Shizuoka Prefecture, Prefecture in central Honshu, Japan
Shizuoka is a prefecture in central Honshu that runs along the Pacific coast, covering the southern slopes of Mount Fuji and the entire Izu Peninsula, with the Pacific Ocean forming its southern border. The region includes coastal cities, long beaches, mountain forests, and flat agricultural plains, as well as industrial zones scattered through the interior and along the coast.
The prefecture was created in 1871 as part of the Meiji government's administrative reforms, bringing together areas from the former provinces of Tōtōmi, Suruga, and Izu. This reorganization merged different local traditions under one regional government, which has remained in place ever since.
Tea plantations stretch across the hills, and travelers passing through the countryside often see rows of low bushes arranged in terraces, especially around Makinohara. In small towns and workshops, local families continue to process the leaves by hand, using methods taught by their grandparents, and visitors can stop to watch or sample the result.
Bullet trains stop at Atami, Shizuoka, and Hamamatsu several times a day, connecting the region to Tokyo in the east and Osaka in the west. Local trains and buses run to smaller towns and coastal spots within the prefecture, though travel times can vary depending on the distance and the terrain.
Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha all built their first factories here, turning the area into a global center for motorcycle and vehicle production. Even now, travelers can visit factory sites and small museums in some towns that show how local workshops grew into worldwide brands.
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