For three days in Shizuoka, stay in Shizuoka City for two nights and use a rental car for a day trip to Fujinomiya. This keeps hotel changes to a minimum while giving you access to Mt. Fuji viewpoints, waterfalls, lakeside walks and Shimizu seafood.

Before booking, check whether you may legally drive in Japan with your license and accompanying documents. Requirements depend on the country or region that issued your license; consult JAF’s official guidance for overseas license holders. Bring the original documents required for your case; a photo or digital copy is not a substitute. Once your flights and hotel are fixed, use the Shizuoka rental-car search to compare pick-up times, luggage capacity and insurance options.

Does this route fit your wider Japan trip?

You do not need to arrive at Shizuoka Airport to use this itinerary. If you are already traveling through Japan by train, compare a rental near Shizuoka Station with an airport pickup. Use your actual hotel and rental office as the navigation endpoints. A regional search result does not guarantee pickup at either location.

Keep your first afternoon flexible. After a long journey, a meal and an early hotel check-in may be more useful than another viewpoint. If you are continuing elsewhere in Japan on day three, replace the airport leg with your train or onward travel arrangements and check whether the car must be returned to the original branch.

Food, language and payment

Do not assume every restaurant offers an English menu or accepts your preferred card. Choose a likely lunch stop before setting out and check its hours and payment options directly. If you have dietary restrictions, ask about broth, sauces and toppings as well as the main ingredient; this itinerary does not certify any restaurant as vegetarian or allergy-safe.

Save your rental confirmation and branch contact details somewhere you can access them while traveling. Ask how to contact the operator if your arrival changes. Language support, payment requirements and cancellation terms depend on the selected plan.

Three-day Shizuoka itinerary at a glance — Two nights in one city, with a full day for Fujinomiya

Arrival and departure days are not full sightseeing days. Immigration, car-rental procedures and the shuttle between an off-airport branch and the terminal can take time. If your arrival is late, skip Nihondaira. If your departure is early, drive directly to the rental office.

Day 1: Nihondaira and Shizuoka oden

Nihondaira Yume Terrace offers views over Suruga Bay and, in clear weather, Mt. Fuji. It is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with Saturday hours extended to 9:00 pm. It closes on the second Tuesday of each month and from 26 to 31 December. From 1 October 2026, admission is ¥100 for adults and high-school students and ¥50 for elementary and junior-high students; the outdoor observation corridor remains free. Parking for 140 standard cars is free.

After checking in, try Shizuoka-style oden around Aoba Oden Street. Each small restaurant sets its own hours and closing days. Leave the car at the hotel and walk or take a taxi if you plan to drink.

Day 2: Shiraito Falls, Lake Tanuki and Fujinomiya

Start early for Shiraito Falls. The official car park operates from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with final entry 30 minutes before closing; in winter it closes at 4:30 pm. It accommodates 105 cars and costs ¥500 per standard car. There are steps down to the waterfall basin, so wear shoes suitable for walking.

Continue to Lake Tanuki. The lake itself may be visited at any time, with parking for 40 cars on the north side and 200 on the south side. Reflections of Mt. Fuji require calm, clear conditions, so build the day around the walk rather than a guaranteed photograph.

Have Fujinomiya yakisoba for lunch, then visit Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha and Wakutama Pond. Photographers may replace either the shrine or the lake with Obuchi Sasaba, where tea fields frame Mt. Fuji. This is working farmland: use the designated parking areas and never enter the fields or block farm roads.

Compare Shizuoka rental cars for your dates

Day 3: Shimizu seafood and Miho no Matsubara

Finish with seafood at Shimizu Fish Market Kashinoichi. Ichibakan is listed as open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and closed on Wednesdays, although some restaurants and the ferry are exceptions. Magurokan tenants have individual opening hours, so check your chosen restaurant before traveling.

If your flight leaves late enough, add a walk through the pine grove and along the shore at Miho no Matsubara. The scenic area is free and has no regular closing day; parking is available for 173 standard cars. Keep enough time to refuel, complete the vehicle inspection and travel from the rental office to the terminal.

Choosing a car and driving safely

A kei or compact car may suit two people with light luggage. Compare a wagon or minivan when traveling with large suitcases, children or more passengers. Check boot capacity with every seat in use. In Japan, traffic keeps left; everyone must wear a seat belt, and using a handheld phone while driving is prohibited. Ask whether an ETC card is available if you expect to use toll roads.

Questions before you book

Do I need a rental car for all three days?

Not necessarily. A car is most useful for combining the outlying stops on day two. Compare the cost and practical arrangements of a shorter rental if your first and last days stay in the city.

Does every overseas visitor need the same driving permit?

No. The required documents depend on where your license was issued. Check the official guidance for your issuing country or region and confirm the rental company’s requirements before paying.

Can I replace Lake Tanuki with Lake Kawaguchi?

Treat that as a different itinerary and recalculate the driving and hotel arrangements. This route uses Lake Tanuki for a day trip from Shizuoka, not an overnight stay in the Fuji Five Lakes area.

Is Mt. Fuji guaranteed to be visible?

No. Clouds and weather affect the view. Keep time for local food and walks, and shorten outdoor activities when conditions are poor.

Plan your Shizuoka road trip — Choose the return time before adding another stop

Two nights in one city, with a full day for Fujinomiya

Visitor information checked on 20 October 2026. Opening hours, fees and parking conditions may change.