Shizuoka is an ideal area for a solo trip where you can enjoy rich nature, history, and gourmet food. Filled with nature spots to quietly face yourself, exquisite local gourmet food, and soothing hot spring inns, there are plenty of spots you can fully enjoy precisely because you are traveling alone. In this article, we introduce carefully selected spots categorized by theme, suitable for both day trips and overnight stays. Why not spend your own special time in Shizuoka?
Quietly Reflecting on Yourself! History & Culture Spots
Shizuoka is dotted with spots where you can touch upon history and culture to calm your mind. With art museums where you can enjoy art surrounded by beautiful nature, and historic sites where you can spend time facing yourself in a solemn atmosphere while feeling the history, the area is full of charms that can be thoroughly appreciated exactly because you are traveling alone.
MOA Museum of Art | A Time to Enjoy Spectacular Views and Art
Located in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the MOA Museum of Art is a special spot where art and the beauty of nature merge. From the museum grounds, you can enjoy a sweeping view of Sagami Bay and Atami’s beautiful coastline, fascinating visitors. The view from the observation deck is particularly overwhelming, and on a clear day, you can enjoy a spectacular view with Mt. Fuji in the background.
Inside the museum, a diverse collection of paintings and crafts is exhibited, focusing on East Asian art. There are many works designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, making it an irresistible place for those interested in art. In this quiet environment, you can spend time refining your sensibilities while carefully appreciating the artwork.
Additionally, there is a cafe inside the museum where you can relax and gaze at the spectacular view after enjoying the art. The MOA Museum of Art, where you can forget the surrounding hustle and bustle and fully enjoy your own special time exactly because you are on a solo trip, is an essential spot for a trip to Shizuoka.
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine | A Historic Shrine Dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine is a historic shrine located in Shizuoka City that enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu. As an important place inheriting Ieyasu’s dying wish, this shrine deeply moves those who visit. Because it is built on a mountain, accessing it requires a bit of physical stamina, but the sense of accomplishment upon reaching it is exceptional.
Stepping into the precincts, a solemn atmosphere drifts through the air, allowing you to feel the weight of history. The beautifully decorated main hall is a must-see, and the beautiful carvings and colors down to the finest details captivate visitors. The surrounding nature is also wonderful, and because you can enjoy scenery from season to season, it is an ideal spot to calm your mind.
When visiting on a solo trip, you will be able to turn your thoughts to history while spending a quiet time. Promenades are also maintained around the shrine, allowing you to refresh yourself in nature. Please be sure to visit Kunozan Toshogu Shrine as a precious place to feel the history and culture of Shizuoka.
Ryotanji Temple | A Tranquil Temple Associated with Ii Naotora
Ryotanji Temple is a historic temple located in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture, known as a place associated with the female warlord of the Sengoku period, Ii Naotora. The temple grounds are enveloped in tranquility, making it a perfect environment to calm your mind. In particular, the “Grave of Ii Naotora,” where Naotora is enshrined, is a spot visited by many worshippers, allowing you to reminisce about her life.
A beautiful garden spreads across the grounds, allowing you to enjoy seasonal scenery. Cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in the fall fascinate visitors, making it a perfect place to spend a quiet time. Furthermore, promenades are maintained around the temple, allowing you to refresh your mind while walking through nature.
Ryotanji Temple is a recommended spot for those who want to spend a quiet moment while touching upon history and culture. By visiting on a solo trip, you will be able to face yourself more deeply. Why not seek peace of mind while feeling the history of Shizuoka?
Shizuoka Imono Jutaro | A Casting Showroom to Experience Traditional Techniques
“Shizuoka Imono Jutaro,” located in Toyohara-cho, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, is a store and showroom for a cast metal product brand. Operated by Kurita Sangyo, a long-established metal casting company founded in 1890 (Meiji 23), it opened on January 26, 2023. The brand name derives from the founder’s name, and the store is a renovated 80-year-old head office building.
Inside the store, tin tableware and other items are exhibited and sold, allowing you to see, touch, and purchase “cast metal” items that you rarely have the chance to interact with normally. In particular, beer glasses and sake cups made of tin, which is said to soften and mellow the acidity and bitterness of water and sake, are representative products. The tin beer glass features a substantial weight when held in the hand and a creamy foam generated by the unevenness on the inside of the vessel.
Located close to the ruins of the Sumpu Imonoshi-machi (Casters’ Town) where casting was performed during the Edo period, a mini foundry (workshop) is also attached where you can observe the casting process of tin products. It is a perfect spot to quietly experience the charm of traditional techniques on a solo trip.
Fully Enjoy Shizuoka Gourmet! Restaurants You Can Feel Free to Enjoy Alone
Shizuoka is rich in delicious ingredients, and there are many restaurants you can easily enjoy even on a solo trip. With famous Hamburg steaks, fresh seafood, and stylish cafes, there are plenty of spots where you can fully taste Shizuoka’s gourmet food at your own pace.
