8 Best Things to do in Shizuoka, Japan

Planning a trip to Shizuoka and wondering what to do? You’re in the right place.

Shizuoka is best known for its incredible views of Mount Fuji, but there’s so much more to this part of Japan than the mountain alone! The city is also famous for green tea, ancient sites, and beautiful coastal scenery, so it’s ideal for a relaxing retreat from Tokyo. 

To help you plan your trip, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Shizuoka. We’ve included our favorite tours and cultural experiences, as well as must-try foods and even some samurai history. Let’s dive in!

Shizuoka at a Glance 

Shizuoka sits between Tokyo and Kyoto, making it an easy addition to any Japan itinerary. With Mount Fuji views, historic sights, and famous green tea, there’s plenty to explore! A few local tips will help you plan your time and make getting around even easier.

Important Tip: Mount Fuji views depend on the weather, so keep your plans flexible!

Getting around: Central Shizuoka is easy to explore, but many of the best viewpoints are further out. Trains and buses will get you around, while taxis and guided tours are handy for combining several scenic spots in one day.

How long to stay: We recommend spending 2–3 days in Shizuoka. This gives you time to explore the historic center, visit the coast, and hopefully catch some amazing Mount Fuji views.

What to try: Shizuoka is one of Japan’s most famous tea-producing regions, so don’t leave without trying some local green tea! A tea tasting is a fun way to experience one of the region’s specialties.

How I Would Spend Three Days in Shizuoka

🗻 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.

Things to do in Shizuoka

1) Try three ancient Japanese traditions in one afternoon

One of the things we were most excited to do in Shizuoka was experience traditional Japanese culture, and this private tour was such a good way to do it. In just one afternoon, we tried Zen meditation, matcha, and calligraphy, while also visiting two beautiful temples around Shimizu.

We started at Seiken-ji Temple, which has over 1,000 years of history and is closely connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the legendary military leader. We loved wandering around the peaceful grounds and learning more about how the temple fits into Japan’s samurai history before moving on to Zuiun-in.

This was where the experience became much more hands-on. We joined a guided zazen meditation session with a Zen monk, then sat down in a tatami room for premium matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets. After that, we tried calligraphy, which was probably our favorite part! We chose kanji characters based on the sounds and meanings of our names, then learned how to write them properly with brush and ink.

Best of all, we got to create our own traditional hanging scroll to take home. We always love activities where you actually learn something rather than just watch, and this felt really personal and memorable. So if you want to experience several classic Japanese traditions while you’re in Shizuoka, we think this tour is hard to beat!

2) Spend the day chasing shrines, parks, and Fuji views

This tour was our favorite thing we did in Shizuoka, and if you only book one experience here, we’d make it this one! Rather than following a fixed itinerary, we got to choose 3-4 places that interested us most, and our guide helped us put together a route that made sense.

Of course, Mount Fuji was high on our list! We headed towards Nihondaira, where you can see Fuji rising beyond the tea fields with Suruga Bay below. We also visited Miho no Matsubara, a gorgeous stretch of coastline lined with thousands of pine trees. On a clear day, the combination of the coast, pine forest, and Mount Fuji in the distance is about as quintessentially Japanese as it gets.

But we loved that this tour wasn’t just about chasing Fuji views. You can add loads of historic places to your itinerary, including Shizuoka Sengen Shrine and Sumpu Castle Park, which was once home to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Having a private guide made such a difference because we could ask a million questions and spend more time at the places we were most interested in. Plus, they handled the logistics of getting between each stop using public transport or taxis, so we didn’t have to faff around figuring everything out ourselves.

Just remember that Mount Fuji likes to play hard to get! Views are weather-dependent, but honestly, we loved this day so much that we’d still recommend the tour even if the clouds don’t cooperate. The mix of scenery, history, and flexibility made it the highlight of our time in Shizuoka!

3) Walk beneath the pines at Miho no Matsubara 

For one of the most beautiful free things to do in Shizuoka, head to Miho no Matsubara. This long stretch of coastline is lined with thousands of pine trees, with Suruga Bay on one side and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji rising in the distance.

We love that this gives you a completely different Fuji experience from the higher-up viewpoints around Shizuoka. Instead of looking out from a mountain or observation deck, you’re down at sea level, with the dark shoreline and iconic Fuji peak all in the same view. It’s easy to see why this landscape has inspired Japanese art and poetry for centuries!

To learn more, we highly recommend visiting the nearby Miho Shirube cultural center while you’re here. It’s completely free and explains more about the relationship between Miho no Matsubara and Mount Fuji, along with the famous Hagoromo legend and the efforts being made to preserve the pine forest.

And because both the coastline and cultural center are free, we think that this is an ideal activity to add to your Shizuoka itinerary. Just remember, as ever, Mount Fuji may or may not decide to make an appearance!

4) Cross into Hakone for a day of epic scenery

We’ve been to Hakone ourselves, and it’s easily one of our favorite places to escape into the Japanese countryside! This beautiful mountain town is famous for its hot springs and volcanic landscapes, and it also offers fantastic views of Fuji. There’s a lot to see, though, which is exactly why we think this private Hakone tour is such a good option.

