10 things to do in Shizuoka

Any proper night out in Hitoyadocho should involve a stop at the Deck. The chill, low-lit space, decorated in shades of black and purple with eye-catching murals by NYC-based graffiti artist Shiro_one and Shizudelphia’s The Spot crew, serves as the district’s after-dark focal point. And with a lengthy Italian-inspired menu headlined by platters of premium prosciutto cut ultra-thin with a handsome Berkel slicer, plus plentiful drink options including fresh fruit cocktails, mocktails and amicably priced Lambrusco, you might find yourself struggling to crawl out of your comfy seat and to the next bar. Keep an eye out for guest chef appearances, too.

Tue-Fri 5pm-12midnight (kitchen closes 10.30pm), Sat 3pm-12midnight, Sun & hols 3pm-10pm (9pm).

‘Beer first, everything else second’ is the motto at West Coast Brewing, a Shizuoka-born, trans-Pacific operation that draws on the US West Coast’s microbrewing heritage and spirit of innovation while making the most of Japan’s superb water. The result is a frequently changing line-up of eminently drinkable IPAs and pale ales, anchored by WCB’s signature Starwatcher West Coast IPA. The brewery’s container-style ‘mobile fridge’ in Hitoyadocho offers a selection of their top creations on tap, plus a huge variety of canned beers. For a brew-compatible bite, get some kimchi gyoza from the adjacent Pao.

Tue-Sun 4pm-11pm (Sun until 10pm).

One of the newest additions to Hitoyadocho’s bustling restaurant scene, Itoguchi opened in January 2024 at the very end of an inconspicuous alley but has quickly made a name for itself by drawing tasty connections between grilled heirloom pork and chicken skewers, top-quality sashimi sourced directly from Suruga Bay and sake courtesy of some of Japan’s foremost small breweries. Polished and compact, the eatery seats nine around an L-shaped counter and half a dozen more at two tables, inviting you to savour the best of Shizuoka – including whisky from the highly rated Shizuoka Distillery – in a discreet atmosphere.

Mon-Sat 2pm-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-9pm.

Seated at the pristine counter, eyeing a blazing multi-level charcoal grill and backed up against a hefty fridge packed with jars and bottles that wouldn’t seem out of place in a wizard’s hideout, less adventurous diners may start wondering what they’ve gotten themselves into by booking an omakase dinner at Sinq. But once chef Shingo Hozaki’s artistic dishes featuring delights like aged sashimi and vividly coloured seasonal veg start arriving on bold black and wood tableware made to order by local artisans, all doubts will be dispelled. The magical combination of fermentation and charcoal grilling has made this intimate French restaurant the gourmet destination in Hitoyadocho since 2018. Note: reservations are essential and only one ¥12,000 omakase menu is offered (with optional tea cocktail pairing).

Lunch Tue-Thu 12noon-2pm, dinner Mon-Sat 6pm-10pm, closed Sun.

Is it gimmicky? Sure, but if it tastes this amazing, we don’t care. Noodle neoteric Tomokazu Kubota might just have struck gold with his inventive lemon ramen, in which an ample pour of lemon juice plus herbs including oregano, basil and thyme are used to elevate a solid shio (salt) broth into an invigorating, umami-rich concoction that works just as well as a summer-only cold version as it does steaming hot. Topped with charsiu pork, red onions, scallions and lemon slices, this bowl alone makes the trip to Hitoyadocho worth it for intrepid ramen aficionados. Traditionalists will be relieved to hear that Hitoyado no Kujira makes mean miso and shoyu ramen, too.

Thu-Tue 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-8.30pm, closed Wed.

One of the busiest corners in Hitoyadocho is occupied by Hitoyadocho Mart, a homey shopping complex housed in an old-school building formerly inhabited by a futon purveyor. It’s now dedicated to fresh food dealers including a greengrocer and a butcher shop, plus the Hitoyado Taproom and the Rossi café. Looking out at this beehive of activity from across the street is self-taught coffee artisan Yuki Iwayama’s 2420, a little oasis of calm into which you can retreat to observe the action outside while nursing a cup of pour-over coffee brewed from single-origin beans roasted in the adjacent room. For something sweet on the side, try one of Iwayama’s homemade desserts; we like the firm caramel custard, sneakily infused with a hint of espresso.

Tue-Sun 11am-6pm (Wed until 9pm), closed Mon, 2nd & 4th Tue of the month.