Shizuoka Prefecture: Tea Culture, History and Nature

Shizuoka Prefecture brings together a long tradition of tea cultivation, historic sites and highly varied landscapes. You may be interested in places around Mount Fuji, cycling along Lake Hamana or discovering the history of castles and shrines. The season can also be important when planning your trip: some experiences are seasonal, while others can be planned for any time of year.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

From Tokyo, you can reach Shizuoka Station on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen in no more than an hour. Check the current schedules separately. Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport handles domestic and international flights operated by several airlines; you should also check specific destinations and times in advance. Another option is the ferry service between Shimizu and Izu Doi, recognized as the “Sea Route 223 (Fujisan).” Check the current departure times before your trip.

In Shizuoka City, Sunpu Castle Park is a prominent landmark for finding your way: it is about a 15-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station, depending on the route. Sunpu Castle was where Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu lived. The historical significance of the area is also reflected in Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. A ropeway connects it with Nihondaira; the shrine’s main building was designated a National Treasure of Japan in 2010. Check the current ropeway operating status before visiting.

Tea, Wasabi and Local Cuisine

Tea has been cultivated in Shizuoka since the mid-12th century; today, the prefecture is Japan’s leading tea-growing region. Tea culture is therefore a defining part of the region’s history. Wasabi also originated in Shizuoka. Eel farming is also well known in the Lake Hamana area. Tea, wasabi and eel farming represent different aspects of the region’s produce and food culture.

The Kamoso residence in Kamo Garden in Kakegawa, in the western part of the prefecture, offers a glimpse into the history of rural life. The house dates from the middle Edo period (1600–1868) and was the village headman’s residence. From late April to June, visitors can enjoy a bento wrapped in bamboo leaves there. It includes gardenia-dyed yellow rice, vegetables simmered in soy sauce and Shoyu no mi. As this is a seasonal offering, dates and availability may vary from year to year.

History and Nature Around Mount Fuji

Shizuoka’s attractions combine historical context with designated cultural and natural sites. Shiraito Falls is designated nationally as a place of scenic beauty and recognized as an official Natural Monument. Mount Fuji is inscribed as a World Heritage Site in the cultural heritage category. If you are interested in the mountain and its access routes, there are four trailheads to distinguish between: Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri and Gotemba. Mount Fuji extends across Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures; access conditions vary seasonally, so check in advance.

Landscapes beyond Mount Fuji also offer different perspectives on the prefecture. Okuoi is a prefectural natural area in northern Shizuoka, surrounded by mountains reaching heights of up to 2,000 meters. The Love Romance Road hiking trail starts at Sessokyo Onsen Station. It crosses the 240-meter-long Minami Alps Sesso Great Suspension Bridge, which hangs 13 meters above the water. Check trail conditions before your hike.

On the Way: Lakes, Railways and Seasonal Experiences

A 70-kilometer cycling route runs along Lake Hamana. Bicycles are available to rent at various stations; check current availability before your trip. For other activities, Lake Tanuki in the Asagiri Highlands is a good place for cycling, camping and fishing. The two places combine time outdoors with different focuses: an extended cycling trip at Lake Hamana, and several possible activities at Lake Tanuki.

Another way to experience the landscape is to travel on the Oigawa Railway. It passes through tea fields and connects Kanaya Station with Senzu; the journey takes about 70 minutes. Schedules may vary. If you want to combine a rail journey with nature, keep this approximate travel time in mind when planning.

Other experiences depend on the season. In winter, Izu Shaboten Zoo has its original Capybara Open-Air Bath at Capybara Rainbow Plaza; schedules and conditions vary from year to year. The Hamamatsu Chrysanthemum Convention takes place every year in November at Hamamatsu Flower Park, though dates and programs may vary from year to year. The winter zoo attraction and the November event are different seasonal occasions that you can check against your travel dates. At Fuji Safari Park, meanwhile, you can visit a wildlife reserve with free-roaming animals on the southern slopes of Mount Fuji, in Susono.

You can tailor your hotel search to the experiences you want to include in your trip to Shizuoka Prefecture.

Discover more destinations: Midaka, Ito, Fujinomiya, Higashiizu, Inatori Higashiizu, Fujieda, Nishiizu, Shimada, Atami, Shizuoka, Shimoda, Izunokuni, Hamamatsu, Numazu, Mishima, Kakegawa, Gotemba, Sunto District, Izu, Makinohara, Yaizu, Kosai, Iwata, Omaezaki, Fuji, Susono, Kamo District, Kannami, Minamiizu, Fukuroi and Kawazu.

For the broader travel overview: Japan.