Wednesday, September 9, 2026. After departing Kagoshima and sailing north across Suruga Bay, Celebrity Millennium arrives at Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port, at 07:00. She sails again the same day at 18:00, bound for Tokyo.
🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む
On paper that’s 11 hours in port, but once you factor in disembarkation and the return to the ship, roughly 9 hours is what you can realistically spend ashore. Even so, that’s plenty of time to enjoy the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure halls, the Toro Ruins where life 2,000 years ago is preserved, 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. With Kagoshima still fresh in your mind, 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
- 2. Weather and What to Wear on September 9, 2026
- 3. Getting from Shimizu Port into the City and Beyond
- 4. Recommended Itinerary: "A Rainy-Day Journey Through Shizuoka's History"
- 5. What's On in Shimizu on September 9, 2026
- 6. Local Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka
- 7. Practical Information for a Worry-Free Day Ashore
- 8. Getting Back to the Ship
- 9. About Celebrity Millennium
- More Celebrity Millennium Calls at Shimizu Port
1. Port Call Essentials
First, here’s your September 9, 2026 schedule at a glance.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Port call date | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Arrival | 07:00 |
| Departure | 18:00 |
| Scheduled time in port | About 11 hours |
| Realistic sightseeing time | About 9 hours |
| Berth | Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port |
| Previous port | Kagoshima |
| Next port | Tokyo |
September in Shimizu is when the summer heat gradually begins to ease, though the humidity still lingers.
September is also the start of typhoon season in Shizuoka. As you’ll see below, rain is indeed in the forecast for this September 9.
On the plus side, September comes just before the autumn sakura shrimp season opens, and it’s a great time for whitebait (shirasu). A rainy day in Shimizu simply means taking it slow indoors, over good food and unhurried shopping — that’s the local way.
2. Weather and What to Wear on September 9, 2026
Thunderstorms are forecast for Shimizu on September 9, 2026. Expect a high of around 29.5℃ (85°F) and a low of around 21.9℃ (71°F). The chance of rain is 90% — a very high figure.
If you’re not used to Celsius, use these as a guide: 20℃ = 68°F, 25℃ = 77°F, 30℃ = 86°F.
With a 90% chance of rain, it’s safest to assume you will get rained on at some point during the day. Bring a folding umbrella or a rain jacket when you go ashore. Non-slip shoes are also a big help.
Because thunder is possible, it’s wise to avoid plans that keep you outdoors for long stretches — the stone steps at Kunozan Toshogu or the shoreline at Miho no Matsubara, for example. Build your day around indoor spots and wait out the heaviest rain in a museum or shopping complex, and you’ll get around comfortably.
Temperatures climb close to 30℃, and with the rain raising humidity it will feel quite muggy. A light layer to throw on after you’ve worked up a sweat will keep you comfortable in air-conditioned interiors.
7-day Shizuoka forecast by meteoblue
Note that this forecast reflects conditions at the time of publication (a few days before the port call). The weather widget above always shows the latest weekly forecast, so do check it again on the morning of your visit.
3. Getting from Shimizu Port into the City and Beyond
Here’s a rundown of your transport options from Shimizu Port, including how fares work, payment methods, and service frequency. If you want maximum freedom during a limited port call, a taxi is your best bet — and on a day like this one, with rain in the forecast, covered transport is worth even more than usual.
🚕 Taxi (the most flexible option — recommended)
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 cruise ship arrivals. 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 base fare is ¥700 (up to 1.17 km), then ¥100 for each additional 285 m. Waiting time at lights and in traffic is also charged. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask roughly how much a trip will cost before you get in
- 【Chartering by the hour】Hourly charter is ¥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 passengers. Show the driver your list of destinations and work out the route together
- 【Payment】Cash and credit cards are your safest options. IC transit cards and QR payments vary by vehicle, so check before boarding if you want to use them. No tipping required
- 【Language】Most drivers speak only Japanese, but showing them the spot names from this article (with Japanese script) on your phone works perfectly well
On a rainy day, a taxi’s real value is cutting out the time you’d otherwise spend walking under an umbrella. Our model route below uses taxis from Nihondaira to the Toro Ruins, and from the Toro Ruins back to the port.
🚌 Free shuttle buses (linking port and station — an underrated ally)
There are two kinds of free buses at Shimizu Port. They pick up in different places, so it helps to know the difference.
① The S-Pulse Dream Plaza free shuttle (year-round, open to everyone)
Connects Dream Plaza, Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu), and the Minato exit of JR Shimizu Station in about 8 minutes. The stop is not at Hinode Pier but at the Dream Plaza bus stop next door to the pier.
