Shizuoka: Castle History, Shrines and Tea

Shizuoka brings together several specific points of interest for travelers interested in history, shrine traditions and tea. Sunpu Castle Park is connected with Tokugawa Ieyasu’s later years; Shizuoka Sengen Shrine refers to an earlier period in his life and to a pilgrimage to seven shrines. The Shizuoka City History Museum adds to the historical perspective. Visitors can enjoy tea and wagashi at Momijiyama Garden. These topics have different focuses, which you can distinguish as you plan your trip.

Walk to the Shizuoka City History Museum

It takes 15 minutes to walk from the north exit of Shizuoka Station to the Shizuoka City History Museum. This walking time gives you a specific reference point if you would like to include the museum in your plans for your stay. Check the walking time again before your trip.

Sunpu Castle Park and Castle History

Sunpu Castle Park occupies the site of Sunpu Castle, where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his later years after retiring as shogun. The park’s connection to Ieyasu is therefore clearly defined in biographical and chronological terms. The restored Higashigomon and Tatsumi Yagura structures were renovated as exhibition facilities to present the castle’s history based on the latest research. Two distinct approaches come together here: the place where Ieyasu spent his later years and the exhibition perspective on the castle’s history. Those interested in the historical context can distinguish the personal connection to the site from the presentation of the castle’s history.

Shizuoka Sengen Shrine: Biography and Pilgrimage

Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is associated with the coming-of-age ceremony held for Tokugawa Ieyasu while he was a hostage of the Imagawa family. This refers to an earlier period in his life than his later years at Sunpu Castle. In addition, the pilgrimage to the seven shrines at Shizuoka Sengen Shrine includes a circuit of all seven shrines there. The biographical connection and the circuit are therefore two distinct subjects at the same place: one refers to an earlier period in Ieyasu’s life, while the other describes a specific activity for visitors. If you are interested in Ieyasu’s history, you can use the chronological distinction between the two places as a guide.

Tea and Wagashi at Momijiyama Garden

Momijiyama Garden has a teahouse where visitors can enjoy tea and wagashi. Wagashi is traditional Japanese confectionery. Tea is therefore the focus here, making it different in theme from the castle’s history and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine’s connection to Ieyasu. For travelers who are also interested in traditional sweets, the combination of a teahouse, tea and wagashi offers a distinct point of interest in the garden.

Use Your Travel Interests as a Guide

When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you are more interested in castle history, Ieyasu’s biography, the circuit of seven shrines, or tea and wagashi. These topics give your stay different areas of focus. If you are looking for a hotel in Shizuoka, you can then compare specific offers based on your personal accommodation requirements.

Discover more destinations: Inatori Higashiizu, Susono, Kakegawa, Kamo District, Kawazu, Makinohara, Omaezaki, Fuji

For the broader travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.