How to Spend ONE to TWO DAYS in Shizuoka, Japan: The Best 1 to 2-Day Itinerary

Looking for the perfect one- or two-day Shizuoka itinerary? You’re in the right place!

Shizuoka is often overlooked in favor of Japan’s bigger cities, but we think spending a night or two here is well worth it. Even a day here gives you time to enjoy incredible Mount Fuji views and get a proper taste of the city’s famous green tea and local food. With two days, you can also explore more of central Shizuoka, from Sumpu Castle Park and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine to its quirky model-making scene. 

So whether you have one day or two, this itinerary covers the city’s biggest highlights, best food stops, and most memorable experiences without making your trip feel exhausting. Let’s get into it!

Itinerary Overview

We think Shizuoka deserves way more attention than it gets! Sitting between Tokyo and Nagoya, it’s an easy addition to a Japan itinerary and offers a fun mix of Mount Fuji views, green tea, history, and fantastic local food.

We spent two days here, which felt like the perfect amount of time to get a taste of the city without rushing. Getting around is pretty easy, but since some of the major sights are spread out, a little planning goes a long way.

We strongly recommend staying near Shizuoka Station. It’s the city’s main transport hub and makes getting around—and continuing to your next destination—much easier!

🗻 Day 1: Mount Fuji Views & Shizuoka Highlights
Explore Shizuoka’s biggest highlights on a private guided tour, including Nihondaira, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, and Miho no Matsubara, before finishing the day with Shizuoka oden on Aoba Oden Street.

⛩️ Day 2: Shrines, Castles & Green Tea
Today is self-guided and takes place in central Shizuoka, with stops at Sumpu Castle Park, Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, and Shizuoka Hobby Square, as well as lots of food and green tea along the way. 

Day 1

Breakfast – Gemminy’s 

You’ve got a busy day of sightseeing ahead, so start with a decent breakfast at Gemminy’s. This cozy little café serves American-inspired breakfasts using fresh local ingredients, and we think it’s a great choice for fueling up before your tour!

Gemminy’s opens at 9 am during the week, so we recommend arriving pretty much as the doors open. The café is small and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, plus this gives you a full hour to enjoy breakfast before meeting your guide at 10 am.

Just keep in mind that Gemminy’s is usually closed on Tuesdays. If your first day falls on a Tuesday, we’d recommend grabbing breakfast at your hotel instead so that you’re still ready to go by 10 am.

Morning/afternoon – Explore Shizuoka and Shimizu through the eyes of a local 

After breakfast at Gemminy’s, arrange to meet your guide nearby at around 10 am for this private Shizuoka sightseeing tour. You’ll have six hours together, which gives you plenty of time to explore some of the highlights outside the city center before wrapping up at around 4 pm.

This was our favorite thing we did in Shizuoka! We loved having a local guide to show us around, especially because there’s so much history here that we probably wouldn’t have appreciated on our own. 

And because the tour is completely private, it feels much more personal. You can ask loads of questions, spend longer somewhere you particularly like, and shape the day around your interests. However, we’ve got some suggestions on how to make the most of this experience.

We recommend asking your guide to include Nihondaira, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, and Miho no Matsubara. That gives you some of Shizuoka’s best Mount Fuji views, a major historic shrine, and the beautiful coastline without overlapping too much with what we’ve planned for day two. Plus, you’ll get to take the ropeway from Nihondaira to the shrine, which is both fun and scenic! Afterward, we recommend stopping for lunch at The Terrace before finishing the afternoon at Miho no Matsubara.

The standard tour uses public transport, but these stops are quite spread out, so we recommend messaging the tour operator in advance to request a private vehicle for the day. They can arrange this for you, so you don’t need to worry about figuring out the transport yourself!

Although it requires extra transport, we think this route gives you such a good introduction to Shizuoka. You’ll see some of its most spectacular scenery, learn about its Tokugawa history, and hopefully get your first look at Mount Fuji. Then tomorrow, with all of the major attractions ticked off, you’ll be able to see a more local side of Shizuoka, and do it at your own pace.

Late afternoon – Return to central Shizuoka

After a full day of sightseeing, head back to central Shizuoka and take a bit of time to recharge before dinner. We’d use this as a chance to head back to the hotel and rest for a while before dinner.

You could always head to a cafe for some caffeine to perk you up instead, but don’t try to cram anything else in here. You’ve covered a lot today, and dinner is going to be another experience in itself, so enjoy the downtime before heading back out for the evening!

Dinner – Try the famous Shizuoka oden down Aoba Oden Street

One of the things we love the most about Shizuoka is its food scene, and Aoba Oden Street and neighboring Aoba Yokocho are the best places in the city to get your fill of local food. Here, tiny oden restaurants sit beneath rows of glowing red lanterns, so it’s all very atmospheric!

Oden restaurants are casual little eateries specializing in Japanese comfort food. You’ll usually find a big pot of broth simmering away with lots of different ingredients inside, like eggs, tofu, fish cakes, daikon, and beef tendon. You then sit at the counter and order different items from the pot, which is such a fun way to eat.

Shizuoka’s version is famous for its distinctive almost-black broth, which is traditionally made with beef tendon and dark soy sauce. Don’t let the color scare you, though, because the flavor was much mellower than we expected!

One thing you have to try is kuro hanpen, or black hanpen. It’s a local specialty made with ground sardines or mackerel, bones included, which gives it a darker color and stronger flavor than the pale hanpen you’ll find elsewhere in Japan.

The best way to do this is to wander along the alley and choose whichever little place takes your fancy. You can order a few pieces at a time, so it doesn’t have to be an expensive night out. Just remember to bring cash, as many of the smaller restaurants don’t accept cards.

Evening – Stroll through central Shizuoka after dark

If you’ve still got some energy after dinner, take a wander along Aoba Symbol Road and through the nearby Gofukucho shopping streets. The route starts right beside the oden alleys, so there’s no need to go out of your way.

It’s a nice way to wind down after a busy first day, especially once the streets are lit up in the evening. You can stop for another drink if you fancy it, or just make your way back towards your hotel and call it a night.

Day 2

Breakfast – All Day Dining PERGOLA

For breakfast on day two, you can either eat at your hotel or head to All Day Dining PERGOLA inside Hotel Associa Shizuoka. It’s right by Shizuoka Station, so it’s a really convenient option before you start exploring the city center.

The buffet is a really nice introduction to Shizuoka’s local food scene too. We made a beeline for the little rice bowls topped with tuna and shirasu, along with the freshly made rice balls flavored with Yaizu bonito stock. They were so tasty, and it’s nice to get so much variety so early in the day. Breakfast here is also a good opportunity to try Shizuoka tea, which feels very appropriate when you’re in one of Japan’s most famous tea regions! 

There are plenty of Western options as well if you want something more familiar, but honestly, we’d lean local while you’ve got the chance. And save room for the Associa pudding made with Fuji spring water eggs, because that sounds far too good to leave behind.

Breakfast costs around 3,200 JPY ($20 USD) per person. We recommend arriving around 8 am so you can take your time, enjoy the buffet, and still be ready to head to Sumpu Castle Park by around 9:30 am.

Morning – Explore Sumpu Castle Park 

After breakfast, walk around 15 minutes from Hotel Associa Shizuoka to Sumpu Castle Park. If you’re interested in samurai history, this is one of the most important places to visit in central Shizuoka!

The park sits on the former grounds of Sunpu Castle, which is closely associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. After stepping down as shogun, Ieyasu returned to Sunpu and spent his later years here as Ōgosho, or retired shogun. But although he may have technically handed over the title, he still held a huge amount of political influence!

The original castle keep is long gone, but you can still see large sections of the moat and stone walls, which give you a good sense of just how enormous the complex once was. We also think the reconstructed Higashi Gomon Gate and Tatsumi Yagura are worth checking out if you want a bit more context.

You can walk around the main park for free, but you’ll need a ticket to go inside the reconstructed buildings. A combined ticket for the three paid facilities costs just 360 JPY, or around $2 USD, so it’s a really affordable way to explore some of Shizuoka’s most important history. We spent around 1.5 hours here, and then continued on to Shizuoka Sengen Shrine.

