Nature’s blessings and traditional skills abound
Nature’s abundance yielded fine cuisine from the fruits of land and sea while the cosmopolitan culture of the highway nurtured refined handicrafts. Shizuoka’s deep history is very much alive today.
Suruga Bamboo Lattice ware (SurugaTake Sensuji Zaiku)
Shizuoka has long been renowned for its fine bamboo work involving the delicate weaving of fine bamboo strands. This work has been designated by the Japanese government as an important traditional handicraft.
Suruga Gold and Silver Lacquer ware (Suruga Makie)
This celebrated lacquer ware, which includes ink stone cases, trays, and vases, combines a great diversity of fancy lacquering with novel designs.
Suruga Kites (Suruga Dako)
It is said the tradition of flying Suruga kites began 400 years ago when retainers of a local ruler, Imagawa Yoshimoto raised a kite to celebrate a victorious battle.
Sumpu Artisans House
This facility introduces the traditional arts and crafts of Shizuoka dating from the Edo Period (17lh to 19th centuries). The whole family will enjoy the Sumpu Handicraft Hall with its historical exhibits, a studio where visitors can try their hand at crafts, and galleries displaying the work of local artisans.
Mandarin Oranges (Mikan)
Starting from the fall and lasting until the early winter,the mountains of the city take on a golden color with the ripening mandarin oranges a representative product of Shizuoka along with tea. Among the mikan tangerines of Japan are several famous varieties originating in the Shizuoka orchards, including Aoshima Unshu, Suruga elegant, Ota ponkan, and kiyomi.
Strawberries (Ichigo)
Strawberries cultivated on the slopes overlooking Suruga Bay,are known for their sweet fragrance and are available for individual picking. The coastline of the Kuno Kaigan overlooking Suruga Bay is lined with strawberry fields. Viirieties such as akihime and kuno-wase are cultivated along stone walls. Strawberries can be gathered from January through early May.
Green Tea (Ocha)
Shizuoka tea boasts a mild flavor and fragrance and is number one in variety and production volume nationwide. The choice teas of Shizuoka are renowned for mild flavor and fragrance. In May, the hills of the area are carpeted with the budding leaves of the tea bushes. Also See:
Tororo Jiru
A famous dish of the Tokaido Mariko Inn,Tororo Jiru is made today,just as in the past,using locally grown tororo mountain potato. This is the house delicacy of the Mariko Teahouse made famous in Hiroshige’s woodblock print series “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido” and in Jippensha Ikku’s illustrated comic series “Strolls along the Tokaido.” Grated yam is mixed in cooked rice and barley.
Abekawa Mochi
Sold since the Edo Period, it is said to have been named by Tokugawa Ieyasu who was amused by the wit of a storekeeper who compared the kinako (soybean flour) to that of the gold which is found in the Abe River. Said to have been named by Shogun Ieyasu, Abekawa mochi are fresh rice cakes specially flavored with soybean flour or sweet baen paste.
Wasabi Horseradish
Wasabi is grown in the clear streams running between Shizuoka’s mountains. The processed pickled horseradish is a favorite souvenir of Shizuoka.
Regional Product “Sake” “Jizake”
Shizuoka Prefecture has large quantity of serein water for producing sake, flowing from Japan’s South Alpus. Shizuoka provintial sake with high quality and population is produced by using clear water and high grade rice.
Suruga Geta of Shizuoka
Shizuoka “geta” sandals developed in the Meiji Era from the high class lacquer “geta” sandals. Numerous varieties are available with different types of painting, carving and strap binding.
Marine Products
The area is brimming with fresh seafood. Shizuoka has the most valuable tuna catch in Japan. Other leading specialties are Shirasu(baby fish) from Suruga Bay and Sakura ebi (shrimp).
Sandals of Shizuoka
Shizuoka’s sandal industry boasts one of the greatest total productions in Japan. The industryis engaged in development of new products, creation of fashions along with the needs of the consumer, and new market development with the aim of forming an overall footware production center.
Furniture
Shizuoka’s western furniture is famous in Japan for its quality and variety. Shizuoka is continuing its development as an overall furniture production center.
Shizuoka Arts & Folk Crafts
Shizuoka is famous for its woodcrafts and other traditional crafts, and has a historical reason for the presence of so many traditional crafts in the area: Many famous artisans — carpenters, sculptors, lacquer ware makers, as well as the craftsmen who made architectural fittings. More Details: Shizuoka Folk Crafts
Also See:
The Tastes of Hamamatsu
