So Many Smile-Worthy Experiences! 17 Recommended Shizuoka Spots for Family Trips with Kids

If you're heading out in Shizuoka, you'll probably want to see the spectacular views of Mt. Fuji.
If you plan to visit a viewpoint where Mt. Fuji can be seen, it is recommended to schedule it for early in the morning.
In the afternoon, clouds tend to gather around Mt. Fuji, and on many days the beautiful view can no longer be seen.
As an alternative plan in case the weather is not favorable, it would also be a good idea to consider visiting an indoor spot where you can learn about Mt. Fuji, such as the Fujisan Museum.

The area around Izu, with its many sightseeing spots, is popular for family trips.
Railways run through the eastern part of the Izu Peninsula, but in the western part, buses and taxis are the main means of transportation.
Since many facilities are located far from train stations and bus stops, families with children will likely be able to visit sightseeing spots more efficiently by renting a car.
However, roads tend to be congested during busy seasons such as long holidays and summer vacation, so make sure to allow extra time for travel in your schedule.

Atami, famous as a hot spring destination, is known as a city with many hills.
Because of this, getting around can be quite demanding for families using strollers or walking with small children.
Accommodations located on higher ground often offer great views, but families with children should also consider the extra burden of getting there.
On the other hand, the seaside area is relatively flat and has fewer ups and downs.
If you are staying in Atami on a family trip with children, a hotel along the seaside is recommended.

An animal park featuring around 1,500 kinds of cacti and succulents from around the world, along with about 140 species of animals.
Inside the greenhouse are cacti, succulents, and forest cacti from four areas: Mexico, Madagascar, South America, and Africa.
Animals such as squirrel monkeys and peacocks are kept free-range, and visitors can also interact with a variety of animals throughout the park.

A full-scale leisure park located on high ground on the Izu Peninsula.
About 60 species of animals are kept and exhibited here, including fierce animals and herbivores that live on the savanna, as well as friendly small animals and birds, all living freely in an environment close to nature.
At the new area “Animal Paradise 360,” which opened in spring 2024, about 10 kinds of animals such as capybaras and flamingos are exhibited in a space inspired by the Southern Hemisphere.

A resort-style amusement park next to Kanzanji Onsen at Lake Hamana, where adorable characters designed by Takashi Yanase welcome visitors throughout the park.
In addition to having plenty of rides, including a merry-go-round and the giant Ferris wheel “Cocoo” that even babies from age 0 can enjoy, another appealing feature is that for three months from a child's 3rd birthday, admission is free for up to three family members including the child and parent(s) (advance application and documents proving the child is 3 years old are required).

A zoo on a vast 146,000-square-meter site facing Lake Hamana, home to about 300 animals from around 90 species.
Making use of the natural terrain, the grounds are varied and evoke the atmosphere of a forest.
In addition to observing the animals, visitors can also enjoy the soothing natural ambiance created by insect sounds, birdsong, and seasonal flowers.

One of Japan's largest outlet malls, opened in 2000.
It is easily accessible from famous sightseeing areas such as Hakone, Izu, and Mt. Fuji, making it a popular stop during a trip.
The mall is divided into three areas, the East Zone, West Zone, and Hillside, which opened in 2020, with about 290 stores lined up.
The Hillside Zone also has a mini amusement park, making it a welcome facility for families with children.

A flower and greenery theme park on the shores of Lake Hamana, where visitors can enjoy about 3,000 kinds of plants blooming through the seasons across a vast 300,000-square-meter site that makes use of the natural terrain.
Spring is especially popular, when various flowers such as wisteria, roses, irises, and hydrangeas come into season one after another like a relay.
One highlight not to miss is the “Cherry Blossoms and Tulips Garden,” held from late March to mid-April.

Kakegawa Kachoen is an interactive theme park where visitors can enjoy interacting with birds in grounds filled with a wide variety of blooming flowers.
The all-weather giant glasshouse is temperature- and ventilation-controlled, making it comfortable to enjoy regardless of the season or weather.
Visitors can see about 1,000 rare birds of around 100 species, along with flowers in full bloom throughout the year.
Most of the birds in the park are not kept inside cages or enclosures, so visitors can interact with them directly.

An amusement park located at the second station on the southern slope of Mt. Fuji, surrounded by grand natural scenery.
It is packed with fun attractions, including thinking-based athletics and facilities where kids can play actively.
The park consists of five areas: Sylvanian Village Area, Picasso no Tamago Area, M78 Ultraman Park Area, Cocodoco Area, and Toy Factory Kids Fuji-Q Area.
There are plenty of attractions that both adults and children can enjoy, including the water athletics attraction “Kappa Daisakusen” in the great outdoors and “Cocodoco,” a three-dimensional trick maze with one of the largest floor areas in Japan.

One of Shizuoka's representative hands-on history spots, where visitors can experience life in the Yayoi period with all five senses.
At Toro Museum, located next to the Special Historic Site Toro Archaeological Site, visitors can learn about daily life centered on rice cultivation through excavated artifacts designated as Important Cultural Properties and hands-on Yayoi exhibits.
Inside the museum's exhibition rooms, actual materials such as wooden farming tools, pottery, and housing components designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan are displayed, clearly introducing the full picture of a Yayoi village.

Hatsushima, known as the island closest to the Tokyo metropolitan area, is Approx. 90 minutes from Tokyo Station by a combination of Shinkansen and high-speed ferry.
Located on the eastern side of the island, “PICA Hatsushima” is a resort facility with accommodations, day-use activities, restaurants, and bathing facilities.
If you want to stay active, recommended options include “Adventure Island VOTAN” (600 yen for adults and children), which has plenty of athletic attractions, and “Hatsushima Adventure SARUTOBI” (1,900 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for children), where you can play in nature.