- 【Fare】Free. You don’t have 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 exit: first at 9:45
- 【Note】It does not run before 10:00 a.m. On early-arrival days, take a taxi or walk for your first move of the morning
- 【Best used for】Heading to JR Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station. It saves you a walk of 20 minutes or more
September 9 is a Wednesday, so the 30-minute weekday timetable applies. With arrival at 07:00, this bus is not an option for your first move of the day. Keep that firmly in mind when planning.
② Port-call-only free shuttle for cruise passengers (arranged by the cruise line)
On port call days, a free bus sometimes runs from right in front of Hinode Pier to Shin-Shimizu Station and JR Shimizu Station. Unlike option ①, you can board it the moment you step off the ship.
- When Celebrity Millennium called on August 16, 2026, Ihara Kanko Bus operated a service linking Hinode Pier, Shin-Shimizu Station, and JR Shimizu Station (confirmed on site by our 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 that appears only on port call days
⛴ Water bus (cruise the harbor with Mt. Fuji in view)
A small boat linking the Hinode landing (in front of Dream Plaza) with the Miho area and Ejiri (near Kashi-no-Ichi). The ride itself is a sightseeing experience.
- 【How fares work】A flat ¥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】Purchased at the landing
- 【Cancellations】Because the route stays within the harbor, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in severe weather such as typhoons. Check on the day at the landing or by phone (054-353-2222)
With thunderstorms forecast, there’s a chance service will be suspended. If you’re planning to include the water bus, be sure to confirm the day’s operating status at the landing or by phone in the morning.
🚏 Local buses (the standard route to Miho — Shizutetsu Just Line)
To reach Miho no Matsubara by public transport, take the Miho Yamanote Line. From 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 by the driver when you get off. With Suica, ICOCA, or other nationally compatible IC cards, simply 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 (to central Shizuoka)
Your option if you want to venture out to the Shizuoka Station area for Aoba Yokocho’s Shizuoka oden or Sunpu Castle Park.
- 【JR Tokaido Line】Shimizu to Shizuoka: ¥240, about 12 minutes. 3–4 trains per hour during the day
- 【Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu)】Shin-Shimizu to Shin-Shizuoka: ¥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
- 【From the port to the stations】The free shuttle bus is the easiest way to reach Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station
On a rainy day, trains are especially comfortable since you can move around largely under cover.
🚶 On foot (fine for the area around the port)
- S-Pulse Dream Plaza: right next to the pier (1–3 minutes)
- Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”: about 1.3 km, 15–20 minutes. Or take the water bus from Hinode to Ejiri (about 10 minutes) and step off right in front of it
- JR Shimizu Station: about 1.5 km, 20–25 minutes. The free shuttle bus is recommended
- Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu): about 1 km, roughly 15 minutes
For more on transport and practical details, see our Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.
4. Recommended Itinerary: “A Rainy-Day Journey Through Shizuoka’s History”
If you’re weighing a ship’s excursion against a local tour or going independently, start with our Shimizu Shore Excursions Compared, which lays out costs and who each option suits.
“Rain is forecast — but with nine hours ashore, it’d be a shame to just stay by the port.”
For a day like that, here’s an itinerary built around history and, above all, roofs.
The logic is simple: cover the farther southern sites (Kunozan Toshogu and the Toro Ruins) in the morning, then work your way back toward the port and finish with food and shopping. Because it’s a one-way loop with no doubling back, you won’t waste time on a wet day.
The main halls at Kunozan Toshogu can be viewed under cover, and both the Kunozan Museum and the Toro Museum are indoors. Your final stop, Dream Plaza, is a 5-minute walk from the pier — so even if the rain intensifies, there’s no last-minute scramble to get back aboard.
