Key points about Shimizu Port
- Cruise ships primarily dock at Hinode Pier (New Pier 2 and Pier 1). Pier construction was completed in 2024, making it possible for two large cruise ships to dock simultaneously.
- It's about a 10-minute walk from the port to S-Pulse Dream Plaza (Shimizu Sushi Alley). JR Shimizu Station is about a 30-minute walk away, and a shuttle bus may be available on days when large cruise ships are docked.
- It's about a 15-minute drive to Miho no Matsubara, a component of the Mount Fuji World Cultural Heritage site. Even with only a half-day stopover, you can fully enjoy exploring the area around the port and savoring sushi and seafood.
Last verified: September 28, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
Members who have visited this port: None yet. Would you like to be the first?Register as a member to record your sailing history.
Visiting Japan on a cruise?
Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).
Emergency: 110 police / 119 ambulance & fire / Japan Visitor Hotline +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7, English, Chinese, Korean)
What kind of port is Shimizu Port?
Shimizu Port is an international hub port located in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Situated at the back of Suruga Bay, it boasts calm waters, and on clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from the port, earning it the title of one of Japan's "Three Most Beautiful Ports." In 2017, it was designated a "National International Passenger Ship Hub Port" by the government and is actively working to accommodate cruise ships.
The number of port calls has been steadily increasing since Mount Fuji was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, reaching a record high of 87 ships in 2024. According to an analysis by Shizuoka Prefecture, each port call is estimated to have an economic effect of approximately 21 million yen.
History of Shimizu Port
| Year | event |
|---|---|
| 7th century | It is said that, by order of Empress Saimei, warships set sail to aid Baekje. |
| 1605 | Tokugawa Ieyasu developed the port town. During the Edo period, it served as a transit point for tribute rice and goods transported from western Japan to Edo. |
| 1899 (Meiji 32) | On August 4th, it was designated as an open port. Foreign trading companies dealing in tea gathered there. |
| 1906 | First direct export of green tea to Seattle, USA. |
| 1918 | Shimizu Port accounts for approximately 80% of Japan's tea exports. |
| 1929 | The Hinode Pier, where the current passenger ship dock is located, was completed. |
| 1952 | Designated as a specially important port |
| 2011 | Designated as an international hub port |
| 2017 | Designated as an international passenger ship hub port. |
| 2024 | Construction work on the quay at Hinode Pier has been completed, making it possible for two large cruise ships to dock simultaneously. The number of port calls reached a record high of 87. |
Shimizu Jirocho, a chivalrous figure who was active from the late Edo period to the Meiji era, is also known for his efforts in promoting Shimizu Port in his later years. You can learn more about the port's history at the Verkehr Museum, which is within walking distance of the port.
Cruise ship docking locations and access from the terminal
| Docking location | Hinode Pier, New Pier No. 2 (normal use) / Pier No. 1 (when two ships call at the same time, etc.) *Occasionally, the ship may dock at Okitsu Pier. |
|---|---|
| address | 10 Hinode-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| JR Shimizu Station | Approximately 30 minutes on foot |
| Shizuoka Railway Shin-Shimizu Station | Approximately 20 minutes on foot |
| Route bus | Approximately 5 minutes on foot from the "Hatoba Verkehr Museum" bus stop on the Shizutetsu Justline Miho Yamanote Line. |
| Shuttle bus | On days when large cruise ships call at port, shuttle buses may be operated by the Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Attraction Committee (availability and destinations vary depending on the ship). |
| parking | There is no parking available for visitors at Hinode Pier. Please use a nearby private paid parking lot. |
Development of a passenger terminal, waiting area, and green space is underway at Hinode Pier. Please check the port call information for the latest status.
Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)
Here is some useful information for sightseeing at Hinode Pier in Shimizu Port, where cruise ships arrive (based on official sources).
| Tourist Information Center | There is a tourist information center run by the Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Promotion Committee at Hinode Pier. For inquiries, please contact the Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Promotion Committee (TEL 054-354-2342). |
|---|---|
| shopping | There is a shopping area near the port, and it's within walking distance (according to Princess Cruises). |
| taxi | It takes about 10 minutes to JR Shimizu Station. |
If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas,Seven Bank ATM(Seven-Eleven, etc.)Japan Post Bank ATMIt's convenient. You can find ATMs on the map below.
To Crew Members (Shopping during short shore leave)
There is a shopping area around Hinode Pier, which is within walking distance. You can find nearby supermarkets and drugstores on the map below. For information on landing procedures, duty-free shopping, and ATMs, please see below.Guide for Crew StaffPlease take a look.
Facilities and operating hours may vary depending on the port call date and time of year. (Date confirmed: September 30, 2026 Source:Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Attraction Committee "Access"、Princess Cruises "2026 Japan Departure/Arrival Cruise Port and Shuttle Bus Information"）
Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call
Walking tour (2-3 hours)
- S-Pulse Dream Plaza(Approximately 10 minutes on foot): Shopping facilities. Inside the building, "Shimizu Sushi Alley" brings together eight sushi restaurants where you can compare different types of sushi. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the harbor and Mount Fuji from the Ferris wheel.
- Verkehr Museum(Approximately 5 minutes on foot): A museum that tells the history of Shimizu Port and the life of the port town.
Take a car or taxi to extend your trip (half a day)
- Miho no Matsubara(Approximately 15 minutes by car): This scenic spot features approximately 30,000 pine trees along a 7km stretch of coastline and is a component of the Mount Fuji World Cultural Heritage site. You can learn about the highlights at the Visitor Center "Mihoshirube" (free admission).
- Nihondaira Yume Terrace(Approximately 25 minutes by car): An observation facility located at an altitude of approximately 300m. You can enjoy a 360-degree view of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and Shimizu Port.
