Shizuoka sits on the Pacific coast between Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan’s Chubu region. It is best known for the southern face of Mount Fuji, sweeping coastlines around Suruga Bay, and a blend of mountains, rivers, tea fields, and hot spring towns.
The prefecture offers close-up Fuji scenery along beaches such as Miho no Matsubara and hilltops like Nihondaira. Hikers can enjoy routes from the foothills to alpine zones and relax afterward with coastal sunsets or forest walks by clear spring waters such as the Kakita River Springs.
Shizuoka is one of Japan’s leading producers of high-quality green tea. Tea heritage is easy to experience at the Fuji-no-Kuni Tea Museum, where visitors learn about cultivation, taste fresh brews, and join hands-on activities. Tea shows up in local cuisine too, from chasoba noodles to sweets made with matcha.
Travelers can sample rich regional flavors across the prefecture. Shizuoka oden features a dark, soy-forward broth with daikon, eggs, tender beef tendon, and the local kuro hanpen fish cake. Hamamatsu gyoza are arranged in a ring and served with bean sprouts for a light yet savory finish. Fujinomiya yakisoba is a beloved stir-fried noodle dish crowned with fragrant dried fish flakes.
Atami and the Izu Peninsula form one of Japan’s classic onsen belts, with lodgings ranging from traditional ryokan to seaside resorts. Waters vary from silky alkaline baths to soothing sulfur springs, pairing well with coastal views and slow travel itineraries.
Iconic stops include Miho no Matsubara for Fuji views over a pine-lined shore, Mishima Skywalk for a 400-meter suspension bridge panorama, and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its long stairway and ocean outlooks tied to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nature and history continue at Shiraito Falls, Nihondaira, Lake Hamanako, Kakegawa Castle, Hamamatsu Castle, the Fuji-no-Kuni Tea Museum, and the crystal-clear Kakita River Springs.
Polite requests and questions make sightseeing smoother. To ask someone to take a photo, use Shashin o totte moraemasu ka (しゃしんをとってもらえますか). When locating facilities, say Toire wa doko desu ka (トイレはどこですか). For ordering and takeout at cafés, Ocha kudasai (おちゃください) and Mochikaeri desu (もちかえりです) are natural. At restaurants, Osusume wa dore desu ka (おすすめはどれですか) helps you find a recommendation, while Wasabi nuite kudasai (わさびぬいてください) communicates a preference clearly.
Spring brings blossoms to parks, tea plantations, and coastlines, while summer suits beaches on Izu and lake activities around Hamanako. Autumn colors arrive in mountain temples and along tea hills, and mild winters reveal snow-capped Fuji from warm seaside towns and onsen.
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