Sumiyaki Restaurant Sawayaka | Savor the Famous Hamburg Steak
When visiting Shizuoka, “Sumiyaki Restaurant Sawayaka” is a must-visit. This restaurant operates several stores within Shizuoka Prefecture and is a place where you can enjoy the famous Hamburg steak loved by locals. Highly recommended is the “Genkotsu Hamburg,” slowly grilled over charcoal. It is an exquisite dish that is savory on the outside and overflows with juicy meat juices on the inside.
The casual atmosphere of the restaurant makes it easy to enter even on a solo trip, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a relaxed manner. The Hamburg steak comes as a set with rice, salad, and soup, making it very filling. Because you can enjoy your meal at your own pace, it is perfect for a moment to heal the fatigue of your trip.
Suruga no Ajidokoro Fujiya | Savor Fresh Seafood from Shimizu Port
Located in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, close to Shimizu Port, “Suruga no Ajidokoro Fujiya” is a beloved local Japanese restaurant founded in 1980. With a history of being popular as a casual diner, you can fully enjoy fresh seafood just landed in Suruga Bay.
In the calm atmosphere of the restaurant, you can easily enjoy a meal alone at the counter or table seats. The fresh sashimi set meals and carefully prepared seafood dishes are all filling and offer excellent value for money. It is a perfect restaurant to slowly taste exquisite seafood unique to Shizuoka at your own pace for lunch or dinner after enjoying sightseeing around Shimizu Port.
Sugoseru Sakaya MUGI | Craft Beer and Bread Enjoyed in a Traditional Folk House
Located in the Sengen-dori Shopping Street leading to Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, “Sugoseru Sakaya MUGI” is a standing-style craft beer specialty shop renovated from a 70-year-old traditional folk house. The “MUGI style” is to choose a carefully selected craft beer and pair it with delicious bread from the showcase.
The contrast between the retro exterior that evokes history and the stylish interior is attractive. It is easy to drop by alone, and you can spend your time freely, whether enjoying light conversation with the owner or locals, or quietly savoring your beer. It is a spot where you can enjoy a moment of mature solo travel between visiting Sengen Shrine and strolling through the shopping street.
Mifuku Sabo | A Warm Cafe Where You Can Take a Breather
“Mifuku Sabo” is a cozy cafe where you can enjoy delicious meals and sweets. Its warm atmosphere, which makes it easy to enter even alone, is its charm, and its specialty lunches using local ingredients and homemade desserts using seasonal fruits are gaining popularity.
It is highly recommended as a rest spot for a solo trip when you want to take a breather between sightseeing or when you want to slowly taste a reward sweet for yourself. It is perfect for reading a book or spending a relaxing time in a quiet space.
Cherry Beans Cafe | Soul Food Loved by Locals
“Cherry Beans Cafe” is a famous cafe that can be called the soul food of Shizuoka citizens. Its famous slightly spicy french fries and hearty hamburgers are popular, loved not only by locals but also by tourists.
The stylish and casual interior, much like an American diner, makes it easy to drop by alone, and it is perfect for enjoying Shizuoka’s local youth culture and gourmet food at your own pace.
LA PALETTE | Local Ingredient Gelato Enjoyed by the Seaside
Located in Mochimune, Shizuoka City, “LA PALETTE” is a gelato specialty store that abundantly uses carefully selected local ingredients from Shizuoka. Colorfully vibrant gelatos that change with the seasons, such as Shizuoka tea, mandarin oranges, and strawberries, line the showcase.
The time spent tasting cold and delicious gelato while feeling the pleasant sea breeze on the open terrace facing the ocean will further elevate the mood of your solo trip. With its cute appearance, it is a healing spot that is also highly Instagrammable.
Heal in Shizuoka’s Hot Springs! Recommended Accommodations for Solo Travel
Shizuoka has many inns that refresh both body and mind. It is especially well-equipped with accommodations perfect for solo travel, allowing you to enjoy your own time in a quiet environment. With a wide range of choices from retro hot spring inns in unexplored regions to traditional Japanese restaurants (kappo ryokan) where you can enjoy gastronomy. Why not spend a moment healing daily fatigue and organizing your mind?
Izumigaya Kogei no Yado Waraku | A Traditional Folk House Inn to Enjoy Solo Time
Surrounded by Shizuoka’s nature, “Izumigaya Kogei no Yado Waraku” is a traditional folk house inn perfect for solo travel. In a quiet environment, a space spreads out where you can refresh both body and mind. The interior of the inn welcomes visitors with a warm design incorporating local crafts.
The charm of this inn is, above all, its tranquility. Beautiful nature spreads around it, allowing you to enjoy a stroll. Furthermore, guests can spend time at their own pace, so you can fully enjoy alone time doing things like reading, meditating, or creating art. The cuisine using local ingredients is also one of its charms, and you can spend a special time with warm hospitality.
