Things to Do in Kakegawa (掛川市), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kakegawa (掛川市) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Ananaikyo headquarters, Kotonomama Hachiman-gu, the ichinomiya of Tōtōmi Province., Takatenjin Castle ruins, a National Historic Site and served by Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 32 m elevation (34.7687°N, 137.9984°E), Kakegawa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Fukuroi (袋井市) (7 km), Kikugawa (菊川市) (8 km), Mori (森町) (13.9 km), Iwata (磐田市) (14.6 km).

Kakegawa is in the coastal plains of southwest Shizuoka Prefecture. It is bordered to the south by the Pacific Ocean, and extends for approximately 30 kilometers north-south by 16 kilometers east-west. The Kakegawa area has been a regional commercial center within Tōtōmi Province since at least the Kamakura period, but developed as a castle town under the Imagawa clan, whose headquarters was in neighboring Suruga Province. Kakegawa Castle was built by Asahina Yasuhiro, a retainer of Imagawa Yoshitada, in the Bunmei era (1469–1487). Kakegawa has a mixed economy. Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa (掛川市) serves as a city in Shizuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1954-03-31) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

What to See & Do in Kakegawa (掛川市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kakegawa (掛川市) from Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) at 32 m elevation (34.7687°N, 137.9984°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kakegawa):

• Ananaikyo headquarters — local sightseeing landmark near Kakegawa (掛川市).
• Kotonomama Hachiman-gu, the ichinomiya of Tōtōmi Province. — local sightseeing landmark near Kakegawa (掛川市).
• Takatenjin Castle ruins, a National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Kakegawa (掛川市).
• Wadaoka Kofun group, a National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Kakegawa (掛川市).
• Yokosuka Castle, a National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Kakegawa (掛川市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kakegawa: Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kakegawa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kakegawa (掛川市) and Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Fukuroi (袋井市) — 7 km from Kakegawa (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Kikugawa (菊川市) — 8 km from Kakegawa (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Mori (森町) — 13.9 km from Kakegawa (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Iwata (磐田市) — 14.6 km from Kakegawa (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Omaezaki (御前崎市) — 18.8 km from Kakegawa (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Kakegawa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kakegawa (掛川市) via Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km): 45m–1h 25m from Tokyo Station (or 1h–1h 30m from Kyoto/Osaka) directly on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama. From Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) to reach central Kakegawa (34.7687°N, 137.9984°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka with Kakegawa (掛川市) and neighboring Fukuroi, Kikugawa, Mori. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kakegawa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kakegawa and continuing toward Fukuroi can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kakegawa: While Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) anchors public transit for Kakegawa, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Ananaikyo headquarters and Kotonomama Hachiman-gu, the ichinomiya of Tōtōmi Province. with nearby Fukuroi (袋井市) (7 km), Kikugawa (菊川市) (8 km), Mori (森町) (13.9 km), Iwata (磐田市) (14.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kakegawa (掛川市) & Shizuoka

Dining near Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) and across Kakegawa (掛川市) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kakegawa:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kakegawa (掛川市): deep-steamed green tea (ryokucha) cultivation across hillside plantations alongside greenhouse strawberry cultivation and market gardening.
• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kakegawa (掛川市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kakegawa (掛川市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Kakegawa (掛川市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Kakegawa (掛川市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Kakegawa (掛川市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kakegawa (掛川市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km).

Where to Stay in Kakegawa (掛川市)

Visitors staying overnight in Kakegawa (掛川市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Shizuoka (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Fukuroi, Kikugawa, Mori for quick train access into Kakegawa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kakegawa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kakegawa (掛川市, 32 m elevation at 34.7687°N, 137.9984°E): Early February–March for Kawazu early cherry blossoms on the Izu Peninsula; October–February for crisp, unobstructed southern views of Mount Fuji.

Wider sightseeing across Shizuoka Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Ananaikyo headquarters in Kakegawa (掛川市) includes: Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

Practical Travel Tips for Kakegawa (掛川市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kakegawa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) for local bus schedules to Ananaikyo headquarters and walking maps of Kakegawa (掛川市).
• Cash & ATMs in Kakegawa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Ananaikyo headquarters often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kakegawa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kakegawa: Around Kakegawa Station (掛川駅) (1.5 km) and neighboring Fukuroi, Kikugawa, Mori, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.