Cycling in Shizuoka provides a variety of amazing experiences for all levels of cyclists and two wheels will give you the freedom to Explore Shizuoka.

Mountains that rival that of Europe and abundant quiet roads where cars are seldom seen.

A labyrinth of well-paved roads and narrow country lanes with surprises around every corner – It is no wonder that secret is finally starting to get out to global cycling enthusiasts.

Cycle tourism in Japan has grown fast in recent years has seen more traditional destinations (France, Italy & Spain) quickly becoming overrun by cyclists on their European holiday, especially during the peak summer.

Japan offers the cycling enthusiast a chance to explore some of the best riding in the World, to enjoy an unsurpassed level of respect on and off the road, and an ability to explore roads that twist and snake through ancient villages and rice paddy fields.

Within easy reach of Tokyo and Osaka, easily accessible by bullet train, Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the best regions in Japan to ride your bike.

With expanses of natural environments Shizuoka offers the cyclist great contrasts across short distances.

The landscapes and terrain within the western region famous for its green tea plantations are very different from the plains, farms and rice fields that surround Mt Fuji, which is then in turn very different to the rugged and steep coastal roads of Izu Peninsula.

Shizuoka also offers something for cyclists of all types from beginners right through to passionate cyclists – city cruising to mountain downhill chargers to hardcore hill climbers.

A good cycling destination is not all about the riding and it is important to have a diversity of key experiences in addition to cycling and with amazing regional food.

Particularly around the Izu Peninsula and lower slopes of Mt. Fuji, there is plenty on offer to refuel the weary body after a long day on the bike.

Multi-day bike touring, whether guided or self-guided, is a great way to delve deep into a region and a culture, with close proximity of towns Shizuoka is perfect for 5-7 day trips.

Gift souvenirs

Shizuoka Prefecture has a great variety of famous local products, from food ingredients to processed foods and affordable-yet-tasty budget specialties. This might cause some visitors to feel overwhelmed by all of the excellent choices. But do not fret, for we are here to help with our inside knowledge on all the key gift souvenirs! From the well-established and representative Shizuoka sweets that have been cherished by locals from days of old to the up-and-coming desserts gaining attention in the region, we can tell you what the locals will point to when they say, “If you visit Shizuoka, you’ve got to get this!” We hope you will savor the many delicacies Shizuoka Prefecture has to offer.

〇　Abekawa Mochi

Widely known since the Edo Period (1603 – 1867) as a specialty of the old Tokaido Highway, this is one of Shizuoka’s most famous confections.

〇　Kuro Yakko

This historical confection has its origins in the Meiji Period (1868 – 1912) and was named after the character Oyakko, who appears in the Shimada Taisai Festival, one of the Three Strange Festivals of Japan.

〇　Bari Katsuo-kun

Shizuoka Prefecture is a leading producer of bonito and Katsuobushi dried bonito flakes in Japan. This snack is made by taking thick flakes of Katsuobushi, flavoring them with ginger soy sauce and roasting them to a nice, light finish. Think of them as fish chips.

〇　Sakura Ebi no Mai

As the name suggests, the highly popular Sakura Ebi no Mai are made with sakura shrimp, one of the local products that Shizuoka Prefecture is particularly known for. The second you bite into this crispy snack, the flavor of Sakura shrimp fills your mouth.

〇　Marifuku

Made with pillowy whipped cream that melts in your mouth and a smooth, refined Anko red bean paste enveloped in soft Mochi, this cream Daifuku Mochi is the height of luxury, brought to you by a tea wholesaler from Shizuoka. It is a longtime favorite of young and old, men and women alike.

〇　Unagipie eel pastries

An absolute classic among gift souvenirs from Shizuoka is the crispy and aromatic Unagipie eel pastry. This famous snack is made by blending butter and carefully selected ingredients with eel extract, garlic and other seasonings.

