A 897.4-metre-long wooden bridge, historic river crossings and a rose garden with thousands of plants give Shimada a varied character. The town’s attractions tell stories of work on the Ōi River and tea cultivation, as well as festival traditions and seasonal blooms. This gives you different ways to shape your trip, whether you’re interested in architectural and regional history, culture or a visit to the garden.
The Hōrai Bridge and the tea plantations
The Hōrai Bridge crosses the Ōi River. Built in 1879 as an agricultural bridge, it opened up the Makinohara Plateau. It remains an important agricultural route today. At the same time, it is regarded as a valuable historic land improvement facility for managing tea plantations. Its history can therefore be seen not only in its construction but also in its continued function. At 897.4 metres long, it is a distinctive wooden bridge in the Shimada area.
River crossings and their history
The historic site of the Shimada-juku Ōi River crossing also brings the river’s importance to the region to life. Along the old Tōkaidō are remains including a river office, a checkpoint and rest areas for people assisting with river crossings. These sites point to the organisation required for a crossing that involved more than simply finding a way to the opposite bank.
The permanent exhibition at the Shimada City Museum explores Ōi River crossings in the late Edo period and the culture of river barriers in Shimada-juku. Another historical detail can be found south of the museum: the trunk of the former Asagao pine is preserved in Asagao Hall at Asagao no Matsu Park. The tree died in the 1930s; its trunk preserves the memory of the former pine.
Festival traditions in Shimada
The Shimada Grand Festival, also known as the Obi Festival, is held every three years, has a 300-year history and is considered one of Japan’s three unusual festivals. If you’d like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates in advance.
The Shimada Hair Festival celebrates traditional hairstyles. The programme includes the Shimada Mage Dōchū procession, in which women with various Shimada hairstyles dance in matching yukata, as well as a thanksgiving and memorial ceremony for hairstyles at Udatai Temple. The two festivals offer different cultural highlights: the Obi Festival is known for its long history and special standing, while the Hair Festival connects hairstyle traditions with a procession and ceremony.
Rose blooms and a short ride
Shimada Rose Hill Park covers 1.9 hectares. It is home to around 500 rose varieties and more than 5,000 rose plants. Spring roses usually bloom from mid-May to late June, and autumn roses from mid-October to late November. Depending on the year, the blooming period may shift by about two weeks. The two flowering periods offer different windows for a visit; bear the annual shift in mind when planning.
Another attraction in Shimada Central Park is the miniature railway: the round trip is 312 metres long and takes about five minutes. Operating details may vary. Shimada therefore offers both a longer look at architectural and regional history and short, well-defined visitor experiences.
Tea and crafts in the wider river basin
In the wider Ōi River basin, the “Shimada Green Tea Tourism” programme also brings together green tea and a range of experiences. One activity is a visit to a Shitoro pottery workshop, with a pottery activity followed by a cup of tea. This outing is part of the wider region and complements local themes with crafts and tea. Individual offerings may change.
This gives you a clear set of options when planning your trip: the Hōrai Bridge and historic river crossings offer a look at the history of work and transport, the festivals provide cultural highlights, and Rose Hill Park offers seasonal blooms. Which part of Shimada tips the balance depends on whether you want to plan your trip around history, festival dates, roses or the region’s combination of tea and crafts.
Discover more destinations: Nishiizu, Hamamatsu, Ito, Makinohara, Susono, Izunokuni, Fukuroi, Fuji.
For the main travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.
