Helpful Tips on Traveling through Shizuoka Prefecture by Train

• We recommend using the West Japan Railway Company Route Maps and Timetable website to plan the train schedule. You can add your starting and ending stations, filter your train requirements such as local train, Shinkansen, or limited express train, and change the dates and times of departure. The information that we mentioned in each destination is from the JR website. 

• If you have limited time in Shizuoka and want to use a convenient train pass, consider using the Japan Railways Mount Fuji Shizuoka Area Pass. It’s a 3-day pass and covers local trains and buses in Shizuoka Prefecture. We used this pass for the first half of our trip and loved the convenience. 

• As a heads up, you’ll need to arrive in Shizuoka area to activate the pass. If you’re coming from Tokyo to Shizuoka, you can see bus and train options in the blog post that we wrote. 

• Or, you can use the All Japan JR Pass (which covers JR trains) or your IC card to travel around. 

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Hamamatsu

Hamamatsu City is one of the best places to visit as a day trip from Shizuoka. We loved visiting this memorable city for its castle, history, good eats, and unique landmarks. 

Taking the train from Shizuoka to Hamamatsu requires 1 hour 12 minutes when taking the local train or less than 30 minutes by Shinkansen. So the travel time isn’t too long. 

Hamamatsu Castle 浜松城 is the most important historical landmark in the city. As the castle area for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the former Shogun, this 3 story castle is worth a visit to learn more about Ieyasu’s life and see old artifacts. 

Other cool places to check out include the natural Nakatajima Sand Dunes 中田島砂丘 and beautiful Hamamatsu Flower Park はままつフラワーパーク. You may need two separate days if you want to see both attractions, as they’re not located near each other in the city. Bus travel will require some time. 

Yet, the most important part about this visit is eating the local food – unagi (eel in Japanese). We love eating unagi, and we often eat at Matsumian, an unagi restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (as we lived there for 8 years). 

Hamamatsu’s unagi is well worth trying as the eel is mouthwatering and grilled to perfection. There are several dozen unagi shops around Hamamatsu Station, so you can choose any place. 

As a heads up, an unagi meal can be a pricer meal starting at 3,800+ yen. Yet it’s so delicious and recommended to try at least once! We loved the unagi experience so much that we took the train from Shimizu to Hamamatsu to eat it two days in a row for lunch. 

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Fujinomiya

Fujinomiya City, located near gorgeous Mount Fuji, has one of the best views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. Even if the day of your visit is overcast and rainy (which is what we had), you’ll still have a fun time exploring the area. 

Taking the train from Shizuoka Station to Fujinomiya Station doesn’t require too much time – at least 1 hour by local train. 

We loved spending the day in Fujinomiya. We recommend learning about how Mount Fuji formed and its cultural significance at the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center 静岡県富士山世界遺産センター. The building’s architecture stands out as the exhibits follow a spiral path. 

Then wander through one of the most important Sengen shrines in the country at Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine 富士山本宮浅間大社. This is the main Sengen shrine out of 1300 of them. 

If you still have time, check out the Shiraito Falls 白糸の滝 and Otodome Waterfall 音止めの滝. These waterfalls are next to each other. Shiraito Falls has gorgeous cascades. The significance of the waterfall is that the water comes from melted snow and rain from Mount Fuji. 

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Kakegawa

Kakegawa is a historical castle city with Kakegawa Castle as the main attraction. 

The train ride from Shizuoka Station to Kakegawa Station is only 45 minutes by local train or 14 minutes by Shinkansen. So, it’s a quick train ride to see the castle. 

Kakegawa Castle 掛川城 is highly recommended. Even though this 3 level castle is on the smaller side, it’s perched on a hill. So, the white exterior stands out. Yet, there are pretty views of the area on the top level of the castle. We liked the neighboring palace area with tatami mats, as you can wander through the rooms to look at armour and gorgeous kimonos. 

Besides the castle, Kakegawa is a top producer of green teas. So, if you’re a matcha or green tea lover, check out the tea plantations in the area. 

Or, you can visit one of the Kimakura Cafes, originally from Kakegawa, to get your matcha and dessert fix. 

Life Of Doing Tip: If you don’t want to travel far from Shizuoka City, head to the dessert shop, Japanese Tea Kimakura Saryo 日本茶きみくら茶寮 ASTY静岡店, at Asty Mall in Shizuoka Station. It’s the same brand as the Kimakura Cafes mentioned above. We ate here twice in two days since the matcha parfait was delicious! Read more about the places we ate in Shizuoka City in the blog post here. 

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Shimada

You may have never heard of Shimada City in this prefecture, yet it’s famous for growing sencha (a type of green tea) in the Makinohara Plateau. It’s the largest tea farming region in the area. 

It takes about 30 minutes by local train to visit Shimada area from Shizuoka. 

We recommend visiting the Tea Museum ふじのくに茶の都ミュージアム, located in the Kanaya area, to learn more about the history of tea and Japanese green tea, and how tea leaves are processed. We loved seeing the wall of different types of Japanese tea. Signs are English and Japanese. You also receive a welcome drink of a local green tea. 

One of the coolest parts about this place is taking interactive classes. Learn how to whisk ceremonial matcha, blend your own tea, or enjoy a tea tasting. It’s better to visit this museum earlier in the day so you can attend more interactive classes. 

If you have time, take a stroll around the small Japanese garden with the small pond. Also, visit the souvenir shop to try tea infused desserts and snacks or to buy loose leaf teas. We bought two sencha packs and loved our choices. 

Tea plantations surround the museum, so take photos of the plantations located behind the museum. Please do not enter plantations on private property. 

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Gotemba

Gotemba is another city that has beautiful views of Mount Fuji. Visitors can climb Fuji from this area. Or, visitors can spend the day shopping or hanging out at the local onsen (hot springs). 

Gotemba Station is farther from Shizuoka Station. You’ll need over 1.5 hours by train – the longest route that we’ve mentioned in this post. 

We had the chance to visit Gotemba to visit the Gotemba Premium Outlet 御殿場プレミアム・アウトレット. It’s the largest outlet shopping mall in Japan with over 300 stores, yet we didn’t go shopping. We wanted to see an incredible view of Fuji from the mall. So we visited various areas of the outlet to see snowcapped Mount Fuji. 

Life Of Doing Tip: You may be tempted to go to Kawaguchiko or Hakone from Gotemba. These areas look close on Google Maps. However, it’s not recommended as the local bus is very slow and doesn’t run frequently. You’ll end up spending more time on the bus to travel. So, it’s best to visit these two places on a separate trip. We did not visit Gotemba on our recent Shizuoka trip. 

Mishima

Mishima City neighbors the Hakone area, so you tend to see Mishima on Mount Fuji/Hakone itineraries. Yet, it’s located in Shizuoka Prefecture. 

It only takes one hour by local train or less than 25 minutes by Shinkansen to travel between Shizuoka Station and Mishima Station. 

The Mishima Skywalk 三島スカイウォークis the most popular landmark in the city. It’s a 400-meter pedestrian-only suspension bridge where you get incredible views of Mount Fuji, Izu Peninsula, and Suruga Bay. You could also take a zipline parallel to the Skywalk for an adventure. 

Another highly popular place to visit is the Mishima Taisha Shrine 三嶋大社, located near Mishima Station. 

Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to visit Mishima. Yet, this city is on our travel bucket list. 

Life Of Doing Tip: We recommend visiting Hakone in a separate trip or a specific Hakone and Mishima multi-day trip. Hakone’s bus system to the outer areas is very slow and doesn’t operate frequently. 

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Atami

The last recommendation as a place to visit from Shizuoka is Atami City. It’s a coastal area with hot springs (onsens), public beaches, and lots of different attractions to visit. 

You need at least 1 hour 16 minutes from Shizuoka Station to Atami Station or a 36 minute Shinkansen ride. 

