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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Shimizu, Shizuoka
Spend a half‑day walking the riverside parks and market, then return to Mishima or Numazu for night‑stop.
Shimizu is a compact town on the coast of Shizuoka Prefecture, best explored on foot in a few hours. Its main draws are river‑front parks, a local market and views of Mt Fuji on clear days. Accommodation is limited, so stay in nearby Mishima or Numazu.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥6,000–9,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥9,000–15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Miso ramen bowl | ¥1,000–1,200 |
| Soba plate | ¥1,000–2,000 |
| Bento from Deli‑Sio | Under ¥600 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- FSZ · Shizuoka Airport
- Bus or car to town (≈30 min).
- HND · Haneda Airport
- Train to Mishima, then bus/taxi (≈1 h).
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; local buses connect parks and market. Taxis available from Mishima/Numazu stations.
See and do
Known for
- Kakita River Park spring water
- Honjoyama Park views
- Local miso ramen and soba
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mishima | JR Tokaido Line to Mishima Station, then 5‑min walk or bus | ≈30 min |
| Numazu | JR Tokaido Line to Numazu Station, then 10‑min walk or local bus | ≈35 min |
| Shizuoka City | JR Tokaido Line to Shizuoka Station, then 15‑min bus | ≈1 h |
| Mount Fuji viewpoint (Kawaguchi‑Ko) | JR Tokaido Line to Kawaguchi‑Ko Station, then bus to 5th Station | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Mishima
- Closest rail hub (JR, Sunzu Line); many hotels and hostels.
- Numazu
- JR station, good range of budget to mid‑range lodging.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- No railway station in Shimizu; plan bus or taxi from nearby stations.
- National Route 1 can be congested, especially weekends.
- Parking is limited; use paid car park at Kakita River Park.
Shimizu is generally safe; main risks are traffic on National Route 1 and occasional crowded buses; keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Shimizu, Shizuoka yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kakita River Park spring water
- Honjoyama Park views
- Local miso ramen and soba
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Shimizu, Shizuoka: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Shimizu (Shizuoka), revision 5222699 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5222699
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/shimizu-shizuoka). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.