〇　Jiichiro’s Baumkuchen

You can truly feel the dedication of the pastry chefs as you savor your first bite of a Jiichiro Baumkuchen cake, and the rich, elegant sweetness of the egg yolks and butter spreads softly in your mouth.

〇　Ageshio

The various textures and aromas of the raisins, walnuts, and orange peel folded into the dough delight the senses, and you will never get tired of nibbling at these fine, light cookies.

〇　Cocco

A fluffy and delicious steamed cake made from fresh eggs and subterranean water from the southern Alps, filled with a subtly sweet milk cream.

Traditional crafts

Shizuoka is home to a wide variety of traditional crafts, such as elegant and graceful Hina dolls and accessories; Maki-e lacquerware; woven and dyed textiles that make the best use of natural textures; and pottery and traditional woodwork such as Sashimono that exhibit a refined beauty while retaining their value as everyday items. All of these items have been made using traditional techniques handed down from generation to generation to the present day.

Master craftsmen were invited from all over Japan for the construction of the Sengen Jinja shrine located next to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s retreat castle of Sumpu Castle. It is said that their excellent techniques became the roots of today’s traditional crafts in Shizuoka City. In addition, with Hamamatsu at its center, the Enshu region has long been famous for its textile production, which has given birth to some excellent traditional crafts.

In the present day, Shizuoka Prefecture has developed strengths in various modern industries such as automobiles, musical instruments, furniture, and precision machinery. What is less well known is that the traditional crafts served as the breeding ground for the development of Shizuoka’s manufacturing strengths today. For example, automobile manufacturing is an important local industry in Shizuoka Prefecture, but it has its roots in the traditional textile industry. Hand looms gave way to automatic looms, and the technology of the automatic looms was then transferred to the automobile industry. Another local industry, furniture manufacturing, is also a legacy of the master craftsmen who built the aforementioned Sengen Jinja shrine. Therefore, the traditional crafts of Shizuoka Prefecture are not only excellent works of art, but also the foundation of Shizuoka’s industry today.

Shopping malls

There are several shopping malls in Shizuoka Prefecture, including the Gotemba Outlets, which are very popular among foreign tourists. Shopping malls are very convenient because you can comfortably go shopping no matter what the weather, and if you don’t have much time but need to buy several items, you can find them all in one place. You may want to stop by when the weather is bad, or if you need to shop in a hurry.

Gotemba Premium Outlets

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Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Numazu

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Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Iwata

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Shizuoka Prefecture has many hot springs all over the prefecture, each with its own unique qualities, from the famous ones that have flourished since ancient times to the new ones that have been discovered in recent years. There are many different kinds of accommodation, from the luxury Ryokan inns that offer unparalleled hospitality, to the resort hotels and privately run guesthouses that compete on the quality of their cooking. Locations are varied, with hot springs to be found on the coast, in mountain valleys, in canyons and on the shores of lakes. Some locations are blessed with a view of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, and Suruga Bay, the deepest bay. All of these characteristics make Shizuoka Prefecture a veritable “hot spring heaven.”

Allow us to introduce you to the hot springs and related facilities dotting “hot spring heaven” Shizuoka Prefecture, region by region. No matter what kind of journey you’re on, whether a special trip with someone dear to you, a family trip, a girls’ trip, or a solo trip, we are sure you will be fully satisfied with your hot spring experience.

Hot springs in the Izu region

Blessed with abundant nature, beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons, and countless hot springs, each with their own characteristics, the Izu region is a popular hot spring area known to be one of the best in the country. As there are so many hot springs in Izu, we will break it down into the four sub-regions of eastern Izu, southern Izu, western Izu and central Izu.