- Kunozan Toshogu Shrine(Approximately 25 minutes by car): A national treasure shrine founded in 1617, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It can be reached by ropeway from Nihondaira, or by climbing the 1,159 stone steps.
If you have one day
- Sunpu Castle ParkShizuoka City Museum of History(Approximately 30 minutes by car): Head to the central part of Shizuoka City, which is associated with Ieyasu.
- Takumi-juku, a workshop in Sunpu(Approximately 35 minutes by car): One of the largest craft experience facilities in Japan.
Port town cuisine
- Sushi & Seafood: Shimizu Port is known for its landings of frozen tuna. First, we recommend "Shimizu Sushi Alley," which is within walking distance.
- Shizuoka Oden: Characterized by its dark broth and bonito flakes. The shops are concentrated in "Aoba Yokocho Oden Street" in the center of Shizuoka City (about 35 minutes by car).
- Sakura shrimp: A specialty of Suruga Bay. You can enjoy them raw or fried at specialty shops in the Yui area.
- Matcha sweets: As befits a port town that prospered from tea exports, Shizuoka City also has shops where you can choose the intensity of the matcha gelato.
You can post and view reviews of shops in the port town from the "Write a review" section at the bottom of this page or from the list of gourmet reviews.
Port town gourmet guide:Tuna from Shimizu Port(Where to eat? Restaurant map)
Map of shops around the port
These are sushi and seafood restaurants around Shimizu Port. Clicking on a restaurant on the map will show you its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps).
Cruise ship tour and welcome event
On port days, welcome and farewell ceremonies may include musical performances and dances. In October 2024, the "Shimizu Cruise Festival" was held, attracting over 20,000 visitors. Please check the arrival and departure schedule in advance, as there are days when viewing from the pier is not permitted ("No Viewing" days).
Future port call schedules are available from the Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Attraction Committee.Port Arrival and Departure Schedule PageYou can check this (more than 20 ships are scheduled to call at ports in October 2026). Port calls may be canceled or rescheduled due to typhoons or other reasons.
Upcoming cruise ship calls (next 30 days)
- Sat, Oct 3 This weekASUKA IIIArr. 08:00 / Dep. 22:00
- Sun, Oct 4 This weekAzamara PursuitArr. 09:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Mon, Oct 5 This weekRoyal PrincessArr. 07:00 / Dep. 14:00
- Mon, Oct 5 This weekStar SeekerArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 6 This weekCarnival LuminosaArr. 07:00 / Dep. 16:00
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekStar SeekerArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Thu, Oct 8Norwegian JadeArr. 07:00 / Dep. 14:30
- Fri, Oct 9Seabourn EncoreArr. 10:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Thu, Oct 15Celebrity MillenniumArr. 07:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Thu, Oct 15ASUKA IIArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 17Navigator of the SeasArr. 07:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Sun, Oct 18 – Mon, Oct 19Viking OrionArr. 07:00 / Dep. 13:00
- Wed, Oct 21Seven Seas ExplorerArr. 07:00 / Dep. 16:00
- Sun, Oct 25WesterdamArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 25Star SeekerArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 26Norwegian JadeArr. 07:00 / Dep. 15:00
- Tue, Oct 27Star SeekerArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 27Diamond PrincessArr. 13:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Wed, Oct 28Celebrity MillenniumArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Fri, Oct 30Silver MoonArr. 07:30 / Dep. 18:00
- Fri, Oct 30Celebrity MillenniumArr. 08:00 / Dep. 19:00
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major passenger ships that call at this port
- Celebrity Millennium9 calls
- Diamond Princess5 calls
- Star Seeker5 calls
- ASUKA III3 calls
- MITSUI OCEAN FUJI2 calls
- Azamara Pursuit2 calls
- Norwegian Jade2 calls
- National Geographic Resolution1 call
- MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA1 call
- Viking Venus1 call
- Royal Princess1 call
- Carnival Luminosa1 call
- Seabourn Encore1 call
- ASUKA II1 call
- Navigator of the Seas1 call
- Viking Orion1 call
- Seven Seas Explorer1 call
- Westerdam1 call
- Silver Moon1 call
The number of port calls was compiled based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the ship's introduction page by clicking on the ship name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Please note that schedules are subject to change, so check the port's official website for the latest information.
From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.
FAQ
Q1Can I walk from the port to the town?
Yes. It's about a 10-minute walk to S-Pulse Dream Plaza. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to JR Shimizu Station, so we recommend using the shuttle bus, regular bus, or taxi.
Q2Can I see Mount Fuji even if the port call is only half a day?
If the weather is clear, you can see it from the harbor or the Ferris wheel at Dream Plaza. You can enjoy a more magnificent view from Miho no Matsubara (about 15 minutes by car) or Nihondaira Yume Terrace (about 25 minutes by car). However, it is often cloudy, so it depends on the weather.
Q3Is there parking available when I go to see the cruise ship?
There is no parking available for visitors at Hinode Pier. Please use a nearby private paid parking lot or public transportation.
Q4Where can I inquire about port call information?
Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Attraction Committee (Secretariat: Shizuoka City) TEL 054-354-2342
Q5Is there a tourist information center at Shimizu Port?
There is a tourist information center run by the Shimizu Port Passenger Ship Attraction Committee at Hinode Pier (TEL 054-354-2342).
Source/Reference Information
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ports and Harbors Bureau, "Ports Nationwide"
- Shimizu Port Cruise Ship Attraction Committee(Access, tourist attractions, restaurants, port arrival/departure schedules)
- Shimizu Port (Shimizu Port Authority, Shizuoka Prefecture) "The History of Shimizu Port"
- Shizuoka Prefecture: "Strengthen the exchange functions of Shimizu Port and attract new vibrancy" (January 2025)
Last updated: September 28, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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