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City in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Shizuoka (静岡) is the capital city of Shizuoka prefecture in Japan's Chubu region. In 2005, Shizuoka absorbed the neighboring city of Shimizu (清水).
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三保の松原
A spot on the Miho peninsula with pine trees and views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. One of Japan's New Three Views.
日本平
A 308-meter hill in central Shizuoka, with good views of Mt. Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Shimizu Bay and more.
久能山東照宮
The actual burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Dynasty. (His official mausoleum is at Nikko.) Most structures here date from 1617.
駿府城 sunpu-jō
The castle has not been restored, but the restored guard house is very interesting. The original castle was started in 1585 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that de facto ruled Japan during the Edo Period. In 1607, Tokugawa Ieyasu retired as shogun and started repairing and expanding the original castle. The tower and other buildings that now exist were constructed following blueprints from the 1630s. There is a lifelike statue of Tokugawa and many small replicas of the castles and surrounding buildings, as well as a small but beautiful display of dolls. Nearby is a children's park and a garden with a tea ceremony available. Certainly a place to explore if you have a couple of hours or more to spare.
安倍の大滝
A popular waterfall, considered to be one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls.
登呂博物館
A recreated Yayoi Period village with an accompanying museum with exhibits, artifacts, and information about the Yayoi Period. In addition, they offer a variety of experiences where visitors can try their hand at performing various tasks in the Yayoi way.
吐月峰柴屋寺
A Muromachi Period temple known for its garden.
静岡市美術館
Features a variety of special exhibits along with its own permanent exhibits.
静岡市東海道広重美術館
Utagawa Hiroshige is one of Japan's most renowned ukiyoe artists, and among his most famous works were those of the 53 stations of the Tokaido Road. Six of the stations are located within present-day Shizuoka City, and the museum is located where Yui Station (Yui-shuku) once stood. The museum focuses on the entirety of the collection, not just those in the city, as well as other works by Hiroshige. This was the first art museum built in Japan dedicated to Hiroshige's works.
静岡浅間神社
It was originally called Kanbe Shrine and served as the tutelary shrine of the former Suruga Province and was later made a Sengen Shrine (shrines dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji). Tokugawa Ieyasu had the shrine rebuilt near Sunpu Castle for easy access. Over 26 of the structures are designated National Important Cultural Properties.
次郎長生家
This is the former residence of local yakuza member, Shimizu no Jirocho. He inherited a rice-selling business after the death of his uncle but later started a gambling business and built up enough influence to take territories along the river and around Shimizu port. Although the port was already bustling, his contributions helped further develop the local area and industry.
田中城, Tanaka-jō
Built in 1537 by the Imagawa clan, and demolished in 1871. The current structures include remnants of the moats and stonework, as well as a large yagura, reconstructed in 1992 to serve as a local history museum.
待月楼
In business since the Taisho era, this is one of the premier restaurants to try Shizuoka's tororo-jiru (mountain yam soup). It's located in the historic Mariko area, a former station (Mariko-juku) along the Tokaido Road.
ステッピンカフェ
A popular burger joint. They have a signature "Steppin Burger" but also have over 15 other burgers, including avocado burgers, teriyaki burgers, and Shizuoka Maguro Burgers.
鰻魚治
A restaurant specializing in Shizuoka's famous eel (unagi) dishes.
焼津港みなみ
specialty restaurant for tuna, and it should be rare to see here without a line in front of the restaurant.
フリーキーショウ
One of the finest local places to drink in downtown Shizuoka. The bar often features local live entertainment on weekends but has limited seating so arrive early. The menu is not typical of most Japanese izakaya instead focusing on a more eclectic mix of western and European fare. All menu items and drinks are reasonably priced with no tax or cover charge. Recommended are the Godzilla Burger and White Russian. The proprietor, Toshiyuki Kosaka, is also reasonably fluent in English so foreigners visiting the area will have little trouble communicating with the staff.
ヒッピーシェイク
Caters to foreigners, giving them discounts or sometimes free food. It's got great atmosphere and an inventive menu of original cocktails.
オレンジホテル
This is a barebones but reasonable business hotel. Breakfast is available in the restaurant on the ground floor.
野草や＆風流
A backpacker's hostel.
アソシア
Non-smoking rooms available.
ホテルドルフ静岡
In-room LAN, non-smoking rooms, and shuttle bus service to the station are available.
ホテルガーデンスクエア静岡
Modern hotel with minimal, well designed rooms. Free in-room internet access.
サンパレスホテル
Clean and nice mid-range business hotel. Has a laundry room.
日本平ホテル
Located in Nihondaira, the hotel has a perfect view of Shizuoka, Suruga Bay, and Mountain Fuji. Luxury restaurants are also available. You may want to buy your everyday needs from downtown, since Nihondaira lacks convenience stores. Notice that you can't see Mountain Fuji from standard rooms.
By plane
Buses run from Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport to the Shizuoka train station in about an hour at a cost of ¥1000.
By train
You can ride all of these trains for free with the Japan Rail Pass.
By bus
From Tokyo, JR/Shizutetsu Sunpu Liner buses run every 1-2 hours from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), arriving at the Shizuoka train station in 3 hours (¥2930).
By car
There are two expressways in Shizuoka: The Tomei Expressway (E1) in southern Shizuoka and the Shin-Tōmei Expressway (E1A) in the northern suburbs.
The Shizutetsu train line runs from Shin-Shizuoka station in the Cenova shopping mall to Shin-Shimizu station. It is worth noting that none of the stations are integrated into the JR train system.
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