Aoi-ku

Aoi-ku is an administrative ward covering the northern portion of Shizuoka city, bordered by Suruga-ku to the south and Shimizu-ku to the southeast. The district extends northward to the boundaries of Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures.

The ward was established on April 1, 2003, when Shizuoka became a government ordinance city and incorporated areas north of the Tokaido Main Line. This administrative restructuring created the present district boundaries.

The ward houses the city and prefectural administrative offices, serving as the governmental center where residents conduct official business and local decisions take shape. This role gives the area its character as an administrative hub.

The ward is well-serviced by public transportation networks and facilities, making it easy to navigate for visitors and residents alike. Conditions vary significantly from urban areas to mountainous regions, so travel times and accessibility differ depending on your destination.

The area is geographically the largest district of its kind in Japan, merging urban centers with mountainous terrain. This combination makes it a striking example of how Japanese cities expand beyond their downtown cores.