Ah, Shizuoka. Rolling hectares of tea crops, vast lakes, rushing rivers, stretching coastlines and jaw dropping views of Mount Fuji.
It’s hard to believe this nature-lover’s paradise is only an hour from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Shizuoka City, the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture, has deep roots in Shogunate Japan. Echoes of samurai and the ruling Tokugawa Clan still remain in the historic buildings around town and in the depths of the pond and gardens at Fugetsuro.
A former Tokugawa residence, Fugetsuro is widely believed to be the most beautiful Japanese garden in all of Shizuoka. Join us as we visit for a stroll and enjoy some exquisite kaiseki cuisine.
Shizuoka and Shogun
The history of Shizuoka City dates back quite far. Centred around the impregnable Sunpu Castle, it was a prosperous town during the Edo Period with strong associations to the legendary Tokugawa Family.
In fact, Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first ever shogun, spent both his early and later years there. A couple of hundred years and a few generations later, the very last Tokugawa family member, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, also chose Shizuoka for a peaceful retirement. Yoshinobu was only 31 years old when he moved there at the end of his family’s reign. He spent his days immersed in various interests such as hunting, fishing, photography and Noh recitals.
(You can read the rest of the article at this link. This article was first published by Team JJ on July 31, 2019. Check here for deeper and unique insights into visiting Japan, including wellness, travel, cuisine and more. Find us on Instagram and on Facebook.)