We haven’t been to Atami yet, but it looks like a perfect destination to relax for the day or longer. We heard that it’s a more affordable destination for hot springs compared to the neighboring Hakone, and is less busy with tourists.  

Other fun places to visit include Kinomiya Shrine 來宮神社, Atami Castle 熱海城, or take the Atami Ropeway to visit the Hihokan – Adult Museum Atami 熱海秘宝館 (optional). This adult museum is for visitors 18+ years due to the spiciness of the exhibits. 

One of the famous foods to try is the Atami Pudding. The Atami Pudding Shop has two locations in the city and requires at least 30 minutes of waiting in line, so it must be delicious! 

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Final Thoughts

Which of these places do you want to visit on a short visit from Shizuoka City? Whether you’re taking the local train, limited express, or Shinkansen, you can arrive in many areas of Shizuoka in 2 hours or less. We loved our time in Fujinomiya, Hamamatsu, Shimada, Gotemba, and Kakegawa, and wouldn’t hesitate to visit again. 

Check our our other blog posts on Shizuoka below:

• 12 Fun Things to Do in Shizuoka City, Japan
• 5 Delicious Places to Eat at Shimizu Fish Market
• 7 Must Try Places to Eat in Shizuoka, Japan
• Shizuoka Marathon 2025 Race Review

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Tips for Taking the Train from Tokyo to Shizuoka

• Shizuoka Station 静岡駅 is the main train station in Shizuoka Prefecture. It’s operated by Japan Railways (JR). There are local trains and Shinkansen (high speed railway) lines at this station. 

• You can stop at other JR stations in Shizuoka City, such as Shimizu 清水駅and Higashi Shizuoka 東静岡駅.

• We recommend using a JR pass if you plan to take the JR lines to travel around Shizuoka. You can save money and do not need to worry about buying tickets. You can use either the All Japan JR Pass to cover Shizuoka and the entire country or the regional Mount Fuji Shizuoka Area Mini Pass for 3 days. 

• If you prefer to use an IC Transportation card instead of a JR pass, you may use Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc. 

Life Of Doing Tip: You can combine both IC card and JR Pass for your trip. We used our ICOCA IC card to take the local trains from Tokyo’s Shinjuku to Shizuoka’s Shimizu Station. Then we used our Mount Fuji Shizuoka Area Mini Pass for the next 3 days. After the pass ended, we returned to using an IC card. 

• When you arrive at Shizuoka Station (or any station in Shizuoka Prefecture) and are using the local train lines, you will most likely not be able to exit the turnstile with your IC card. Don’t worry! You’ll need to see the ticket agent. Due to entering a new prefecture and a different group managing the JR line, the ticket agent needs to verify your starting station and manually debit the train cost from the IC card. 

• If taking the Shinkansen, please buy a Shinkansen ticket for your ride. Or, if you have the All Japan JR Pass, the Shinkansen rides with reserved or non-reserved seats are included in the pass. 

• Use the JR West Timetable and Route Finder to calculate the cost between the starting and ending stations and see the train schedules, including local and Shinkansen trains. This website is what we used to share the cost listed below. Google Maps is another fantastic resource to use to plan your train schedule. 

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From Tokyo to Shizuoka by Local Train

Taking the local train from Tokyo to Shizuoka is a fantastic option if you prefer slow travel and a cheaper transportation option. 

Depending on your starting location, it will take 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes to arrive from Tokyo to Shizuoka by train. Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct train, so you will need to transfer at 1 or 2 stations. 

Seats are first come, first served. Please be aware of your surroundings and the crowds, especially if you have large luggage. 

Here are some of the overall arrival times and transfer options from various Tokyo stations: 

• Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station: 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes with 1 transfer (at Atami Station) 

• Shinjuku Station to Shizuoka Station: 3 hours 22 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes with 2 transfers (At Yokohama or Shinagawa and Atami Station)

• Ikebukuro Station to Shizuoka Station: 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes with 2 transfers (At Yokohama and Atami Station) 

• Ueno Station to Shizuoka Station: 3 hours 21 minutes to 3 hours 27 minutes with 1 transfer (at Atami Station)

Cost: Based on the JR West Timetable Website, the cost for any of the routes above is 3,410 yen for adults and 1,700 yen for children. 

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Our Train Experience 

We took the train from Shinjuku Station to Shimizu Station and utilized the JR trains. We used Google Maps to verify our transfer stops, so our travel time was over 3 hours with 2 transfers. 

We traveled from Shinjuku to Totsuka Station in 38 minutes. Then we went from Totsuka to Atami Station in 1 hour 13 minutes. Lastly, we went from Atami to Shimizu Station in 1 hour 2 minutes. Luckily, we didn’t need to wait too long to transfer between stations. 

The local trains didn’t have free WiFi on board. So, we ended up taking naps between rides to catch up on sleep and rest. I ran Tokyo Marathon two days before our Shizuoka trip, so I was very tired! 

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From Tokyo to Shizuoka by Shinkansen

There are high speed bullet trains (Shinkansens) on the Tokaido Shinkansen line that you can take between cities in Tokyo to Shizuoka Station. So, you’ll arrive at Shizuoka faster than taking the local train. 

Seats are more comfortable than on the local train as they’re plush and cushioned. 

Due to the faster speed, the cost of the Shinkansen tickets will be higher than taking the local train. Expect to pay almost double the cost of the local train. 

In each car, there is an area to place smaller luggage. But if you have a very large luggage (160 and 250 cm), you will need to purchase the oversized luggage with a reserved seat. 

Here are the approximate times and costs of the Shinkansen trains from several cities in Tokyo:

Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station 

• 59 minutes on the direct Shinkansen Hidari train (for Okayama) 

• 1 hour 20 minutes on the direct Shinkansen Kodama train (for Nagoya)

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Shinjuku Station to Shizuoka Station  

• 1 hour 26 minutes on Local Line & Shinkansen – Take local train from Shinjuku to Osaki, transfer from Osaki to Shinagawa on Yamanote Line, and then take Shinkansen Hikari (for Okayama) from Shinagawa to Shizuoka. 

• 1 hour 47 minutes on Local Train & Shinkansen – Take local Yamanote Line from Shinjuku to Shinagawa, and then take Shinkansen Kodama from Shinagawa to Shizuoka Station. 

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Ikebukuro Station to Shizuoka Station

• 1 hour 37 minutes on Local Train & Shinkansen – Take local Yamanote Line from Ikebukuro to Shinagawa, and then take Shinkansen Hikari from Shinagawa to Shizuoka Station. 

• 1 hour 56 minutes on Local Train & Shinkansen – Take local Yamanote Line from Ikebukuro to Shinagawa, and then take Shinkansen Kodama from Shinagawa to Shizuoka Station. 

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Ueno Station to Shizuoka Station

• 1 hour 23 minutes on Local Train & Shinkansen – Take local Ueno-Tokyo line (for Shinagawa) from Ueno to Tokyo, and then take Shinkansen Hikari from Tokyo to Shizuoka Station. 

• 1 hour 38 minutes on Local Train & Shinkansen – Take local Ueno-Tokyo line/Tokaido Line (for Atami) from Ueno to Shinagawa, and then take Shinkansen Kodama from Shinagawa to Shizuoka Station.

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Cost: Based on the JR West Timetable Website, the cost is the same for all the routes above. 

Cost for non-reserved seating: 5,940 yen Adults; 2,960 yen Children 

Cost for reserved seating: 6,470 yen Adults; 3,230 yen Children

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From Tokyo to Shizuoka by Bus

Taking the bus is another option to consider. The buses run often and include late evening rides.  

It’s easy and convenient since the route is direct. No need to transfer. Plus, you can store your luggage in the bottom carriage of the bus until you reach your final destination. 

The cost of the bus is reasonable and similar to taking the local train. 

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Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station

Expect to take 3 hours one-way by bus. 

