If you are visiting Shimizu Port on a cruise ship and want to experience a little of Shizuoka’s history, Sunpu Castle Park is an easy place to visit independently. You can get there by local train, explore the castle grounds, enjoy Japanese tea in a traditional garden, and even try Shizuoka oden—all in one short trip from the port.
Why Visit This Attraction?
If you are visiting Shizuoka City, Sunpu Castle Park is one of the highlights I highly recommend.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan’s most famous shoguns, spent about one-third of his life in Shizuoka City. So even if you’re not particularly interested in Ieyasu, I still recommend visiting Sunpu Castle Park. It’s one of the places you shouldn’t miss when visiting Shizuoka City.
Sunpu Castle Park is also one of the easiest places to visit from Shizuoka Station if you want to explore Ieyasu’s connection to the city.
Although the castle keep has not been reconstructed, the impressive Tatsumi Yagura, a reconstructed castle tower, is well worth seeing. The massive Higashi-Gomon Gate is particularly striking.
If you’re interested in the architecture of castle towers, I recommend the Hitsujisaru Yagura.
You can also enjoy Shizuoka tea at Momijiyama Garden.
After exploring the park, why not enjoy some local food at Odenya Obachan and pick up some souvenirs?
Sunpu Castle was the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who brought an end to the Sengoku period and established the Edo shogunate after becoming Seii Taishogun. Originally built in 1585, the castle underwent major renovations in 1607.
Sunpu Castle Park Guide Map
Higashi Gomon (Gate）／Tatusmi Yagura (Turret)・Hitsujisaru Tagura (Turret) 東御門 巽櫓・坤櫓
The East Gate was reconstructed in 1996 using traditional Japanese building methods and is now open as a museum. The nearby Tatsumi Yagura Turret, rebuilt in 1989, and was once an important defensive structure of Sunpu Castle.
Inside, you can see archaeological finds from the park and a recreated study room of Tokugawa Ieyasu!
The Hitsujisaru Yagura Turret was faithfully reconstructed in 2014 based on historical records, using traditional Japanese wooden construction techniques. Timber from trees more than 100 years old was used, and the foundations, pillars, and beams are joined with traditional woodworking methods without metal fittings.
Architecture enthusiasts should not miss it!
Momijiyama Garden 紅葉山庭園
From the entrance, the garden is divided into four themed areas: the Village Garden, Sea Garden, Mountain Village Garden, and Mountain Garden. Visitors can relax while enjoying seasonal plants and scenery.
There is also a tea house where you can enjoy Shizuoka green tea or matcha with traditional Japanese sweets.
The green hill covered with spring satsuki azaleas in the photo on the left is designed to represent Mount Fuji!
I’m a local myself, but I still visit from time to time. I enjoy taking a break from everyday life, having a cup of Shizuoka tea in the beautiful Japanese garden, and simply relaxing.
Oden-ya Obachan おでんや おばちゃん
Why not try Shizuoka Oden, a local specialty unique to Shizuoka City? Enjoy fish cakes, daikon radish, eggs, beef, and other local ingredients slowly simmered in flavorful broth.
The ingredients are full of rich, savory flavor, and the retro-style building is so charming too!
The friendly ladies who work here are used to welcoming tourists, so don’t hesitate to chat with them and enjoy the local atmosphere.
Why not ask them “which oden is the most popular” in Japanese? ➡ ”Ninki no oden wa nandesuka?”
Facility information
- Opening Hours: Turret Museums/Momijiyama garden 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM(The last admission is at 4:00 PM) *Sumpu Castle Park itself is open at all times.
- Admission: Combined Ticket for All Sumpu Castle Park Facilities (East Gate & Tatsumi Yagura Turret, Hitsujisaru Yagura Turret, and Momijiyama Garden) ¥360 *Individual admission tickets for each facility are also available. *Admission fees can be paid by cashless payment methods. For details, please refer to the Shizuoka City Hall website: Cashless Payment.
- Closed on Mondays. Open on Mondays that fall on public holidays, with no substitute closure. Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays (December 29–January 3).
- Accessible Multipurpose Restroom with Handrails
How to Get There
There are two ways to reach Sunpu Castle Park by public transportation.
<Shizutesu train> From Shin-Shimizu Station, take the Shizuoka Railway to Shin-Shizuoka Station (the last stop), about 20 minutes, then walk for 5 minutes.
One-way fare: ¥300 *You can tap your credit card or IC card at the ticket gate.
＜JR train> From Shimizu Station, take the JR train to Shizuoka Station, about 10 minutes, then walk for 15 minutes.
One-way fare: ¥240 *You can buy a ticket with cash from the ticket machine, or use a transportation IC card.
Cruise ship passengers can easily reach either Shin-Shimizu Station or Shimizu Station if a shuttle bus from Shimizu Port is available.
