Major city · Japan
Kikugawa菊川市
Skip as a base: Kikugawa is a tea-farm town with one JR station, no Shinkansen stop and little to see. Use it as a half-day from Kakegawa, or skip it.
Kikugawa is a small Shizuoka city on the JR Tokaido line, known for green tea and little else. It has no Shinkansen station, no major sight and only a handful of business hotels. Travellers who come here are usually visiting tea fields, picking fruit in season or using it as a cheap bed near Kakegawa. Treat it as a half-day, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May (tea picking), Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airports
- FSZ · NGO · NRT
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kikugawa110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kikugawa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyQuiet and low-crime, like most of rural Shizuoka.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFSZ Mt.
- Getting aroundJR Tokaido line stops at Kikugawa station; Kakegawa (Shinkansen, Kodama only) is 5 min and ¥190 (≈ US$2) away.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealRamen or noodle soup¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥11,000 (≈ US$75) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FSZ Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport (About 40 min by car or bus to Kikugawa; check current bus times.) · NGO Chubu Centrair (Nagoya) (Entetsu E-Wing bus to Kakegawa, about 2 h, then 5 min by train.) · NRT Narita (Tokyo) (About 6 h by car or bus; the train via Tokyo and Kakegawa is usually easier.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kikugawa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
JR Tokaido line stops at Kikugawa station; Kakegawa (Shinkansen, Kodama only) is 5 min and ¥190 away. Local buses are limited: the community bus is ¥200 but does not run weekends, holidays or New Year. A rental car is the practical way to reach tea fields, farms and Hitsurugi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kakegawa
goDoor to door: About 15 min
JR Tokaido line, 5 min, ¥190 (≈ US$2)
Castle and the nearest Shinkansen stop; the obvious pairing with Kikugawa.
Door to door: About 1 h
JR Tokaido line, about 40 min, ¥720 (≈ US$5)
Bigger city for museums, food and connections.
Door to door: About 1 h
JR Tokaido line west, about 40–50 min
Music museums and gyoza; a full day.
Iwata
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
JR Tokaido line west, about 30 min
Small city; only worth it with a specific reason.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kikugawa Station area
Two-minute walk to Business Hotel Tachibana; the only cluster of beds in town.
Kikugawa Inter area
Route Inn with a large public bath; needs a car or taxi from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥16,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥11,000 | ¥22,000 |
| JR Kakegawa → Kikugawa, one way2 × ¥190 | ¥380 |
| Community bus, one journey2 × ¥200 · No Saturday, Sunday, holiday or New Year service. | ¥400 |
| Rental car, one day1 × ¥6,000 · check; fuel extra | ¥6,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,180 |
| Trip total≈ ¥22,980 per person per day, bed included | ¥45,960≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Ramen or noodle soup | ¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Hamburger steak set at Sawayakacheck current menu prices | ¥1,000–1,600 (≈ US$7–11) |
| JR Kikugawa → Shizuoka | ¥720 (≈ US$5) |
| JR Kikugawa → Kakegawa | ¥190 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The community bus does not run on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays or over New Year: plan around it.
- Only Kodama Shinkansen trains stop at Kakegawa, roughly once an hour.
- Most sights, farms and restaurants are spread out and need a car or taxi.
- Small shops and farms may take cash only; carry yen.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Kikugawa菊川市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassies in Kikugawa; the US consulate is in Nagoya and most embassies are in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kikugawa → Kakegawa, JR: ¥190 (≈ US$2), about 5 min
- Kikugawa → Shizuoka, JR: ¥720 (≈ US$5), about 40 min
- Community bus, one journey: ¥200 (≈ US$2); no Saturday, Sunday or holiday service
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
- 緑茶をください — Green tea, please (ryokucha o kudasai)
Carry some cash: small farms and shops may not take cards.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kikugawa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May (tea picking), Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares