Shizuoka Travel Guide

A dramatic coastline of eroded tuff stone cliffs, sea caves, and stacks — the Izu Peninsula's most scenic shore. Boat tours enter the Tensei Cave, a collapsed cave with a sky-light hole in the ceiling through which sunlight pours in. The turquoise water and white rock faces resemble the Amalfi Coast.

Fujinomiya is home to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha — the head shrine of over 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan and the spiritual centre of Mt Fuji worship. The Shiraito Falls nearby, fed entirely by Mt Fuji snowmelt, cascade over a 150-metre-wide basalt ledge. Fujinomiya yakisoba is one of Japan's most famous local noodle dishes.

Tokugawa Ieyasu ruled from this castle for 17 years during his formative battles before taking national power. The reconstructed keep stands in a park of cherry trees. Hamamatsu is also Japan's eel (unagi) capital — the grilled eel restaurants surrounding the park have been serving the same dish for generations.

One of the Izu Peninsula's least-visited onsen towns — a tranquil riverside resort with hot spring water so abundant it is used to heat the famous Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden. The milky alkaline waters relax muscles while the forested gorge offers cool air even in summer.

The Kawazu cherry tree (kawazu-zakura) blooms weeks earlier than Somei-Yoshino, turning the riverside walk into a tunnel of deep pink blossoms from late January to early March. The contrast of hot-pink flowers against the Kawazu River and snowcapped mountains draws visitors from across Japan.

A UNESCO World Heritage pine grove beach where 30,000 ancient Japanese black pines stretch for 3km along Suruga Bay with Mt Fuji rising behind. The site is the setting of the hagoromo legend (a celestial maiden loses her feather robe) and has inspired Japanese artists for over 1,000 years. Dawn visits in clear winter are otherworldly.

A fishing port at the foot of Mt Fuji with one of Japan's best sakura-and-Fuji viewpoints across Suruga Bay. The port market serves fresh sakura shrimp (cherry shrimp) in spring — a translucent pink seafood unique to this bay — and whitebait don (shirasu) year-round.

The last scheduled steam locomotive service in Japan running daily in all seasons. The SL Kawane-ji steams 65km into the Oi River gorge through tea plantations and deep river valleys. The train uses original Showa-era rolling stock, and volunteers in period uniform serve tea in the carriages.

Japan's leading port for bonito and one of the top tuna-landing ports nationally. The S-Pulse Dream Plaza mall overlooking the port has a dedicated market floor with stalls selling maguro don at prices that make Tokyo prices look absurd. Early morning catches often hit restaurant tables by lunch.

The oldest hot spring on the Izu Peninsula, discovered by Kobo Daishi in 807 AD and later a place of tragic exile for the young Kamakura shogun Minamoto no Yoriie. The bamboo-forested Katsura River valley, its covered walking bridges, and centuries-old inn district create a remarkably complete traditional hot spring atmosphere.