Shizuoka oden静岡おでん
Oden in a dark beef-stock broth with black hanpen fish cake, sprinkled with fish powder and aonori.
Chubu
Shizuoka Travel Guide
Local tips, regional food and places off the tourist trail
A long Pacific-coast prefecture on the south side of Mt Fuji. Come for Fuji views, the hot springs and coastline of the Izu Peninsula, and green tea country.
Open Shizuoka on the map40 places on the map · 5 local favourites
Local tips
- TipThe Tokaido Shinkansen crosses the prefecture, but many stations are served only by Kodama or Hikari trains.
- TipThe Izu Peninsula is slow to cross; the coastal train is scenic, but a car is easier for the west coast.
- TipFuji is clearest on winter mornings; in summer it is often hidden behind cloud.
- DoSee the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms on the Izu Peninsula in late winter.
- TipFor a quieter onsen town, try Shuzenji in central Izu, with a bamboo grove path along the river.
What to eat
Sakura ebi桜えび
Tiny pink shrimp from Suruga Bay, eaten as crunchy kakiage tempura or over rice.
Hamamatsu gyoza浜松餃子
Pan-fried dumplings arranged in a circle with boiled bean sprouts in the middle.
Local favourites
Places mostly visited by people who live here — quieter, and often the highlight of a trip.
Nakatajima Sand Dunes
中田島砂丘 Nature & SceneryOne of Japan's largest sand dune areas, on the Hamamatsu coast. Loggerhead turtles nest here in summer; locals come for sunset and kite flying.
● Mostly localsSekibeya (Abekawa Mochi)
石部屋 Local FoodTiny old shop by the Abe River serving Abekawa mochi, soft rice cakes in kinako and sweet bean paste, made fresh to order. A Shizuoka classic.
● Mostly localsToro Ruins
登呂遺跡 Sights & HistoryReconstructed Yayoi-period village of rice fields and raised storehouses in Shizuoka City, with a museum where you can try on ancient clothes.
● Mostly localsRyotanji Temple
龍潭寺 Temples & GoshuinchoTemple of the Ii clan in Hamamatsu, with a beautiful Zen garden designed by Kobori Enshu. A calm stop near Lake Hamana.
● Mostly localsSunpu Takumishuku
駿府の工房 匠宿 ShoppingCraft centre in Shizuoka City where you can try dyeing, woodwork and lacquer with local artisans.
● Mostly localsThe famous sights
The places most visitors come for. Worth it — just go early.
Atami Onsen
熱海温泉 Hot SpringsHot-spring resort by the sea, popular again with young Japanese for its retro shopping streets, pudding shops and fireworks over the bay.
Shiraito Falls, Fujinomiya
白糸の滝 富士宮 Nature & SceneryWide curtain of hundreds of thin falls pouring out of a cliff of Mount Fuji spring water. Walk a few minutes further to see the thundering Otodome Falls too.
Souvenirs to bring home
Shizuoka green tea, unagi pie biscuits and wasabi-zuke (wasabi pickled in sake lees).
When to go
Winter for clear Fuji views and early cherry blossoms, spring for tea, summer for Izu beaches; watch for typhoons in late summer.