© istock/Sean Pavone
© istock/Sean Pavone

Shizuoka


Situated midway between Tokyo and Nagoya, in the Chubu Region of the island of Honshu, Shizuoka is one the central Japanese prefectures. The capital city of this prefecture is Shizouka, while the biggest city is Hamamatsu....

Stretched along the coast of the Pacific Ocean until the Izu Peninsula and Suruga Bay, Shizuoka Prefecture features some of the iconic symbols of Japan, such as Mt. Fuji and Lake Hamana. From the splendid Japan Alps and the iconic Mt. Fuji to popular seaside resorts of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka shows us its two distinct faces. Shizuoka’s mountainous side with its deep forests and lush tea plantations offer some great hiking trails with irresistible rolling vistas. When it comes to Mt. Fuji, head to Nihondaira Plateau to have the best views on Japan’s most recognizable symbol. At the same time, this sunny region has stunning white-sand beaches, clear waters and craggy coastlines along the Izu Peninsula. Besides coastal resort towns, this area is famous for its abundant onsen, so don’t miss two of Japan’s top three onsen resorts in Atami and Ito, where you can refresh your body and mind. When in Shizuoka city, all culture lovers must visit some of the world-class art museums and Sumpu Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s greatest warlord.