Late morning – Visit the colorful Shizuoka Sengen Shrine

From Sumpu Castle Park, it’s about a 15-minute walk to Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, and we think it’s well worth exploring. The complex is much more colorful than you might expect, with bright vermilion gates and beautifully lacquered shrine buildings.

There are seven shrines here in total, although the three main ones are Kanbe, Asama, and Otoshimioya. One detail we found especially interesting is that Tokugawa Ieyasu held his coming-of-age ceremony here while he was living as a hostage of the Imagawa clan, so the site ties in really nicely with the history you’ve already seen at Sumpu Castle Park.

You can spend around an hour wandering the grounds without rushing. If you’re keen to see everything, follow the Seven Shrine Pilgrimage, but if you’re short on time, you can just focus on the three principal shrines and the impressive Ohaiden worship hall.

Entry is free, which is always a bonus! Just bear in mind that the complex is undergoing a long-term restoration project, so some buildings may be covered or temporarily inaccessible when you visit.

Lunch – Tenbun Honten

By lunchtime, we recommend hopping in a taxi for the short ride to Tenbun Honten. You could walk from Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, but it takes around 20-25 minutes, so we decided to save our legs!

Tenbun has been around since 1879, so we’re not kidding when we say it’s a classic Shizuoka spot! Its signature tempura is made with seasonal seafood and vegetables, so this is the perfect place to try some local specialties without spending a fortune.

We went for the tempura rice bowl and thought it was a really good-value option at around 1,200 JPY ($7.50 USD), although there are larger set meals if you’ve worked up more of an appetite. Oh, and make sure to try sakura shrimp if they’re on the menu, as they’re from Suruga Bay! 

There’s also an English menu, so ordering here is nice and straightforward. Aim to get here at around 1 pm, so you’ve got a full hour for lunch before heading on to tea and dessert.

Early afternoon – Enjoy Shizuoka tea and Japanese sweets at T’s Green Omachi 

After lunch, it’s time for something sweet! T’s Green Omachi is just a few minutes away on foot, so head here for tea and dessert. 

The café is run by a local tea wholesaler, and since Shizuoka is Japan’s tea capital, this is the perfect opportunity to try some of the good stuff. You can choose from deep-steamed Shizuoka green tea, matcha, or even Japanese black tea.

Of course, we’re not just here for the tea. The café is also known for its Japanese sweets, especially the grilled and fried dango. In summer, you can cool down with shaved ice flavored with matcha, sencha, hojicha, or Japanese black tea instead.

Budget around 1,000 to 1,500 JPY ($6–$10 USD) for tea and a generous dessert set. There’s also a little shop selling tea and teaware, so have a browse before you leave if you fancy taking some Shizuoka tea home with you!

Late afternoon – Discover why Shizuoka is Japan’s model kit capital

After tea, walk about 20 minutes to Shizuoka Station to visit Shizuoka Hobby Square. This is quite a change of pace from the shrines, castles, and tea we’ve focused on so far, but that’s exactly why we think it’s worth including!

Shizuoka actually has a big model-making industry. The city originally became known for producing wooden models before local manufacturers began making plastic kits during the 20th century. Today, huge names like Tamiya, Bandai, Aoshima, and Hasegawa all have connections to the area.

At Hobby Square, you can browse everything from model cars and trains to aircraft, ships, and robots, as well as displays of traditional Shizuoka crafts. Even if you’re not someone who usually gets excited about model kits, it’s a fun insight into a completely different side of the city.

Best of all, the permanent exhibition is free! There’s also a shop where you can pick up locally made model kits if something catches your eye. Then afterward, head back to your hotel for a rest and freshen up before your final dinner in Shizuoka.

Dinner – Fugetsuro

For your final dinner in Shizuoka, head to Fugetsuro, the former residence of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, Japan’s final shogun. It’s set around a beautiful traditional garden, so it feels really special without being miles away from the city center.

We think the regular Fugetsuro Restaurant is the best choice for most travelers. Dinner costs around 4,840 JPY ($30 USD) per person and includes seasonal starters, chawanmushi, and your choice of a main dish. You can go for sashimi, tempura, Japanese beef steak, or teppan-grilled bluefin tuna.