| Time | Stop | What you’ll do | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Hinode Pier | Disembark. Taxi to the summit of Nihondaira | 30 min |
| 08:00 | Nihondaira & Nihondaira Yume Terrace | Take in Suruga Bay from the observation corridor (open around the clock; the terrace building itself opens at 9:00). In rain, a mist-shrouded Nihondaira is a sight in itself | 45 min |
| 08:45 | Nihondaira Ropeway | Glide across the valley to Kunozan (about 5 min) | 15 min |
| 09:00 | Kunozan Toshogu | Explore the National Treasure halls and the Kunozan Toshogu Museum at leisure (gates open at 9:00) | 90 min |
| 10:30 | Back to Nihondaira | Ropeway back, then taxi to the Toro Ruins (about 20 min) | 30 min |
| 11:00 | Toro Ruins & Toro Museum | See the reconstructed village and Yayoi-period artifacts | 75 min |
| 12:15 | Head to Shimizu Port | Taxi to Kashi-no-Ichi (about 25 min) | 25 min |
| 12:40 | Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi” ※closed Wednesdays — check on the day; fallback is Sushi Yokocho at Dream Plaza | A late tuna bowl lunch and souvenir shopping | 70 min |
| 13:50 | To the Dream Plaza waterfront | Taxi or walk | 20 min |
| 14:10 | Verkehr Museum (optional) | Port and ship history along the waterfront (note it closes at 16:30) | 30 min |
| 14:45 | S-Pulse Dream Plaza | Chibi Maruko-chan Land, Sushi Yokocho, souvenir shops | 150 min |
| 17:15 | Hinode Pier | Return to ship | — |
Estimated budget: from about ¥7,000 per person (taxis, admissions, and meals included)
Nihondaira & Nihondaira Yume Terrace
An observation facility perched on a 307 m summit. On clear days you get 360-degree views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Southern Alps, and Miho no Matsubara.
With rain forecast this time, don’t count on Mt. Fuji. That said, watching cloud and mist drift across Nihondaira’s tea-covered slopes has its own appeal. The observation corridor is open around the clock, so you can take in the view even before the terrace building opens at 9:00 — figure on around 45 minutes here, umbrella in hand. Admission is free.
For details on reaching Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu independently, including costs, see our Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Guide.
Kunozan Toshogu
The very first Toshogu shrine built in Japan, enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu. The halls are designated National Treasures and retain their brilliantly colored carvings and lacquerwork.
About 5 minutes from Nihondaira by ropeway, which operates in rain (though not in high winds or lightning). Viewing centers on covered corridors, so you’ll stay drier than you might expect.
Admission is ¥700 for the shrine, ¥600 for the museum, or ¥1,200 for a combined ticket. Since you’re here, the adjoining museum is well worth adding. Opening hours are 9:00–17:00, year-round, so time your ropeway ride to arrive after the gates open.
Toro Ruins & Toro Museum
The remains of a Yayoi-period village and rice paddies from about 2,000 years ago. Designated a Special National Historic Site, it features reconstructed pit dwellings and raised-floor storehouses.
The site was discovered during wartime construction work and went on to play a major role in postwar Japanese archaeology. The museum’s second floor displays excavated wooden farming tools, pottery, and other Important Cultural Properties.
The archaeological park is free; the permanent exhibition on the museum’s second floor is ¥300 for adults. On a rainy day, the practical approach is to keep the outdoor reconstruction area brief and devote your time to the indoor exhibits.
Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”
A market attached to Shimizu’s fish market and open to the general public. It’s split into two buildings: “Maguro-kan,” full of tuna restaurants, and “Ichiba-kan,” lined with fresh seafood and souvenirs.
Shimizu Port is one of Japan’s leading tuna ports, and the tuna bowls here are the easiest way to taste that pedigree. Many shops serve them from around ¥1,000, so prices are approachable too.
One caveat: September 9 is a Wednesday, so checking whether it’s open is essential (more on this below).
S-Pulse Dream Plaza
A waterfront shopping and entertainment complex right next to Hinode Pier, with around 60 shops — all indoors. For spending your final hours on a rainy day, the location could not be better.
Inside you’ll find Chibi Maruko-chan Land (adults ¥1,200, ages 3 through elementary school ¥700), recreating the world of the beloved anime created by a Shimizu native; Shimizu Sushi Yokocho, a row of sushi restaurants; and the Shimizu Sushi Museum. Show a Sushi Yokocho receipt and museum admission is half price.
There’s also the 52 m Dream Sky Ferris wheel (¥700, about 13 minutes per revolution), though it closes in strong winds.
Verkehr Museum (Shimizu Port Museum)
A museum of the port and its ships, run by a local logistics company with more than 200 years of history. Alongside ship models and exhibits on Shimizu Port’s history, there’s an attached canning museum.
Shimizu is Japan’s leading producer of canned tuna, and the exhibits trace how the nation’s canning industry took root in this port town. Adults ¥400; open 9:30–16:30.
Opening Status on Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Being a Wednesday, there are a few things to watch for.
