What to know
With over 700,000 residents, Shizuoka (静岡) is a medium-sized city situated halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya. It is the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture. The main city center is located around Shizuoka Station, while Shimizu and its port form a secondary center that was only recently merged into the city. Like the prefecture, the city is known for its tea leaves and scenic views of Mount Fuji.
The city has a long history dating back to the Nara Period (710-784), when it was the capital of Suruga Province. The town's prosperity greatly improved in the early 1600s when Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, made the local Sumpu Castle his retirement home. One of the most famous shrines dedicated to Ieyasu is located on nearby Mount Kunozan.
