SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE

SHIZUOKA HOTELS

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SHIZUOKA MAIN CITIES and TOWNS

Atami, located on the coast line in Shizuoka Prefecture and is only 100Km from Tokyo and not far from Hakone. Atami is a beach and Onsen resort town which also features the reconstructed Atami Castle.

Hamamatsu is a city located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Chubu. Hamamatsu is an important industrial hub, the city is home to many companies, including Honda Motor Company, Kawai Pianos, Yamaha, Sony, Suzuki Motor Company and Hamamatsu Photonics as well as a large air base for Japan's defence force. Hamamatsu attractions include Hamamatsu Castle, Act City Tower Observatory, Hamamatsu Flower Park and Hamamatsu Fruit Park.

Ito is a coastal city located along the Pacific Ocean coastline on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture in the Chubu region. Ito faces Sagami Bay and part of the city is actually located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Ito is famous for its onsen and its close proximity to Tokyo make it a very popular destination. At the beginning of the 17th century, Ito became the site of the first shipyards in Japan involved in the construction on large ships.

Izu Kogen is an onsen town located near the coast in the eastern part of Ito city on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Izu Nagaoka is an onsen resort town located on the Izu Peninsula, located south of Tokyo in Shizuoka Prefecture in the Chubu region. Izu Nagaoka attractions are the popular onsen spread around the town.

Shimoda is a port city located along the Pacific Ocean coastline on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture in the Chubu region. Shimoda is famous for its onsen and beaches. Shimoda features three main beaches; Tadadohama, Ohama and Iritahama, the later has been voted Japanese most beautiful beach many time.

Shizuoka is the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture Chubu. Shizuoka city features views of nearby Mt Fuji, but has several other attractions including the reconstructed Sunpu Castle and several shrines.

SHIZUOKA DISTRICTS

Izu Peninsula is a large mountainous peninsula which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean. Izu Peninsula is located south of Tokyo in Shizuoka Prefecture in the Chubu region. Izu Peninsula includes the cities of Atami, Ito, Izu, Shimoda and Nagaoka. Izu Peninsula attractions include part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

SHIZUOKA CASTLES

Atami Castle is a hilltop style Japanese Castle which stands 120 meters above sea level, where you can overlook the view of the city of Atami and Atami Bay (South of Tokyo Bay). Atami Castle is a concrete reconstruction built in 1959 as a tourist attraction. Atami Castle contains a small museum. Atami Castle is most famous for its current day views and 200 cherry blossom trees.

Hamamatsu Castle is a Japanese Castle located in Hamamatsu Shizuoka Prefecture. Hikuma Castle had been built on the site of Japanese Castle in the early 1500s by the Imagawa clan. Tokugawa Ieyasu obtained control of area including Hikuma Castle in 1568. Tokugawa Ieyasu rebuilt and greatly expanded the castle which did not include a main donjon (tower), but featured two substaintial turrets (yagura). When the works were completed in 1577, Tokugawa Ieyasu renamed the castle, Hamamatsu Castle. The current Hamamatsu Castle was reconstructed in 1958.

Sunpu Castle, located in Shizuoka city, is also known as Fuchu Castle or Shizuoka Castle. A new Sunpu Castle was built in 1585 by Tokugawa Ieyasu on the site where a smaller castle or fort had been. Sunpu Castle was upgraded to a triple moat system, a new donjon and new palace in 1607. The donjon was destroyed by fire in 1610, and a new seven story one was built. In 1635 most of Sunpu (now Shizuoka) was destroyed by fire including the castle. The palace, gates and yagura (turrets) were rebuilt by 1638, but not the donjon. In 1989 reconstruction started with the eastern gate and Tatsumi Yagura completed to date.

SHIZUOKA GARDENS and PARKS

Cherry Blossom Village, located in Ito Shizuoka Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Fuji Memorial Park, located in Oyama Shizuoka Prefecture, is famous for its cherry blossom being considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Fuji Memorial Park features around 8,000 cherry blossom trees, which blossom later because of their higher altitude and cooler climate. Generally they blossom in early April through to late April.

SHIZUOKA SPORTING VENUES

Fuji Speedway is the international race track where events such as the Japanese F1 are held. Fuji Speedway is located near Mt Fuji.

SHIZUOKA MOUNTAINS

Mt Fuji, one of the main icons of Japan. Mt Fuji is a near symmectrical volcanic cone and Japan's tallest mountain at 3776 metres.