Saturday, August 29, 2026. After departing Kagoshima, Celebrity Millennium sails north across Suruga Bay and arrives at Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port, at 07:00. She sails again the same day at 17:00, bound for Tokyo.

🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む

On paper that’s a ten-hour call, but once you factor in disembarkation and the return-to-ship deadline, roughly eight and a half hours ashore is a more realistic figure. Even so, that’s plenty of time to take in the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure main hall, the Toro Ruins where a 2,000-year-old village has been reconstructed, the Kashi-no-Ichi fish market where Shimizu’s tuna comes ashore, and S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA right beside the pier.

Think of this page as your morning paper for your day in port — something to read on the morning your ship arrives at Shimizu, August 29, 2026. With Kagoshima still fresh in your memory, here’s what to see, what to eat, and how to spend your hours in Shimizu, explained in detail from a local point of view.

About the Author

Shimizu Port Cruise Guide — Site Operator

Based in Shizuoka City. I plan and run the “Shimizu Cruise Festival“, an event at Shimizu Port where visitors from Japan and abroad mingle with the local community, and I work on other projects that connect cruise travelers with local people.

Through my interactions with cruise travelers and local residents, I’ve come to realize that enjoying a limited port call is not just about deciding where to go. What really matters is concrete, up-to-date information: How long does it take to get there? Can I visit without a reservation? Will it be open that day?

On this site, I introduce access routes from Shimizu Port, sightseeing spots, events, restaurants, and model itineraries in an easy-to-follow way, from the perspective of someone active on the ground.

My goal is to bring you the kind of real, local information about Shimizu and Shizuoka that guidebooks alone can’t offer, and to help make your day in port an even more enjoyable and memorable one. My hope is that this site feels like the morning paper you read on the day your ship arrives at Shimizu.


1. Port Call Essentials

First, here’s your port call schedule for August 29, 2026, at a glance.

Item Details
Port call date Saturday, August 29, 2026
Arrival 07:00
Departure 17:00
Scheduled time in port Approx. 10 hours
Realistic sightseeing time Approx. 8 hours 30 minutes
Berth Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port
Previous port Kagoshima
Next port Tokyo

August 29 falls on one of the final weekends of Japan’s school summer holidays.

It’s a busy weekend for family outings, so indoor venues like DREAM PLAZA get fairly busy from early afternoon.

On the other hand, a 07:00 arrival is quite early by any standard. Most attractions don’t open until 9:00–10:00, so the trick today is to use that first hour for getting where you’re going.

2. Weather and What to Wear on August 29, 2026

The forecast for your port day is drizzle. Highs around 27.5℃ (82°F), lows around 24.6℃ (76°F), with a fairly high 86% chance of rain.

If Celsius isn’t familiar to you, use these as a guide: 25℃=77°F, 30℃=86°F, 35℃=95°F.

It shouldn’t be a scorcher, but a rainy summer day in Japan comes with high humidity, and it will feel quite muggy. Lightweight, quick-drying clothes plus a folding umbrella or rain jacket is the practical combination.

An 86% chance of rain essentially means “count on it.” Choose shoes with good grip — you’ll appreciate them on the stone steps at Kunozan Toshogu and around the ropeway station.

Building your day around indoor venues and minimizing time walking outside is the right call today. If you’d rather not carry an umbrella, you can pick up a clear plastic one at a convenience store near the port for around ¥500.

7-day Shizuoka forecast by meteoblue

Please note that this forecast reflects conditions as of publication (a few days before your port call). The weather widget above always shows the latest weekly forecast, so do check it again on the morning you arrive.

3. Getting from Shimizu Port to the City and Sightseeing Areas

You have several options for getting around from Shimizu Port. Here’s a breakdown of how fares work, payment methods, and service frequency for each.

If you want maximum freedom during your limited hours ashore, a taxi is the way to go. With rain in the forecast today, a taxi or train will keep you far more comfortable.

