Welcome to Shizuoka City – A City Filled with Rich Greenery, History and Culture

Shizuoka City has a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities.
In addition to being one of the important cities along the ancient Tokaido Road, Shizuoka City was also the headquarters of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Edo Shogunate, which oversaw two-and-a-half centuries of peace and cultural development. Shizuoka City is rich in historical assets, such as its famous historical remains.
In addition, its hilly landscape gives rise to beautiful scenery, making it an ideal place for travelers to visit. The fertile land, temperate climate and pacific coastline produces rich natural products that continue to delight the taste buds of travelers.
It is amidst this scenery that the ancestors of Shizuoka City created all sorts of human drama, and shaped the wonderful culture of the city.

No matter what aspect of Shizuoka City you touch upon in your travels, you will surely gain fresh inspiration and renewed energy.
No matter what kind of journey you are on, Shizuoka has something for you. We hope that through your travels in Shizuoka City, you will discover various aspects of Japan and various aspects of yourself as well.

The ● mark indicates a government-designated city. The term, “government designated city” refers to the major cities of Japan. Shizuoka City became the 14th government-designated city in April 2005.

Enjoy Spectacular Views of Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka City

When talking about Japan, one of the first things that comes to mind is Mt.Fuji. Shizuoka, which spreads across the foot of the mountain, has numerous spots from where you can get a superb view of Mt. Fuji. Why not enjoy Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka City?

Enjoy the Fragrance of Flowers

Shizuoka City has flowers all year round – plum blossoms, camellias, azaleas, rosebay, cosmos and chrysanthemums.
However, above all else, you should not miss seeing the cherry blossoms, which make the spring in Japan so beautiful. Enjoy viewing cherry blossoms with Mt. Fuji in the background.
There are many famous places in Shizuoka for taking in the sight of these lovely flowers.

Enjoying “Onsen” Hot Springs

There are many hot springs in Japan. Shizuoka City has municipal hot springs as well. Why not take the time to relax and enjoy hot springs when you are feeling tired?

Warning: include(/home/vweb/www2.shizuoka-cvb.or.jp/htdocs/lib/tour_guide_data_blocks_toku.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/vweb/www2.shizuoka-cvb.or.jp/sconv_htdocs/tour_guide/en/about/index.php on line 121

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/vweb/www2.shizuoka-cvb.or.jp/htdocs/lib/tour_guide_data_blocks_toku.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php-5.2.6+libpng-1.2.29/lib/php') in /home/vweb/www2.shizuoka-cvb.or.jp/sconv_htdocs/tour_guide/en/about/index.php on line 121

The Many Hills Create Scenic Landscapes

From the Southern Alps Area, with an altitude of 3,000 meters or more, to Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan, Shizuoka is a land of highs and lows with all kinds of scenic spots.
Every location has scenery that is like a condensed version of Japan with each season. And you are sure to find a place in Shizuoka with the same altitude as your own town. Why not turn your thoughts to that location and enjoy it?

Why Not Walk in the Footsteps of Our Predecessors?

Shizuoka City is a town rich in history. If you trace the footsteps of the people of long ago, you are sure to discover the great depth of Shizuoka City.

Late 2nd Century	The Toro Ruins are representative across Japan as a remnant of the Yayoi Period. People began farming the land and started to live in communities.
Master Shoichi (1202 ～ 1280)
When he returned to Japan on official duty from Sung (China), Master Shoichi brought back tea nuts and thousands of Buddhist scrolls. It is said that the tea nuts were planted in Suruga-Ashikubo (Ashikubo of Shizuoka City today), near his hometown. He is considered to be the Father of Shizuoka Tea.
Around 1300	Lord Imagawa, the regional feudal lord, established his headquarters and controlled the two areas of Suruga and Totoumi.
Around 1550	When Tokugawa Ieyasu was a child, he lived in Sumpu as a hostage of Imagawa Yoshimoto.
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542～1616)
Carrying on the quest of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi to unite the nation, Ieyasu established the Edo Bakufu feudal government, of which he was the first shogun. Despite having transferred the title of shogun to his son Hidetada after only two years and retiring to Sumpu (current-day Shizuoka), Ieyasu continued to wield political power as a de facto "shadow " shogun from this base.
1603	Tokugawa Ieyasu became the first Shogun of the Edo Shogunate.
1605	Tokugawa Ieyasu withdrew as Shogun to live in Sumpu, and expanded both the Edo and Sumpu local governments.
Yamada Nagamasa (High Official of Trade and Commerce in Thailand (Ayuthaya Dynasty) )(? ～ 1630)
Yamada Nagamasa went to Siam in the early 17th century, and became the leader of the Japanese community in the capital of Ayuthaya. He helped to avert a civil war, gained the trust of the King of Thailand and became a chief retainer.
Yui Shosetsu (1605～1651)
A military strategy scholar of the Edo Period who opened a military academy called“Chokodo.”
Jippensha Ikku (Artist and author. Author of“Tokaido-chu Hiza-kuri-ge (Travels on Foot on the Tokaido)”) (1765 ～ 1831)
This author created many works in Edo. His masterpiece,“Tokaido-chu Hiza-kuri-ge (Travels on Foot on the Tokaido),” which depicts the humorous travels of Yajirobei and Kitahachi, was a smash hit.
1869	The Sumpu area was renamed “Shizuoka.”
“Shimizu Jirocho” – the main name of Yamamoto Chogoro (Crusader for the underdog/Entrepreneur) (1820 ～ 1893)
Although he used to fight and gamble, he later repented and lived for others during the latter part of his life. It is said that he successfully coordinated the construction of the Port of Shimizu and the development of the foot of Mt. Fuji, and that he started an English language academy using a room of a boaters’lodge called “Suehiro,” which he opened in his later years.
Saionji Kimmochi (1849 ～ 1940)
Former Prime Minister. Head Plenipotentiary of the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. Built a villa (Zagyo-so Villa) in Shimizu-Okitsu-Seikenji-cho of Shizuoka City and lived there. Eminent people from various fields visited the villa. The Okitsu Zagyo-so Villa was reconstructed in 2004 by Shizuoka City. The actual building was transferred to Meiji Village.
Keisuke Serizawa (1895 ～ 1984) (Color dye craftsman; Living National Treasure)
Color dye craftsman and Living National Treasure of “Kataezome” stencil dyeing (designated an important intangible cultural asset). Famous in Japan and around the world as a 20th century craftsman of Japan.
2003	Shizuoka City merged with Shimizu City to form the Shizuoka City of today.
2005	Shizuoka City became a government-designated city.

• ABOUT SHIZUOKA CITY
• TRANSPORTATION
• ACCOMMODATIONS
• FESTIVALS & EVENTS
• HOT SPOTS
• DELICACIES & TRADITIONAL CRAFT
• YOUR TRAVEL PLANS
• ESSENTIAL INFORMATION