Eastern Izu

Facing Sagami Bay and easily accessible from the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, eastern Izu is home to a great number of historically significant and popular hot springs. First among these is Atami Onsen, which is famous for its summer and winter fireworks displays, but also because there is a record of Tokugawa Ieyasu having stayed there with his vassals. Next, there is Ito Onsen, which is said to have flourished during the Edo Period as a spa and boasts one of the richest springs in Japan, producing an abundance of spring water. Situated on a cape jutting out from the eastern coast is Inatori Onsen, where in addition to enjoying stunning views of the sea, one can also experience traditional events such as the Hanging Doll Festival. Finally we come to Kawazu Nanadaru Onsen with its famous sightseeing spots like Kawazu Nanadaru, which offers stunning views through all four seasons, such as of its seven waterfalls or the early-blooming Kawazuzakura cherry blossoms.

Southern Izu

Located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, southern Izu has both hotels that offer a resort atmosphere and quiet hot spring inns surrounded by lush greenery. Here you can find Akazawa Onsen, where you can enjoy a spectacular view from an outdoor hot spring bath that appears to have joined with the sea. From Yumigahama Onsen, you can take a bath with a view of Yumigahama, which literally means, “bow beach.” As the name suggests, this beautiful, white sand beach stretches out for 1.3 km in the shape of a bow. Next, we come to Rendaiji Onsen, which sits on the banks of a mountain stream in a quiet hot spring town that has been referred to as the “inner sanctuary” of Shimoda City. If you leave Shimoda and head toward Mt. Amagi, you will find Kannon Onsen deep within the mountains. It is known for the excellent quality of its strong alkaline spring water, which you can savor as it soaks into your skin.

Western Izu

Located along Suruga Bay, western Izu has not only sophisticated traditional Ryokan inns that boast spectacular open-air baths with a view of the varied and dynamic coastline and sunsets over the sea, but also many small inns and guest houses that  focus on serving specialty dishes with fresh seafood from local fishing ports. Situated on the Toi coast, Toi Onsen is the oldest hot spring on the western coast of Izu, and is lined with Ryokan and guesthouses of all sizes. Two of the popular ones are Dogashima Onsen, which is known for its beautifying effects on the skin and its view of the scenic island Sanshirojima, and Matsuzaki Onsen, which is famous for its sunsets, Namako-style walls, and the nostalgic atmosphere one can enjoy while strolling down its streets.

Central Izu

Moving on from Suruga Bay, we turn to central Izu, which is conveniently accessible by Shinkansen bullet train and dotted with atmospheric hot spring resorts situated along streams in the mountain valleys. Heda Onsen is close to the popular diving spot Osezaki. This hot spring is located in a quiet fishing port facing an inlet, and is famous for its gourmet specialties such as Takaashigani spider crabs, deep-sea fish, and Heda salt. In addition to Shuzenji Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Izu said to have been opened by the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) in 807, and Kona Onsen with its 1300-year history, there’s Nagaoka Onsen, Tsukigase Onsen, Sagasawa Onsen and Amagi Yugashima Onsen, whose inn has been visited by many literary figures including Kawabata Yasunari.

The Fuji area

To bathe in a hot spring while gazing upon Mt. Fuji… In the Fuji area, it is actually possible to enjoy such a luxury. We recommend the hot springs in Gotemba, the Asagiri Highland in Fujinomiya, and Subashiri in the town of Oyama. The neutral, alkaline simple hot springs give the skin a mellow texture, and can be enjoyed by bathers of all ages. The day trip hot spring resort Konohana no Yu offers open-air baths with a view of Mt. Fuji, as well as private baths that can be rented out. The resort is adjacent to Hotel Clad, which was built inside the very popular Gotemba Premium Outlets. The Gotemba Kogen Resort Toki no Sumika is a hot spring theme park featuring many different kinds of hot springs, including a “highly concentrated carbonic hot spring,” that is attracting attention in the medical field, and the “Dead Sea salt bath”. In addition to baths, the resort also offers lodging, restaurants, and all manner of sports and activities.

If you depart the Gotemba city center and head toward Mt. Fuji, you will come across Subashiri Onsen Tenkei, which is popular among families and includes a bathing area where men and women can bathe together (in swimsuits) so that the whole family can enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji together.

