Shizuoka (Shizuoka Prefecture) Trip - Travel Guide from Tokyo to Shizuoka

In this travelogue, I’ll show you everything about my unforgettable trip to Shizuoka Prefecture! I’ll share my experiences and tips, in case you’re planning a trip to Shizuoka yourself or just want to learn more about this fascinating region. From the journey to Japan’s famous green tea capital to 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 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 in advance to see the current road conditions. But note that there are toll fees along the way! This option gives you flexibility and lets you enjoy the gorgeous scenery en route.

By Train

Another option is traveling by train. You can either take the Shinkansen, which is the fastest option, or opt for a cheaper route. To save money, I recommend using the lowest-cost option on Google Maps — this will show you the most affordable train route, even without taking the Shinkansen. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs between 2,500 and 3,500 yen. However, you can’t use Pasmo or Suica in Shizuoka. Instead, I recommend buying a TOICA card for 2,000 yen, which already includes 1,500 yen credit. Not only is this card convenient, it’s also a cute souvenir because it’s decorated with two sweet chicks. How exactly you get from Tokyo to Shizuoka without the Shinkansen, I’ll explain in the next section.

Using the TOICA Card

PASMO or SUICA cards are widespread in Tokyo. These cards let you easily board trains, buses, and subways without having to buy a ticket each time.

However, there’s a little hurdle when you arrive at Shizuoka station. The barriers will turn red and block access for those with PASMO or SUICA cards. To open these barriers, you need to go to the counter and show your card. Once you've done this, you can use your card to pay for the fare. It's important to note that you need a different card in Shizuoka, namely the TOICA card. This card is used for all public transport there. You can buy the TOICA card locally.

When returning to Tokyo, you’ll need to show your TOICA card again. In my case, this was at Odawara, where I was again stopped, since I was blocked there. Once that was handled, you can use your PASMO or SUICA card again for the rest of the trip back.

This rule may seem a bit inconvenient, but it ensures that passengers use the correct card for each region. Remember to always keep your cards handy and be prepared to show them if needed.

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Overnight at APA Hotel

For your overnight stay in Shizuoka, I recommend the APA Hotel *. In my opinion, this hotel chain offers a good price-performance ratio and consistently good quality. We paid about 22,000 yen for 2 nights at the APA Hotel in Shizuoka, which is about 140 €. The hotel had a bath where we could relax after a strenuous day with 30,000 steps. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a nice view, as the window faced directly onto another building — 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, offering local green tea.

*Booking.com: APA Hotel Shizuoka-Eki

*Affiliate link

 Here’s the hotel*

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Affiliate link: If you book a hotel on Booking.com via my widget or my link, I get a small commission. You incur no additional costs and you support my blog. I’m grateful and wish you lots of fun traveling (^_^)

The Green Tea Capital of Japan

Shizuoka is famous for green tea, so visiting a tea shop should be on your itinerary. There are lots of tea stores where you can sample different types and buy some to take home — always a nice keepsake from your trip. If you’re in the mountains, a particularly recommended tea shop is 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 unwind after a long day of exploring. However, I’d recommend you come here only if you’re already in the area, as it’s quite far out.

Google Maps Cafe: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3t5hTYbgm17Wsnxq6

Fishing in the Mountains

If you love nature, you should definitely plan a trip to the mountains of Shizuoka. But check in advance about public transport, because sometimes there’s only a bus every 4 hours. There, you can not only enjoy the stunning scenery but also try some special activities. Did you know you can go fishing there, for example?

We fished in an artificial pond there with rainbow trout. The cost was 1,500 yen per rod, and you’re allowed to catch 3 fish in total. The fish are then freshly prepared onsite and you can eat them directly there. You can’t get fish any fresher — really tasty and highly recommended.

There are also many activities by the sea, but since we were only in Shizuoka for 3 days, we didn't have time for them. Since the Shizuoka coast isn’t known for anything special, we prioritized the mountains. Maybe we’ll visit Shizuoka a second time and expand this article then.

Shrimp Fishing at the Shrimp Aquaculture Park

Excited by the fishing options, we also tried shrimp fishing at the Shrimp Park KIND (焼津シュリンプパーク). Here, for 1,500 yen, you can catch 3 shrimps. The shrimps, also known as Tenagaebi, are freshwater shrimps and have a slightly earthy flavor. My tip: After the shrimp takes the bait, wait about 20 to 30 seconds before pulling, otherwise the hook won’t set. For 300 yen, you can rent a charcoal grill to cook and eat your catch onsite. It’s fun for everyone and a great way to try local food.

Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NsMN86LoQd7jEAga8

My Tip – Rent a Bike via App

For local transport, I have a special tip for you: with the app " Hello Cycling " you can rent bicycles in many Japanese cities. This lets you stay flexible and explore the surrounding area. You don’t have to walk everywhere or rely on the bus. However, sometimes in very rural regions or mountains, there may be no bikes available via the app. Still, I find this app very practical. We also rented bikes and were able to explore the scenic countryside from a different perspective. Since it was late October, the trees were still green, but the landscape was beautiful! We saw lots of ripe kaki fruit and mikans (tangerines).

Official website: https://www.hellocycling.jp/

Dining in a Restaurant over 400 Years Old

In Shizuoka, there’s a restaurant over 400 years old called Chojiya, famous for its とろろ "Tororo" (grated yam). You can enjoy set meals with rice, Miso soup, yam, and a variety of small side dishes. The restaurant not only offers a unique setting, but also traditional Japanese cuisine. I especially loved the atmosphere — it was very cozy and the food was excellent!

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3LAu43SNBnf7vpro9

Visiting Sumpu Castle Park

Another spot I visited was Sumpu Castle Park. It was just a short walk from our accommodation, but for me, it wasn’t a real highlight. Although it’s a historic castle, most neighboring buildings are modern government offices. However, the park has nice green spaces and is a pleasant place for a walk.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3FkpieoP6wB9fuW6

A Cultural Highlight: Shizuoka Prefecture Gokoku Shrine

A real cultural highlight, on the other hand, was the Shizuoka Prefecture Gokoku Shrine. This shrine is especially impressive when visited at night. The atmosphere is magical and the lighting creates a truly special mood. The photos I took there speak for themselves — it was just incredibly 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 a breathtaking view of the city of Yaizu and is the perfect spot for romantic moments. You can reach the park quickly by car or walk up. Keep in mind, though, that the walk is quite a climb, with lots of elevation gain and it can take more than an hour — by car it’s much easier.

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 seaside activities, Shizuoka offers endless ways to experience the prefecture in a unique way. I especially loved exploring by bike — it gives you a whole new perspective on this amazing prefecture!