Head to Tokyo Station Yaesu Bus Terminal (South Gate). The bus terminal connects with the JR Tokyo Station. You can buy bus tickets on the day of or reserve them for a future date. You can also reserve tickets online if you know the schedule ahead of time. 

We recommend using the Willer-Travel Website. The website is available in English, and you can view the bus schedules from Tokyo Station (and the surrounding Tokyo areas such as Ikebukuro) to Shizuoka Station. 

For example, the JR Tokai Bus departs Tokyo Station at 6:20am and arrives at Shizuoka Station at 9:29am. So it’s a 3 hour ride. 

Note: The Tokyo Station Yaseu Bus Terminal website has a daily schedule posted, but it’s not as user-friendly compared to Willer-Travel website.  

Cost: 3,300 yen per person 

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Shinjuku to Shizuoka Station 

Expect to take 3.5 hours one-way by bus.

Head to Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to take the bus directly to Shizuoka area. The Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal is connected to JR Shinjuku Station. 

You can go directly to the ticket counter to buy tickets or reserve them for a future date. You can also buy them ahead of time online. 

We found the Highway Bus Website to be the most user-friendly for foreigners since it’s an English site, and you can see the bus schedule from Shinjuku to Shizuoka ahead of time. 

The bus from Shinjuku to Shizuoka Station has different operating companies – Keio Bus, JR Tokai Bus, JR Bus Kanto, and Shizutetsu Justline. 

Here is a screenshot of the departure times and operating times. The screenshot doesn’t list all the times as the list is too long, so you’ll need to view the website for the complete list. 

The first departure is at 9:25am operated by Keio Bus (KO) with arrival at 1:02pm. The other operating companies acronyms are JR Tokai Bus (JT), JR Bus Kanto (JR), and Shizutetsu Justline (STJ). 

Cost: 3,300 yen for one person 

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Our Bus Experience

We originally reserved tickets for the next day from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal ticket office. The route was from Shinjuku to Shimizu Station. We wanted the first departure from Shinjuku at 9:25am. 

On the day of the trip, we arrived at the bus terminal and found out that the bus had been canceled. The highway was closed due to snowy weather. 

We received a full refund for our bus ticket. We originally paid for the tickets with a credit card. The ticket agent asked us to read and agree to a card stating that we would receive cash for the refund and not dispute the credit card charge. So, we used the cash to pay for the local trains from Shinjuku to Shimizu Station. 

On our return trip to Shizuoka, we’ll try taking the bus. I assume the bus experience will be similar to what we took from Matsumoto (Nagoya) to Shinjuku (Tokyo).

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Final Thoughts

Which of these transportation options would you consider taking? We hope you feel more comfortable with choosing either the bus, local train, or Shinkansen for your next travel from Tokyo to Shizuoka area. 

If you need ideas on what to do in Shizuoka City, check out our blog posts:

• Where to Eat in Shizuoka City
• Where to Eat in Shimizu Fish Market
• Shizuoka Marathon Recap
• Day Trip Ideas from Shizuoka City

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Map

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Find colorful manhole covers.

Shizuoka City has some of the prettiest manhole covers that we’ve seen in Japan. Many of them are colored, so they brighten up the sidewalks and roads. Just keep an eye out for any covers that you encounter. There are a few covers right outside Shizuoka Station. 

We loved seeing the colorful flower covers scattered throughout the city. Red azaleas and the pink hollyhocks are popular covers that you’ll see. 

There are also other fun and exciting designs, such as:

Gundam – If you like the Gundam anime, there are two covers to check out. One is in front of Shizuoka Station North Exit; the second one is in front of the Shizuoka Hobby Square.

Chibi Maruko Chan –  Chibi Maruko Chan is an anime and manga that depicts everyday life of the main character, Momoko Sakura. The series is set in Irie District (now Shimizu area of Shizuoka City). So, the city has many colorful manhole covers of Momoko Sakura and friends, Tamae Honami and Kazuhiko Hanawa. Some of the locations are Shizuoka Station South Exit, S Pulse Dream Plaza, and Shizuoka City Hall. 

Note: If you’re a fan of Maruko Chan, check out the Chibi Maruko Chan Land at S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shizuoka. It’s a mini museum where you can meet Maruko-chan and her friends. Click here for details. 

Pokémon Poke Lid – Located near the Sumpu Castle Park entrance, there is 1 Pokémon Lid with the two characters, Ivysaur and Staraptor. 

Download a copy of a PDF map of the Shizuoka City manhole cover locations here. (Map is in Japanese, but you can use a Translation app.) 

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Collect manhole cards.

Did you know that you can collect manhole cards in Japan? These cards showcase one of the manhole covers in the city and are a fun souvenir. Cards are free to pick up. 

We’re obsessed with collecting these cards and wrote a blog post on how to get the manhole cover cards here.

At the time of posting, there are two locations in Shizuoka City for pick up: 1) Shizuoka City Waterworks Bureau Building, 6th floor, and 2) Shimizu Station Tourist Information Center (next to JR Shimizu Station). We didn’t have any issues with obtaining the cards.

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Run Shizuoka Marathon.

Do you have a marathon on your travel bucket list? Consider running the Shizuoka Marathon. 

It’s a medium-sized race with 12,000 participants and occurs annually on the second Sunday of March. The 42 km (26.2 mile) course starts at Shizuoka Sumpu Castle area ends at Shimizu Station. 

Some main draws of this race include the chance to see Mount Fuji and the mostly flat course. It’s the perfect race for first-time and seasoned marathoners. So you may get a personal best (PB) time here.

Justin had the chance to run the 2025 Shizuoka Marathon. He loved the experience, especially the chance to refuel by eating locally grown strawberries at the hydration station. He also received a PB too!

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Walk around Sumpu Castle Park.

Located 15 minutes away from the Shizuoka Station by walking, Sumpu Castle Park 駿府城公園 is a former castle ground for Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate (Edo shogunate) from March 1603 to April 1605.

The Castle Park is open to the public for free, so you can wander through it. This area is very popular during the spring season for the cherry blossoms. We only had a chance to walk through the park as the castle area was closed in the late evening. 

There are a few landmarks that require a small fee. The cost is 360 yen for adults and 120 yen for children (elementary or junior high students) to see the below: 

• Higashi Gomon/Tatsumi Yagura is on the eastern side of the castle. It’s a gate that was restored in 1996. The original use of the gate was to defend against enemies, such as dropping stones or firing arrows. 

• Hitsujisaru Yagura is located in the southwest area of the castle. There are five rooms to explore, and you can see a replica of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s armor. 

• Momijiyama Garden is a beautiful garden with seasonal plants and a small pond. Check out the seasonal plants such as cherry blossoms in the spring, hydrangeas in the summer, fall leaves in autumn, and camellias in winter.  

For more information, check out the official website.

Address: 1-1 Sunpujokoen, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka, 420-0855, Japan

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Eat delicious seafood at Shimizu Fish Market.

Hungry for fresh seafood or the daily catch of the day? Visit Shimizu Fish Market (Kashi-no-Ichi Market) located next to Shizuoka’s Shimizu Station. 

It’s one of our memorable experiences in Shizuoka, as we had fresh tuna bowls and seafood bowls almost every day during our trip. 

There are two buildings – one is the seafood market, and the other is restaurants only. We recommend visiting the building with just the restaurants. There are two floors where you can pick whatever looks delicious to you. 

Some of the local specialties are whitefish (shirasu), sakura shrimp (sakura ebi), and fresh tuna (meguro). Yum! 

If the options overwhelm you, check out our blog post for Shimizu Fish Market restaurant recommendations. We went to all the restaurants that we wrote about. 

Address: 149 Shimazakicho, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, 424-0823, Japan

Map

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Shimizu Fish Market

Located across from Shizuoka’s Shimizu Station, 2 stops away from JR Shizuoka Station, Shimizu Fish Market (also known as Kashi-no-Ichi Market) is one of the best places to eat fresh seafood and tuna rice bowls. 