Hot springs in the central area

Not only does the central area have easily accessible hot springs located close to train stations, it also has unexplored hot springs hidden deep in the mountains. You can choose whichever you like, depending on your needs. Yaizu Onsen is not far off from Yaizu Station, and it is possible to take a bath in several places around the city in these hot springs that were originally opened during natural gas excavations. Here you can enjoy tuna, bonito and other seafood taken directly from Yaizu Fishing Port, which boasts one of the highest catch loads in Japan. There are also bathing possibilities with magnificent views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay and the whole Izu Peninsula, such as at Hotel Ambia Shofukaku with its open-air baths facing Mt. Fuji.

Just off the Oigawa Railway that still services steam locomotives, you can find Kawane Onsen, whose sodium-chloride spring is effective against nerve pain, sore muscles and fatigue, and helps to beautify the skin. Adjacent to the roadside station stands the hot spring resort Fureai no Izumi, which literally means, “the spring of encounters.” The spring water flows directly from the source into the giant bath and hot spring pool, and it is the only resort with an open-air bath from which you can watch a steam locomotive going by.

Embraced by the gorges flanking the Oigawa River, the Sumatakyo Onsen is known in part due to its proximity to the Bridge of Dreams suspension bridge, which was once selected by Trip Advisor among the world’s “top 10 suspension bridges you have to walk across before you die.” It is also famous for its simple sulfur spring water, which is not only ideal for treating atopic dermatitis and muscle pains, but also for beautifying the skin. Even deeper into the unexplored areas of Okuoi you can find the Sessokyo Onsen, which is accessed on the Oigawa Railway Ikawa Line via the only Abt system train running in Japan. The hot spring is known for the mysterious train station Okuoi Kojo Station, which stands atop an island floating in the lake.

Umegashima Onsenkyo is located on the uppermost reaches of the Abe River, which flows into Suruga Bay. It is a collective name referring to the hot spring resorts Umegashima Onsen, Umegashima Kinzan Onsen, Umegashima Shinden Onsen and Konya Onsen. It is said that Takeda Shingen, a famous warlord of the Warring States Period (1467 – 1615), used these as his private hot springs, and they have long flourished as healing spas. These hot springs offer spectacular scenery in all four seasons, with a ravine in front that gives a view of the southern Alps, and the 90-meter-high Abe no Otaki waterfall close by.

Hot springs in the western area

The western area is full of various different types of hot spring facilities, such as day spas, Sento public baths and Ryokan inns. In the vicinity of Lake Hamana, one of the foremost large lakes in Japan, there are many hot spring resorts that offer magnificent views of Lake Hamana and the Enshunada Sea. On the eastern shore of Lake Hamana is Kanzanji Onsen, which was opened in 1958 and is therefore a relatively new hot spring. On the southern side of Lake Hamana you can find Bentenjima Onsen. With its 18-meter-high Torii gate standing on the beautiful, sandy beach, Bentenjima Onsen is known as a spiritual place, and like Kanzanji, its spring water is ideal for treating fatigue and nerve pain. Not only can you relax in hot springs with magnificent views, you can also enjoy some regular sightseeing. Just rent a bicycle and drop by several tourist attractions, such as Bentenjima Seaside Park and the Lake Hamana Experiential Learning Facility Wotto, where you can come into contact with the living creatures of Lake Hamana.

Shizuoka Prefecture is home to an abundant variety of delicious local specialties, starting with Shizuoka Tea, of which Shizuoka Prefecture is a top-class producer. Seafood such as eel, Sakura shrimp and Kinmedai is abundant, and Wasabi has a long history here. There are also budget options like Shizuoka Oden and Fujinomiya Yakisoba noodles, which manage to excite the tastebuds at low cost. Among fruits, strawberries, mandarin oranges and melons are specialty products of Shizuoka Prefecture. In addition, locally brewed ake and beer made with the prefecture’s abundant water resources are now garnering attention.
We also suggest you check out some of the food items often used as gift souvenirs from Shizuoka Prefecture, exemplified by Unagipie eel pastries and Abekawa Mochi.

