Source: Junpei Abe
Shizuoka is famous for its tea but that’s not all that this place has to offer. Thanks to its location along the Pacific Coast in the south Chubu region, Shizuoka also boasts a mild climate, enjoyable weather, and gorgeous views surrounding the area. All these and more make Shizuoka an ideal place for travel, especially when you want to explore more of Japan besides the big city which is Tokyo. Now, speaking of traveling, no trip is complete without sampling at least a few restaurants in the area. Here are ten restaurants in Shizuoka that you shouldn’t miss.
1. Tororojirunochojiya
Getting your contemporary Japanese cuisine fix is easy; you can pretty much go anywhere in Japan and do that. What you don’t come across every day is traditional Japanese cuisine. If you’re looking for a place that serves up traditional recipes using the finest locally sourced ingredients to create handmade and home cooked goodness, Tororojirunochojiya is the place to go. Not only is their food one-of-a-kind, the place has a rather nice ambiance with a deep, cultural significance as well.
Information
- Name: Tororojirunochojiya (とろろ汁の丁子屋)
- Address: Mariko, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 421-0103, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Phone: +81 54-258-1066
- Website: http://chojiya.hanjomo-site.jp/
2. Hassai
If you want to get the best bang for your buck, opting for a buffet lunch / dinner is definitely the way to go and there’s no better place to indulge in a buffet binge in Shizuoka than at Hassai. Hassai offers a wide variety of food for both their lunch and dinner buffet spreads. Here you’ll find a lot of the usual dishes that you see in most Japanese restaurants, some restaurant specialties, and a few non-Japanese dishes as well. They also have a special Shabu-shabu All You Can offering for dinner and unlimited drink options for a reasonable additional fee.
Information
- Name: Hassai / Hachina Deux Branch (八菜 静岡店)
- Address: Shizuoka Parco 7F, 6-7, Kouyamachi, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, 420-0852
- Price: ¥ 1510 – ¥ 2050
- Phone: +81-54-275-5532
- Opening hour: 11:00 AM
- Website: http://nilax.jp/brand/hassai/store/2/
3. Harebare
Whether it’s a quick but tasty bite or a nice place for casual drinking that you’re looking for, Harebare is definitely a place you will love. Looking around, you’ll notice that Harebare’s interior is nicely designed and decorated. It has a bit of that izakaya look to it but it also has a very chic and sophisticated vibe – something that’s perfect for yuppies and people who love to socialize and have a good time. Harebare specializes in Japanese-French cuisine and features freshly caught fish, seasonal ingredients, and a wide variety of sake and soju in their menu.
Information
- Name: Harebare ( 和酒専門 晴々)
- Address: Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, Hamamatsu, Naka Ward, Tamachi, 325-1, Atsumi pharmacy building 2F
- Price: ¥ 4000 – ¥ 5000
- Phone: +81 53-454-2772
- Opening hour: 05:30 PM
- Website: http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001010818/?vos=cphppsocface20110701001
4. California Diner Jackal
For a taste of California in Japan, go to California Diner Jackal. If you want something quick and convenient that’s also tasty and delicious, this is definitely the place you should hit up. California Diner Jackal is perfect for those who are looking for alternatives to everyday fast food joints like McDonalds, KFC, or Burger King. It has a slightly more diverse menu compared to the ones previously mentioned, too. This eatery not only offers different burger creations but a few other American diner favorites as well. The place itself is a whole lot better compared to other fast food joints. California Diner’s interiors have a very nice retro touch to it that gives it a cool, hipster-ish kind of vibe.
Information
- Name: California Diner Jackal
- Address: 1-8-2 Tokiwacho Aoi-ku Shizuoka Shizuoka
- Phone: +81 54-297-5018
- Opening hour: 11:30 AM
- Website: http://dinerjackal.seesaa.net
5. Barra Settyu
Just because you’re in Japan doesn’t mean you have to eat Japanese food all day, every day while you’re there. Japan is home to a diverse mix of culture so it is only natural to find tons of restaurants here that offer various cuisines from all over the world. Barra Settyu, for example, is an intimate restaurant that serves up delectable Spanish gastronomic fare. The atmosphere is very warm and homey and the food here is the closest you can get to being in Spain while enjoying your stay in Japan, especially when you get a taste of the paella. Barra Settyu’s menu consists of classic and sophisticated Spanish favorites and a great selection of wines and spirits.
