Shizuoka Overview
Shizuoka Prefecture is one of my favourite places to explore for a weekend away or a mini staycation at a Ryokan. Many of the ryokans I’ve stayed at, are in this prefecture. One side of the prefecture is mainly known for its glorious beautiful nature, stunning waterfalls, delicious local food and views of Fuji. This little post is just to whet your appetite of all the beauty Shizuoka has to offer, I plan to write more detailed posts when I have some spare time.
There is such rich history in Shizuoka, as it lies on the Old Tokaido Road (for which the Tokaido shinkansen is named for). The old Tokaido road linked the imperial capital of Kyoto to it’s modern capital of Edo (now Tokyo), allowing commerce and trade to flourish. The 53 stations of the Old Tokaido Road (go read my travel article if you feel like a bit of history) have been immortalized in the beautiful ukiyo-e works of Hiroshige Utagawa, and are famed throughout Japan.
Shizuoka Prefecture also has many sinise businesses (Japanese family-run businesses that are over 100years old, and with descendants still living today) often in local agriculture like green tea and sake.
Did you know that besides Kyoto, the only geisha school is in Izu Nagaoka?
Was lucky to meet this beautiful lady on one of my trips and here her talk about the Izu Nagaoka school.
The Izu side of Shizuoka is one of my favourite areas to stay for Ryokans, there are a plethora of them along the way, many at Atami, Izu Nagaoka and Shuzenji areas due to the plentiful amount of hot springs residing there.
You will find that many of the ones I’ve stayed at tend to be more around Izu Nagaoka, as it’s a little bit more off the beaten track. Atami is extremely popular with locals as many also have holiday homes there. Shuzenji area is still on my list to stay at.
Views from the terrace and sipping delicious matcha
That’s Fuji-san hiding behind the clouds. She’s shy. Mount Fuji is always referred to as a ‘she’, as to the Japanese she’s a mountain goddess. There are many tales and legends surround her which I absolutely adore.
There is so much to see and do in Shizuoka Prefecture, and it’s often bypassed for the more popular Kyoto, Nara and other cities well known on the tourist trail.
If you have the time on your travels in Japan, or you live in Tokyo and need a respite away; Shizuoka area is such a gem, there are beautiful old temples like Mishima - Taisha, abundant green tea fields (in which you can also pick your own tea leaves and make it right there - season depending) and the opportunity to really see local countryside life in Japan.
PS. If you are a tourist here and you hold the JR PASS, the stations along the Tokaido Road are eligible for JR PASS use. Shizuoka Prefecture has the most shinkansen train stations in any of the prefectures of Japan - 6! So it’s a perfect place to have a base to explore this wide countryside.
Lake Tanuki in Shizuoka
Spent an afternoon cycling around this quiet lake with magnificent views of Fuji, no other tourists at all, finished with a bbq and some delicious red wine made with Fuji’s water.
One of the local folklore tales state that whenever Fuji has her umbrella about her (the ring of clouds at her peak) - it means the next day will rain or snow…. and indeed it did.
Quiet views of Fuji-san in all her beautiful glory, with absolutely no one else around! If you wish to see Fuji without the crowds, Shizuoka area is definitely an option. Majority of people will visit Hakone or Yamanashi area to try and see her however people seem unaware that Fuji-san actually lies on the borders of three prefectures - one of them Shizuoka.
Remember: You can only see Fuji on a clear winter’s day, so December - February are probably your best bets. I went on 3 trips to Shizuoka area during those months, and I was so fortunate that every time I went - I was able to see her every day!
