Shimizu Things to Do

It is another of Jirocho related site, reconstructed in 2001 using the original materials used for Jirocho's lodging house for sailor's. It is a museum, souvenir shop and a community place for Shimizu-ku residents.

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The house where Chogoro Yamamoto, commonly known as Shimizu Jirocho was born is now a sort of museum that shows how the house might have been when Jirocho led the Shimizu family. Jirocho is known as the undefeatable swordsmen during late 19th century when Tokugawa Shogunate were to be thwarted. Jirocho belonged to one of the strongest Yakuza families, Shimizu Family. After Jirocho left out of gambling business he became an important business figure in Shimizu and contributed a great deal to make the town of Shimizu a prosperous port town. After his death, the story of his life became popular and made into dramas a number of times. Japanese people born around or before baby-booming period of late 40s or 50s are well versed in Jirocho's story. But younger generation like myself are not so aware of what Jirocho is.

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It is known as a place where the tomb of Chogoro Yamamoto known as Shimizu Jirocho lies. The tomb area is a part of a museum adjacent to the temple main hall and to get there you are asked to pay admission fee of 300 yen. The statue of Jirocho is nice but it may be the place for the fans of Jirocho-related dramas.

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A 1,300 year-old temple originally at the mountaintop of Mt. Kunozan (currently Kunozan Toshogu stands) was reconstructed by one of the notable figures of Meiji Period and known as the close friend of Jirocho, the folk hero of Shimizu. The treasure trove of the temple is not well organized and has some spooky feel and not all the treasure can be seen here. The only relief for travelers might be the climb to the detached building Senju Kannondo noted for the nice view of the city. Along the steps jizo statues with variety of styles welcome the visitors and they are well tended and their aprons are neatly changed by the locals.

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Founded in 1670 as a Nichiren Buddhism sect temple, this temple is known by 1,100 year old cycads the oldest in Japan, 300-year-old cactus trees and a nice garden. Chogyu Takayama one of the major novelists of Meiji Period loved this temple and was buried there.

From nihondaria plateu there is a great view of Shimizu port and miho area...The port been around since the 7th century...But only until the 16-18 century that the famous Shogunate came to view it as an important strategic site and a trading center....

.... The modern harbor begins as an open port on August 4, 1899. The opening coincided with the arrival of the steam engine and industrial modernization. Starting with the export of green tea, the port began handling products of Shizuoka and neighboring areas, such as motorcycles and musical instruments,

The port responded swiftly to the opening of the container era to become one of the leading exporters in the country, and also supports the economy of Shizuoka and central Japan with imports of raw materials such as timber, soy beans and bauxite, and came to play an important role in the era of high economic growth in Japan.

From shimizu Spulse plaza you can view the port area ..

The peak of Mt. Udo, and "Nihondaira" was named after the old story that Yamato-Takeru-no-Mikoto" looked down the field from here when he was on the way of battles to the East.

This is the best place to view the Port of Shimizu and Miho Pine Trees, as well as the mountains of Izu, Shizuoka city, the South Alps and as far as Cape Omaezaki.

The most famous view is that of Mt. Fuji., but its got to be on a very good day to be able to see MT fuji...

From here you can also take an aerial cableway to the peak to see Kunozan Toshogu Shrine*
(click), where you can see gorgeous buildings and a museum displaying the articles related to Tokugawa-Ieyasu.

The cablecar will cost,Adults 550 yen ONE WAY TICKET
Open from 9:10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
but from
OCTOBER TO END OF MARCH 9:10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

When you get to the shrine walk down the other side facing the sea where there are many strawberry picking farms along the coast under the mountain, and you can pick and eat strawberries from January to May.
Prices vary from farmer to farmer....but basically its 1500 yen , all you can eat..

SPULSE Plaza is in Shimizu . A city just before Shizuoka city..You can spend a few hours here...

A few things available at the PLAZA..
1.- Shimizu Sushi museum (the first sushi museum of Japan)
-single ticket adult 400 yen
-child 200 yen,

2.-"Teruhisa Kitahara Toy Museum"
single ticket adult 500 yen,
child 300 yen

3.- "Chibi-Maruko-chan Land" , she is a comic strip on TV...
single ticket adult 300 yen,
child 200 yen..

4.-"Shimizu Succor Museum" (a unique museum in the city of football, Shimizu city)
single ticket adult 300 yen,
child 200 yen

also movie theaters, amusement corner, large seafood market "Shimizu Port Market" and shopping mall.

You can buy a common pass which covers 4 places;
(Shimizu Sushi Museum, Shimizu Toy Museum, Shimizu Succor Museum and Chibi-Maruko-chan Land):
adult 1,200 yen, child 700 yen.

or for 3 (Shimizu Toy Museum, Shimizu Succor Museum and Chibi-Maruko-chan Land): adult 900 yen, child 600 yen.

Its open all year from 10am to 8pm