Shizuoka (静岡市; -shi) is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is a city designated by government ordinance.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 702,697 and the density of 511.48 persons per km². The total area is 1,373.85 km².

During the Edo period, Shizuoka was first occupied by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Later it was a fief of a son of Ieyasu, and finally directly administered by the Shogunate.

The city was founded on April 1, 1889.

The 2003 merger with the city of Shimizu created the larger Shizuoka to gain government ordinance in 2005.

Wards

• Aoi-ku (Former Shizuoka north of the Tokaido Main Line excluding Nagata district)
• Suruga-ku (Former Shizuoka south of the Tokaido Main Line and Nagata district)
• Shimizu-ku (Former Shimizu (city), Shizuoka )

Culture

Having heavy tradition of soccer, a J. League club Shimizu S-Pulse is just an example.

An annual International Busker's Festival (Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka) is held in November.

Notable natives

• Kazuyoshi Miura(Japanese football Player)

External links

• Official website in Japanese
• Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka