Useful information about Shizuoka
General Information about Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka is a prefecture in the Chubu region of Japan, with a population of around 3.61 million people. It has an area of 7,777 km2, 64% of which is uninhabitable mountain forests. There are 228 train stations in Shizuoka, some of the major ones being Shizuoka Station and Hamamatsu Station, both of which are stops on the Shinkansen.
Shizuoka Station is the main station of Shizuoka City, the prefectural capital. The north side of the station features several government offices, as well as a commercial district with department stores and other shops. The south side of the station has residential areas in close proximity, and is an area of high pedestrian traffic.
Hamamatsu Station is the main station of Hamamatsu City in the western part of the prefecture. The station is located in the commercial district of the city. Hamamatsu is known as the "City of Music", and its station features several exhibits of musical instruments from famous manufacturers such as Kawai, Yamaha, and Suzuki.
The eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture is the Izu Peninsula, home to a popular hot spring resort area that attracts tourists from all over Japan. The coast includes famous locations such as Atami and Numazu, while the northern part features nature-rich highlands in places like Fuji and Gotemba.
Some of the famous local specialties of Shizuoka Prefecture include green tea and wasabi. It is also a major producer of mikan oranges, tomatoes, and unagi (freshwater eel).
Foreign Residents in Shizuoka Prefecture
As of December 2018, there were 89,341 foreign residents living in Shizuoka Prefecture, with the vast majority living in Hamamatsu City (more than twice the number in Shizuoka City which comes second). Compared to the resort areas like Atami and Ito in the Izu Peninsula, there are relatively more foreign residents in the highlands of Gotemba and Fuji.
By nationality, Brazilians are by far the most in number, with a population of 27,904, due to the presence of large Brazilian communities in the prefecture. Next come Filipinos with 16,526 residents, followed by Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Peruvians, Indonesians, Nepalese, Thai, and Sri Lankans. For all nationalities, the population is mostly concentrated in Hamamatsu City, but there is also a significant number of Brazilians in Iwata City.
Data source: Shizuoka Prefectural Government: Survey on the Foreign Resident Population in Shizuoka Prefecture" (published December 2018)
Popular Residential Areas in Shizuoka Prefecture
The most popular residential area in Shizuoka Prefecture for foreigners is Hamamatsu. It is sometimes said that one out of four residents in Hamamatsu is Brazilian. Most foreign residents work in the automobile and motorcycle factories in the city. Being an ordinance-designated city, Hamamatsu ranks high in terms of infrastructure and convenience.
Another popular area is Shizuoka City, the prefectural capital. The area around Shizuoka Station is home to many government facilities, and is located just one hour away from Tokyo.
Other lesser known but popular areas to live in include Fuji City and Mishima City, both of which are nature-rich areas at the foot of Mt. Fuji. They are also accessible from Tokyo by Shinkansen in as little as 37 minutes.
Transportation in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka has an extensive public transportation network that interconnects every area in the prefecture. Major railway lines operated by JR Central include the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Tokaido Main Line, in addition to many local lines such as the Ito Line and Gotemba Line. There are also private railway operators like the Izuhakone Railway and the Tenryu Hamanako Railroad.
The Tokaido Shinkansen is a high-speed train that connects Tokyo with Nagoya and Shin-Osaka, with stops at Shizuoka and Hamamatsu. The Tokaido Main Line is a major railway that connects Tokyo and Kobe, with more than 40 stations in Shizuoka Prefecture. The JR Ito Line connects Atami and Ito in the Izu Peninsula, and is used by many local residents. The JR Gotemba Line connects Kozu in Kanagawa Prefecture and Numazu in Shizuoka, and is known for providing beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. Private railway lines like the Izuhakone Railway and the Tenryu Hamanako Railroad are used by both locals and tourists alike.
Shizuoka also has a network of buses that supports the transportation needs of its residents. Some of the major bus operators include Shizutetsu Bus, Entetsu Bus, Hamamatsu Bus, Izuhakone Bus, Fujikyuko Bus, and the Fuji City Municipal Bus. Shizutetsu Bus provides many local and express bus routes within and outside the prefecture. There are also buses that travel to popular tourist locations like Atami and Mt. Fuji.
Expressways also play an important part in the transportation of Shizuoka. Important routes passing through the prefecture include the Tomei Expressway and the Shin-Tomei Expressway, with major interchanges at Numazu and Gotemba.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture is a nature-rich prefecture, and is home to countless tourist attractions. The most famous spot is Mt. Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain. Not only is it beautiful in form, it is also steeped in culture and religion, with many shrines dotting the area.
In Hamamatsu City, one famous spot is Hamamatsu Castle. A visit to this place offers a glimpse into the feudal history of Japan.
Of course, there are also the popular hot spring resorts in the Izu Peninsula, some of the most famous ones being Atami and Ito. You should visit these places if you want to relax in a variety of hot springs.
You should also not miss the local food in Shizuoka. Some famous dishes include Fujinomiya Yakisoba (fried noodles) in the Mt. Fuji area, and unaju (grilled eel on rice) in Hamamatsu City. There are also many other specialties in every area of the prefecture.
