7 Best Nature Spots in Shizuoka
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Beyond the hiking trails, Shizuoka’s nature is defined by three things: Japan’s deepest bay, a UNESCO-recognized peninsula, and a farming landscape old enough to carry its own heritage designation.
7 nature spots, at a glance
| Spot | What makes it notable | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Suruga Bay | Japan’s deepest bay, ~2,500m | Central coast |
| Miho no Matsubara | ~7km pine coast, Fuji UNESCO component | Shizuoka City |
| Izu Peninsula | UNESCO Global Geopark, 2018 | East coast |
| Jogasaki lava coast | Volcanic cliffs | Izu Peninsula |
| Amagi wasabi terraces | GIAHS heritage farming system | Izu interior |
| Makinohara Plateau | Largest contiguous tea area in Japan | Central Shizuoka |
| Lake Hamana | Birthplace of Japanese eel farming | Hamamatsu, west |
Suruga Bay, Japan’s deepest
At roughly 2,500m, Suruga Bay is the deepest bay in Japan, which is why deep-sea fish varieties turn up on menus around Shimizu that you won’t find elsewhere in the country, and why Shizuoka’s coastline feels dramatic even without visible cliffs, the drop-off starts close to shore.
Miho no Matsubara, a UNESCO pine coast
This roughly 7km crescent of pine trees framing Mount Fuji is a genuine component of Fuji’s UNESCO cultural listing, tied to the Hagoromo feather-robe legend, a natural landscape with real heritage status behind it rather than just a scenic stop.
The Izu Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark
Separately from Fuji’s cultural listing, the Izu Peninsula was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018, recognizing its volcanic geology, onsen towns, hot springs, and rugged coastline. The Jogasaki lava coast, with its dramatic cliffs and the Kadowaki suspension bridge, is the clearest single place to see that geology up close.
Amagi’s wasabi terraces, a living heritage system
Around Amagi, on the Izu Peninsula, wasabi grows using a terraced-streambed method recognized as a GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System), Shizuoka grows roughly 80% of Japan’s real hon-wasabi this way, a working agricultural landscape rather than a static viewpoint.
Makinohara Plateau and Lake Hamana
The Makinohara Plateau, covering roughly 5,000 hectares, is the largest contiguous tea-growing area in Japan, worth a drive-through even without a formal tasting stop. On the western side, Lake Hamana in Hamamatsu is where Japanese eel farming began, a working body of water tied directly to the unagi on menus across the prefecture, our best-places-to-eat guide covers that dish in full.
Is the Izu Peninsula’s Geopark status the same as Fuji’s UNESCO listing?
No, and it’s a common mix-up. Fuji’s listing (“Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration,” 2013) is a cultural World Heritage Site; the Izu Peninsula’s Global Geopark status, 2018, is a separate UNESCO program recognizing geology, not the same designation.
Can I see most of these without a car?
Suruga Bay and Miho no Matsubara are reachable from Shizuoka City by train and bus. The Izu-side spots, Jogasaki, Amagi, are easier with a rental car .
One concrete tip: if wasabi terraces and the Jogasaki coast are both on your list, do them on the same Izu day, they sit closer to each other than either does to Shizuoka City. For the full trip plan, see the main Shizuoka guide .