Things to Do in Shizuoka (静岡市), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Shizuoka (静岡市) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Udo Yama (7.9 km), Miho Jinja (12.9 km), Miho Bunka Land (13.5 km) and served by Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 23 m elevation (34.9756°N, 138.3828°E), Shizuoka offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Yaizu (焼津市) (13.2 km), Fujieda (藤枝市) (16.6 km), Shimada (島田市) (23.2 km), Yoshida (吉田町) (25.2 km).

It has been populated since prehistoric times. Shizuoka City lies in central Shizuoka Prefecture, about halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya along the Tōkaidō Corridor, between Suruga Bay to the south and the Minami Alps in the north. Shizuoka had the largest area of any municipality in Japan after merging with Shimizu City in April 2003, until February 2005, when Takayama in Gifu Prefecture superseded it by merging with nine surrounding municipalities. Shizuoka's GDP per capita (PPP) 2014 was US$41,472. Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka (静岡市) serves as the prefectural capital of Shizuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) 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 Shizuoka (静岡市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Shizuoka (静岡市) from Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) at 23 m elevation (34.9756°N, 138.3828°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Shizuoka):

• Udo Yama (7.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shizuoka (静岡市).
• Miho Jinja (12.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shizuoka (静岡市).
• Miho Bunka Land (13.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shizuoka (静岡市).
• Ryūsō-zan (12.1 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shizuoka (静岡市).
• Mount Fuji — local sightseeing landmark near Shizuoka (静岡市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Shizuoka: Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Shizuoka

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Shizuoka (静岡市) and Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Yaizu (焼津市) — 13.2 km from Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Fujieda (藤枝市) — 16.6 km from Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Shimada (島田市) — 23.2 km from Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Yoshida (吉田町) — 25.2 km from Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Makinohara (牧之原市) — 30.9 km from Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Shizuoka & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Shizuoka (静岡市) via Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 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 Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) to reach central Shizuoka (34.9756°N, 138.3828°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka (静岡市) with neighboring Yaizu, Fujieda, Shimada and wider Chubu rail corridors. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Shizuoka, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Shizuoka and continuing toward Yaizu 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 Shizuoka: While Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) anchors public transit for Shizuoka, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Udo Yama (7.9 km) and Miho Jinja (12.9 km) with nearby Yaizu (焼津市) (13.2 km), Fujieda (藤枝市) (16.6 km), Shimada (島田市) (23.2 km), Yoshida (吉田町) (25.2 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Shizuoka (静岡市) & Shizuoka

Dining near Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) and across Shizuoka (静岡市) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Shizuoka:

• Local specialty & terroir of Shizuoka (静岡市): traditional soy sauce brewing (shōyu) and river-port commerce alongside deep-steamed green tea (ryokucha) cultivation across hillside plantations.
• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shizuoka (静岡市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shizuoka (静岡市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Shizuoka (静岡市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Shizuoka (静岡市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Shizuoka (静岡市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Shizuoka (静岡市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km).

Where to Stay in Shizuoka (静岡市)

Visitors staying overnight in Shizuoka (静岡市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km), or compare central neighborhoods around Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) with quieter stays in neighboring Yaizu, Fujieda, Shimada. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Shizuoka & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Shizuoka (静岡市, 23 m elevation at 34.9756°N, 138.3828°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 Udo Yama (7.9 km) in Shizuoka (静岡市) 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 Shizuoka (静岡市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Shizuoka: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) for local bus schedules to Udo Yama (7.9 km) and walking maps of Shizuoka (静岡市).
• Cash & ATMs in Shizuoka: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Udo Yama (7.9 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Shizuoka accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Shizuoka: Around Shizuoka Station (静岡駅) (0.8 km) and neighboring Yaizu, Fujieda, Shimada, 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.