens · Atami Plum Garden's early blossom festival from late January to early March
Ito Onsen & Jogasaki Coast
Highlights: Kadowaki Suspension Bridge over a volcanic inlet on the Jogasaki Coast · Coastal hiking trail across black lava-rock formations from Mt Omuro's eruptions · Ito's old onsen town center with public foot baths and a retro shopping street · Fresh Izu seafood at restaurants near Ito Marine Town and the Jogasaki Kaigan bus stop
Shimoda & the Southern Izu Coast
Highlights: Ryosenji Temple and Perry Road's Treaty of Kanagawa history · Shirahama Beach's white sand and clear turquoise water · Cape Iro lighthouse and cliffside coastal walking paths · Fresh kinmedai and other local seafood at harborside restaurants
Shuzenji Onsen & the Izu Skyline
Highlights: Shuzenji Temple, founded in the 9th century and linked to Kobo Daishi · Chikurin no Komichi bamboo grove path along the Katsura River · Free public footbaths lining the riverside promenade · Local wasabi-based dishes near the temple approach
Lake Hamana & Hamamatsu Castle
Highlights: Mt Okusa ropeway panorama over Lake Hamana from Kanzanji Onsen · Lake cruise between Kanzanji pier and Hamamatsu Flower Park · Hamamatsu Castle, associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu's early career · Hamamatsu-style unagi (eel) restaurants near the castle and lakefront
Kakegawa Castle & Green Tea Fields
Highlights: Reconstructed Kakegawa Castle keep built with traditional wooden joinery · Ninomaru Palace, one of Japan's few surviving original Edo-period palace buildings · Makinohara plateau's terraced green tea fields and tea museum · Local sencha tastings near the Makinohara tea growing region
Cape Omaezaki & the Enshu Coast
Highlights: Omaezaki Lighthouse, one of the few in Japan open for visitors to climb · 360-degree Pacific Ocean panorama from the lighthouse gallery · Enshu coast surf breaks stretching northwest toward Sagara · Local katsuo and shirasu seafood dishes in Omaezaki town
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Tokyo to Mt Fuji and Hakone/Izu often include a Shizuoka stop such as the Fujinomiya 5th station or Atami, typically ¥12,000-20,000 per person (about $76-127) including transport and a guide
- Private
- Private car and driver hire from Shizuoka or Mishima stations runs from around ¥25,000 for a half day (about $158); useful for combining several Izu Peninsula stops that lack direct train access
- Public
- The Tokaido Shinkansen and Tokaido Main Line reach every major town in under two hours; the Izukyu Line and Izuhakone Railway extend into the Izu Peninsula - check timetables at jr-central.co.jp or the Izukyu/Izuhakone sites
- Rental
- Car rental from ¥6,000/day (about $38) is the most flexible option for Mt Fuji's Fujinomiya side, inland Izu onsen villages, and the Lake Hamana countryside, though the Fujinomiya 5th station road closes to private cars during peak summer climbing season
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Nozomi Shinkansen trains skip every station in Shizuoka Prefecture - only Hikari and Kodama services stop at Atami, Mishima, Shin-Fuji, Shizuoka, Kakegawa, and Hamamatsu, so plan around those train types
The Limited Express Odoriko runs directly from Tokyo Station to Ito and Izukyu-Shimoda without a transfer, making it the simplest way to reach the Izu Peninsula's east coast
Combine Nihondaira and Miho no Matsubara into one Shizuoka City day by starting with the ropeway at Nihondaira in the morning and finishing at the pine grove for sunset views of Mt Fuji across Suruga Bay
The Fuji Skyline road to the Fujinomiya 5th station is closed to private cars during the peak July-September climbing season, requiring the Mizugatsuka park-and-ride shuttle bus
Rent a car in Mishima or Shuzenji for the Izu Skyline toll road if visiting multiple inland Izu onsen villages in one day, since bus connections between them are infrequent