🚕 Taxi (the most flexible option — recommended)

A Shizutetsu taxi waiting at Hinode Pier for a cruise call
A Shizutetsu taxi waiting at Hinode Pier for a cruise call(撮影:清水港クルーズガイド編集部)

The biggest advantage is being able to string together places that are hard to reach by public transport, such as Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu. Split among a group, the per-person cost is more reasonable than you might expect.

  • 【Where to board】Taxis line up at Hinode Pier to meet arriving cruise ships. If you don’t see any, the tourist information desk in the port terminal can call one for you (Shizutetsu Taxi dispatch center: 054-281-5111)
  • 【How fares work】Metered. The flag-down fare is ¥700 (up to 1.17 km), then ¥100 for each additional 285 m. Time-based charges also apply while waiting at lights or in traffic. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask “roughly how much to ___?” before you get in
  • 【Chartering by the hour】Hourly charter runs ¥7,700 per hour for a standard car. Sightseeing taxi plans (Shizutetsu Taxi) start at ¥30,800 for four hours — about ¥7,700 per person with four people. Show the driver your list of destinations and work out the route together
  • 【Payment】Cash and credit cards are your safest bet. IC transit cards and QR payments vary by vehicle, so ask before boarding if you plan to use them. No tipping required
  • 【Language】Most drivers speak Japanese only, but showing them the spot names in this article (with Japanese text) on your phone works perfectly well

Our model itinerary below uses taxis for the morning run to Nihondaira and the transfer to the Toro Ruins.

🚌 Free shuttle buses (linking the port and Shimizu Station — an underrated ally)

The Minato (east) exit of JR Shimizu Station, with a Tokaido Line train alongside
The Minato (east) exit of JR Shimizu Station, with a Tokaido Line train alongside(撮影:清水港クルーズガイド編集部)

There are two kinds of free buses at Shimizu Port. They pick up in different places, so knowing the difference will save you confusion.

① The S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA free shuttle (year-round, open to everyone)

The red free shuttle bus linking S-Pulse Dream Plaza and JR Shimizu Station
The red free shuttle bus linking S-Pulse Dream Plaza and JR Shimizu Station(撮影:清水港クルーズガイド編集部)

Connects DREAM PLAZA – Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu) – JR Shimizu Station Minato-guchi in about 8 minutes. The stop is not at Hinode Pier but at DREAM PLAZA, right next door to the pier.

  • 【Fare】Free. You don’t need to be a shopper to ride
  • 【Frequency】Every 30 minutes on weekdays (departing DREAM PLAZA at :00 and :30), every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays (:00, :15, :30, :45)
  • 【First and last runs】From DREAM PLAZA: first at 10:00, last at 22:20. From JR Shimizu Station Minato-guchi: first at 9:45
  • 【Note】It does not run before 10:00 a.m. On early-arrival days, plan on a taxi or walking for your first move of the morning
  • 【Best used for】Heading to JR Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station. It cuts out a walk of 20 minutes or more

August 29 is a Saturday, so buses run every 15 minutes. Just remember that with a 07:00 arrival, it won’t be available for your morning departure from the port.

② Port-day shuttle for cruise passengers (arranged by the cruise line)

The Ihara Kanko coach operating the port-day shuttle service
The Ihara Kanko coach operating the port-day shuttle service(撮影:清水港クルーズガイド編集部)

On port days, a free bus sometimes runs from directly in front of Hinode Pier to Shin-Shimizu Station and JR Shimizu Station. The key difference from ① is that you can board right after stepping off the ship.