Justin and I ate here almost every day for lunch or brunch during our 6 days in Shizuoka area. We felt like a seal gorging on fresh fish. 

There are two buildings of the market: 1) selling produce and fresh seafood with some sit down restaurants, 2) 2 floors of restaurants. 

We recommend going to the building with only restaurants since you can see all food options. In front of the restaurants, there are plastic replicas of the meals, photos, or a menu with photos. So, you can pick and choose a restaurant that looks good to you. 

Pricing is reasonable, so you can get a fresh tuna bowl with rice for 1800 yen. We noticed that the pricing is the same everywhere due to the stiff competition. 

If you can’t decide on where to go, we wrote a blog post on the restaurants that we tried at Shimizu Fish Market. To be honest, we enjoyed all the restaurants that we visited. 

Address: 149 Shimazakicho, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka, 424-0823, Japan

Payment Accepted: Cash and credit card, depending on the restaurant

Additional Information: Website (in Japanese) | Instagram

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Nanaya Shizuoka

Want to try matcha gelato? Head to Nanaya Shizuoka ななや 静岡店, a specialty tea shop where you can try different levels of matcha gelatos from level 1 (sweeter) to level 7 (the most bitter). We tried this matcha gelato shop in Kyoto and were thrilled to see a shop in Shizuoka City. 

The gelato shop had matcha, hojicha, gyokuro, black sesame, strawberry, salted caramel, red bean and milk, and other gelato flavors. 

You can order a single or double scoop in a cup, single or double scoop in a cone, parfait (2 scoops), or triple scoop in a cup. 

We shared three scoops: level 3 matcha (regular), level 7 matcha (most bitter), and hojicha (roasted green tea). 

We enjoyed the three flavors and the smooth gelato texture. As with the flavors, the level 3 matcha and hojicha gelatos were on the sweeter side. Yet, the level 7 matcha gelato had a bitter contrast, which was a nice complement to the two sweeter flavors.

Note: Level 7 matcha gelato requires an extra cost. So, we paid a total of 800 yen for 3 scoops. 

Indoor seating was available on the first or second floor. The second floor converts to Craft Brew Tea in the evenings.  

If you want to buy loose leaf green teas or tea bags, the store on the first floor has many options to choose from. We bought two loose leaf senchas as souvenirs.

Address: 2 Chome-5-12 Gofukucho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka, 420-0031, Japan

Payment Accepted: Cash and credit card

Additional Information: Website (in Japanese)

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Japanese Tea Kimakura Saryo

Japanese Tea Kimakura Saryo ASTY Shizuoka Branch 日本茶きみくら茶寮 ASTY静岡店, located in the Asty Shopping Mall at Shizuoka Station, is a tea and dessert shop. 

Kimakura is one of the famous tea shops based in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan. There are a few shops located in Kakegawa City and one shop in Tokyo Haneda Garden Shopping Area, outside of Haneda Airport.

We wanted matcha parfaits, and this shop had a beautiful parfait on the menu. (Note: The menu was in Japanese, but we used Google Translate.)

Other items on the menu were available, such as mini sampler desserts, matcha cakes, and food sets. Plenty of options for those who don’t want a large dessert.  

The parfait was gorgeous. It had a layer of yuzu jelly, matcha jelly, cake with puffed rice, sweet matcha ice cream, and was topped with a monaka (a thin wafer) with bitter matcha ice cream, azuki (red beans), frozen strawberry, and whipped cream. The parfait had a mix of sweet and bitter matcha flavors, which complemented each other. Yum. 

The only challenging part about this parfait was the monaka since we didn’t know how to eat it. It sat on top of the parfait. Do you hold on to the monaka, bite it, and then dig into the parfait? Or, do you smash the monaka into the parfait? I held onto the monaka, but it was awkward. 

One of the unique aspects of this shop is that you receive a cup of brewed tea with your dessert. You can choose sencha, other green teas, hojicha, gyokuro (an additional fee due to the higher cost tea), and more. We chose sencha and gyokuro, and they had a slightly bitter umami flavor. Yum. 

The parfaits were so memorable, so we returned the next day! They were reasonably priced at 1680 yen each. 

Address: Japan, 〒420-0851 Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Kuroganecho, 47 ASTY静岡

Payment Accepted: Cash and credit card

Additional Information: Website (in Japanese)

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Ramen Yabuki

We wanted to try ramen in Shizuoka and found Ramen Yabuki head office らーめん矢吹 本店. There are two locations in Shizuoka City. 

We saw that this ramen shop had seafood ramen so we wanted to try it. We ordered two bowls with a seasoned egg from the ticket machine and waited for our order. 

We liked how this ramen shop had more space for seating. We sat at a table and didn’t have to worry about bar seating or getting cozy with a neighbor. 

When the ramen arrived, it didn’t taste like seafood ramen. Oops. We had a user error with the ticket machine and realized that we ordered the regular “original flavor” ramen. For some reason, Justin and I missed seeing the giant fish signage for the seafood ramen on the machine. 

Anyway, the ramen had a tonkatsu (pork) broth with a soy sauce flavor and a seasoned egg. The broth wasn’t too salty, which was a good thing. I didn’t eat the charsiu and gave Justin my share, and he said that the charsiu tasted good. The noodles were a tad too soft for us, so it wasn’t our noodle firmness preference. 

Since we had egg, our original flavor ramen cost 1100 yen. Ramen without egg was 950 yen. Seafood ramen costs slightly more starting at 1000 yen. 

Address (Head Office): Japan, 〒420-0852 Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Koyamachi, 4-22 ソワールビル １F

Address (Katsunoya Store): Japan, 〒420-0816 Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Kutsunoya, 5-chōme−７−１ 

Payment Accepted: Cash only

Additional Information: Website (in Japanese) | Instagram

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Ishimatsu Gyoza

This gyoza (potsticker) shop is based in Hamamatsu, yet has a branch at Asty Shopping Mall at Shizuoka Station. Ishimatsugyoza Asty Shizuokaten石松餃子 アスティ静岡店 is the name of the place on Google Maps. 

We went here for dinner after completing the Shizuoka Marathon. Since it was dinner time, we waited 15 to 20 minutes for an open table. 

According to the shop’s website, Ishimatsu Gyoza is the original Hamamatsu gyoza. It’s known for a lighter flavor due to the local cabbage filling. 

We ordered a 15-piece set of fried gyozas with a mixed set of sakura ebi (sweet shrimp), meat, and regular filling. We also added edamame and chilled tofu with bonito flakes and wasabi as side items. The order was smaller since we wanted to eat dessert at Japanese Tea Kimakura Saryo afterward (mentioned above). 

Justin said that the gyozas weren’t bad, but there wasn’t as much meat inside. He eats gyozas at Ringer Hut, Gyoza no Ohsho, and Osaka Ohsho, and prefers the Ringer Hut gyozas to those here. 

The side items were a nice complement to the gyozas. The edamame were made to order, so they were piping hot. We had to let them cool down for a few minutes. The chilled tofu was delicious with the bonito topping and chopped pieces of wasabi or some sort of chili.  

We paid around 2480 yen for our meal. 

Address: Japan, 〒420-0851 Shizuoka, Aoi Ward, Kuroganecho, 47番地 アスティ静岡 西館

Payment Accepted: Cash and credit card

Additional Information: Website | Instagram

Quick Summary

If you don’t have time to read this post, here are the top 3 reasons to run the Shizuoka Marathon. 

• It’s an organized race with ideal weather conditions and an overall flat course. 

• You get the chance to see Mount Fuji during the run. 

• Lots of snacks during the marathon, such as locally grown strawberries.

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Why Participate in the Race?

