Despite global challenges, Shizuoka, known for its agriculture, fish farming, and industries, has remained remarkably stable. This city is now becoming a hub for economic giants, embracing its international character and introducing various initiatives to attract young professionals. If you are interested in finding a job in Shizuoka, look at our informative guide and explore the hidden energy of Shizuoka, a tranquil city in Japan that surpasses all expectations.
Map of Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture is located in Suruga Bay, south of the main island of Honshu, not far from Yokohama. It is much less densely populated than its close neighbor. As of September 2023, Shizuoka Prefecture is home to approximately 3,555,818 people and covers a vast geographic area of around 7,777 km² (3,002 sq mi), with about 457 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The capital city, also called Shizuoka, is home to more than 700 thousand inhabitants as of Jan 4, 2024. Located in the south of the prefecture, facing Suruga Bay, Shizuoka has become the most populated city of the prefecture by December 2023, followed by Hamamatsu with 605,098 inhabitants.
The third largest city is Fuji. Located in the northeast, it overlooks Suruga Bay and had 245 392 inhabitants as of Dec 1, 2019. Fuji is world famous because of its famous mountain, Mount Fuji. In Japan, it is respectfully called "Fuji-san" ("san" means "madam" or "sir" in Japanese).
Shizuoka City
On Dec 31, 2022, the population, as per the Basic Residence Register of Shizuoka City, including both Japanese and foreign residents, was 683,739.
Out of the total population, there were 11,240 foreign residents living in 7,017 households.
The population breakdown by age, including "age unspecified", was as follows:
- 78,274 children (0–14 years old), accounting for 11.3% of the total population;
- 395,897 working-age individuals (15–64 years old), making up 57.1% of the population;
- 209,628 elderly individuals (65 years and older), comprising 30.2% of the population.
Shizuoka City is divided into three districts (ku): Aoi-ku, Shimizu-ku, and Suruga-ku. By December 2020, Aoi-ku is the most populated district, with 245,776 inhabitants, including foreigners. Shimizu-ku and Suruga-ku follow closely with 225,841 and 206,666 inhabitants, respectively.
Regarding the population structure by 2022, the number of people over 40 accounts for more than 60% of the total population.
In 2022, there were 4,027 births and 9,259 deaths in Shizuoka City, resulting in a natural decrease of 5,232 people. Additionally, there were 26,470 move-ins and 26,459 move-outs, causing a net migration of 11 people. The overall population fluctuation decreased by 119 individuals, while the social fluctuation decreased by 108 people in the same year.
The city is gradually losing its inhabitants.
History of Shizuoka
Shizuoka is the quiet city of Honshu. Located one hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen, the prefecture is famous for its hot springs, landscapes, gastronomy, and Mount Fuji.
The history of Shizuoka is also the history of Tokugawa. Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, famous for reuniting Japan in 1600, grew up in Shizuoka, at Sunpu castle. Under the influence of Tokugawa, the city became the political and cultural center of the country. It is also in Shizuoka that the shogun lived his last years. He rests in the Kunozan Toshogu shrine. Tokugawa has deeply marked Shizuoka. The city keeps many marks of the presence of the shogun.
Shizuoka is also the city of artists. Many came to be inspired by the unique landscapes of the city. Hokusai and Hiroshige, the masters of ukiyo-e painting, immortalized the fantastic landscapes of Shizuoka.
World famous for his "Great Wave of Kanagawa", Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) also painted a series of prints, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji".
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858) reproduced the pine forest of Miho-no-Matsubara (the pine plain of Miho Peninsula), a symbolic landscape of the Shizuoka coastline, with 54,000 that stretches over 7 km.
The city of Shizuoka and its international opening
Since the 1950s, Shizuoka has been forming partnerships with foreign cities, becoming twin cities and sister cities, to deepen international economic and cultural exchanges. Shizuoka is twinned with Stockton, Omaha, Shelbyville (USA), and Cannes (France). Shizuoka has established a friendship with Hue, a city in Vietnam.
The economy of Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka is well-known for producing green tea, mikan mandarin oranges, and wasabi. It is also recognized for its eel cultivation in Lake Hamana and other areas and its forestry products. The manufacturing industry in Shizuoka is significant, with metal, machinery, chemicals, foodstuffs, nutritional supplements, and medical equipment being key sectors. Additionally, the city of Hamamatsu is renowned for its musical instrument production.
Agriculture
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Shizuoka's agricultural production was 1.887 billion yen in 2020. The prefecture ranks 19th in the nation and accounts for 2.1% of the country's agricultural production. This is down from previous years when Shizuoka was 17th with 1.979 billion yen in 2019. In 2015, the prefecture was in the top 15. It was even in the top 10 in the very early 2000s.
