Shizuoka Things to Do

4 more images

The prefectural museum opened in 1986 is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Shizuoka. It is best known by its Rodin Wing which opened in 1994 featuring replicas of Rodin's major works such as "The Thinker", "The Burghers of Calais" , and "The Gates of Hell", one of the seven replicas in the world. The themes of its special exhibitions are very widespread and attract huge number of visitors. Regular exhibitions show its collected artworks including some of ukiyoe paintings, works of Japanese painting giants such as Taikan Yokoyama and wide variety of masterpiece western paintings. The museum also has its garden behind the Rodin Wing and you can enjoy the view from the lookout and the garden plants.

#1 in Shizuoka Sightseeing according to Tripadvisor.com.

4 more images

Though it is not officially a park and actually a part of University of Shizuoka, a prefectural university, it is no doubt the most popular park areas in Shizuoka. This area is open to public so during weekends the park area is full of visitors sometimes exceeding those for Prefectural Museum of Art and Prefectural Library combined. Occasionally events are being held at the grassy park. Unofficial but one of the prevalent Japanese names is KENDAI SHIBAFU ENCHI. It is also the start of the Nihondaira Hiking trail. This grassy park adjacent to the Prefectural Museum of Art is my #1 favorite spot in Shizuoka city.

2 more images

Adjacent to Shizuoka City Toro Museum, the art museum showing the works and collection of late dyeing artist and Living National Treasure was built in 1981. An excellently designed art museum is a nice retreat from stressful daily life. One of the popular exhibits are the works with Japanese Letters, Kanji or Hiragana as their theme. Some are easy to find what were written while the rest may take some time to figure out what the designer had in mind. Art collections of Serizawa are widespread. I was impressed by the collection of the masks, items related to Christian belief.

4 more images

Currently Toro Ruins Park has been undergoing reconstruction work to bring back the exact landscape of Toro village 2,000 years ago based on recent excavation findings. In Japan the cultivation of rice started about 2,000 years ago presumably brought from Korean Peninsula. Toro Ruins Park is one of the historical parks in Japan showcasing how the life would have been when Japanese acquired the skills to grow rice. Shizuoka City Toro Museum has been renewed to better represent not only about Toro Ruins but the recent revelations about ancient ruins in Japan. The park also has Serizawa keisuke Art Museum to show the works and collected items of one of the most renowned dye artists in Japan. His residence was also reconstructed near the Toro Museum.

Also see Toro-Iseki Travel Guide.

What is the highest mountain in Shizuoka? Not Mt. Fuji, though it looks close enough. Even Shizuoka residents may not come up with the right answer. Mt. Ainodake, where the Origawa river originates has the altitude of 3,189 meters and it's the fourth highest mountians in Japan. Minami Alps with 14 over-3,000 m peaks lie between the border area of Shizuoka, Yamanashi, and Nagano prefecture and the highest peak of the mountain range is Mt. Kitadake, 3192 m, in Yamanashi prefecture. Its geological name is Akashi Moutain Range but nicknamed so after European Alps.

Osaka area known by the start of hiking trails for Mt. Mankanho and Nihonzaka Pass Trail has a lot of historical monuments attesting that once it was a thriving area along the ancient highway. The traditional houses of Osaka area is well appreciated by historical trail buffs.

Mochimune station is a JR Tokaido Line station located between Yaizu and Abekawa station. It is quiet and peaceful station with few passengers getting off. The biggest draw of this place is Mochimune Port and Mochifune castle ruins with magnificent view is also popular. It is also used as a starting place for hiking such as Mt. Hanazawa, Nihonzaka Pass, Mt. Mankanho, Mariko Fuji and trail for Mariko and Utsunoya.

2 more images

VIDEO (click)

This temple rank high among temples of Rinzai Zen Sect in this district..Its more of a training temple belonging to Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect

The main hall of the temple is a NATIONALY DESIGNATED IMPORTANT CULTURAL PROPERTY a well preserved building with straw like roof....and the oldest one among Rinzai Zen Sect main halls in this district..... the garden is a NATIONALY DESIGNATED PLACE OF SCENIC BEAUTY..which was a real treat to the eyes..

As it is a training ashram for ascetic monks, they are not open to public except on special days in spring and fall...I went on May 5 2008 and we could hear chanting in the main hall....

.... This temple has a historic background....

The temple originates in Zentokuin Temple built by Imagawa Ujichika during 1528-1531. In 1536, when Imagawa Yoshimoto’s brother Ujiteru died and he was buried at this temple, Yoshimoto changed the temple name to Rinzai Temple after his brother’s Buddhist name and invited Priest Dairin Sokyu of Myoshinji Temple in Kyoto as the first resident priest of a new temple.

The second generation resident priest, Taigen Sessai, served as Yoshimoto’s military advisor. He is famous as a teacher who taught history and art of warfare to young Tokugawa Ieyasu(Tokugawa Ieyasu was the most powerful man in Japan after Hideyoshi he died in 1598). who was in the custody of the Imagawa clan as a hostage.