As the home of Mount Fuji, there’s already an expectation that Shizuoka will be a scenic delight of any trip to Japan. But outside the shadow of Japan’s highest mountain is a cultural heritage, beaches, and fresh seafood cuisine.
Located in the Chubu region of Honshu in the southeast, Shizuoka is a coastal city easily accessible from Tokyo. This is thanks to the Shinkansen, the bullet train system built to unite Japan. Going at top speeds of 199 mph, the trip will take somewhere between 60-90 minutes.
Once in Shizuoka, the traveler will see a modern city with deep ties to its past. The traveler will find shrines and castles close to city life, like the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine dedicated to Shintō and built by Nakai Masakiyo in 1617. There are also temples along and atop the surrounding mountains that provide a view of both amazing scenery and a deep respect for history.
Also just outside the city is the star of the show, Mount Fuji. Japan’s highest and most iconic mountain stands at an elevation of 12,388 feet. This majestic stratovolcano, with its gracefully sloping sides and distinctively symmetrical cone. Mount Fuji is revered in Japanese culture and has been portrayed in countless works of art, poetry, and literature throughout the centuries. The mountain is an active volcano, with its last eruption occurring in 1707-1708, and it remains a source of both awe and potential danger. Hundreds of thousands of climbers and visitors flock to Mount Fuji, drawn by its natural beauty, spiritual significance, and the challenge of scaling its higher slopes.
Though the beaches may be a bit mild for those more inclined to tropical temperatures (average during summer 66°F), the white sand and blue waters of Shirahama Beach may just change their mind. With many other beaches such as the black volcanic sands of Matarahama Beach and the dramatic cliffs of Kusanagi Beach, there is no shortage of beachscapes here.
Another boon from Shizuoka being on the coast is the fresh seafood. Sashimi and sushi lovers will enjoy tuna, yellowtail, and sea bream prepared almost straight from the sea. This city is also known as the birthplace of tempura, a normally light and crispy batter enhancing freshly caught seafood. Add into this culinary array of flavors the local Wagyu beef, taken from a breed of cattle by the same name once used for physical endurance, which is “marbled” with intra-muscular fat — creating a unique and tender steak experience.
After a culinary experience of a lifetime, a nice cup of green tea will top it off. Shizuoka is the main export of green tea to the rest of Japan, so it is no surprise that the tea would be some of the best in the land. Tea houses also have an aesthetic appeal, some with an authentic Japanese-traditional style such as the Ninomaru Teahouse.
Shizuoka and its surrounding areas are a cultural deep-dive into traditional Japanese customs, a culinary capital of seafood in Japan, and easy access to Mount Fuji and Tokyo.
That’s why the sponsor of this article, Elite Voyages, is offering Travel Advisors a chance to attend a FAM visiting Shizuoka, Tokyo, and many other splendid experiences. Along with journeys that can take your traveler around destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, and Osaka.
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