Famous hot spring even has a decent beach, but it's a concrete jungle mixed with some sleaze.

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Near Kakegawa Station, Kakegawa Castle counts Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo and wife Chiyo as former residents. Reconstructed in 1993 using traditional methods (made possible by public donations), the castle tower is modeled after the one Kazutoyo built. The palace building is also well restored.

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Other sights in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture.

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Japanese garden and villa formerly owned by Prince Komatsu Akihito in the late 19th century. The villa was once used for a Korean Crown Prince in 1911. The city of Mishima eventually bought the property in 1952 and opened it as a public garden. The garden includes Rakujukan villa. Lush greenery surrounding a pond. Tours inside the villa are available. The garden also has a small amusement park for kids. Near Mishima Station's South Exit.

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A major shrine in the Izu area. Within walking distance from Mishima Station and Rakujuen Garden.

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Mage means topknot in the traditional Japanese hairstyle. In Kyoto, the geisha hairstyle you see is usually the Shimada-ryu style. One leading theory says that Shimada-ryu originated in Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture. In memory of this haristyle, a group of beauticians and hairdressers in Shimada hold this annual festival where they don the Shimada-ryu hairstyle (usually with their real hair) and dance in yukata in Sept.

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Except for some moats and stone walls, very little is left of Sumpu (Sunpu) Castle, known as Tokugawa Ieyasu's retirement home. Two castle structures have been reconstructed: The Tatsumi Yagura Turret and Higashi Gomon Gate. It is within the spacious Sumpu Park whose fringe is occupied by prefectural and city government buildings and schools. A short walk from Shizuoka Station.

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Counted as one of Japan's 100 Scenic Places, Nihondaira is a plateau offering great views of Mt. Fuji. Another major attraction is Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, the original burial place of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The shrine recently got a new coat of paint and lacquer, making it a magnificent work of art.

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The Shizuoka Hobby Fair is held near Higashi Shizuoka Station from July 24, 2010 to March 27, 2011. The main attraction is the giant Gundam statue which can move a little.

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