  • During Celebrity Millennium’s call on August 16, 2026, Ihara Kanko Bus operated a service linking Hinode Pier – Shin-Shimizu Station – JR Shimizu Station (confirmed on site by our editorial team)
  • Whether it runs, and its times and destinations, vary from call to call. Check the onboard announcements or ask pier staff after disembarking
  • How to tell them apart: ① is a red bus marked “S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA”; ② is a chartered coach used only on port days

⛴ Water bus (cruise the harbor with Mt. Fuji views)

Celebrity Millennium alongside Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port (August 16, 2026)
Celebrity Millennium alongside Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port (August 16, 2026)(撮影:清水港クルーズガイド編集部)

A small boat running from the Hinode landing (in front of DREAM PLAZA) to the Miho area and to Ejiri (near the Kashi-no-Ichi fish market). The ride itself is a sightseeing experience.

  • 【How fares work】Flat rate of ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary school children per leg. Hinode to Miho takes about 15 minutes; Hinode to Ejiri about 10 minutes
  • 【Frequency】Seven sailings a day. No reservations — boarding is first come, first served
  • 【Tickets】Purchase at the landing
  • 【Cancellations】Since it’s an in-harbor route, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in typhoons or other rough weather. Check same-day operations at the landing or by phone (054-353-2222)

With rain forecast, it’s worth confirming operations at the landing or by phone before you commit.

🚏 Local buses (the classic route to Miho — Shizutetsu Just Line)

To reach Miho no Matsubara by public transport, take the Miho Yamanote Line. Shimizu Station to Miho-no-Matsubara-iriguchi costs ¥440 and takes about 25 minutes.

  • 【Frequency】Roughly 3–4 buses per hour during the day
  • 【How to ride】Board through the rear door and pay at the fare box near the driver when you get off. With Suica, ICOCA, or any nationally interoperable IC card, just tap on when boarding and tap off when alighting
  • 【Paying cash】The onboard change machine accepts coins and ¥1,000 notes only. If you only have larger bills, break them at a convenience store before boarding
  • 【Note】You’ll need the free shuttle bus or a walk to get from the port to the Shimizu Station bus terminal

🚃 Trains (into central Shizuoka)

Your option for venturing to the Shizuoka Station area, home to the Aoba Yokocho oden alley and Sunpu Castle Park.

  • 【JR Tokaido Line】Shimizu Station to Shizuoka Station: ¥240, about 12 minutes. Trains run 3–4 times an hour during the day
  • 【Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu)】Shin-Shimizu Station to Shin-Shizuoka Station: ¥350, about 23 minutes. Trains run about every 8 minutes, so there’s no need to check a timetable
  • 【Payment】Both accept Suica, ICOCA, and other IC transit cards. Contactless credit card tap-to-ride is not supported, so use an IC card or buy a paper ticket with cash
  • 【Getting to the stations】The free shuttle bus is the easiest way to reach Shimizu Station and Shin-Shimizu Station

On a rainy day, the covered platforms make train travel especially comfortable.

🚶 On foot (fine for the immediate port area)

  • S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA: right next to the pier (1–3 minutes on foot)
  • Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”: about 1.3 km, 15–20 minutes on foot. Alternatively, take the water bus from Hinode to Ejiri (about 10 minutes) and the market is right there when you land
  • JR Shimizu Station: about 1.5 km, 20–25 minutes on foot. The free shuttle bus is recommended
  • Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu): about 1 km, around 15 minutes on foot

For a deeper dive into transport options and practical tips, see our Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.

S-Pulse Dream Plaza, right next to the pier, with the Dream Sky Ferris wheel as its landmark. A shopping mall of Shizuoka specialities, local seafood and souvenirs, just 1–3 minutes on foot
S-Pulse Dream Plaza, right next to the pier, with the Dream Sky Ferris wheel as its landmark. A shopping mall of Shizuoka specialities, local seafood and souvenirs, just 1–3 minutes on foot(撮影:清水港クルーズガイド編集部)

If you’re still weighing a ship-organized excursion against a local tour or going independent, start with our Shimizu Shore Excursions Compared, which lays out costs and who each option suits.

“What should I see in eight and a half hours?”

Here’s our answer, with the rainy forecast in mind. Today we suggest a five-stop route built around places with a roof over your head.