Although well-known for mandarin oranges (mikan), the production of this fruit has declined significantly due to labor shortages and decreased consumption during and after the pandemic.
In 2023, according to the Global Japanese Tea Association, Shizuoka held the top spot in national spring tea production. However, there has been a 14% decrease in production volume compared to the previous year, with a total of 9,060t.
Fishing
As a coastal prefecture, Shizuoka has a prosperous fish industry. Shimizu is famous for its fish market. Known all over Japan, it is nicknamed "Kashi no ichi" (the river market). Tuna, oysters, shirasu (baby fish fry), and shrimp, among others, can be found there.
The fish farming activity energizes the whole region: from the fishermen to the restaurant owners (also present on the market), salesmen, the manufacturers and repairers of boats, agricultural and fish farming tools, and clothes, not to mention the logistics, transport, and packaging. Many jobs are directly or indirectly connected.
Industry
Shizuoka Prefecture is in the top 5 in Japan regarding the number of factories. It was home to 8,786 factories in 2019 – a number that is slightly decreasing. The prefecture had 9002 in 2018. Osaka had the most factories in 2019 (15,522), ahead of the prefectures of Aichi (15,063), Saitama (10,490), and Greater Tokyo (9887).
In 2019, Shizuoka's industrial sector employed 413,000 people. The prefecture ranks third in the country. Again, the figure is down slightly from 2018, when 413,309 employees worked in the industry.
In 2023, the prefecture's economy moved toward normalization from the new coronavirus disaster, and the business environment improved, especially for export-oriented companies.
For many manufacturing firms, the ongoing depreciation of the yen and the easing of parts shortages in semiconductors and other sectors contributed to a recovery in business performance.
Personal consumption continued to pick up but was overshadowed by the situation where wage hikes could not keep pace with high prices. The pace of economic recovery lacked strength due to several downside factors, including labor shortages and the slowdown of overseas economies.
In 2024, the economy in Shizuoka Prefecture is recovering slowly, and downside factors are also noticeable. If households become more frugal due to the prolonged rise in prices, there is a risk that personal consumption, which supports the domestic economy, will decline. In addition, supply constraints may arise due to slowdowns in overseas economies and labor shortages.
Big companies in Shizuoka
Many large companies have settled in the prefecture to benefit from the privileged position of Shizuoka, facing the Pacific Ocean, and of its port, road, and air infrastructures (Shizuoka airport, nicknamed "Mount Fuji airport", located in Makinohara). Numerous companies require a qualified workforce, especially for technical jobs.
Industries located in Shizuoka City:
- Shizuoka Gas, Shimizu LNG (natural gas distribution, chemical products);
- Megane TOP (health stores, appliance stores, medical equipment manufacturing);
- Itec Corporation (metal, minerals (except oil), metal products, warehousing and storage);
- Murakami Corporation (motor vehicle parts, transportation equipment, glass);
- Hagoromo Foods Corporation, Inaba Foods (seafood processing and packaging, fruits, vegetables, miscellaneous food manufacturing, animal feed);
- Star Micronics (metalworking machinery manufacturing, computer materials and peripherals, navigation tools, measurement, medical equipment);
- Shimizukoshiryo (animal feed, animal slaughtering and processing, wholesale);
- Try Sangyo (food wholesaler, seafood preparation and packaging);
- Shizuoka Denso (lights, electrical equipment, automotive parts);
- IAI Corporation (machinery manufacturing, navigation instruments, medical equipment);
- Seiko Corporation (foundry, machinery manufacturing, household appliances wholesaler, electrical and electronic products).
Industries located in Hamamatsu:
- Suzuki Motor Corporation, Yamaha Corporation, Kawai musical instruments manufacturing;
- Yutaka Giken (motor vehicle parts, metal materials production);
- Hamamatsu Photonics (semiconductors and electronic components);
- F.C.C. (transportation materials, turbines, automotive parts);
- Roland Corporation (production of various materials, musical instruments);
- Roland DG (computers and electronic equipment);
- Asti Corporation (automotive parts, semiconductors, electrical equipment);
- Suzuki Auto Parts, Kyowa Leather Cloth (textile, plastic, leather);
- Kurabe Industrial (electrical components and equipment);
- Nissei electric, Aoitec (semiconductors, computers, electrical components).
Tourism in Shizuoka
Shizuoka is also a popular tourist destination, easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The Izu Peninsula, known for its rugged beauty, offers breathtaking ocean views, abundant nature, and renowned hot spring resorts like Atami, Itō, and Shuzenji.
