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Shizuoka is the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture, a Pacific-coast port city of about 690,000 people on the west shore of Suruga Bay, with Mount Fuji rising 45 km to the northeast. The city records a mean temperature of 16.3°C (61°F) and about 2,240 mm of rain a year, giving it a mild, humid subtropical climate that stays green year-round. It is best known as Japan’s top green-tea region, the landing port for Shimizu tuna, and the home of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu’s shrines and castle. Use the guides below to plan a visit around its Shizuoka weather by month, sights and neighborhoods.
Welcome to Shizuoka
The first question visitors ask about Shizuoka is usually about the mountain: from Nihondaira and Miho no Matsubara, Mount Fuji stands clear across the bay on dry winter and late-autumn days. The city’s own story is quieter but just as concrete. It is the port where one of Japan’s largest tuna fleets unloads, the prefecture that grows roughly 40 percent of the country’s green tea, and the place where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his retirement and was first buried at Kunozan Toshogu in 1617. A day here easily fills with a ropeway ride, a shrine, and a sashimi breakfast at the fish market.
Shizuoka Weather at a Glance
Shizuoka’s position between the Southern Alps and the Pacific moderates its seasons. Winters are mild by Japanese standards: January, the coldest month, averages 6.3°C (43°F) with lows near 2°C (36°F) and only about 76 mm of rain, and snow in the city center is rare. Summers are hot and humid, with August highs around 31°C (88°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).
Rain is the city’s defining weather feature. Annual precipitation runs about 2,240 mm, concentrated in the June tsuyu rainy season (about 283 mm, the wettest month) and the September typhoon peak (about 246 mm). The driest months are December and January. Sea temperatures in Suruga Bay range from about 15°C (59°F) in February to 27°C (81°F) in August, so swimming suits July through September. Sunshine totals about 2,100 hours a year. Read the full month-by-month numbers in Shizuoka weather by month.
Shizuoka Seasons at a Glance
- Winter (December to February): clear Mount Fuji views, strawberry picking, oden stalls, lows near 2°C (36°F).
- Spring (March to May): cherry blossoms in late March, the Shizuoka Matsuri in April, first-flush green tea in late April.
- Summer (June to August): June rains, then hot humid days, the Abekawa fireworks in late July, swimming season from July.
- Autumn (September to November): typhoon season in September, then the driest, clearest weather and autumn color in November.
Shizuoka Travel Guides
- Shizuoka Weather by Month: monthly temperatures, rainfall, sea temperatures and a climate table.
- Best Time to Visit Shizuoka: the best months for weather, blossoms, low prices and fewer crowds.
- Things to Do in Shizuoka: shrines, viewpoints, tea fields and the fish market with hours and prices.
- Shizuoka Events and Festivals: the April festival, summer fireworks and the winter oden season.
- Shizuoka Neighborhoods: Aoi, Suruga, Shimizu and Nihondaira, and which one suits you.
- Where to Stay in Shizuoka: hotels by area with a luxury, mid-range and budget pick for each.
- Shizuoka Travel Tips and FAQ: airports, transport costs, money, visas and safety.
Shizuoka Quick Facts
- Best months to visit: April, May, October and November.
- Warmest month: August, averaging 27.5°C (82°F).
- Coolest month: January, averaging 6.3°C (43°F).
- Wettest month: June, about 283 mm of rain.
- Sea temperature: 15°C (59°F) in February to 27°C (81°F) in August.
- Airport: Mount Fuji Shizuoka Airport (FSZ), about 40 km southwest of the city.
- Language: Japanese; currency: yen; time zone: JST (UTC+9).
Suggested Hotels in Shizuoka
Hotel Associa Shizuoka
The five-star Hotel Associa Shizuoka is directly connected to JR Shizuoka Station, with upper-floor Mount Fuji views and six on-site restaurants. Best for couples and travelers who want the smoothest arrival. Check rates and availability
Hotel Grand Hills Shizuoka
Hotel Grand Hills Shizuoka puts all 206 rooms above the 18th floor for city views, one minute from the station’s south exit. Best for sightseers who want a mid-range room with a panorama. Check rates and availability
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Shizuoka-Ekikita
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Shizuoka-Ekikita is a clean three-star a three-minute walk from the station’s north exit. Best for budget and solo travelers who want central value. Check rates and availability
