Orientation: How Shizuoka Is Laid Out
Shizuoka Prefecture stretches along Japan's Pacific coast between Tokyo and Nagoya, bounded by Mount Fuji's southern slopes, the Izu Peninsula, and Suruga Bay. Its long, narrow, mountainous shape means transport is largely organized around an east–west spine, with Shizuoka City as the prefectural capital and a major stop on that spine. Key places you may pass through or base yourself in include Atami, Mishima, Numazu, Shizuoka City, Kakegawa, Hamamatsu, Ito, Shimoda, and Shuzenji.
For a visitor, the practical takeaway is that Shizuoka City itself is compact and walkable in its core, while most travel beyond the city centers depends on trains, buses, or a car.
Getting Around Shizuoka City
Shizuoka City has no metro or tram system. Getting around relies on buses and trains, with two main hubs: Shizuoka Station (JR) and Shin-Shizuoka Station (Shizutetsu). The city center around Shizuoka Station and Sunpu Castle Park is highly walkable, so a good deal of sightseeing can be done on foot once you're in the core.
Buses are the workhorse of local movement. The main operator is Shizutetsu JustLine, whose extensive network connects Shizuoka Station to most city regions and tourist attractions. Route maps are available at coach terminals and tourist information centers. Shizutetsu buses can be used to get anywhere in the city, and they also run between Shizuoka Station and the Cenova shopping mall.
Rail: Shinkansen, JR, and the Shizutetsu Line
The Tokaido Shinkansen and the parallel JR Tokaido Main Line form the east–west spine of the prefecture, linking Atami, Mishima, Shin-Fuji, Shizuoka, Kakegawa, and Hamamatsu. End to end, this spine can be covered in under two hours. Note that Nozomi Shinkansen services do not stop in Shizuoka Prefecture; only Hikari and Kodama trains call at these stations. The JR Tokaido Line also connects Shizuoka Station to nearby cities and towns within the prefecture.
Within Shizuoka City, the private Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu) line runs from Shin-Shizuoka Station in the Cenova shopping mall to Shin-Shimizu Station, and is useful for areas such as Kusanagi. Be aware that none of the Shizutetsu stations are integrated into the JR train system, so you'll need to exit and re-enter when transferring between the two.
Elsewhere in the prefecture, local operators include Enshu Railway in Hamamatsu. For the Izu Peninsula, the Izukyu Line (Ito to Izukyu-Shimoda) and the Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line (Mishima to Shuzenji) both connect with JR services. Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko limited express trains run direct from Tokyo Station to Ito and Izukyu-Shimoda, saving you a change at Atami.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Beyond the city, buses fill in where trains don't reach. Shizutetsu JustLine also operates tourist-oriented routes, such as the Nihondaira Loop Bus. For specialized sightseeing, the Nihondaira Ropeway connects the Nihondaira plateau to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, and the S-Pulse Dream Ferry operates sightseeing cruises.
On fares and payment: buses generally accept cash (exact change) and IC cards such as Suica and Pasmo, and one-day passes are available. IC cards (Suica, TOICA, Pasmo) are accepted on JR lines, the Izukyu Line, Izuhakone Railway, Shizuoka Railway, and Enshu Railway. IC cards are rechargeable at stations and mini-marts and are accepted across major Japanese cities, which makes them a convenient default. The exception is rural buses in inland Izu, which sometimes require exact cash fare.
Buses and local trains generally run from around 5:30 AM to around 11:00 PM, with frequency varying by route and time and more frequent service during rush hours. Google Maps is usable for real-time bus schedules and routes. Tourist information centers sell one-day passes that may offer savings, and for multi-town Izu trips, JR Tokai Tours or a regional Izu Free Pass can offer unlimited rides on the Izukyu Line, Izu Hakone buses, and connecting JR sections.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis are available outside major stations, including Shizuoka Station and Shin-Shizuoka Station, and at Shizuoka Airport, as well as in resort towns such as Atami, Ito, and Shimoda. A red dashboard light indicates availability, and taxi doors open automatically. Fares are metered, with a late-night surcharge applying from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Cash is always accepted, and many taxis take credit cards and IC cards.
Uber operates in some parts of Japan including Shizuoka but is less common than taxis; DiDi is also available. Ride-sharing in Japan typically uses licensed taxis. Most drivers do not speak English, so it's advisable to carry your destination address written in Japanese. On rural Izu roads and mountain climbs to onsen ryokan, taxi fares add up quickly.
Walkability and Cycling
Shizuoka City and Hamamatsu have compact, walkable downtown cores around their stations, and the area around Shizuoka Station and Sunpu Castle Park is especially easy on foot. Popular walking spots include Sunpu Castle Park, Miho no Matsubara, and the Shimizu waterfront. Most sightseeing beyond the city centers, however, requires a train, bus, or car.
Dedicated cycling paths are not widespread in the city center, though they exist in some recreational areas. Bicycle rentals are available, particularly for Miho no Matsubara.
Renting a Car
A rental car is recommended for the Izu Peninsula's hot-spring villages, the Fuji foothills, and the Lake Hamana and Enshu area, where train and bus coverage thins out. Rent in Mishima or Shuzenji for the Izu Skyline toll road and mountain onsen villages that aren't reachable by train. Major companies such as Toyota, Nissan, Nippon, and Times Car Rental have offices near Shizuoka Station; booking online is often cheaper, and reserving ahead in peak season is wise.
You'll need a valid International Driving Permit and your home driver's license, with a minimum rental age of 18. Driving is on the left, toll roads are common and can be expensive, and an ETC card makes tolls more convenient. Parking is limited and costly in urban areas. Roads are well maintained, and signage is often in both Japanese and English. In winter, weekday mornings can bring fog on the Izu Skyline and roads around Mount Fuji's 5th station, so check road conditions before setting out.
Getting In from the Airport
Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport (FSZ) lies between Shizuoka City and Kakegawa, roughly midway along the prefecture, making it a viable arrival point for the western half. Fuji Dream Airlines is based there, operating flights to Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima, while All Nippon Airways operates flights to Sapporo and Okinawa. International flights operate to and from China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
To reach Shizuoka city, buses run from the airport to Shizuoka train station in about an hour, at a cost of ¥1000. Note that although the airport was built directly over the Tokaido Shinkansen line, there is no train station serving the airport, so the bus is the practical connection.
If you're arriving via one of the region's larger airports instead, the nearest major options are Haneda and Narita Airports in Tokyo and Chubu International Airport in Nagoya. From Haneda or Chubu, the fastest train services reach Shizuoka in approximately two hours, and a little longer from Narita.
Accessibility Notes
Major depots and newer facilities are generally accessible, and newer buses and trains are increasingly accessible, with elevators at major stations. Older infrastructure, however, may pose challenges, so it's worth planning routes with that in mind.