I was travelling by rental car because I wanted to see Mount Fuji and reach several attractions outside central Shizuoka.
Before driving toward the Fuji area the next day, I needed a reasonably priced place to spend one night in central Shizuoka. I chose Hotel Garden Square Shizuoka for its price and location.
I stayed on January 1, 2026 and booked through Agoda for JPY 12,400, about KRW 116,500 at the time.
This is not a hotel beside Mount Fuji. What worked for me was being able to enjoy central Shizuoka in the evening, sleep in the city, and continue the road trip the next morning.
A convenient city stop near Shizuoka Station
The hotel is in Konyamachi, right in central Shizuoka.
Current official information puts it about five minutes on foot from the north exit of JR Shizuoka Station, with the downtown area almost immediately outside the hotel.
That location was useful even with a rental car. Once I had checked in and parked, I did not need to drive again just to find dinner.
There were plenty of restaurants and drinking spots nearby, which made it easy to head out, eat, and walk back to the room.
The garden was the unexpected highlight
What I remember most about this stay was not the room. It was the garden behind the hotel.
Hotel Garden Square Shizuoka sits on the grounds of Fugetsuro, the former residence site of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo shogunate. The hotel says guests can stroll through the historic garden, which covers about 2,200 tsubo, or roughly 7,300 square metres.
There were koi in the pond, small bridges, trees and reflections on the water. For a hotel only a few minutes from the station, it was a surprisingly easy way to get a short break from the city.
The atmosphere changed again after dark when the garden lights came on.
That garden is what makes the hotel feel different from a standard business hotel in the same price range.
A welcome drink on the first floor
During my stay, there was a welcome drink on the first floor, and I could take a can of beer.
It was a small touch, but a very welcome one after a day of driving and sightseeing.
The exact drink selection and service can change, so I would treat this as part of my January 2026 stay rather than a permanent guarantee.
Mechanical parking for rental-car travellers
Parking mattered because I was travelling by rental car.
The hotel has a tower-style mechanical parking garage. Current official information lists 20 spaces, priced at JPY 1,500 per night, available on a first-come, first-served basis from 3:00 PM to 11:00 AM the following day.
The hotel’s current FAQ lists a maximum vehicle height of 2.0 metres. If the garage is full or a vehicle does not fit, staff may direct guests to an affiliated car park.
My small rental car was straightforward, but if you are renting a tall SUV or another larger vehicle, it is worth checking the dimensions before arrival.
Breakfast information
I did not use breakfast as a major part of this stay, so I would not rate it from personal experience.
For reference, the hotel currently operates a guest-only Japanese and Western buffet at Teak Terrace, from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM, with last entry at 9:30 AM. The hotel says the buffet includes local Shizuoka ingredients, coffee and baked items.
If Mount Fuji or another out-of-town stop is the priority the next morning, it is worth deciding in advance whether to eat at the hotel or leave early and pick up breakfast on the road.
Why it worked for my itinerary
For my trip, the role of this hotel was very clear.
Instead of sleeping near Mount Fuji, I wanted to spend an evening in central Shizuoka, have dinner on foot, rest, and drive out the next morning.
My Agoda rate was JPY 12,400 for the night. Considering the station location, downtown dining, parking option and access to the Fugetsuro garden, I felt the stay offered good value.
It was also easy. I did not need to plan another activity around the hotel: restaurants were just outside, and the garden gave me somewhere quiet to walk without leaving the property.
For a Shizuoka road trip that mixes one night in the city with a Mount Fuji or countryside drive the next day, I would consider staying here again.
Continue Exploring A New Year’s Night Walk Through ShizuokaPRACTICAL INFO
- Stayed: Jan 1, 2026 / 1 night
- Booked through: Agoda
- My booking price: JPY 12,400 / about KRW 116,500 at the time
- Address: 11-1 Konyamachi, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka
- JR Shizuoka Station: About 5 minutes on foot from the north exit according to the hotel
- Check-in: From 15:00
- Check-out: By 11:00
- Parking: 20-space tower-style mechanical garage, first come first served
- Parking fee: JPY 1,500 per night / 15:00–11:00
- Vehicle height: Up to 2.0 m according to the current FAQ
- If full or oversized: Affiliated parking may be offered
- Garden: Located on the Fugetsuro grounds; hotel guests may stroll through the garden
- Welcome drink: During my stay, a drink was available on the first floor and beer was one of the options. Check current service before relying on it.
- Breakfast: Currently 06:30–10:00 / last entry 09:30
- Area: Very close to downtown restaurants and nightlife
- Info checked: 2026-09-19
- Note: Rates, parking and hotel services can change by date and booking plan.
