Shizuoka

Shizuoka Prefecture stretches east-west near the center of Japan, featuring diverse terrain from the Nobi Plain to mountainous Mikawa region. It is blessed with World Cultural Heritage sites like Mount Fuji, Miho no Matsubara, and the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace. Seafood from Suruga Bay and Enshu-nada, Shizuoka tea from the Makinohara Plateau, and Tenryu lumber represent thriving primary industries. Hamamatsu is world-renowned for transportation equipment and musical instruments. The mild Pacific climate makes winters relatively comfortable, and the Izu Peninsula and Atami Onsen attract over 100 million annual tourists year-round. The Tokaido Shinkansen, Tomei Expressway, and Shin-Tomei Expressway provide excellent connectivity between the Tokyo and Nagoya metropolitan areas. Recently, Shizuoka is gaining attention as a mecca for outdoor activities and cycling sports, offering diverse experiences by the sea, mountains, and countryside.