Shizuoka Prefecture
 Shizuoka Prefecture produces more than half the green tea produced in Japan and is also a major producer of mandarin oranges - its scenic mountains and valleys are great places to walk, hike or cycle. Mt Fuji lies to the north-east; onsen and the annual Shimoda matsuri commemorating the arrival of the US Admiral Perry and his Black Ships in the mid-nineteenth century at Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula; castle town at Kakegawa City;
Shizuoka City Guide
Festival in early April.
 South of Sumpu Park, behind the Shizuoka Prefectural Government buildings, are Shichiken-cho dori and Aoba Symbol Road, which are pleasant places to stroll, shop and eat. Aoba Symbol Road has a pedestrian, tree-lined park running down its center, with a collection of varied street sculpures. The street has an illumination show from October to January. At its base is Tokiwa Park , which has a water display on the hour and is lit up at night.
Nihondaira
Nihondaira , to the south and east of Shizuoka city, is a noted natural beauty-spot with views of Mount Fuji and the sea. There are buses from the main bus station (35-40 mins) or a taxi will cost around 6,000 yen one-way. Things to see and do include a visit to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine and Kunozan Toshogu Museum , which are reached by cable-car. The decorative shrine dates from the Momoyama Period and the grounds contain the tomb of Ieyasu Tokugawa. The adjoining Kunozan Toshogu Museum (Tel: 237 2437) contains over 2,000 pieces related to Japan's greatest warlord including an exquisite golden helmet and a desktop clock, a gift to Ieyasu from the Spanish Governor General in Mexico.
In Kanaya, one stop on the JR Line east from the Kakegawa Station on the Shinkansen Tokaido route is one of Japan's very few active steam trains. The train runs between Kanaya and Senzu through tea fields along the Ooi River. The journey is popular and booking in advance or traveling midweek is a good idea.
Ooigawa Railway (Japanese)
Tel: (0547 45 4112)
Festivals & Events
The Daidogei (Street Art) World Cup takes place annually in early November in Sumpu Park and in the streets around Shizuoka. Street performers of all descriptions: jugglers, mime artists and magicians congregate in Shizuoka for the big event.
Daidogei.com
Other large festivals in Shizuoka city are the Ieyasu-inspired Shizuoka Festival on the first weekend of April complete with cherry blossom dances
Good rail links with Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka(Shinkansen bullet train). From Tokyo JR Tokaido Shinkansen super-express (1 hour by "Hikari" express or 90 minutes by "Kodama") to Shizuoka. From Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) 1 hour 40 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train and 1 hour 20 mins by "Kodama" from Nagoya and 1 hour by "Hikari" express.
From downtown Shizuoka 50 minutes by JR Tokaido Honsen Line to the Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi City and then a ten-minute walk.
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