DID YOU KNOW?
Shizuoka City is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture’s second largest city in terms of both population and area. The city’s name is made up of two kanji, shizu, meaning “still” or “calm”; and oka, meaning “hill.” In 2003, Shizuoka merged with Shimizu City, briefly becoming the largest city by land area in Japan. Shizuoka is perhaps best known for Mt. Fuji which was named as one of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Shizuoka is steeped in history dating back to the time of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616). The original of the Sunpu Gate is located at his retirement home in central Shizuoka. Shizuoka City was called Sunpu until 100 years ago. Shizuoka City is the capital and nucleus of a broad urban area located in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is also the economic, political, information, education and cultural center of the region and is known for its agricultural crops of green tea, tangerines and strawberries.
POPULATION
The population of Shizuoka City is approximately 670,000
LOCATION
Shizuoka is located in the approximate center of Japan with the Pacific Ocean to the south and Mt. Fuji to the northeast. It is located on the Pacific coast about one hour south of Tokyo by bullet train. Since the city merger with Shimizu in May, 2003, Shizuoka City is the largest city in land area in all of Japan, the greater part of which is mountainous. Only about seven percent is flat land. To the north, the city embraces the Southern Japan Alps, whose peaks often reach more than 3,000 meters above sea level, and to the south the calm waters of Suruga Bay. All of this together makes for a beautifully, natural rugged, environment.
HISTORY
The area that is now the city of Shizuoka has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Numerous kofun have been found within the city limits, and the Toro archaeological siteindicates that a major Yayoi period (circa 400 BC-300 AD) settlement existed in what is now part of the central city area. Suruga was established as a province of Japan in the early Nara period. At some point between the year 701 and 710, the provincial capital was relocated from what is nowNumazu, to a more central location on the banks of the Abe River at a location named Sunpu (駿府?) (a contraction of “Suruga no Kokufu” (駿河の国府?)) or alternatively “Fuchū”(府中?). During the Muromachi period, Sunpu was the capital of the Imagawa clan. The Imagawa were defeated at the Battle of Okehazama, and Sunpu was subsequently ruled byTakeda Shingen, followed by Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated Ieyasu, and installed
Nakamura Kazutada to rule Sunpu. After the Toyotomi were defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu recovered Sunpu, reassigning it to his own retainer, Naitō Nobunari in 1601. This marked the start of Sunpu Domain. In April 1606, Ieyasu officially retired from the post of Shogun, and retired to Sunpu, where he established a secondary court, from which he could influence Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada from behind the scenes. Subsequently, aside for brief periods, Sunpu was tenryō (territory under direct administration by the Shogunate), ruled by the Sunpu jōdai (駿府城代?), an appointed official based in Sunpu.
EXCHANGES
Many exchanges of junior high school and high school teachers and students occur. Omaha also continues on-going exchanges with the universities, Boy and Girl Scouts, the zoo, and hospitals among others. An official delegation from Shizuoka visits every few years and their arrival generally coincides with Omaha’s River City Roundup festivities.
Meet the Mayor
Mayor Takashi Namba – Shizuoka City, Japan
Dr. Takashi Namba has served as the Mayor of Shizuoka City since April 2023. Running as an independent candidate, he secured 57.99% of the vote in the 2023 mayoral election, garnering support from major political parties including the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party for the People.
Dr. Namba holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Nagoya University. He began his public service career in 1981 with the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), where he held various key positions. Notably, he served as the Director of the Ports and Harbors Division in Ibaraki Prefecture and later as the Vice-Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture.
As mayor, Dr. Namba emphasizes sustainable urban development, environmental innovation, and international collaboration.
TOP BUSINESSES
SHIZUOKA GAS COMPANY - Natural gas distribution
TOKAI DENPUN CO., LTD. - Starch, marine, livestock, seasoning, oils, fats
SUZUYO SHOJI CO., LTD. - Oil, gas, solar energy
SHIMIZU LNG - Natural gas distribution
TOKAI CORPORATION - Energy, water, housing
ABC CO., LTD. - Pachinhko parlors/gambling
SUZUYO & CO., LTD. - Logistics
HAGOROMO FOODS CORPORATION - Packaged foods
MEGANETOP CO., LTD. - Eyeglasses, contact lens
TAKARA MC CO., LTD. - Supermarket chain
