- Shizuoka produces roughly 40 percent of Japan's total green tea output.
- The city is home to the deepest bay in Japan, Suruga Bay, which reaches depths of over 2,500 meters.
- It is the birthplace of the 'Shizuoka Hobby Show,' making the city a global hub for plastic model kit manufacturing.
- Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, spent his retirement years in Shizuoka, significantly influencing its urban development.
- The city holds a unique regional rivalry with neighboring Shimizu regarding local maritime culture and port identity.
About Shizuoka (city)
Shizuoka serves as a vital transit hub between Tokyo and Nagoya, distinguished by its proximity to Mount Fuji and the Suruga Bay. The city integrates deep historical roots, exemplified by the legacy of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Sumpu Castle Park, with a geography shaped by the lush tea plantations of the Nihondaira plateau. Visitors can explore the ancient rice-farming structures at the Toro Archaeological Site or take in panoramic city vistas from the Observation Platform 21st Floor of the Prefectural Office. It functions as a primary gateway to the Izu Peninsula and remains a major center for Japan's green tea production.
Highlights of Shizuoka (city)
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
Walk the reconstructed gates and moats that defined the life of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Historical places
View preserved artifacts and reconstructed dwellings from a Yayoi-period agricultural settlement.
Places of interest
Access the plateau via ropeway for expansive views of Suruga Bay and the iconic mountain silhouette.
Places of interest
Ascend to this municipal vantage point for a free, high-altitude perspective of the city layout.
Parks
Stroll this central thoroughfare known for its seasonal lighting displays and regular community events.
Museums
Experience a curated collection of modern art set against the lush natural backdrop of the surrounding hills.
Museums
Engage with interactive science exhibits designed to explain complex physical phenomena to visitors of all ages.
Zoos
Observe a diverse array of animals in an environment that emphasizes mountainous, open-air enclosures.
Top things to do in Shizuoka (city)
The 619 highest-rated places in Shizuoka (city), ranked by travellers.
1
Temples
Kunōzan Tōshōgū is the original burial site of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, and features...
2
Places of interest
Miho no Matsubara is a seven-kilometer coastline featuring over 30,000 black pine trees, recognized as a UNESCO World He...
3
Zoos
Nihondaira Zoo is renowned for its specialized breeding programs, particularly for its collection of red pandas and gian...
4
Parks
Sumpu Castle Park stands on the site of the former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate....
5
Places of interest
Nihondaira is a hilltop plateau in Shizuoka City that serves as a premier vantage point for panoramic views of Mt. Fuji...
6
Amusement parks
Chibi Maruko-chan Land is a dedicated permanent exhibition space located within the S-Pulse Dream Plaza shopping complex...
7
Museums
The Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art is renowned for its dedicated Rodin Wing, which houses a significant collection o...
8
Museums
The Tokai University Marine Science Center, also known as the Tokai University Marine Science Museum, is located on the...
9
Parks
Shimizu Nihondaira Sports Park is a large-scale municipal athletic complex located on the hills overlooking Suruga Bay i...
10
Historical places
The Toro Archaeological Site is a nationally designated Special Historic Site representing a unique Yayoi-period settlem...
11
Parks
Hirono Seaside Park is a coastal recreation area in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, centered around a large-scale pirate ship pla...
12
Museums
The Shizuoka City Museum of Art is located on the third floor of the Aoi Tower in the heart of Shizuoka City. The museum...
13
Places of interest
Nihondaira is a scenic plateau in Shizuoka Prefecture renowned for its unobstructed panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Su...
14
Museums
Shizuoka Science Museum RU KU RU is an interactive facility located on the 8th through 10th floors of the AOI Tower dire...
15
Museums
The Museum of Natural and Environmental History, Shizuoka focuses on the geological, biological, and ecological evolutio...
16
Parks
Aoba Symbol Road is a pedestrian-only promenade stretching through the downtown district of Shizuoka, serving as a centr...
17
Temples
Miho Shrine is a historic Shinto site located on the Miho Peninsula in Shizuoka, closely linked to the worship of Kogo-z...
18
Places of interest
The Observation Platform on the 21st floor of the Shizuoka Prefectural Office Annex provides a 360-degree panoramic view...
19
Parks
Johoku Park is a sprawling municipal park in Shizuoka City known for its extensive lawns, cherry blossom trees, and spor...
20
Parks
Shimizu Funakoshi Zutsumi Park is a municipal green space centered around a preserved historic reservoir in the Shimizu...
21
Temples
Seikenji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen temple located on the slopes of Mount Sessan in Shizuoka, overlooking Suruga Ba...
22
Parks
Tokiwa Park is a compact urban green space located in the heart of Shizuoka city, primarily serving as a recreational hu...
23
Temples
Kusanagi Shrine is historically significant as the site where Prince Yamato Takeru allegedly used the Kusanagi-no-tsurug...
24
Parks
Tenninmori Park is a coastal woodland area situated on the Miho Peninsula, famous for its proximity to the iconic Miho n...
25
Historical places
26
Museums
27
Parks
28
Natural attractions
29
Temples
30
Museums
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Shizuoka (city) on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Shizuoka (city)
Spring (late March to early April) for cherry blossoms or Autumn (October to November) for clear views of Mount Fuji.
2-3 days
The city is served by the Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu) and a comprehensive bus network, though many central districts are walkable.
Staying near Shizuoka Station provides the most convenient access for regional transit and central dining options.
Mid-range; costs are generally lower than in Tokyo, though transit for regional excursions adds to the total.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 619 curated attractions in and around Shizuoka (city), ranked by traveller ratings.
Kunōzan Tōshōgū is the highest-rated place to visit in Shizuoka (city) right now.
The largest category is temples, with 190 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toshima, Osaka, Kyoto.
Explore more of Japan
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
