Ride Marukoji and the Pacific Coast Bicycle Path

The atmosphere of Shizuoka City changes dramatically across the Abe River. From the north exit of Shizuoka Station, head out onto the main street, follow the bicycle path west and cross the Abe River Bridge. Beyond the remnants of the old Tokaido post towns such as Chojiya in Maruko, you will come to Sunpu Takumijuku and Togetsumine. Continue west along National Route 1. After passing the roadside station, tour the quaint stone-paved Utsunotani village. Now head towards Suruga Bay along the Pacific Coast Bicycle Path along the Maruko River. Cross the Minami Abekawa Bridge and head east with Suruga Bay on your right, and if the weather is good, you can see Mt. Fuji and the Izu Peninsula in front of you. If you enter Ishida Kaido and head towards Shizuoka Station, you will see the Toro ruins and Serizawa Keisuke Museum of Art, which is a good place to take a break. The finish line, the south exit of Shizuoka Station, is just around the corner.

• Miroku Green Space

  It is also called Miroku Park or Sankaku Park, and there is a police box in one corner of the park. This is where the Abe River crossing and the Kawakaisho used to be. There is also a monument to the grave of Masayuki Yui. There are toilets in the park.

• Chojiya

  Famous for its grated yam soup, Chojiya was founded in 1596. It was also the subject of a painting by Hiroshige. The thatched roof building has a certain charm. It is characterized by its wild yam seasoned with miso paste. Opening hours: 11:00-19:00. Closed: Thursdays, and Wednesdays and Thursdays at the end of the month only. Phone: 054-258-1066

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  Sunpu Takumi-yado

  A facility where you can experience the lifestyle and culture of "creating, playing, learning, touching, watching, and tasting" with the theme of Shizuoka City's traditional industries and history inherited from the Imagawa and Tokugawa periods. Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (9:00-18:00 from 7/20-8/31). Closed only during the New Year holidays. Admission to the Sunpu Craft Museum is free.

  Website here
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  Togetsumi Shibaya Temple

  A nationally designated scenic spot and historic garden. In the mid-Muromachi period, the renga poet Shibayaken Socho lived in a hermitage here, and the scenic spot became known throughout the country under the name of Togetsumi. Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00. Adults 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 200 yen.

  Website here
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  Serizawa Keisuke Museum

  Serizawa Keisuke was a master of dyeing from Shizuoka City and a Living National Treasure. He collected folk crafts from all over the world. The museum is adjacent to the Toro ruins, and exhibits Serizawa's works and collections. Opening hours: 9:00-16:30. Closed: Mondays, the day after public holidays, during exhibition changeovers, and New Year's holidays. Adults: 420 yen, high school students: 250 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen, preschoolers: free.

  Website here

• Kishigami Soba restaurant

  Located in the Utsunotani village, between Maruko and Okabe, one of the 53 stations on the Tokaido. The owner is a bicycle enthusiast, and will have a great time chatting about bicycles. Opening hours: 11:00-14:00. Closed: Mondays, the first and third Tuesdays of every month (or the next day if a public holiday falls on a Monday). Phone: 054-258-5664.

  Website here