The town remains a pleasant place to live throughout the ages
Shizuoka-shi, which is located at the center of Shizuoka prefecture, is the second largest city in area in the country. The area extends from Suruga Bay in the south to the Southern Japan Alps National Park to the north. As Shizuoka is blessed with a mild and comfortable climate, the city had been favored by a number of men of power. The Toro Ruins prove that some communities of agricultural clans existed in the area as long as 2,000 years ago. There was a municipal office, established between the 5th century and the 8th century. In addition, the flourishing city became a subject in "Man-yo-shu" (the oldest poetry ever found in Japan). During the Battle Era (15c - 16c), the Imagawa family and the Takeda family (both were powerful lords) resided in the area. Moreover, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Yedo Shogunate Government, built Sunpu-jo Castle in 1586. In 1889, Shizuoka city became the prefectual capital, all of which have contributed to the steady development of this region.