If you’re celebrating something special, though, you can upgrade to Ryotei Fugetsu instead. This is the more traditional option, with a multi-course kaiseki dinner served in a private Japanese room. Prices start from around 13,310 JPY ($84 USD) per person, so it’s definitely more of a splurge.

Either way, the garden setting and incredible food make this the perfect place to end your two days in Shizuoka. Whichever menu you choose, be sure to book ahead, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend!

Evening – Enjoy a relaxed final stroll through Shizuoka

After dinner, take a slow walk back towards Shizuoka Station and enjoy the city center after dark. It’s a nice way to wind down after a full second day without trying to squeeze in one last attraction. And if you’re not quite ready for the trip to be over, you can always stop for a final drink somewhere near the station. Otherwise, just enjoy the walk back to your hotel and call it a night.

Related Read: Want even more ideas for your trip? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Shizuoka for all of our favorite activities and experiences!

Where to Stay in Shizuoka 

So now that you’ve got your Shizuoka itinerary planned, you just need a great place to stay! We recommend staying near Shizuoka Station, as it puts you within easy reach of trains and buses for day trips while keeping you close to the city’s restaurants and main attractions. With that in mind, here are our top hotel picks for different budgets:

Hotel Associa Shizuoka – $$$

Hotel Associa Shizuoka is our top pick if you want a more upscale stay in the city. Its biggest advantage is the location, as it sits right next to Shizuoka Station, which is incredibly handy for exploring the wider region or arriving by Shinkansen.

The rooms are spacious and polished, with big windows overlooking the city, and several on-site restaurants serve everything from Japanese cuisine to Italian food.

We think it’s a great option if you want somewhere comfortable to come back to after a busy day of sightseeing, while still being right in the heart of Shizuoka. Rooms typically cost around 16,000–40,000 JPY ($110–$270 USD) per night, depending on the room and travel dates. Check prices for your dates and book your stay on Booking.com!

HOTEL GRAND HILLS SHIZUOKA – $

HOTEL GRAND HILLS SHIZUOKA is another fantastic choice close to Shizuoka Station. In fact, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the south exit, so you really couldn’t ask for a more convenient base!

The rooms are comfortable, and many have fantastic views across the city, especially from the higher floors. There are also several restaurants on-site, while the area around the station has plenty more places to eat. We think this hotel hits the sweet spot if you want somewhere that feels a little special without going full-on luxury.

Rooms generally start from around JPY 10,000 ($70 USD) per night, although rates vary depending on your dates and room choice. Check availability and book your stay here!

HOTEL OLE INN – $

HOTEL OLE INN is our favorite budget pick in Shizuoka, although it certainly doesn’t feel bare-bones! Quite the contrary, in fact – it boasts modern, stylish rooms with trendy, soft lighting and a sauna to unwind in.

It’s around a 10-minute walk from Shizuoka Station, so you’re still in a really convenient location for sightseeing and day trips. Plus, a super generous breakfast buffet is included, which makes the already reasonable rates even better value.

If you’d rather save your yen for tours, tea, and lots of Shizuoka oden, we think this is a fantastic choice! Rooms typically start from around 11,000 JPY ($75 USD) per night, with breakfast included. Read the glowing reviews and book this awesome, budget-friendly stay here!

For even more options, check out all the hotels in Shizuoka here!

Thanks for reading!

Shizuoka ended up being such a memorable addition to our Japan travels! Seeing Mount Fuji was incredible, of course, but we also loved discovering the city’s tea culture, local food, and deep connection to samurai history. Whether you have one day or two, we hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time here!

Ready to keep planning? Browse our other Japan travel blogs for even more tried-and-tested itineraries, tours, and travel tips. We’ve also linked a few of our favorite guides below to help with your next stop!

How to Spend ONE to TWO DAYS in Yokohama, Japan: The Best 1 to 2-Day Itinerary

Where to Stay in Nagoya, Japan: 4 Best Areas & Hotels

How to Spend ONE to THREE DAYS in Nagoya, Japan: The Best 1 to 3-Day Itinerary