Recommended specialties of Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Tea

Shizuoka Prefecture has been known as a tea-producing region for hundreds of years. It is said that tea cultivation in Shizuoka Prefecture began in 1244, when the Buddhist monk Shoichi Kokushi brought back tea seeds from China and planted them in Ashikubo in the northern part of Shizuoka City. Around the time of the Meiji Restoration (1868), some feudal retainers of the Tokugawa Clan moved from Edo to Shizuoka and cleared the land at the Makinohara Plain. Tea then began to be cultivated there, and is flourishing even today, with tea plantations stretching for as far as the eye can see.

In 2013, the traditional tea-grass integrated system was designated a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. This method is rare around the world, and consists of spreading Japanese pampas and bamboo grass on the tea plantations in order to fertilize the soil and give the tea a sophisticated flavor.

Precisely because of this background, the single word “tea” in Shizuoka can refer to many different things to be enjoyed in diverse ways. If you visit Shizuoka Prefecture, we certainly hope you will visit a tea cafe, where you can enjoy instagrammable sweets such as Western confectionery (e.g., cakes and pastries), ice cream and Japanese confectionery. You can also find various tea-themed facilities, such as the Tea Museum, Shizuoka, Grinpia Makinohara and Gyokuro no Sato, where you can learn about Shizuoka Tea and experience both tea picking and the traditional tea ceremony.

Seafood (Sakura shrimp, whitebait, tuna, bonito, Kinmedai)

Sakura shrimp and whitebait

Sakura shrimp is a precious marine product, with the only two places in the world where it can be harvested being Suruga Bay in Shizuoka and Taiwan. During the two fishing seasons, from late March to early June and late October to late December, it is possible to taste freshly caught Sakura shrimp at Yui Port in Shizuoka City. At the same time, Shizuoka’s representative seafood, whitebait, attracts many people for its delicious taste whether raw or boiled. Sakura shrimp is often enjoyed raw, deep-fried, or cooked in rice. The typical ways to eat whitebait are either boiled or laid on top of a rice bowl.

Tuna, bonito and Kinmedai

With its long coastline, Shizuoka Prefecture is a treasure trove of gourmet seafood. There are many fishing ports such as Numazu and Yaizu, so it is always possible to have some fresh fish or shellfish. Among these ports, the Port of Shimizu is particularly worth a visit. More than half of all the tuna consumed in Japan is brought to shore at the Port of Shimizu, and it also has the Shimizu Fish Market and Kashi no Ichi market which cannot be missed.

Locally caught, fresh seafood is sold wholesale at the Yaizu Fish Center in Yaizu City.

Kinmedai golden eye snappers are also famous on the Izu Peninsula, with fresh catches brought to shore in the fishing ports at Shimoda and Inatori. There are many ways to enjoy Kinmedai at local cafeterias, ryokan inns and guest houses, such as simmered in sweetened soy sauce, raw, flame-broiled or grilled.

Eel

There are several places in Shizuoka Prefecture that are known for their eel, such as Lake Hamana, Mishima and Yoshida. With a history of over 120 years, Lake Hamana is the birthplace of eel farming. That is why there are so many great eel restaurants here, some of which are frequented by people from far away. Raised in an excellent environment with a mild climate and mineral-rich spring water, Hamamatsu eel is characterized by its tender meat and delicate fat. Known for the high quality of its water and because its eel swim in the spring waters of Mt. Fuji, Mishima City is home to restaurants that have been around since the Edo Period (1603 – 1867). Due to its central position between eastern and western Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture offers eel cooked in both the Kanto style, where the fish is cut open along the back, steamed tender, and served with a light sauce, and the Kansai style, where the fish is cut open along the belly, grilled crisp, and served with a sweet sauce.