You cover Kunozan Toshogu and the Toro Ruins to the south in the first half, then return to the port area for the fish market and DREAM PLAZA. It’s a one-way loop with no back-and-forth between the port and outlying areas, so no time is wasted in transit.

The final stop, DREAM PLAZA, is a five-minute walk from the pier — no last-minute scrambling before returning to the ship, even in the rain.

Time Stop What you’ll do Duration
07:30 Hinode Pier Disembark, head to the taxi stand 30 min
08:00 (Transit) Taxi to Nihondaira 30 min
08:30 Nihondaira & Nihondaira Yume Terrace Take in Suruga Bay from the observation deck (building opens at 9:00) 40 min
09:10 Nihondaira Ropeway Cross the valley to Kunozan (about 5 min) 15 min
09:25 Kunozan Toshogu Shrine Tour the National Treasure shrine and museum 90 min
10:55 (Transit) Ropeway back to Nihondaira, then taxi to the Toro Ruins 35 min
11:30 Toro Ruins & Toro Museum See the Yayoi-period village and excavated artifacts 75 min
12:45 (Transit) Taxi toward Shimizu Port 25 min
13:10 Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi” Late tuna-bowl lunch and souvenir shopping 60 min
14:10 (Transit) 15–20 min on foot, or about 5 min by taxi 20 min
14:30 S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA Shopping, indoor events, Ferris wheel 105 min
16:15 Hinode Pier Five-minute walk back to the ship

Estimated budget: from about ¥9,000 per person (taxis, admissions, and meals included)

Nihondaira & Nihondaira Yume Terrace

A timber-lattice observation facility perched on a 307-meter hill. On a clear day you get 360-degree views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Southern Alps, and Miho no Matsubara.

With drizzle forecast, Mt. Fuji is unlikely to show itself today. Still, Suruga Bay under drifting clouds makes its own lasting impression. Admission is free; Saturday hours are 9:00–21:00, and the outdoor observation corridor is open around the clock.

For details on visiting Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu independently, including routes and costs, see our Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Guide.

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

The grounds of Kunozan Toshogu shrine seen from the tower gate
The grounds of Kunozan Toshogu shrine seen from the tower gate (Photo: Motokoka / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Japan’s oldest Toshogu shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The main hall is designated a National Treasure, and its layers of vermilion and black lacquer with gilded carvings look far richer in person than in photographs.

Because you can view the shrine buildings from covered walkways, rain is much less of an obstacle here. Admission is ¥700 for the shrine, ¥600 for the museum, or ¥1,200 for a combination ticket. If you plan to see the museum’s collection of Ieyasu’s personal effects, the combination ticket is the way to go.

Toro Ruins & Toro Museum

Toro Ruins park and the Toro Museum
Toro Ruins park and the Toro Museum (Photo: 江戸村のとくぞう / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

A National Special Historic Site where a Yayoi-period village and rice paddies from about 2,000 years ago have been reconstructed. Pit dwellings and raised-floor storehouses stand outdoors, with the museum right alongside.

On a rainy day, head into the museum first. The first floor is free and features hands-on exhibits on Yayoi life. The second-floor permanent exhibition costs ¥300 for adults and lets you get up close to excavated wooden farming tools. As a window onto the early history of rice cultivation in Japan, it’s rewarding for anyone interested in history.

Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”

Shimizu’s fish market opened up to the public, split across two buildings: the “Maguro-kan” (Tuna Hall) and the “Ichiba-kan” (Market Hall). Shimizu is one of Japan’s leading tuna ports, and the chutoro (medium-fatty tuna) bowls here are famous for punching well above their price.

Arriving after 1 p.m. means the lunch rush has thinned and seats are easier to come by. The Ichiba-kan is open 9:30–17:30 and stocks takeaway souvenirs like dried fish and sakura-shrimp shumai.

S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA

A complex of some 60 shops right next to the pier. It houses Shimizu Sushi Yokocho, Chibi Maruko-chan Land, and the 52-meter “Dream Sky” Ferris wheel (¥700, about 13 minutes per rotation).