Japan's only Chibi Maruko-chan museum, located in Shizuoka, the hometown of Momoko Sakura, the creator of the manga Chibi Maruko-chan, one of Japan's best-known comics.
The museum is divided into three zones.
The first is the “Maruko's Everyday Life” zone. The approach from the entrance is covered with line drawings of the school and the streets of Shimizu. As you go further in, after introductions to the Sakura family members, the world of the manga is recreated through places such as the Sakura home, the school, and the park.

A zoo at the foot of Nihondaira, one of Japan's leading scenic spots overlooking Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay, with about 560 animals from around 130 species.
The zoo places emphasis on behavioral exhibits, and its appeal lies in the lively animals living in environments close to nature.
Animals are exhibited in a variety of facilities that make it easy to understand the characteristics of each species, including the powerful “Predator House 299,” where you can observe polar bears, lions, Amur tigers, and other fierce animals up close, and the “Flying Mega Dome,” where birds fly around inside one of the largest flying cages in Japan.

An urban park created on the former site of the Lake Hamana Flower Expo held in 2004.
Located at the tip of a peninsula jutting out into Lake Hamana, it is known for its beautiful setting surrounded by the lake and abundant nature.
The vast 56-hectare site, equivalent to about 12 Tokyo Domes, is divided into three zones: the Town Area, the West Area, and the Village Area.
The central Town Area is a lively zone with a water play area, children's plaza, and sightseeing boat rides.

Nihondaira in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a hilly area with an elevation of 307 meters and one of Japan's leading scenic spots, even once chosen as No. 1 in the “Japan Tourist Destination Top 100 Competition.”
Opened in 2018 at the summit of Nihondaira, “Nihondaira Yume Terrace” is a scenic observation facility.
It consists of an indoor exhibition area, lounge space, observation floor, and outdoor observation corridor, all offering spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and Miho no Matsubara.

An agricultural park where visitors can enjoy picking about 15 kinds of fruit throughout the year.
The vast grounds, about the size of 9 Tokyo Domes, include not only orchards but also plenty of playground areas that children will love.
In addition to “Fruit Orchestra,” a playground with giant fruit-shaped play equipment, there is also “Fuwafuwa Hiroba,” a large inflatable play area with a roof, so it can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
Another attraction is the sweets and meals made with fresh fruit harvested in the park.
Enjoying seasonal flavors together as a family is sure to become a wonderful memory of sightseeing in Shizuoka.

“Cycle Sports Center” is a unique amusement park with a bicycle theme.
It offers more than 100 kinds of “fun bicycles,” including bikes that two people pedal together and uniquely moving bicycles, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.
The facility also has a full-scale 5-kilometer road course where visitors can enjoy cycling while feeling the breeze.
For small children, “Cycle 3D Maze” and the “Fuwafuwa Dome” are recommended.
For families who enjoy being active, it is a spot where you can spend the whole day without getting bored.

A historic aquarium where visitors can interact with marine life up close.
One of the main attractions of this facility is the powerful shows performed in its two show areas, “SHOW STADIUM” and “SHOW STAGE.”
The dynamic dolphin jumps and the comical performances by walruses and sea lions are sure to keep children cheering.
At “Ajikko Paradise,” children can also enjoy a fun experience of becoming a horse mackerel using costumes and play equipment.
Another highlight of Izu Mito Sea Paradise is its exhibits of rare deep-sea creatures that live in Suruga Bay.
It is also an educational sightseeing spot where visitors can have fun learning about the mysteries of the sea and the ecology of marine life.

Located in Izu Hokkawa Onsen, “Kissho CAREN” is a resort hotel where most guest rooms have an ocean view.
The view of Sagami Bay from the rooms is wonderful, and sunrise in particular is especially moving.
One of the charms of this hotel is its wide range of services that families can enjoy together.
In addition to renting game items such as Othello and shogi, the hotel can also prepare dinner for young children (ages 3 to 5), so families with small children can stay with peace of mind.
There are also plenty of activities that parents and children can join together, such as hands-on workshops and seasonal events.
It is an accommodation where families can deepen their memories together while relaxing in the hot springs.

A hotel adjacent to the international racing course “Fuji Speedway.”
All 120 guest rooms offer grand views of the circuit, Mt. Fuji, and more.
One of this hotel's attractions is the attached “Fuji Motorsports Museum.”
Visitors can experience Approx. 130 years of motorsports history, making it enjoyable not only for children who love cars but for adults as well.
The wellness building next to the hotel houses “Omika Wellness & Spa,” complete with hot spring facilities and an indoor pool, allowing guests to enjoy both the excitement of racing and the relaxation of a resort.
It is a perfect place to stay for families seeking a special experience they cannot have elsewhere.

Hotel New Akao is a large resort hotel standing in a spot with spectacular views of Nishikigaura in Atami.
With a location that feels as if it is floating on the sea, guests can enjoy an open and relaxing stay.
The appeal of this hotel lies in its wide variety of activities, enough to spend the whole day enjoying the property.
In summer, the ocean pool using the sea at Nishikigaura opens, letting children enjoy water play to the fullest.
Seasonal events such as dinner shows and New Year mochi-pounding events are also held, giving the whole family something to enjoy together.
A free shuttle bus also runs from JR Atami Station to the hotel with no reservation required, which is another convenient point.
It is a recommended place to stay for families who want to fully enjoy both sightseeing and the hotel stay itself.