Shizuoka

Located between Tokyo and Nagoya on Japan’s Pacific coast, Shizuoka is a very varied prefecture offering Mount Fuji views, green tea landscapes, hot-spring resorts, and a long, scenic coastline. Its position along the Tokaido shinkansen route makes it a practical addition to a conventional Golden Route itinerary, particularly for clients looking to break up the journey between Tokyo and Kyoto with a regional stay. Its particular strengths are tea culture, the Izu Peninsula, and the opportunity to experience Mount Fuji from a different perspective, and whilst enjoying different activities. 

The prefecture offers several distinct areas. The Mount Fuji region, around Fujinomiya and the western foothills of the mountain, provides opportunities for scenic exploration, including Shiraito Falls, rural landscapes, and tea-growing areas. Visits can be combined with local shrines and experiences with regional producers. 

Shizuoka City is a useful base for exploring the prefecture’s tea culture and history. The surrounding area produces some of Japan’s best-known green tea, and experiences can include visiting tea fields, learning about production, and tasting locally grown varieties. Nearby, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine provides an important historical connection to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Shizuoka also benefits from its coastal location, with fresh seafood including tuna and sakura shrimp from Suruga Bay.

Further east, the Izu Peninsula offers a contrasting experience, with rugged coastal scenery, beaches, hot-spring towns, and traditional ryokan accommodation. Atami is particularly convenient for travellers arriving from Tokyo, or indeed returning from points further west before flying home from Tokyo. Other parts of the peninsula like Ito, Shuzenji, or Izu Kogen offer a more relaxed resort atmosphere. The area suits clients looking for scenic drives, bathing experiences, and quality accommodation away from the major cities. However, winding roads and the peninsula’s geography can make journeys slower than perhaps expected, so it is definitely worth selecting a specific area rather than attempting to cover too much of the peninsula in a short stay.

Shizuoka is also known for its regional food, including green tea, seafood, wasabi, and Fujinomiya yakisoba. These provide useful additions to food-focused itineraries and can be combined with tea experiences or visits to local producers. 

Transport is one of Shizuoka’s advantages, with shinkansen stations connecting major centres along the Tokaido corridor. However, many of the most distinctive experiences, particularly on the Izu Peninsula and around Mount Fuji, require local trains, buses, or private transport. For most clients, one or two nights in a carefully selected area will provide a more rewarding experience than trying to cover the entire prefecture. Like so much of more rural, car-based Japan, a Shizuoka stay is really unlocked with a good local driver and guide. With sensible routing, Shizuoka offers a strong combination of scenery, regional food, hot-spring culture, and Japanese history, making it a versatile addition to a Golden Route itinerary.

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