Shizuoka Shimizu 8Hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

Arriving by cruise at Shimizu Port, or visiting central Japan, and want to discover Shizuoka in comfort? This tour is perfect for you! With a government-licensed guide and a private vehicle, exploring the home of Mt. Fuji and Japan's finest green tea has never been easier. Discover the scenic Shizuoka and Shimizu area with your experienced, English-speaking licensed guides! From the pine-fringed shore of Miho no Matsubara with its iconic view of Mt. Fuji, to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, the Nihondaira plateau and the lively Shimizu fish market, this region blends natural beauty, samurai history and rich food culture. Hungry after exploring? Sample local favorites like fresh sakura shrimp and world-famous Shizuoka green tea. We welcome you to come and experience the unique charm of Shizuoka with us! Note*1: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Itinerary

1. Miho no Matsubara is a scenic pine grove stretching along the coast of Suruga Bay, famous for its breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji rising beyond the sea. Registered as part of the Fujisan UNESCO World Heritage site, this legendary shore is the setting of the Noh play "Hagoromo" (The Feather Robe). (45 min)
2. Kunozan Toshogu is the original resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo shogunate. This lavishly decorated mountainside shrine, reached by ropeway or a long stone stairway, dazzles with its colourful lacquered carvings and offers sweeping views over Suruga Bay. (1h 0min)
3. Nihondaira is a scenic hilltop plateau between Shizuoka and Shimizu, designated a national place of scenic beauty. From its observation deck you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Izu Peninsula and the surrounding green tea fields. (30 min)
4. Sunpu Castle Park occupies the site of the castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his childhood and later his retirement. Today its reconstructed turrets, gates and tranquil stone-lined moats sit within a pleasant park in central Shizuoka, offering a window into the city's samurai history. (30 min)
5. Shizuoka Sengen Shrine is a grand complex of vermilion-lacquered shrine buildings at the foot of Mt. Shizuhata. Long revered by the Tokugawa family, its ornate two-storey main hall and richly carved gates are among the finest examples of shrine architecture in the region. (30 min)
6. Kashi-no-Ichi at Shimizu Port is a lively fish market where you can browse fresh local seafood and sample Shimizu's famous specialty, raw sakura shrimp, along with tuna and other catches of the day. The market's food court is a great place to enjoy a fresh seafood rice bowl. (45 min)
7. S-Pulse Dream Plaza is a lively waterfront shopping and entertainment complex on Shimizu Port. It features a Ferris wheel, a sushi-themed museum, shops and restaurants, with lovely views across the harbour toward Mt. Fuji. (30 min)
8. The Nihondaira Tea House (Ochakaikan) celebrates Shizuoka's world-renowned green tea. Surrounded by tea plantations, visitors can learn about local tea cultivation, enjoy a freshly brewed cup and take in lovely views of Mt. Fuji and the rolling tea fields. (30 min)

Meeting & end point