Kappo Ryokan Okaya | A Gourmet Inn to Taste the Famous Sakura Shrimp Dishes
Located in Yui, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, “Kappo Ryokan Okaya” is an inn boasting exquisite dishes using “Sakura Shrimp,” a specialty of Suruga Bay. Because you can enjoy the spirit of hospitality passed down since its founding and carefully prepared Japanese cuisine, it is perfect for a solo trip seeking gastronomy.
For dinner, seasonal tastes unique to Yui, such as crispy Sakura shrimp tempura (kakiage) and fresh local fish sashimi, are lined up. The quiet and calm Japanese-style guest rooms are perfect spaces to relax away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is a recommended inn for those who want to spend a slow, luxurious night alone while relishing delicious food.
Sumatakyo Onsen Suikoen | A Retro Inn in a Hidden Region Brimming with Taisho Romance
Nestled in Sumatakyo, a hidden region close to the terminus of the Oigawa Railway, “Suikoen” is a retro hot spring inn brimming with the atmosphere of Taisho Romance. You can fully enjoy the high-quality hot spring known as the “Bath of Creating Beauties,” characterized by its thick and smooth texture, in an open-air bath surrounded by nature.
Dishes lavishly using the blessings of the mountains, such as wild vegetables, river fish, and wild game (gibier), will also enrich your solo travel night. It is a recommended hideaway spot where you can spend a luxurious time healing your body and mind and forgetting everyday life in an inn nestled in quiet mountains.
RYOKAN OGAWA | A Quiet Inn for Solo Travelers
RYOKAN OGAWA is an inn located in a quiet environment in Shizuoka, perfect for solo travel. This inn, where you can feel the good old atmosphere of Japan, provides a peaceful moment. The guest rooms are simple yet decorated with a calm interior, making you feel as comfortable as if you were in your own home.
Beautiful nature spreads around the inn, and a walk in the morning tranquility is an excellent opportunity to refresh your mind. Please be sure to visit it as a special place to regain peace of mind away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Enjoy Shizuoka’s Spectacular Views! Nature & Observation Spots
Shizuoka is home to beautiful natural landscapes that heal the heart. There are many spots perfect for spending a quiet time, such as spectacular views overlooking Mt. Fuji and expansive tea fields. Please fully enjoy the beauty of Shizuoka’s nature in these places.
Miho-no-Matsubara | A Spectacular Spot of Mt. Fuji and Pine Forests
Miho-no-Matsubara is one of the spots representing the beautiful nature of Shizuoka Prefecture, and its contrast with Mt. Fuji is particularly attractive. From the white sandy beach surrounded by pine forests, you can enjoy a spectacular view with the majestic Mt. Fuji in the background on a clear day. This place is also registered as a World Cultural Heritage site, deeply moving those who visit.
Because promenades are maintained, you can easily visit even alone, making it ideal for spending a quiet time. Walking among the pine trees, you can listen to the sound of the waves and calm your mind. Especially at dusk, beautiful scenery dyed by the sunset spreads out, bringing moments that will make you unintentionally hold your breath.
Nihondaira Yume Terrace | A Panoramic View of Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji
Nihondaira Yume Terrace is a spectacular spot located in Shizuoka City where you can enjoy Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji at the same time. The view from the observation deck is overwhelming; on a clear day, the beautiful figure of Mt. Fuji spreads out, and the scenery where the blue of the sea and sky unite heals the heart. Especially at dusk, the sky is dyed orange, spreading a fantastic view.
Also, a cafe is attached inside the Yume Terrace, where you can enjoy light meals and drinks using local ingredients. Its charm lies in being able to taste a luxurious moment gazing at the spectacular view while spending your own special time.
Tea Terrace Ichinose | A Private Space to Monopolize Spectacular Tea Fields
“Tea Terrace Ichinose,” located in Setonoya, a nature-rich mountainous area of Fujieda City, is a fully reservation-only private tea terrace limited to a few groups per day. From the wooden deck that seems to jut out from the mountain slope, you can monopolize a spectacular view of vibrant tea fields and mountains as far as the eye can see.
The time spent brewing delicious Shizuoka tea with a dedicated picnic set and listening to the chirping of birds and the sound of the wind is the ultimate healing experience. It is recommended as a hideaway spectacular spot perfect for a solo trip where you can taste the extraordinary without being disturbed by anyone.
Summary
A solo trip to Shizuoka is packed with experiences that enrich the heart. From spots where you can feel history and culture, to exquisite gourmet food, and healing inns, a variety of charms are available. At historical and cultural spots, you can feel the weight of history and the depth of traditional techniques while facing yourself in a quiet environment. At restaurants meant for enjoying Shizuoka gourmet, there are plenty of delicious dishes and stylish cafes where you can easily enjoy Shizuoka specialties even alone.
Furthermore, there are many accommodations that value a sense of privacy, such as hot spring inns in unexplored regions, making them perfect for a solo trip. At spots where you can enjoy nature and spectacular views, you can thoroughly appreciate the beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay, guaranteeing that your heart will be healed. A solo trip to Shizuoka is a wonderful choice to spend your own special time. Please be sure to visit these spots and create memorable moments.
