A new wave of international travel is on the horizon as audiences look beyond the screen to immerse themselves in the cultural and historical contexts behind their favourite Japanese stories. This curiosity has fueled a rise in Japan-bound travel, driven by the worldwide popularity of cultural touchstones like Spirited Away, Attack on Titan, and Sailor Moon, to discover the places that breathe life into these narratives. As the world rediscovers Japan’s feudal history through the critically acclaimed series Shogun, the Shizuoka Prefecture is emerging as a standout destination in Japan, offering travelers the rare opportunity to walk through landscapes and historical sites pivotal to the 1600s.
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the breathtaking Mount Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture is a book lover’s paradise. With a myriad of books set in Shizuoka, such as Megal Crewe’s ‘A Mortal Song’, Laura Joh Rowland’s ‘The Dragon King’s Palace’ and Jeff Talarigo’s The Pearl Diver, the region’s love affair with books and the written word goes back centuries – now inviting you to unveil its cultural significance today in the 21st century.
The 1975 historical novel Shogun, by James Clavell, on which the 2024 TV series of the same name is based, explores a nation on the brink of a defining civil war. Set in a village on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, travellers are welcomed to retrace Blackthorn’s footsteps as the region provides an authentic gateway in the world that inspired Clavell’s series.
Situated just 45 minutes from Tokyo via bullet train, Shizuoka Prefecture hosts attractions that make it a hub for the literary tourist. Visitors can explore sites connected to the era of Tokugawa Ieyasu, whose influence shapes both the historical backdrop of Shogun and the region’s cultural identity. Those eager to discover the true authentic Shogun Spirit are encouraged to embark the Journey into Bushido. Gather and immerse yourself while experiencing the minds of a samurai and a shogun through zazen, armor trial and sword-drawing at Enmeiji Temple.
For fans of Shogun and lovers of literature alike, Shizuoka Prefecture is poised to become one of Japan’s most compelling destinations for the literary tourist.