Everything is connected indoors, making it ideal for a rainy afternoon. Today, the “Dragon Zoo” exhibition is also running in the special venue on the third floor (see Section 5). Best of all, being just a five-minute walk from the pier makes it a reassuring final stop before heading back to the ship.

Opening Status for Saturday, August 29, 2026

  • Nihondaira Yume Terrace: Open (Saturday 9:00–21:00; observation corridor open 24 hours). Not a second-Tuesday closure date
  • Kunozan Toshogu Shrine: Open (9:00–17:00, open year-round)
  • Nihondaira Ropeway: Operates in rain. May suspend service in strong winds or lightning
  • Toro Ruins & Toro Museum: Open (museum 9:00–16:30; closed Mondays, so Saturday is fine)
  • Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”: Open (Ichiba-kan 9:30–17:30; closed Wednesdays)
  • S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA: Open (shops 10:00–20:00; restaurants 11:00–21:00)
  • Free shuttle bus: Weekend/holiday timetable, every 15 minutes. First departure from DREAM PLAZA at 10:00
  • Water bus: Seven sailings daily. May be suspended in rough weather, so check on the day

August 29 falls on one of the last weekends of the summer holidays. DREAM PLAZA fills with families from the afternoon, and Sushi Yokocho can have waits at lunchtime. By taking lunch at Kashi-no-Ichi around 1 p.m., this itinerary neatly sidesteps the crowds.

For options beyond those covered here — from walkable spots to half-day routes and rainy-day plans — see our 20 Things to Do in Shimizu.

5. Shimizu Events on August 29, 2026

August 29 falls on the last weekend of summer vacation for Shizuoka’s children.

Community learning centers, sports facilities and concert halls across Shimizu Ward are hosting seasonal events. If something catches your eye, do drop by.

🎻 ① Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra: Youth Masterpiece Concert (Saturday, August 29)

An orchestral performance in the Main Hall of Shizuoka City Shimizu Cultural Hall “Marinart,” a short drive from Shimizu Port.

Perfect if you’re curious about what a concert hall in a regional Japanese city is like. It’s indoors, so rain won’t disrupt your plans.

【Date & Time】Saturday, August 29, 13:30 start (doors open 12:45)

【Venue】Shizuoka City Shimizu Cultural Hall Marinart, Main Hall (214 Shimazaki-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0823)

【Fee】All seats reserved (tax included) / General ¥3,000, students ¥500 *No admission for preschool children *Student rate applies to university students aged 25 and under

【Eligibility】Free invitations by lottery for 100 elementary, junior high, and high school students living in central Shizuoka Prefecture. Applications closed Friday, July 17, 2026

🔗 Official website: https://www.shizukyo.or.jp/

🖼 ② Try Interactive Art Appreciation! (Saturday, August 29)

A free program held at the lifelong learning center in Irie, Shimizu Ward.

These “lifelong learning exchange centers” are a distinctly Japanese type of public facility where local residents gather to learn and take part in activities. Located in a residential area slightly inland from the port, it offers a glimpse of everyday Shimizu away from the tourist trail.

【Date & Time】Saturday, August 29, 13:30–15:30

【Venue】Shizuoka City Irie Lifelong Learning Center (3-8-12 Irie, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0831)

【Fee】Free

【Eligibility】Applications accepted through Monday, July 27 [lottery if oversubscribed]

🔗 Official website: https://www.sgk-shimizuku-shizuoka.jp/

🏊 ③ Autumn Trial Lesson Month — Try Any Class for 500 Yen! (August 27 – September 19)

For this period, you can try any class at the fitness studio and pool on the fourth floor of Shimizu Terrsa for ¥500 per session.

It’s in Shimazaki-cho, the same neighborhood as Marinart, with easy access from the port. Peeking inside a Japanese fitness facility for a single coin makes for a delightfully offbeat way to spend part of your day.

【Date & Time】Thursday, August 27 – Saturday, September 19 *Varies by class

【Venue】Shimizu Terrsa 4F Fitness Studio / Pool (223 Shimazaki-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0823)

【Fee】¥500 each *One session per lesson type. Pay in cash on the day.

【Eligibility】July 15, 2026 – September 19, 2026

🔗 Official website: https://terrsa.net/

🤸 ④ Shimizu Sports Complex: Stretch Pole Exercise Class (August 19 – November 25)

A 14-session exercise class held on Wednesdays in the judo hall at Shizuoka City Shimizu Sports Complex.

August 29 is a Saturday, so there’s no session that day, but we’re including it as one example of how sports-minded a town Shimizu is.

【Date & Time】Wednesday, August 19 – Wednesday, November 25 *Held on Wednesdays during this period, 13:30–14:30

【Venue】Shizuoka City Shimizu Sports Complex, Judo Hall (2-1-1 Seikai, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0924)

【Fee】¥7,000 (all 14 sessions)

【Eligibility】From 10:00 on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, first come, first served

🔗 Official website: https://shizuoka-sports.or.jp/class/stretch-pole.html?f=ats

🐉 ⑤ S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA — Shimizoo Special Edition: The World’s First Dragon Zoo (July 31 – August 30)

A special exhibition in the third-floor event space of the “SEA-side” main building at DREAM PLAZA — the final stop on our model itinerary.

It runs through August 30, meaning the day after your port call is the last day. Five minutes’ walk from the ship, and entirely indoors: for a rainy afternoon, you couldn’t ask for better conditions.

【Date & Time】Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 30, 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)

【Venue】Special venue, 3F of the “SEA-side” main building (13-15 Irifune-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0942)

【Fee】¥1,000 for junior high school students and above, ¥600 for ages 3 to elementary school, free for age 2 and under

🔗 Official website: https://www.dream-plaza.co.jp/events/7333

⚠️ Events may be changed or cancelled due to weather or other circumstances. Please check official sources before heading out.

6. Local Food Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka

The Shimizu and Shizuoka area is one of Japan’s great food destinations. Here are the specialties worth seeking out on your port day.

Dish Where Price range Notes
Tuna rice bowls & sashimi platters Kashi-no-Ichi Maguro-kan (10 min walk from port) ¥1,000–2,500 Multiple restaurants side by side. English menus, cards accepted
Shimizu tuna sushi Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (inside DREAM PLAZA, 5 min walk) ¥1,500–4,000 The closest sushi to the pier. Sakura shrimp gunkan too
Seafood bowls & takeaway Ichiba-kan (Kashi-no-Ichi) ¥500–2,000 9:30–17:30. Sakura shrimp shumai makes a good souvenir
Sakura shrimp kakiage fritters Yui area (25 min by car) ¥800–1,500 Sold until they run out. Most shops are cash only
Shizuoka oden Aoba Yokocho (5 min walk from Shizuoka Station) ¥500–1,500 Known for kuro-hanpen and dashi powder. Most shops open from evening
Wasabi specialties Throughout Shimizu and Shizuoka City ¥300–3,000 Shizuoka is Japan’s top wasabi producer. Wasabi-zuke is a classic souvenir

One seasonal treat we especially want to highlight is nama-shirasu (raw whitebait), at its best in August.

Shirasu are baby anchovies, and summer is peak fishing season in Suruga Bay. Because they spoil so quickly, raw shirasu can only be eaten on the day they’re caught — which means they’re only available near where they’re landed.

Their silky texture and gentle sweetness are a world apart from the boiled kamaage version. At the Maguro-kan and Ichiba-kan at Kashi-no-Ichi, you may find them served as a “two-color bowl,” half raw shirasu and half tuna.

Availability depends on the day’s catch, so look for the sign outside reading “本日 生しらすあります” (raw shirasu available today).