Shizuoka Marathon is a medium-sized race with 12,000 participants. Set in the heart of Shizuoka, the race goes through various landmarks in Shizuoka and along the coastline to the Shimizu finish line. 

The course is flat and very fast. There are many downhills so the chances of getting a Personal Best (PB) are highly possible. You have the chance to see the majestic Mount Fuji during the course. 

With a 6 hour time limit, it’s an ideal race for beginners or those who want to tackle their first marathon. 

The start and ending locations are easy to get to by local train, so you don’t need to worry about transportation. 

The course is also recognized by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF). This is Japan’s official sports association that hosts competitions throughout the year. 

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Race Date

Sunday, March 9, 2025 (The 2026 event is on Sunday, March 8) Start time at 8:20am and 6 hour cut off time.

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How to Register for the Race

Registration for the marathon occurred from October to mid-November 2024. It was first come, first served, so lottery was not required. 

The registration link was on the official website and the official Facebook page.

Overseas participants needed to use Run Japan website to register. 

The cost for the 2025 race: 

• 15,000 yen for local Japanese

• 18,000 yen for overseas participants 

Note: For the 2026 event, the price increased to 16,000 yen for local Japanese and 23,000 yen for overseas participants.

Justin signed up on the Run Japan website and went through the registration process. 

During the registration process, he picked his t-shirt size. Shirts were unisex, so Justin chose a small size. There was a size chart included in the registration page. Unfortunately, we do not have a copy of the size chart. 

Justin used his U.S international credit card to pay for the race. 

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Race Swag

Justin received the following: 

• Participant technical t-shirt (Getting a race t-shirt is very rare for a running event in Japan) 

• A bag for check-in stuff 

• Finisher towel

• Finisher medal

• Finisher goodie bag with drinks and sponsored stuff

• E-certificate

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Race Communication

Justin received 2 emails from various organizers:

• Confirming registration from Run Japan

• Participant guide

We relied on Shizuoka Marathon Facebook page for updates.

Quick Pros/Cons of JR Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass

Don’t have time to read the post? Here is a quick snapshot of the top reasons and things to consider about the train pass.

Pros

• Super easy and convenient to use.

• The pass includes trains, buses, and even a ferry ride to Mount Fuji and Shizuoka Prefecture.  

• Save money on transportation. 

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Cons

• You must create an itinerary of places to visit ahead of time to maximize the pass. 

• Shinkansen (high-speed bullet trains) cannot be used with the pass.

• This pass is only available for 3 consecutive days. 

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Benefits of the Pass (Pros)

Explore new places in Shizuoka Prefecture.

This pass allows you to visit many places in the Shizuoka area, such as Atami, Gotemba, Izu, Fuji Kawaguchiko, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, and Toyohashi. You may stop at any of the JR stations in the area. 

Since Shizuoka Prefecture is an expansive area, you’ll need to figure out where to visit in the 3 days.

Here are some options that we recommend: 

• Seeing Mount Fuji: We recommend Fujinomiya, Gotemba, or Shimizu for beautiful views of Mount Fuji. 

• If you want to eat delicious grilled eel (unagi in Japanese), then head to Hamamatsu. There are many delicious unagi restaurants right outside of Hamamatsu Station. 

• Visiting a quieter area: Many areas of Shizuoka Prefecture are less crowded and more peaceful. Izu Peninsula has gorgeous ocean and nature views. 

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You have access to JR trains, railways, buses, and a cruise with the pass. 

Trains: You have unlimited access to JR local, limited express, express, and rapid trains in the specified area. These are for non-reserved seating only. 

Here are examples of the JR lines you can take: 

• Atami and Toyohashi Station on the Tokaido Main Line

• Numazu to Matsuda on Gotemba Line

• Fuji to Shimobe Onsen on Minobu Line  

Izuhakone Railway: If you’re in Izu Peninsula area, you have access to the Izuhakone Railway between Mishima to Shuzenji Station. 

Bus: You have access to the following routes: 

• Fujikyuko Bus: Gotemba Station – Mt. Fuji Station, Shin-Fuji Station

• Tokai Bus: Mishima Station – Yamanaka Castle ruins / Numazu Station – Numazu Minato Shinsenkan / Shuzenji Station – Shuzenji Onsen / Shuzenji Station – Toi Port

• Izuhakone Bus: Numazu station – Numazu Port /  Izunagaoka Station – IZU-MITO Sea Paradise / Shuzenji Station – Shuzenji Onsen

• Shizutetsu Bus: Shimizu Ekimae – Miho Marine Science Museum of TOKAI University

• Entetsu Bus: Hamamatsu Station – Nakatajima Shako / Hamamatsu Station – Kanzanji Onsen (Hamanako Garden Park) 

Port Cruise: Lastly, you can take the Shimizu Port Cruise from Shimizu Port – Toi Port / Hinode – Hinode. Click here for more information. 

What We Did: We used mostly the trains. We also took the Entetsu bus near Hamamatsu Station towards Hamamatsu Flower Park. We departed the bus near the Hamamatsu Castle area.  

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The pass is reasonably priced.

The 3 day pass costs 6,500 yen for adults and 3,250 yen for children (6 to 11 years). 

To break even with the pass, adults need to spend 2,167 yen per day (children need 1,083 yen per day) on transportation. 

TIP: To maximize your schedule, plan where to go and the nearest JR station. Use the JR West Timetable and Route Finder to calculate the cost between the starting and ending stations. You can also find the train schedule. Afterward, calculate if the pass is worth it. 

It is possible to ride 2,167 yen per day. The cost of the rides adds up!

Here are examples of the rides that we did and the cost:  

• Shimizu to Fujinomiya Station – 30 minute limited express train. Cost: 1,350 yen one way

• Shimizu to Iwata Station – 1 hour 16 minute on local train. Cost: 1,340 yen one way

• Hamamatsu to Yaizu Station – 1 hour on local train. Cost: 1,170 yen one way

• Higashi Shizuoka to Kakegawa Station – 50 minutes on local train. Cost: 990 yen one way

Final Verdict: At the end of our trip, we calculated that we spent over 9,200 yen for 1 adult on the train and bus travels. The pass was 6,500 yen so we saved 2,700 yen by using the pass. Hooray for saving money! 

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Save time with the pass.

Buying tickets with cash can take precious time, especially since trains arrive on time or have limited frequency. You need to look at the sign to figure out the cost between two stations and then buy the ticket. 

With this pass, you just need to insert it into the turnstile and continue with your journey. It’s very easy to use.

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Things to Consider About the Pass (Cons)

Calculate if the pass is worth the price. 

For those who like to plan trips, this will be an important factor in determining if the pass is worth it. 

We recommend creating a schedule of where to go. Then, you’ll need to look up the cost between the departure and arrival JR stations using this website. Afterward, calculate the total train cost and compare it with the pass. 

For travelers who prefer to take their travels day by day or want flexibility, this pass will not be worth it. It’ll be better to buy individual train tickets or use an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) to enter and leave the station. 

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You’ll need to get to Shizuoka Prefecture first before activating the pass. 

If you’re coming from Tokyo, Nagoya, or any other place, you’ll need to figure out a way to get to the Shizuoka area. Whether it’s by bus, plane, or train, you’ll need to pay out of pocket from your starting location to your destination in Shizuoka Prefecture. Then, you can activate the Mini Mount Fuji Shizuoka Pass from Shizuoka Prefecture. 

Here are the places to exchange your physical voucher to the pass: 

• Tokyo Station – Central Ticket Office or JR Tokai Tours 

• Shinagawa Station

• Shin-Yokahama Station

• Nagoya Station

• Kyoto Station

• Shin-Osaka Station

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What did we do? 

We exchanged our physical pass at Tokyo Station’s JR Tokai Tours. We tried to use the Central Ticket Office but there was miscommunication or lack of understanding between us and the assistant managing the line. We did this right after I finished Tokyo Marathon. 

