Things to Do in Shimada (島田市), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Shimada (島田市) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Hōrai Bridge, Ōigawa Railway, Suwahara Castle ruins, a National Historic Site and served by Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 105 m elevation (34.8363°N, 138.1927°E), Shimada offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Fujieda (藤枝市) (6.9 km), Yoshida (吉田町) (9.1 km), Makinohara (牧之原市) (11.7 km), Yaizu (焼津市) (12.5 km).

The city covers an area of 315.7 sqkm. Shimada is located in the Shida Plains of west-central Shizuoka Prefecture. It is located on both banks of the Ōi River. Shimada (Kanaya) began as an outlying fortification to Kakegawa Castle erected by Yamauchi Kazutoyo in the Sengoku period to control the crossing of the Ōi River. In the Edo period, Kanaya-juku and Shimada-juku developed as post towns on the Tōkaidō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimada (島田市) serves as a city in Shizuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1948-01-01) 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 Shimada (島田市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Shimada (島田市) from Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) at 105 m elevation (34.8363°N, 138.1927°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Shimada):

• Hōrai Bridge — local sightseeing landmark near Shimada (島田市).
• Ōigawa Railway — local sightseeing landmark near Shimada (島田市).
• Suwahara Castle ruins, a National Historic Site — local sightseeing landmark near Shimada (島田市).
• Awaga Dake (11.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimada (島田市).
• Wada-hana (12.8 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimada (島田市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Shimada: Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Shimada

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Shimada (島田市) and Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Fujieda (藤枝市) — 6.9 km from Shimada (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Yoshida (吉田町) — 9.1 km from Shimada (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Makinohara (牧之原市) — 11.7 km from Shimada (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Yaizu (焼津市) — 12.5 km from Shimada (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Kikugawa (菊川市) — 13.9 km from Shimada (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Shimada & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Shimada (島田市) via Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 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 Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) to reach central Shimada (34.8363°N, 138.1927°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka with Shimada (島田市) and neighboring Fujieda, Yoshida, Makinohara. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Shimada, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Shimada and continuing toward Fujieda 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 Shimada: While Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) anchors public transit for Shimada, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Hōrai Bridge and Ōigawa Railway with nearby Fujieda (藤枝市) (6.9 km), Yoshida (吉田町) (9.1 km), Makinohara (牧之原市) (11.7 km), Yaizu (焼津市) (12.5 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Shimada (島田市) & Shizuoka

Dining near Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) and across Shimada (島田市) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Shimada:

• Local specialty & terroir of Shimada (島田市): deep-steamed green tea (ryokucha) cultivation across hillside plantations alongside geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism.
• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimada (島田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimada (島田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimada (島田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimada (島田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimada (島田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Shimada (島田市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km).

Where to Stay in Shimada (島田市)

Visitors staying overnight in Shimada (島田市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km), or base at major rail hubs in Shizuoka (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Fujieda, Yoshida, Makinohara for quick train access into Shimada. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Shimada & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Shimada (島田市, 105 m elevation at 34.8363°N, 138.1927°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 Hōrai Bridge in Shimada (島田市) 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 Shimada (島田市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Shimada: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) for local bus schedules to Hōrai Bridge and walking maps of Shimada (島田市).
• Cash & ATMs in Shimada: Convenience stores and major hotels around Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Hōrai Bridge often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Shimada accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Shimada: Around Rokugō Station (六合駅) (1.0 km) and neighboring Fujieda, Yoshida, Makinohara, 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.