Japan’s most famous Samurai, Tokugawa Ieyasu, chose Shizuoka City to live out his twilight years – it is easy to see why.
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SHIZUOKA – A CITY WITH A STORIED HISTORY
In the middle of 16th, a young samurai by the name of Tokugawa Ieyasu was held as a captive in what was then called the Sumpu domain from the ages of 8 to 19.
In later years, Tokugawa went on to build Edo (modern day Tokyo) rise to the rank of Shogun and establish the Tokugawa Shogunate that went on to rule over Japan for more than 260 years.
Shortly after establishing the Tokugawa rule, Ieyasu passed the day to day operation to his son and “retired” from public life taking up residence at Sumpu Castle Park in Shizuoka continuing to pull the strings from the background.
REMAINS OF THE PAST
In the early 17th century, the new capital of Japan was established out of the swamp land that is now Tokyo.
Tokugawa Ieyasu had retired, however many of the most important decisions were made from Sumpu Castle in Shizuoka City.
Although much of the original castle and many of the original buildings have been destroyed by various wars, fires and earthquakes over the years , there are some reconstructions and remains of the original castle that give you a good sense of what life was like more than 400 years ago when the Tokugawa ruled Japan.
Another great remnant of the past, easily accessible from Shizuoka Station, and worth a visit is Fugetsuro.
Sumpu Castle represents the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the early life of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the late 16th Century.
Fugetsuro represents the end of this period in Japanese history (the late 19th century) when the Tokugawa Shogunate returned power to the Emperor of Japan and the Meiji Period started.
Following this transition Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last of the Tokugawa rulers, retired to Shizuoka.
He built Fugetsuro as his residence and from there lived out the rest of his life peacefully enjoying pursuits such as hunting, sailing and riding his penny farthing bicycle.
CAFES AND CRAFT BEER
In recent years many great cafes and craft beer bars have opened in Shizuoka City and the city has a very cosmopolitan feel.
If you are looking for a caffeine fix, it is now possible to pick up an espresso or soy latte at small hole in the wall cafes around the city that give you an alternative to Starbucks.
If you are looking for something a little different, try some of the green tea cafes that have popped up in the city where you are able to get a Matcha latte, green tea espresso, some green tea ice cream or shaved ice.
At night there are a number of great craft beer bars in and around Shizuoka Station that a range of beer brewed locally. There is a Craft Beer Map that helps you navigate to craft beer bars in the area.
SHIZUOKA STREET FOOD
Shizuoka is also famous for its street food and a local favorite spot to hang out is the Oden Alleys.
Oden is a type of hotpot that is popular in Japan, especially in the winter.
Oden in Shizuoka is known for its unique taste – simmering the different ingredients in a broth of beef tendons and bringing out more concentrated flavors. It is often servered with fish powder on top as well.
The Oden restaurants in Shizuoka are often hole in the wall places that only seat a few patrons. This creates a special atmosphere where after a few sakes everyone becomes your best friend and all language barriers disappear.
MORE INFO
Activities and experiences in and around Shizuoka City
Visit Suruga – Official Website