For a deeper look at tuna, sakura shrimp, and shirasu — their seasons, how to eat them, and where to go — see our Shimizu Seafood Guide.

7. Practical Information for a Worry-Free Day Ashore

Wi-Fi

  • Shimizu Port Terminal: Free Wi-Fi available (inside the terminal)
  • S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA: Free Wi-Fi available
  • Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): Nationwide free Wi-Fi available
  • SIM cards: We recommend buying a prepaid SIM at the airport

Payment Methods

Many businesses in Japan still operate primarily on cash, especially small restaurants and taxis.

Credit cards are accepted at the larger shops in S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA and Kashi-no-Ichi. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; Amex and Diners are often not.

There’s a Seven Bank ATM (inside a convenience store) near the port. As a rule of thumb, carrying ¥3,000–10,000 in cash per person per day is a safe bet.

IC Transit Cards

Buses and trains accept Suica, ICOCA, and other IC transit cards.

You can buy one at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station. Cash works too, but change isn’t always given, so having coins on hand keeps things smooth.

Language Support

  • Tourist information centers (Shimizu Port Terminal, Shimizu Station): English support available
  • S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA and Kashi-no-Ichi: English menus and staff available
  • Miho no Matsubara “Mihoshirube”: Multilingual brochures available
  • Taxis: Japanese only, generally. Google Translate is recommended

Tourist Information Centers

  • Inside Shimizu Port Passenger Terminal — right where you disembark
  • Shimizu Station Tourist Information Center — about 1.5 km from the port (free shuttle bus or a 20–25 minute walk)

Emergency Contacts

Purpose Number
Police 110
Ambulance / Fire 119
Shizuoka City Tourist Information Center (Shizuoka Station North Exit, English available) 054-253-1170
Taxi (Shizutetsu Taxi central dispatch) 054-281-5111

8. Getting Back to the Ship

Celebrity Millennium departs at 17:00.

Plan to be back at Hinode Pier by 16:30, thirty minutes before departure, with time to spare. Rainy days mean heavier traffic and harder-to-find taxis. Aim to be back in the port area by 16:00 and you’ll stay relaxed.

If you’re using Google Maps, search for “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港 日の出埠頭”.

If you get lost in town, flag a taxi and say “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier (清水港 日の出埠頭)” — that will get you there. Showing the driver this page on your phone works just as well.

S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA, the final stop on our itinerary, is a five-minute walk from the pier. Use it to fine-tune your timing and you won’t have to rush before boarding.

9. About Celebrity Millennium

Celebrity Millennium is a 91,011-gross-ton international cruise ship, 294 meters long, with a passenger capacity of 2,218.

She is operated by Celebrity Cruises. Launched in July 2000, she is the lead ship of the Millennium class and is registered in Malta. A regular on Japan-based Asian itineraries, she is scheduled to call at Shimizu Port 12 times during the 2026 season.

No account of this ship is complete without mentioning her major 2019 refit. Under the fleet modernization program known as “Celebrity Revolution,” her staterooms, restaurants, and lounges were brought close to the standard of the newest Edge-class ships.

One of the additions was The Retreat, a private sun deck for suite guests — effectively a quiet retreat within the ship.

Celebrity Cruises has long championed “modern luxury,” and the line has been highly regarded for the quality of its dining and service since its earliest days. Simply working your way through the onboard dining and entertainment venues one by one adds another dimension to the voyage.


From Kagoshima’s Sakurajima to Suruga Bay, and next, at last, Tokyo. Your day in Shimizu falls right at the midpoint of a voyage tracing the Japanese archipelago eastward.

Rain is in the forecast, but a National Treasure shrine, a 2,000-year-old village, and a bowl of fresh tuna are all perfectly enjoyable with an umbrella in hand. I hope the hours you spend in Shimizu become a scene you find yourself recalling on the way to Tokyo.

良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.


More Celebrity Millennium Calls at Shimizu Port

Guides for this ship’s other port calls:

Today's picks near the pier (updated today)