Information
- Name: Barra Settyu (バルセッチュウ)
- Address: Shizuoka City, Aoi-ku, exchange-cho 2-5-4 Plaza Building 2F
- Phone: +81-54-253-0258
- Opening Hour: 06:00 PM
6. Papa
Another non-Japanese restaurant in Shizuoka that you shouldn’t miss while visiting the area is Papa, an Italian restaurant that serves up freshly made gnocchi as their specialty along with many other Italian dishes that you just won’t be able to get anywhere else easily. What makes Papa’s gnocchi special is that it’s not your everyday traditional Italian gnocchi but rather a Japanese gnocchi made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients and delicately flavored with various ingredients to achieve a one-of-a-kind taste that is exclusive to Papa. Papa serves lunch and dinner so you can get your gnocchi fix anytime you like.
Information
- Name: Papa (手造りニョッキの店 PaPa)
- Address: 1 Chome-2-2 Takajo, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture 420-0839, Japan
- Phone: +81 54-253-1819
- Opening Hour: 11:00 AM
7. Lucky Treat
Craving for something tasty and deliciously refreshing? Head on over to Lucky Treat and take your taste buds to the heart of Hawaii with the restaurant’s mouthwatering offering. Lucky Treat is a modern izakaya type of eatery and the looks of the food being served here alone are enough to keep your appetite going. Bright, vibrant, and beautifully presented – these are the things that best describe anybody’s first impression of Lucky Treat’s food. Take a bite, explore Hawaiian flavors, and marvel in the goodness that is Lucky Treat. Some of Lucky Treat’s best sellers include their Spam Musubi, Acai Bowl, and Hawaiian pancakes.
Information
- Name: Lucky Treat ( ラッキートリート)
- Address: 2 Chome-1-37 Maejima, Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
- Phone: +81 54-631-9050
- Opening Hour: 11:30 AM
8. Sumiyaki
Here’s something for all the meat lovers out there: Sumiyaki’s char-grilled burgers! Sumiyaki is a restaurant in Kakegawa that serves up juicy burgers and melt-in-your-mouth steaks. If you love meat, this is definitely something you’ll want to put on your list of places to eat in. Though it is considered to be one of the most popular steakhouses in Shizuoka and despite the fact that it plays host to a lot of family lunches and dinners most of the time, Sumiyaki manages to keep a very casual, laid back, and chill atmosphere where you can enjoy your lunch, dinner, or late night meal in peace.
Information
- Name: Sumiyaki Restaurant Sawayaka (炭焼きハンバーグさわやか 掛川インター店)
- Address: 3-15 Yasakicho, Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture 436-0020, Japan
- Phone:+81 537-22-2911
- Opening Hour: 11:00 AM
9. Antique Cafe Road
There’s just something about antique stuff that makes them so irresistibly charming. If you’d like to take a break from all the modern technology that the world has to offer and just wander, get lost in nature and re-connect with the past for a while, you will surely love Antique Café Road. Getting to this quaint little café through long, winding, narrow roads is part of the whole experience so be patient. Once you get here, the rustic look of the place will charm you. Pick a spot, take a seat, and browse through their menu before you order. The food here has the same rustic look and their best sellers are their pies which go so well with coffee or tea.
Information
- Name: Antique Café Road (アンティーク カフェ ロード)
- Address: Japan, Yubinbango436-0009 Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa, Ohno 1776-7
- Phone: +81 90-4853-0851
- Opening Hour: 11:00 AM
- Website: www.road33.net
10. Happy Days Japan
Happy Days Japan is a barbecue joint that serves super tender meats that melt in your mouth. If you’re craving for American-style barbecue, Happy Days is your spot. This restaurant has a very fun, lively, sports bar-ish vibe to it and the interior is actually very chic and well-decorated. Their menu consists of barbecued and smoked meats, classic sides, desserts, and a nice selection of beers. It’s a nice place to just chill and hang out with friends and family. If there’s ever a big game you want to watch or any sporting event, for that matter, be sure to check out with Happy Days Japan too. Sometimes, they have big games and other sports events showing on their TV for their patrons to enjoy.
Information
- Name: Happy Days Japan
- Address: , Yubinbango437-0037 Shizuoka Prefecture, Fukuroi, Shimizu-cho 16-1
- Phone: +81 538-42-6733
- Opening Hour: 05:00 PM
- Website: http://www.happydaysjapan.com/
Next time you find yourself in Shizuoka looking for a place to eat, check out these restaurants and enjoy a delicious meal.
Have a good trip and travel!
