Shizuoka Citizens’ Day, Celebrating "Fujinokuni"

Shizuoka Prefecture celebrates Shizuoka Citizens’ Day 静岡県民の日 every year on August 21st. It is a commemorative date established in 1996 to mark the 120th anniversary of the prefecture’s formation. The origin of the day goes back to August 21, 1876, when the former Shizuoka Prefecture and Hamamatsu Prefecture were merged, creating the Shizuoka we know today.

The purpose of the day is to encourage residents to connect with Shizuoka’s past, appreciate its present, and imagine its future. It is a chance to feel closer to “Fujinokuni,” the nickname often used for the prefecture, meaning Mt Fuji Country. Around this date, museums, memorial halls, local archives, and even pools offer free admission or special discounts, inviting people to explore local culture and history in an accessible way.  

Shizuoka also invites residents to participate creatively: the prefecture collects design submissions for promotional materials related to Citizens’ Day and encourages companies and organizations to host events that help people learn about or experience Shizuoka more deeply.