When to travel?
The difference of the altitude is the biggest in Shizuoka, so that the climate varies a lot, too. Usually, the climate is very mild with warm winter with so many sunny days.
Best season: Mar-Nov (June is monsoon, Sep is typhoon)
Cherry blossoms: end Mar-Apr
Foliage: Nov
Events / Festivals
May: Kurofune Black ship festival (黒船祭), Shimoda 下田
May: Yabusame festival (流鏑馬祭), Fujinomiya 富士宮
Jun: Yoshiwara Gion festival (吉原祇園祭), Fuji 富士
Oct: Asahina Dairyusei Rocket festival (朝比奈大龍勢), Fujieda 藤枝
Oct (every 3 years): Shimada Taisai Obi festival (島田大祭帯まつり), Shimada 島田
Touristic spots
Capital city: Shizuoka (静岡)
With almost 700,000 population, the city is also considered as the capital of Chubu area. The climate is very mild without snow with so many sunny days during winter. The people in Shizuoka are proud of Mt. Fuji. There are a few numbers of touristic sites within the city.
Nihondaira (日本平)
There is always a discussion, “Where is the best place to see Mt. Fuji from?”, because the mountain is located in both Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefecture. The answer is as follows; if you would like to enjoy the view with lakes or nature, Yamanashi. If you would like to feel the height of the mountain, then Shizuoka.
The view point of Mt. Fuji on the Yamanashi side is located at the plateau, while the one from Shizuoka could be from the coast line. Nihondaira is said to be one of the best view points to see Mt. Fuji from, because the coast line and the mountain can be enjoyed at the same time.
Hamanako Lake (浜名湖)
The 10th biggest lake in Japan. Thanks to this lake, Shizuoka’s specialty is eel. The environment of the lake is a perfect place for them.
Hamamatsu city (浜松), which is considered as the second biggest city of Shizuoka, is right next to the lake.
Shiraito Waterfall (白糸の滝)
Located close to Mt. Fuji, Shiraito waterfall, which literally means a waterfall of white threads, can be seen. The width is about 200 meters and the water drops from the height of 20 meters. It is a part of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Atami Hot spring (熱海温泉)
All the Japanese know the name of this hot spring, because it is chosen as the top 3 hot springs of Japan. It literally means hot sea in Japanese, because hot water has gushed out from the ocean.
History of the hot spring is as old as 600 years long, and even now, the amount of hot water is so rich. There are some prestige Ryokan inns available.
