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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Fuji Safari Park
A drive-through and walking safari at 850m altitude on Mt Fuji's slopes with around 800 animals from 60 species including lions, Amur tigers, and giraffes; visitors can drive their own car through the safari zone, ride the park bus, or feed animals in the walk-through petting area
Duration: Half day
Shizuoka Municipal Nihondaira Zoo
A compact hillside zoo above Suruga Bay with around 560 animals from 130 species, featuring the Predator House 299 for close-up big cat viewing and the Flying Mega Dome walk-through aviary, with Mt Fuji visible from the grounds on clear days
Duration: 2-3 hours
Kakegawa Kacho-en Bird Park
An interactive flower and bird park where most of the roughly 1,000 birds from 100 species roam uncaged, letting children hand-feed lorikeets and owls up close; the climate-controlled glasshouse keeps the visit comfortable in any weather
Duration: Half day
Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium
A harborside aquarium specializing in the deep-sea creatures of Suruga Bay, one of Japan's deepest bays, including rare deep-water sharks and coelacanth specimens - a distinctive, less crowded alternative to standard aquariums
Duration: 2-3 hours
Shimoda Shirahama Beach
A wide, sheltered white-sand beach on the Izu Peninsula's south coast with gentle shallow water, lifeguards in official swimming season (roughly July-August), and nearby shower and changing facilities - one of the easiest family beaches in the prefecture
Duration: Full day
Nihondaira Ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
A short scenic ropeway ride over tea terraces connects the Nihondaira hilltop to the ornately decorated Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, the original burial shrine of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, with Suruga Bay and Mt Fuji views along the way
Duration: Half day
Shizuoka Sunpu Castle Park
The reconstructed moat, turret, and gardens of Tokugawa Ieyasu's retirement castle in central Shizuoka City, with open lawns for children to run and a compact scale that suits short family visits between other stops
Duration: 1-2 hours
Miho no Matsubara Pine Grove
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed pine grove framing one of Japan's classic Mt Fuji views across Suruga Bay, with a flat, easy walking path from the parking area to the shoreline - a relaxed, no-cost stop for families
Duration: 1-2 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort area family hotels (Fuji-view side)
Atami seaside hotels with family rooms
Business hotel chains (Smile Hotel, Toyoko Inn, Comfort Hotel)
Shuzenji Onsen family-style ryokan
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Family restaurants (famiresu) like Gusto, Saizeriya, and Joyfull are common across Shizuoka's cities and highway rest stops, with kids' menus, high chairs, and picture menus that make ordering easy without Japanese
Conveyor-belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) chains are genuinely fun for children and inexpensive, with plates typically ¥110-500 ($0.70-3.15) each
Unagi (eel) restaurants around Hamamatsu, a regional specialty area, are generally family-welcoming though some traditional counters are small and better suited to older children
Some highly traditional soba and sushi counters, particularly small owner-run shops, are set up for adult customers and may not have high chairs or kids' portions - larger restaurants and roadside stations (michi no eki) are safer bets with young children
Roadside stations (michi no eki) along the Izu coast and Fuji foothills combine casual food courts, restrooms, and local produce shops, making them convenient family rest stops on road trips
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.