Instead of navigating Hakone’s network of trains, buses, boats, and cable cars yourself, you’ll have a private vehicle and licensed guide for the day. The itinerary is customizable, so you can choose the places that interest you most. We’d definitely prioritize Lake Ashi, where you can get that classic view of Mount Fuji rising behind the water on a clear day, and Hakone Shrine, which is tucked away among the trees beside the lake.

Another must is Owakudani, an active volcanic valley where steam and sulfurous gases rise dramatically from the mountainside. You can even try the famous black eggs, which are cooked in the naturally hot volcanic water! We were also blown away by the Hakone Ropeway and its spectacular views over Owakudani and Lake Ashi.

We also love that Hakone has a fantastic art scene. The Open-Air Museum is particularly famous, but you can choose from several museums depending on your interests.

Hakone is absolutely worth visiting, and with a private guide and driver, you can spend your day enjoying it rather than faffing around figuring out how to get from A to B!

5) Step into Shizuoka’s samurai past at Sumpu Castle Park

If you’re interested in samurai history, Sumpu Castle Park 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. He may have technically handed over the title, but he still held significant political influence, which makes this much more than just another old castle site.

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 more context.

You can walk around the main park for free, but you have to pay to go inside the reconstructed buildings. A combined ticket for the three paid facilities costs 360 JPY ($2 USD), so it’s an easy, affordable way to explore Japanese history. 

6) Sip through the flavors of Japan’s tea capital 

If you love green tea, you really couldn’t pick a better place to drink it than Shizuoka! The prefecture is one of Japan’s most important tea-producing regions, and this full-day tour takes you beyond just ordering a cup in a café to see where it actually comes from.

The highlight is a visit to Moriuchi Tea Farm, a family-run plantation dating back to the Edo Period. The current owners are the ninth generation of the family to run the farm, so they bring a wealth of knowledge and tradition. You’ll explore the hillside plantation and taste different seasonal green teas while learning how they’re grown and brewed. Even if you’re not usually a huge tea drinker, this experience will probably convert you!

You’ll also stop for a fresh seafood lunch near one of Japan’s biggest tuna ports (yum!), before heading to Nihondaira Yume Terrace. The observation deck offers panoramic views across Shizuoka, and on a clear day, you’ll be able to see Mount Fuji rising dramatically in the distance.

The final stop is the Nippondaira Hotel, where you can relax in the gorgeous lounge and admire yet another incredible view of Fuji through the floor-to-ceiling windows. We think this tour is such a lovely way to experience a quieter, more traditional side of Shizuoka. Plus, between the family-run tea farm, local seafood, and spectacular scenery, it really showcases what this part of Japan is all about!

7) Trace 2,000 years at the Toro Ruins 

If you want to go way further back than samurai history, then head to the Toro Ruins! This archaeological site preserves the remains of a Yayoi-period settlement dating back roughly 2,000 years, and it’s one of Japan’s best-known ancient sites.

What makes it especially fun to visit is that this isn’t just a case of staring at foundations in the ground and trying to imagine what used to be there. The site includes reconstructed pit dwellings and rice paddies, so you can actually get a sense of what everyday life looked like for the people who lived here.

We especially liked the raised-floor storehouses, designed to protect food and grain from moisture and pests. It definitely made everything feel a lot more real! You also get some great views of Mount Fuji, which doesn’t hurt either.

The outdoor Toro Ruins Park is completely free and open around the clock, and if you want more context, you can head into the adjacent Shizuoka City Toro Museum. The museum goes much deeper into the site’s archaeology and history, and the permanent exhibition costs only 300 JPY (around $1.90 USD). It’s very affordable for such an important site, and in our opinion, it’s one of the best places in Shizuoka to understand what life in ancient Japan was actually like.

8) Eat your way through 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, making for a very atmospheric scene!

Oden restaurants are casual little eateries specializing in Japanese comfort food. You’ll usually find a big pot of broth simmering with lots of different ingredients inside, like eggs, tofu, fish cakes, and vegetables. You then sit at the counter and order different items from the pot – it’s quite a unique way of dining.

However, Shizuoka’s version is famous for its distinctive almost-black broth. It’s traditionally made with ingredients including beef tendon and dark soy sauce, so oden here is quite different from what you’ll find elsewhere in the country. Don’t let the color scare you, though, as the flavor was much mellower than we expected!

One oden ingredient you have to try is kuro hanpen, or black hanpen. It’s a Shizuoka specialty made by grinding fish such as sardines and mackerel into a paste, bones included, giving it a darker color and stronger flavor than the pale hanpen you’ll find elsewhere in Japan.

Best of all, you can order just a few pieces at a time, so this can be a really affordable night out. Just remember to bring some cash, as many of the tiny restaurants don’t accept cards!

Related Read: Not sure how to fit everything in? Check out our Shizuoka itinerary to see exactly how we spent two fun-filled days exploring the city!

Where to Stay in Shizuoka 

So now that you know what to get up to in Shizuoka, 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 may be famous for its Mount Fuji views, but we loved discovering just how much more there is to experience here! One minute you’re sipping green tea at a family-run farm, the next you’re wandering through samurai history, eating oden beneath glowing lanterns, or strolling along the coast with Fuji in the distance. It’s a beautiful, laid-back part of Japan that definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Hopefully, you’re now just as excited to explore Shizuoka as we were! If you’re planning a bigger trip, check out all of our Japan blogs here, or keep scrolling for a few more of our favorite guides to help plan your adventure.

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

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

The 15 Best Ryokans in Hakone