Then we went to Shinjuku Expressway Bus at Shinjuku Station to make a reservation for the next day’s bus ride from Shinjuku to go to Shimizu Station. The ride was 3300 yen per person. Unfortunately, on the day of departure, the bus was canceled due to the snow on the highway. 

So, we took the local JR trains from Shinjuku to Shimizu Station. We used Google Maps to map our trip. It took a total of 3 hours with transfers and waiting. We needed to transfer at 2 stations. 

We traveled from Shinjuku to Totsuka Station in 38 minutes. Then we went from Totsuka to Atami Station in 1 hour 13 minutes. Lastly, we went from Atami to Shimizu Station in 1 hour 2 minutes.  

Overall, the train cost was slightly cheaper than the bus by 200 yen. 

We activated the Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist JR Pass from Shimizu Station. 

If you prefer to use JR trains only and to have the trains fully covered, then do not buy this pass. It’s recommended to get the JR All Japan Pass as you can have multi-day (7, 14, or 21 days) and a wider area of coverage. But check if the pass value is worth it! Click here to learn more about the JR All Japan Pass. 

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The pass does not cover Shinkansens (high-speed bullet trains). 

If you want to use any Shinkansens, such as from Shizuoka to Hamamatsu on the Tokaido Shinkansen, you’ll need to pay out of pocket. 

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Many of the trains are local lines, so it will take longer to travel through the region. 

You’ll need to factor in extra travel time on the local trains as they are slower. For example, traveling from Shimizu to Hamamatsu Station takes 1.5 hours one-way on the local CA Tokaido Line. 

The limited express and rapid trains will get you to your destination faster but not as fast as the Shinkansen. They’re also limited so you’ll need to check the train schedule. 

Consider these factors when planning your trip. 

TIP: Use Google Maps to find the train schedule and estimated cost of the ride (It’s not always accurate compared to using the JR West Timetable). If you use Google Maps app, you can filter your results by “Best route, Fewer transfers, and Lowest cost.” The lowest cost will often show the local trains that will be acceptable for the pass. 

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This pass is valid for 3 consecutive days. 

Unfortunately, you cannot take any breaks between days. For example, if you start the 3 day pass on May 1, then you have till 11:59pm May 3 to use the pass. 

If you do not like the restriction, then you should not buy the pass. You can use an IC transportation card or buy tickets for the daily travels. 

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Cost

Adults: 6,500 yen

Children (6 to 11 years): 3,250 yen

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Where to Buy the Pass

Buy the pass directly from the JR Pass website or an approved third-party vendor, such as Klook

We always buy our JR passes on Klook. We recommend them for your Japan rail travel passes and local attractions. They send the train physical vouchers to our Vietnam apartment within a few days after ordering.

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How to Get Your Pass

Step 1: Buy the pass online and receive a physical voucher in the mail. You can buy on the JR Pass website or from a third-party vendor, such as Klook. We bought this exact pass on Klook. 

Step 2: Redeem your voucher at a designated JR ticket exchange office. Each person receiving the pass needs to show a passport. 

Step 3: Receive a light green train ticket with the start and end date and insert it at the turnstiles. Do not lose the ticket. 

Quick Pros/Cons of JR Sanyo-Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass

Don’t have time to read the post? Here is a quick snapshot of the top reasons and things to consider about the train pass.

Pros

• Super easy and convenient to use.

• The pass includes JR local, special rapid services, rapid services, limited express, and Shinkansen. 

• You can reserve seats for Limited Express and Shinkansen seats in advance. 

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Cons

• Planning your itinerary is required.  

• Pass needs to be used in 7 consecutive days. 

• It can be tiring to travel to a new place for a week. 

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Benefits of the Pass (Pros)

Note: We’ve used the JR Northern Kyushu Pass for 5 Days. This is an ideal option if you want to stay on Northern Kyushu Island only, such as Kumamoto, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki. Read our blog post for our review of the Northern Kyushu Pass. 

The pass covers a huge area, so you can visit many cities in 7 days. 

You can travel through Northern Kyushu and all the way northeast to the Kansai International Airport. 

In Northern Kyushu, you can visit popular spots such as Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Beppu. Unfortunately, you cannot go south of Kumamoto, such as to Miyazaki or Kagoshima. 

Then you can visit other cities such as Hiroshima, Okayama, Himeji, Tottori, Matsue, Kobe, Osaka, and Wakayama.  

With the pass, you can pick and choose places of interest to spend over 7 consecutive days. The opportunities are endless with the different sights you can potentially see. 

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Many Japan Railways (JR) train lines and buses are covered with the pass. 

As mentioned earlier, you can use this pass for the JR local trains, special rapid services, rapid services, limited express, and Shinkansen. 

Here are other noteworthy trains, ferries, and buses included in the pass: 

• Sanyo-Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata to Shin Osaka), including the One Piece Shinkansen and Hello Kitty Sankansen 

• Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo Onsen to Nagasaki)

• Chizu Express (Train line in Hyogo, Okayama, Tottori areas) 

• Hitahikosan Line BRT (Train line in Fukuoka area)

• Kyoto Tango Railway (A sightseeing train operated by Willer) 

• West JR Bus (ie: Around Kyoto)

• Chugoku JR Bus (ie: Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus)

• JR West Miyajima Ferry (Hiroshima’s Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima)

• “EKIRIN” rental bikes within the mentioned service areas

• Limited Express Trains (ie: Haruka (to Kansai International Airport), Yufuin no Mori, Yakumo, Konotori, and more)

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Can reserve seats in advance for Shinkansen and Limited Express trains for free. 

If you already have plans on where to go, you can reserve Shinkansen seats for specific times and destinations in advance. 

There is an unlimited number of times to make seat reservations. You’ll need to have your 7-day Sanyo-San’n Northern Kyushu Pass for the reservation. 

There are two ways to reserve seats.

• The easiest way: Visit the JR Ticket Counter and tell the ticket agent where you’re going and the time of departure. If you need a seat immediately, then look on the screen for the next available train going to your destination. You can also reserve for the next day.

• The independent way: Use the Reservation ticket machines. Read this PDF with instructions on how to reserve the seats.

We prefer to use the in person ticket office as it’s easier to talk to someone. But if the Ticket Office is closed or not available, then we’ll use the Reservation Ticket Machines.  

Note: If you’re at Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka, there are two JR ticket offices – JR Central and JR West. For this pass, you’ll need to use the JR West ticket office for seat reservations. 

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Save money with the pass!

The pass is 26,000 yen for adults and 13,000 yen for children (6 to 11 years old). 

An adult would need to spend 3,715 yen per day to break even for the pass value. It is doable if you plan to travel a long distance and use the Shinkansen as the main mode of transportation. 

TIP: We recommend creating a schedule of the places you want to visit. Then, use the JR West Timetable and Route Finder to calculate the cost between the starting and ending stations. You can also find the train schedule. Then, calculate if this pass is worth it. 

Here are examples of places that we went to and the pricing:

• Travel from Kumamoto to Beppu Station (Time required: 2 hours 21 minutes) – Cost with reserved seating: 12,920 yen 

• Travel from Hiroshima to Himeji (Time required: 59 minutes) – Cost with reserved seating: 8,440 yen

• Travel from Shin Osaka to Okayama (Time required: 49 minutes) – Cost with reserved seating: 6,140 yen

Final verdict: We calculated that we spent 66,800 yen in 7 days, which exceeded the pass’s value by 40,800 yen. The pass was a fantastic way to save money!

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Save time with the pass.

With the pass, you do not need to buy individual tickets for each leg of the train or bus. So, you don’t need to worry about using cash or credit cards for any purchases. You just need to insert the pass into the turnstiles for entering and exiting the station.

This pass will save you time, as Japanese trains are typically on time! 

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Things to Consider About the Pass (Cons)

Some Shinkansens and buses are not included with the pass.