People from all over the world are drawn to Mount Fuji. The surrounding area boasts natural wonders and historical sites, such as the Fujinomiya Sengen Shrine, the traditional starting point for climbing the revered peak.
For a unique experience, the Ōigawa Railway operates a charming fleet of antique steam locomotives that traverse a steep valley surrounded by tea plantations.
In the Southwest, surfers flock to the beaches with sand dunes and impressive swells.
Entertainment companies have also set up in the prefecture. With them, there are other jobs in various categories, from 100% artistic jobs to creating and maintaining entertainment equipment (games center, games and attractions, etc.).
Living and working in Shizuoka
Can you live and work in Shizuoka? Of course, you can. The city offers many advantages, starting with its lower cost of living than the capital or other major cities. The important thing is to ask yourself the right questions:
- Do you speak Japanese?
- Have you taken the time to study the city's job market, the prefecture? What is your background?
- What are your experiences and skills?
Take the time to prepare yourself well to live your expatriation at best.
The job market in Shizuoka
Why Shizuoka? Did you get a job offer? Are you coming to discover the place? For the love of Mount Fuji? To specialize in a particular activity? Japanese people who move to the prefecture are the first to ask this question. It is said that finding a job in Shizuoka would be difficult. However, there are plenty of companies, as this guide shows. Like many others, the prefecture is facing a double challenge: to fight against its inhabitants' departure and make itself attractive to attract newcomers.
The Japanese government, in general, and Shizuoka's, are putting a lot of effort into providing many countermeasures to labor shortages, including policies to attract more foreign workers. Hence, you can expect more job opportunities and support for expats.
Foreign job seekers in Shizuoka Prefecture can benefit from comprehensive employment support services.
At the Employment Service Corner for Foreigners, specialized counselors and interpreters can provide personalized assistance based on individual circumstances.
The "Foreigner Employment and Settling-in Support Training Program" also aims to enhance communication skills and knowledge of Japanese workplace etiquette for foreign residents, including those of Japanese descent. This program seeks to promote stable employment and facilitate integration into the workplace.
Moreover, Ukrainian evacuees seeking employment will receive detailed support through collaboration with relevant organizations, ensuring access to information on job opportunities in local governments and schools.
Shizuoka wants to attract more foreigners
Like foreigners looking for a job, Japanese people would instead go to the capital, Tokyo, or to other big cities: Yokohama, Osaka, or Fukuoka. To promote Shizuoka, websites have been created, such as "Shizuoka seikatsu" (Life in Shizuoka) and Shizuoka employment support site. A job search service is available to bring together job seekers and companies.
To attract foreigners, the prefecture has also created the website "Work and Life in Shizuoka". Entirely in English, it helps immigrants settle in, find work, and integrate. The site redirects to job search associations and recruiting companies (these other sites are in Japanese).
How to find a job in Shizuoka?
Whether you are looking for a small or permanent job, you will find many offers on the Internet. Be careful: small jobs (baito) will not allow you to have a work visa in Japan. You can access them when you already have a visa, for example, to study in Japan, but no company will sponsor you for a baito. You will need a full-time contract to get a work visa.
Put all the chances on your side by learning Japanese seriously. Ideally, you should master it before moving to Japan (if you are not already in Japan). If you are already in Japan, invest in a good language school. These few months or years will not be a loss but an investment. Remember that leading websites that help you find a job, like Shizuoka seikatsu, are in Japanese. The same goes for company websites. Even when they have an English version, it is often incomplete. You will also need Japanese to build your professional network.
Tips for living and working in Shizuoka
Shizuoka Prefecture is said to be a good place to live. The coastal region is known for its peace, less stress than in the big cities, for a better quality of life. Take advantage of your new surroundings to reconnect with nature and good food. Shizuoka is also famous for its gastronomy.
Be prepared. While it's impossible to anticipate everything, proper preparation will put you in the best position for a successful move to Japan. Learn about Shizuoka and discover the prefecture's history, cities, etc.
Take your time. Life in Japan is an adventure of every moment. Not everything will be as you imagined. These are the hazards of settling overseas and are also part of the adventure. Take part in sports and cultural activities. Take advantage of the leisure activities that Japan offers. Discover new ones. This is how you will build, little by little, your new life in Japan.
Useful links:
Shizuoka de (shushoku suru) (work in Shizuoka)
Shizuoka Prefecture Economy 2023
Foreign Employment Service Corner
FY2020 Shizuoka Labor Bureau Labor Administration Management Policy (Japanese)
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