- Kunozan Toshogu: 9:00–17:00, open year-round. Open
- Nihondaira Yume Terrace: 9:00–17:00. Closed on the second Tuesday of the month, but September 9 is a Wednesday, so it’s open
- Toro Ruins & Toro Museum: Museum 9:00–16:30. Closed Mondays and the day after public holidays, so it’s open on this date. The archaeological park is always open
- Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”: ⚠️ Closed Wednesdays. Ichiba-kan is closed, and most Maguro-kan restaurants are too. Special openings do happen, so check the official website on the day. If it’s closed, the surest fallback is lunch at Shimizu Sushi Yokocho in Dream Plaza
- S-Pulse Dream Plaza: Shops 10:00–20:00, restaurants 11:00–21:00. Open
- Chibi Maruko-chan Land: 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30), open year-round
- Verkehr Museum: 9:30–16:30. Closed Mondays, so open on Wednesday
Given the likelihood that Kashi-no-Ichi will be closed, it’s less stressful to make Shimizu Sushi Yokocho at Dream Plaza your first choice for lunch and treat Kashi-no-Ichi as a bonus if it happens to be open.
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. What’s On in Shimizu on September 9, 2026
September 9 falls at that in-between moment when summer lingers and autumn begins.
Around Shimizu, art exhibitions and traditional performing arts events are taking place in various locations on this day.
If something catches your eye, do go and take a look.
🎨 ① [Ticket Giveaway] Shizuoka City Shimizu Cultural Hall Marinart: “Prebato Talent Exhibition” (September 5–27, open every day of the run)
An exhibition at Shimizu Cultural Hall Marinart in Shimazaki-cho, on the way from Shimizu Port toward JR Shimizu Station. The venue is the first-floor gallery — entirely indoors, so the weather won’t matter. It’s a short taxi ride from the port, making it an easy stop between other plans.
【Date & Time】Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 27, 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) ※Open every day of the run
【Venue】Shizuoka City Shimizu Cultural Hall Marinart, 1F Gallery (214 Shimazaki-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0823)
【Fee】Adults and university students ¥1,500 (¥1,300); junior high and high school students ¥1,200 (¥1,000); elementary school students ¥700 (¥600); preschool children free. ※Free for holders of disability or rehabilitation certificates ※Figures in parentheses are advance ticket prices
🔗 Details (@S): https://www.at-s.com/event/article/1941254
🖼 ② Autumn Maun Exhibition (August 30 – September 12)
An exhibition at the gallery in Shimizu Bank’s head office. Admission is free, so you can drop in on a whim if you’re passing by. It’s an indoor space inside the bank building, open 9:00 to 17:00, located in Fujimi, Shimizu-ku, between Shimizu Station and the port.
【Date & Time】Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 12, 9:00–17:00
【Venue】Shimizu Bank Head Office Gallery (2-1 Fujimi, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0941)
【Fee】Free
🔗 Details (@S): https://www.at-s.com/event/article/2032326
✒️ ③ Kikuzo Mochizuki: Hamemoji Calligraphy and Illustration Exhibition (September 2–14)
A solo exhibition at the lifelong learning center in Matsui-cho, Shimizu-ku, showing works that combine lettering and illustration. Expect the quiet, unpretentious atmosphere typical of a community cultural facility. It’s a little inland from Shimizu Station.
【Date & Time】Wednesday, September 2 – Monday, September 14
【Venue】Shizuoka City Shimizu Lifelong Learning Center (7-22 Matsui-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0921)
【Fee】Not stated in the listing — please see the event page below for details
🔗 Details (@S): https://www.at-s.com/event/article/1918871
💃 ④ Daytime Geigi Dance Performances — Autumn (September 3 – November 30; dates vary by venue)
A chance to watch dances performed by Shizuoka’s geigi at a traditional restaurant during daytime hours. Opportunities to see Japanese traditional performing arts up close, paired with a meal, are rare. Venues are mainly ryotei restaurants in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, reached from Shimizu Port by train and taxi. Advance booking is required and places are allocated first come, first served at each venue, so check the official website early if you’re interested.
【Date & Time】Thursday, September 3 – Monday, November 30, 12:00–14:00 (reception opens 11:30) ※Dates vary by venue
【Venue】Nasubi Sohonten, Taigetsuro, Nasu no Hana Muan, Kappo Ohana, Sakura Ebi Cuisine Kaikatei, Fugetsuro (11-1 Konya-cho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 420-0852 ※map shows Fugetsuro)
【Fee】¥5,500–¥12,000 (tax and service charge included) ※Prices vary by venue
【Eligibility】Applications accepted from 9:00 on Monday, August 17, 2026 via the application form or fax (phone applications not accepted) ※First come, first served at each venue; closes when capacity is reached ※See the official website for details
🔗 Official website: https://www.geigi.jp/post/2026autumn
🐾 ⑤ A Quick Evening Information Session at an Animal Care Vocational School (Chuo Animal Vocational College) (Wednesday, September 9)
An evening school information session held by an animal care vocational college in Tsuji, Shimizu-ku. It begins at 18:30 — after Celebrity Millennium’s 18:00 departure — so cruise passengers won’t be able to attend, but we list it as a record of what’s happening in Shimizu on your port call day. Admission is free.
