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In this travelogue, I'll show you everything about my unforgettable trip to Shizuoka Prefecture! I will share my experiences and tips if you are also planning a trip to Shizuoka or simply want to learn more about this fascinating region. From getting there to the famous green tea capital of Japan to the breathtaking mountains and culinary highlights.
From Tokyo to Shizuoka
By car
One option is to travel by car. In Japan, you can rent a car from one of the many rental car companies . The drive from Tokyo to Shizuoka usually takes about 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. You can check Google Maps beforehand to see what the current road conditions are like. But be aware that there are tolls on the way! The option by car gives you flexibility and the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
By train
Another option is to travel by train. You can either take the Shinkansen , which is the fastest option, or you can opt for a cheaper alternative. To save money, I recommend using the lowest cost function in Google Maps - it will show you the cheapest train route, even without the Shinkansen. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs about 2,500 to 3,500 yen. However, note that you cannot use Pasmo or Suica in Shizuoka. Instead, I recommend buying a TOICA card for 2,000 yen, which already includes a balance of 1,500 yen. This card is not only practical, but also a nice souvenir, as it is decorated with two cute chicks. I will explain how to get from Tokyo to Shizuoka without the Shinkansen in the next section.
Using the TOICA card
The PASMO or SUICA cards are widely used in Tokyo. These cards allow you to conveniently board trains, buses, and subways without having to buy a ticket every time.
However, there is a small hurdle when you arrive at the station in Shizuoka. The barriers will turn red and block the passage for people with PASMO or SUICA cards. To open these barriers, you need to go to the counter and show your card. Once you've done that, you can use your card to pay the fare. It is important to note that you will need a different card in Shizuoka, namely the TOICA card. This card is used for all public transportation there. You can then buy the TOICA locally.
On the way back to Tokyo, you will then need to show your TOICA card. In my case, it was in Odawara where I had to show it again because I was blocked there. Once that is done, you can use your PASMO or SUICA card again to continue the rest of your journey back.
This arrangement may seem a bit cumbersome, but it serves to ensure that passengers use the correct card for the respective region. Remember to always have your cards handy and show them if needed.
Overnight stay at the APA Hotel
For your overnight stay in Shizuoka, I recommend the APA Hotel *. In my opinion, this hotel chain offers good value for money and consistent quality. We paid about 22,000 yen for 2 nights at the APA Hotel in Shizuoka, which is about 140 euros. The hotel had a bath where we could relax after a tiring day with 30,000 steps. Unfortunately, we didn't have a nice view because the window faced another building directly, but we were only there to sleep anyway. A special feature of this APA Hotel in the "tea capital" was the free tea dispenser at the entrance, which offered local green tea.
*Booking.com: APA Hotel Shizuoka-Eki
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Find other hotels in Shizuoka
Affiliate Link: If you book a hotel on Booking.com through my widget or link, I will receive a small commission. There are no additional costs for you and you support my blog. I am very grateful to you and wish you a lot of fun traveling (^_^)The green tea capital of Japan
Shizuoka is known for green tea, so a visit to a tea shop should be on your itinerary. There are many tea shops there where you can try the different varieties and also buy some for home - it's always a nice souvenir of your trip. If you're in the mountains, a particularly recommendable tea shop is the 茶の芽 Café , where you can not only drink green tea, but also enjoy delicious matcha cake with Anko (red beans). It was the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring. However, I recommend coming here only if you're already in the area, as it's quite far away.
Google Maps Cafe: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3t5hTYbgm17Wsnxq6
Fishing in the mountains
If you love nature, you should definitely take a trip to the mountains of Shizuoka. However, it's best to check public transport options beforehand, as buses sometimes only run every 4 hours. There you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery, but also experience some special activities. Did you know, for example, that you can also fish there?
We fished there in an artificial pond where you could catch rainbow trout. It cost 1,500 yen per rod and you can catch a total of 3 fish. The fish are then freshly prepared on site and you can eat them right there. The fish cannot taste fresher - very delicious and highly recommended by me.
There are also many activities on the sea, but because we were only in Shizuoka for a total of 3 days, we didn't have time for that. Since the Shizuoka Sea is not known for anything special, we prioritized the mountains. Maybe we'll come back to Shizuoka a second time, then we'll be happy to expand this post.
Shrimp fishing at the Shrimp Aquacultures Park
Excited about the fishing opportunities, we also tried shrimp fishing at the Shrimp Park KIND (焼津シュリンプパーク). Here you can fish for 3 shrimps for 1,500 yen. The shrimps, also known as Tenagaebi, are freshwater shrimps and have a slightly earthy taste. My tip for you: Wait about 20 to 30 seconds after the shrimp has taken the bait while fishing, otherwise the hook won't grip. For 300 yen you can add coal so that you can grill and eat your catch on site. It's fun for everyone and a great way to experience local cuisine.
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NsMN86LoQd7jEAga8
My tip - Rent a bike via app
For transportation on site, I have a special tip for you: with the app " Hello Cycling " bicycles can be rented in many Japanese cities. This allows you to stay flexible and explore surrounding areas. So you don't have to walk around much or rely on the bus. However, it can happen that even in very rural areas or in the mountains, bicycles may not be offered via the app. Nevertheless, I find this app very practical. We also rented bicycles and were able to explore the landscape from a different perspective. Since it was the end of October, the trees were still green, but the landscape was still beautiful! We saw many ripe kaki fruits and also mikan (mandarin oranges).
Official website: https://www.hellocycling.jp/
Eating in a restaurant over 400 years old
In Shizuoka there is a restaurant over 400 years old called Chojiya, which is known for its とろろ "Tororo" (grated yam root). There you can enjoy sets with rice, miso soup , yam root and small side dishes. The restaurant not only offers a unique setting, but also traditional Japanese cuisine . I particularly liked the atmosphere there - it was very cozy and the food was great!
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3LAu43SNBnf7vpro9
Visiting Sumpu Castle Park
Another place I visited was Sumpu Castle Park. It was very quick to reach on foot from our accommodation, but it wasn't a real highlight for me. Although it is a historic castle, most of the buildings next to it were rather modern government buildings. However, the park offers beautiful green spaces and is a pleasant place for a walk.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3FkpieoP6wB9fuW6
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A cultural highlight: Shizuoka Prefecture Gokoku Shrine
A real cultural highlight, however, was the Shizuoka Prefecture Gokoku Shrine. This shrine is particularly impressive when visited at night. The atmosphere is magical and the lighting creates a very special mood. The pictures I took there speak for themselves - it was simply super impressive. You can admire the architecture, which is even more striking with the lights.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/j1hvoqYysXYubqbu7
View of Yaizu from Fuefukidan Park
To round off our trip, we visited Fuefukidan Park, which offers breathtaking views of the city of Yaizu and is a perfect place to enjoy romantic moments. You can either reach the park quickly by car or walk up. However, you should note that the walk is quite challenging as there are many meters in altitude to overcome and it can take more than an hour - by car it is much more relaxed.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fbM5GkMe6uuwhfg56
Conclusion
My trip to Shizuoka was an unforgettable experience full of nature, culture and culinary highlights. From the tea plantations and tea shops to the mountains and activities on the sea, Shizuoka offers a wealth of opportunities to experience the prefecture in a unique way. I especially enjoyed exploring by bike - this way you get a completely different insight into this great prefecture!
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