You’re not able to take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo, Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo, or JR Expressway buses. 

If you plan to go to Tokyo from Osaka, you may consider buying the All Japan JR Pass. Then you can take the Shinkansen between the two areas. Click here to see pricing for the All Japan JR Pass on Klook.

As with the Hakata to Kagoshima route, you can buy the JR All Kyushu Pass, which covers the entire region. Click here to learn more about the All Kyushu Pass. 

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Calculate if the pass is worth the price. 

This task will be important for the trip planners.

As mentioned above, you’ll need to create an itinerary of where to go. Then, you’ll need to look up the cost between the start and the end JR stations. Afterward, calculate the total train cost and compare it with the cost of the pass. 

If you prefer to take a more relaxing approach and not schedule things ahead of time, then it’s better to not buy the pass. You can use your IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA) or buy individual tickets or Shinkansen tickets to travel around. You won’t be restricted with the scheduling. 

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You need to use the pass for 7 days consecutively. 

Unfortunately, breaks are not allowed with the pass. If you won’t use the pass for one day, then you either forfeit the day, change the schedule to utilize a JR train line, or not buy the pass.

For example, if you start the 7 day pass on May 1, then you have till 11:59pm May 7 to use the pass.

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You may be exhausted from the long travel. 

Visiting new places every day can be an exhausting way to travel. Not everyone has the stamina or willingness to go full speed to travel from place to place and utilize the 7-day pass. 

If this doesn’t sound like your preferred travel method, then you should not buy this pass. 

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Cost

26,000 yen Adults

13,000 yen Children (6-12 years old)

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Where to Buy the Pass

Buy the pass directly from the JR Pass website or an approved third-party vendor, such as Klook.

We bought the pass one month before we departed from Klook. The process was very easy.  Klook sent the paper voucher to our apartment in Vietnam, and then we exchanged the paper voucher at a JR Kumamoto Station. 

You can exchange at any major JR stations such as Hakata (Fukuoka), Namba (Osaka), Uji (Kyoto), Nara, Wakayama, Kansai Airport, etc. 

We’ve used Klook for all of our Japan train passes and attractions. We haven’t had any issues with ordering or redemption. Sometimes, the rail pass is an e-voucher, but this time it was a physical voucher.  

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How to Get Your Pass

Step 1: Buy the pass online. You can buy on the JR Pass website or a third-party vendor, such as Klook. We bought this exact pass on Klook. 

Step 2: Wait for your physical voucher to be sent to your home if using Klook. It only took a few days for the voucher to arrive at our apartment in Vietnam.  

Step 3: Redeem your physical voucher at a JR ticket office, such as Kansai Airport Station, Fukuoka Hakata Station, Okayama Station, etc. You have 90 days from purchase to redeem the voucher. Show your passport. 

Step 4: Receive a light green train ticket with the start and end date and insert it at the turnstiles. Do not lose the ticket.

During this time, you may reserve tickets with the Ticket Agent for any upcoming travels.  

Where We Traveled With the Pass

Here is where we went with the pass. We started in Kumamoto and ended in Osaka. 

For the non-JR lines or buses, we used our ICOCA card (or any IC card will work) or a credit card (if accepted).   

Day 1 – Activated the pass. Took the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains from Kumamoto to Beppu. Took the local train to Oita to pick up some manhole cover cards. Stayed overnight in Beppu.

Day 2 – Visited Umitamago (Oita Marine Palace Aquarium), so we took the local JR trains and walked to the aquarium. Stayed overnight in Beppu.

Day 3 – Took the Limited Express train from Beppu to Fukuoka Hakata Station. We took the local trains to the Dazaifu area. Stayed overnight in Fukuoka. 

Day 4 – Took the Limited Express train from Fukuoka Hakata to Saga. We spent the day in Arita and Saga. Stayed overnight in Fukuoka. 

Day 5 – Took the Shinkansen from Fukuoka Hakata to Hiroshima. Visited Hiroshima for a few hours and ate okonomiyaki. We also went from Hiroshima to Himeji for a quick stop before going to Osaka. We stayed overnight in Osaka Namba area.  

Day 6 – Took the Shinkansen from Shin Osaka to Okayama. Stopped by Kurashiki Historical Area for the day. Stayed overnight in Osaka Namba area. 

Day 7 – For our final day, we took the local train to Sango (Nara) and Kashiwara (Osaka). We picked up a few manhole cover cards. We also went to the Osaka Expo 2025 in the late afternoon till the evening. Returned to our hotel in Osaka Namba.  

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Final Thoughts

We loved using the 7-day Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass. It’s definitely worth using!

We had a fantastic time revisiting places that we’ve been to before and also explore new areas such as Oita and Saga. Plus, it was easy to use the trains and Shinkansen to travel long distances as we didn’t need to worry about buying tickets. 

The pass saved us a lot of money on transportation, and we easily exceeded the value of the pass. We would recommend it if you’re visiting Northern Kyushu and Osaka/Kyoto area. 

If you have any questions about this pass, please ask a question in the comment section below. 

Check out our other tourist train passes that we’ve written about:

• JR Northern Kyushu 5 Day Pass

• JR Regional Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist 5 Day Pass

• JR West Kansai Area Pass

• JR West Kansai Wide Area Vs. Kansai Area Pass – Which is Better?

• JR Hokkaido Sapporo Furano Area Pass

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Quick Summary

If you don’t have time to read this post, here are the top 3 reasons to run the Garmin Run Vietnam (or any of the Garmin Run Asia Series). 

• It’s a smaller race, so the course isn’t congested. 

• Nice swag, including a finisher’s technical t-shirt for half marathon runners. 

• Become a part of the Garmin running community!

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Why Participate in the Race?

Garmin Run Asia Series hosted by Garmin is a fun and exciting running race series featuring 5km (3.1 miles), 10km (6.2 miles), and 21km (half marathon) across Asia. 

It originally started in 2022 in three cities, and has currently expanded to 10 countries – Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. 

For 2025, Indonesia kicked off the series with an event on September 14, and Japan will end it on January 31-February 1, 2026. 

Participants who complete 10 cities from 2022 to 2027 receive a special customized 18k plated medal. It’s a fantastic way to travel and run in different Asian countries, and the chance to earn extra bling!

We heard about the Garmin Run Vietnam after the completion of the 2024 Long Bien Marathon in Hanoi. The Garmin Run was a part of the Long Bien Marathon. 

So, we were excited to hear that this year’s event was in Ho Chi Minh City, so we wouldn’t need to travel. It was organized by Pulse Active, the same group that hosts the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon in January. 

If Garmin Run Vietnam continues in 2026, maybe the race will occur in Danang or another area of Vietnam? 

For those in the U.S. I heard about the Garmin Marathon Run Series debuting this year. It’s exciting to see the series expand globally.

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Race Date

Sunday, October 5, 2025. Half marathon start time was 4:30am. 

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How to Register for the Race

We followed Garmin Vietnam’s social media accounts, such as the official Facebook and Instagram. 

Note: Many fake Facebook pages look similar to Garmin Vietnam’s official Facebook page. These are scams, and they will require you to send a bank transfer to take your money. Please look for the official page only! Beware of these fake pages. 

We saw the notification for the first day of registration and Super Early Bird pricing on July 9, 2025. So, we rushed to the registration site on the official website. 

Depending on your registration time, you could pay the Super Early Bird, Early Bird, Normal, or Late prices. 

Registration was first come, first serve. Once the number of tickets were sold out for a certain price point, then the next one would open. The Super Early Bird pricing sold out in 1 day!

The half marathon receives a participant singlet and a finisher’s t-shirt. So, singlet and t-shirt registration size (or technical t-shirt for the 5k or 10k event) was required at sign up. 