Shizuoka Wagyu beef

Shizuoka Prefecture has more to offer than just top-quality seafood. It also has a long history of producing high quality Wagyu, or Japanese beef. The Shizuoka Wagyu combines the different Japanese Black brands found within Shizuoka Prefecture. It is characterized by tender meat, a sweet taste, and elegant, marbled fat. Shizuoka Wagyu can be enjoyed in many different ways at restaurants within the prefecture, such as steak, Shabu Shabu, Sukiyaki, roast beef and Sushi.

Sake and locally brewed beers

One after another, breweries are appearing that produce original beers with particular attention paid to the water and ingredients used. There is a great variety of flavors, from Gotemba Kogen Beer, which is made with underground water from Mt. Fuji, to Numazu Craft, which is brewed using water from the river Kakitagawa, one of the three clearest rivers in Japan. Some breweries have tours, so you can see how the beer is made and have a taste. The local Shizuoka Sake brewed with the water from the southern Alps is also exquisite. You can taste it on the spot, or buy it as a gift souvenir for your friends and family back home.

Fruit (strawberries, mandarin oranges, melons and more)

Shizuoka Prefecture produces strawberries, mandarin oranges, melons and other fruits. It is especially famous for its strawberries. Many famous strawberry varieties originated in Shizuoka, such as Beni Hoppe, Akihime and Kirapika. Shizuoka strawberries are characterized by their large size and sweet taste resulting from being fully bathed in the sunlight during the long daylight hours. There are many places to go strawberry picking in the prefecture, such as Izu, the Kuno Coast in Shizuoka City and Lake Hamana. It is a popular activity among families and young people. In addition, cafes and restaurants in the prefecture offer sweet desserts made from fresh and tasty fruits, such as strawberry sundaes and melon tarts. In the summer you can get shaved ice with a rich helping of mandarin orange syrup. There is also an abundance of gift souvenir confectionery, both Western and Japanese, made with locally grown fruits. Hamamatsu City is a major producer of mandarin oranges as well as the home of the confectionery Mikkabi Seika, whose mandarin daifuku mochi is not only delicious but adorably cute as well. You can enjoy this frozen product with a satisfying crunch.

Wasabi

The traditional method of cultivating Shizuoka water Wasabi was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in 2018. The Wasabi is grown up in the mountains where pure spring water is available, in terraced Wasabi fields using as little fertilizer as possible. The Wasabi absorbs the abundant nutrients contained in the water, giving it an excellent color, aroma, hotness and sweetness, leading to its use as a luxury ingredient in Japanese cooking. The health benefits of Wasabi have also been gaining attention in recent years, and we are beginning to learn that the compounds released when you grate fresh Wasabi have several beneficial properties. For example, they have antioxidants, improve blood flow and improve skin quality. Pickled Wasabi, a local delicacy made by pickling chopped Wasabi leaves, stems, and roots in Sake dregs, is one of the most popular gift souvenir items of Shizuoka. It has a long history as part of Japanese food culture that began when it was sold in Shizuoka Station, which opened over 120 years ago.

Tasty yet affordable Shizuoka specialties

Shizuoka’s local specialties include Shizuoka Oden, Hamamatsu gyoza dumplings and Fujinomiya Yakisoba fried noodles. Aoba Oden Alley and Aoba Yokocho in Shizuoka City are known as the Mecca of Shizuoka Oden, which is eaten with Dashi powder sprinkled on top, and they are gaining attention from young people as places where you can experience the retro atmosphere of the Showa Era. Hamamatsu City is home to many famous eateries serving Hamamatsu gyoza dumplings. Packed full of vegetables and not too heavy, these dumplings lend themselves well to going from one shop to another to taste and compare. The Fujinomiya City local specialty Fujinomiya Yakisoba noodles have been popular among city residents for a long time, and have attracted so much attention that they were inducted into the hall of fame at the B-1 Grand Prix, a regional gourmet contest. With their distinctively firm noodles and sardine shavings, these fried noodles are perfect for lunch, dinner, and even a snack.