Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka | Statistics

• Ito Marine Town
• Koibito Misaki - Lover's Cape
• Atami
• Lake Hamana
• Shimoda
• Fuji Safari Park
• Gotemba Premium Outlets
• World Tea Museum (Ochanosato)
• Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
• Ryugashido

Region: Chubu
Capital: Shizuoka
Population (approx.): 3.751 million (2012)
Area: 3,004 sq miles
Area Rank: 13

Shizuoka | Major Cities

Shizuoka | Destinations

Shizuoka Prefecture is located in the Chubu region and is best known for Mt. Fuji which sits in both Shizuoka and Yamanashi. Mt. Fuji at 3,776m high above sea level is the highest and most popular mountain in Japan, and considered one of the most beautiful conical volcanoes in the world. Shizuoka’s Izu Hanto is a popular weekend getaway destination for many in Shizuoka and surrounding areas. Izu is famous for its hot spring resort areas and beautiful beaches. The town of Kawazu in Shizuoka is famous for its cherry blossoms that last longer than most other cherry trees. Most cherry trees only bloom for two weeks but the Kawazu cherry trees bloom for over a month from late January to early March for the town’s mild, warmer climate. Shizuoka is most known for its green tea production, accounting for approximately half of the country’s green tea. Visitors can witness the impressive green tea plantations that run miles when traveling across Shizuoka on the bullet trains. It even has its own Shizuoka World Tea Museum, Ochanosato, a museum with over 90 types of tea from 30 countries on display where visitors can actually touch the leaves and enjoy their aroma. Shizuoka was also the origin of wasabi, Japanese horseradish. Wasabi was first cultivated in Utogi, upstream of Abe River which runs through Shizuoka city.

Shizuoka | Local Food and Produce

Shizuoka is famous for its "unagi" (eel) dishes, featuring eels that have grown in the clean waters of Shizuoka. Unagi is available throughout the country but Lake Hamana in Shizuoka is known for producing the highest quality unagi in the country. Unagi in Shizuoka is most commonly enjoyed as "unagi no kabayaki" in which the unagi is roasted and brushed with "tare", or a sweet savory teriyaki like sauce, served on top of rice.

Shizuoka's most well known produce is its green tea. Accounting for approximately half of the country's green tea production, Shizuoka's green tea cultivation and plantations are breathtaking.

Shizuoka is the origin of wasabi, Japanese horseradish. Wasabi was first cultivated in Utogi, upstream of Abe River which runs through Shizuoka city. Shizuoka's cool weather and clean water are vital for wasabi production. Wasabi is used in a variety of dishes and as condiments, known most for its use with sushi and sashimi.

Shizuoka | Arts and Crafts

Suruga Hina Ningyo are Hina dolls dating back to 1853, created in Shizuoka. It originates from clay dolls known as "Neri Tenjin" which were completely made from clay and used paint for all its decorations and details including drawing the kimono onto the clay itself. Later in the Edo Period, Suruga Hina Ningyo emerged when the clothes of the dolls were created from cloth rather than painted. The different parts of the dolls are created separately then attached together with great technique by the craftsmen which makes the Suruga Hina Ningyo unique from crafted dolls from Kyoto. These intricately designed Hina dolls decorate homes with girls on Hina Matsuri, or Doll's Day also known as Girl's Day on March 3rd.

Shizuoka | Festivals and Events

Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka is an event that started only recently in 1992. It is a street performance event, and the largest of its kind in Japan. Performers from Japan and worldwide are invited to compete in Daidogei World Cup. The 4 day event features various kinds of acts and performances like cup stacking, circus performance, acrobat, comedy, and more. The goal of the event is to bring out creativity and talent within as many people as possible, allowing them to express themselves. By expressing their creativity, the creators of the event believe the city is enhanced with the new found culture. With many different kinds of unpredictable performers and acts every year, Daidogei World Cup is sure to be new and exciting every year.

Shizuoka | Movie - Izu Shuzenji