Here is the size chart:

Note: Please choose your shirt size properly! You cannot change it after submitting. I tried to change my singlet size and I emailed the race organizer, Pulse Active, two times, but I didn’t receive any follow ups email responses. Customer service needs to be improved. 

Payment was through a third-party processor, Yootickets. 

We used a U.S. based international credit card for payment and were not charged an additional online transaction fee from Yootickets. So we paid only 790,000 VND ($30.20 USD) per person. What a fantastic deal!

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Race Swag

The race swag is decent for what you get. Here is what we received: 

• Participant singlet for the half marathon (5k and 10k participants receive a technical t-shirt)

• Finisher technical t-shirt (Half Marathon only)

• Finisher medal

• E-certificate

• Free race photos

• Tote bag

• 3 acrylic badges (a Vietnamese sandwich (bánh mì), “beat yesterday,” and “New PR”)

• Amino Vital energy gel

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Race Communication

Email communication was sparse compared to other races that we’ve done. Here is what we received from the race organization:

• Confirming registration from Pulse Active Registration email address

• Registration, QR code for Bib Pick Up, and race information from Pulse Active Registration email address

We used the official Garmin Vietnam Facebook page for the most up to date information. The page updated frequently as the event date was closer.

What to Know About the Weekday Night Ticket

This ticket was used for entry on a weekday. Reservation was at 5:00pm, but we could enter the Expo at 4:00pm. So, we had an extra hour to explore. Click here for the announcement. 

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Top 3 Things We Liked About Visiting the Expo at Night

• Ticket prices were cheaper than the Full Day and Weekday Ticket. 

• The weather was slightly cooler in the late afternoon and evenings. We went on September 1, and it was crazy hot at 36-38℃ (96.8-100℉) earlier in the day.

• There were fewer crowds in the evenings. But lines were still long!

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Where to Buy Tickets

I bought the Weekday Night Tickets on the official Osaka Expo website 10 days before our arrival.

The costs are:

• Adults (18+ years): 3,700 yen 

• Junior (12-17 years): 2,000 yen

• Child (4-11 years): 1,000 yen

• Child(0-3 years): Free

If staying for the entire day or multiple days, you could buy tickets directly from the official website or a third-party vendor, such as Klook. We usually use Klook to buy our Japan Railway passes, but they didn’t sell the Weekday Night Tickets. Too bad. 

Here is the cost for a One Day Ticket, so you can compare the prices:

• Adults: 7,500 yen

• Junior: 4,200 yen

• Child: 1,800 yen

• Child (0-3 years): Free

Here is the cost for a Weekday Ticket, so this can only be used on weekdays.

• Adults: 6,000 yen

• Junior: 3,500 yen

• Child: 1,500 yen

• Child (0-3 years): Free

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Our Schedule

• 3:00pm – Take the train from JR Osaka Station to JR Bentencho. Transfer to Osaka Metro Bentencho to Yumeshima Station.

• 3:30pm – Arrive at Osaka Expo 2025. Wait in line for East Gate till 4:00pm.

• 4:00pm – Expo allows 4:00pm & 5:00pm reservation to do baggage check. Then we snapped some photos of the beautiful Grand Ring.

• 4:30pm – Waited in line for the United States Pavilion’s English Tour. 

• 5:00pm – Entered the U.S. English Tour. 

• 5:40pm – Left the U.S. English Tour and went to the Vietnam Pavilion. 

• 6:00pm – Waited in line for the Japan Pavilion. 

• 7:00pm – Entered the Japan Pavilion. 

• 8:00pm – Finished Japan Pavilion and walked a portion of the Grand Ring. 

• 8:30pm – Entered the Commons D Hall. 

• 8:45pm – Entered Portugal Pavilion. 

• 9:00pm – Left Expo at East Gate when the drone show started. Most Pavilions were closed at 8:00-8:30pm.

Note: We did not eat dinner at the Expo.

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Our Osaka Expo Experience

Lottery for Pavilions

We bought our tickets 10 days before our arrival. 

As a part of the ticket process, we could enter a lottery for reserved pavilions 7 days before. Unfortunately, the Expo website was complicated and not user-friendly, so we forgo the lottery. 

We decided to just take it easy and wander around just to get a taste of what a World Expo is like. 

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East Gate Entrance

We were in Osaka Station area for a late lunch and took the train to the JR Osaka Station to JR Bentencho. Transfer to Osaka Metro Bentencho to Yumeshima Station.

At 3:30pm, we walked to the 4:00pm and 5:00pm reservation line to enter the East Gate Entrance. There were hundreds of people already in line waiting for the 4:00pm opening. 

It was very HOT and toasty waiting in line. We went to the Expo on one of the hottest days of the week – at 36-38℃ (96.8-100℉). Pretty much heat stroke weather. 

Luckily, we had an umbrella (not a UV one) to cover our heads and bodies. We didn’t have a hand fan, but that would have been useful. Otherwise, it was an uneventful wait. 

At 4:00pm, we slowly crawled our way to the Security checkpoint. All bags were placed into a scanner. Opened plastic bottles were inspected with a hand scanner. Unfortunately, no canned drinks allowed.

What About Taking the Train to Osaka Airport?

Most people land and depart at Kansai International Airport (airport code: KIX). It’s located on an artificial island south of Osaka city. Yet, it’s accessible by train by Japan Railways and Nankai Railways. 

Itami Airport (airport code: ITM) is located north of Osaka City. Unfortunately, it isn’t connected to a train line. But travelers can take the Osaka Metro line from Namba to Senri Chuo Station, and then transfer to the Osaka Monorail line from Senri Chuo to Osaka Airport Station. It’ll take about 50 to 55 minutes one way and will cost around 770 yen for adults. 

So, we recommend the direct Namba to Osaka Airport bus route for a speedier way with no transfers. It’s also 730 yen for adults.

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Step 1: Check Google Maps or the schedule below to determine the next bus pick up (schedule current as of September 2025).

If you’re using Google Maps, add your current location, Namba Station, or use this Namba Station bus pick up (map) as the departure destination, and Osaka Itami Airport as the arrival destination. Change the time to current to determine the next bus time. 

Here is the schedule that Justin and I took at the bus stop near Namba Station. First pick is at 5:50am and last pick up is at 7:10pm. 

Or, click here for the online version of the schedule. 

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Step 2: Travel to the Namba bus stop with ample time before departure.

You’ll need to factor in travel time from your original destination, such as your hotel, and whether you’ll take the train or walk to the bus stop (NB1). Click here for the bus stop location on Google Maps.

The nearest train station is Osaka Metro Namba Station, Hanshin’s Osaka Namba Station, Kintetsu Osaka Namba Station. JR Namba Station is west of the bus stop, so it will require extra walking. 

We decided to take the 5:50pm bus. We picked up our stored luggage at Onyado Nono Namba hotel at 5:25pm, and we walked 15 minutes to the bus stop to arrive at 5:40pm. We had 10 minutes to spare before the bus departure. 

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Step 3: Buy a ticket at the Ticket Machine (Optional – If using IC card, such as ICOCA or Suica, skip to the next step).

Near the bus stop is a kiosk to purchase tickets. The machine has English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (traditional and simplified) translations. 

Follow the steps on the screen to purchase Adult and Children tickets. 

• Adults cost: 730 yen 

• Children cost (6 to 12 years old): 370 yen 

Cash is accepted as payment. You can also pay with Line Pay, au Pay, etc. No credit cards allowed. 

Note: Tickets are valid for today. So, do not buy tickets ahead of time. 

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Step 4: Wait in line till boarding.

We had a handful of people waiting in line before us. We waited patiently until boarding time.

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Step 5: If you have luggage, someone will ask you which airlines you’ll take and place it in the bus’s undercarriage.

If you’re taking ANA or IBEX Airlines, you’ll go to the South Entrance, which is the first stop. 

If you’re taking Japan Airlines or AMX Airlines, you’ll go to the North Entrance, which is the second stop.