【Date & Time】Wednesday, September 9, 18:30–19:30
【Venue】Chuo Animal Vocational College (1-12-17 Tsuji, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0806)
【Fee】Free
【Eligibility】Applications accepted until September 8, 2026.
🔗 Official website: https://suzuki.ac.jp/animal/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=atS
⚠️ Events may be changed or cancelled due to weather or other circumstances. Please check official sources before setting out.
6. Local 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 during your day in port.
| Dish | Where | Price guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna rice bowl | Maguro-kan (inside Kashi-no-Ichi, 10 min walk) | ¥1,000–2,500 | The real thing, from one of Japan’s leading tuna ports. English menus, cards accepted. Closed Wednesdays |
| Shimizu-caught sushi | Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (inside Dream Plaza, 5 min walk) | ¥1,500–4,000 | The closest sushi to the pier, with several restaurants to choose from |
| Seafood bowls & tuna tataki | Ichiba-kan (Kashi-no-Ichi, 10 min walk) | ¥500–2,000 | Good takeout selection. Sakura shrimp shumai make a nice souvenir. Closed Wednesdays |
| Sakura shrimp kakiage | Yui Fishing Port area (25 min by car) | ¥800–1,500 | Cash only. Sold until they run out |
| Shizuoka oden | Aoba Yokocho (20 min by train from Shimizu Station + 5 min walk) | ¥500–1,500 | Kuro-hanpen and dashi powder make it Shizuoka-style. Most shops open in the evening |
| Wasabi products | Throughout Shimizu and Shizuoka City | ¥300–3,000 | Shizuoka is Japan’s top wasabi producer. Wasabi-zuke is a classic gift |
| Shirasu (whitebait) bowl | Kashi-no-Ichi, Dream Plaza, and elsewhere | Varies by shop | Suruga Bay whitebait — seasonal flavor, easily enjoyed |
The one seasonal treat we’d particularly recommend in September is shirasu (whitebait).
Whitebait is landed in Suruga Bay from spring through autumn, so September is still a good time to try it. Raw shirasu is generally served only on the day it’s caught: translucent, meltingly soft, with the scent of the sea arriving a moment later. Because it can’t be frozen or shipped far, you’ll rarely encounter it outside a landing port.
Look for it at the eateries in Kashi-no-Ichi (closed on Wednesdays, so check before you set out) and the sushi restaurants in Dream Plaza. Do note, though, that whitebait fishing depends heavily on the weather — when it rains or the sea is rough, boats stay in port and raw shirasu disappears from menus. With thunderstorms forecast for September 9, if raw isn’t available, go for kamaage shirasu (lightly boiled). It’s plump and sweet, and pairs beautifully with hot rice.
For a deeper dive into tuna, sakura shrimp, and shirasu — 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
- S-Pulse Dream Plaza: free Wi-Fi available
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): nationwide free Wi-Fi networks
If you plan to rely on online maps for a full day of sightseeing, a prepaid SIM purchased at the airport is a big help.
Payment
Cash still rules at many Japanese businesses, 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 sometimes declined.
If you run low on cash, Seven Bank ATMs at convenience stores near the port accept overseas-issued cards. As a rough guide, carrying ¥3,000–¥10,000 in cash per person per day should see you through.
IC transit cards
Suica, ICOCA, and other nationally compatible IC cards work on both buses and trains. You can buy one at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station.
Cash is fine too, but change isn’t always given, so keep coins handy.
Language support
The tourist information desks (Shimizu Port Terminal and Shimizu Station) have English-speaking staff. S-Pulse Dream Plaza and Kashi-no-Ichi offer English menus and have some English-speaking staff.
Taxi drivers generally speak Japanese only. Showing your destination on your phone screen or using the Google Translate app is the surest approach.
Tourist information
- 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 18:00. Aim to be back at Hinode Pier by 17:30.
Roads get congested in the rain and taxis become harder to find, so on this day in particular, allow yourself extra time. If you spend your final hours at Dream Plaza, the pier is just a 5-minute walk away — and barely any time under an umbrella.
To find the location on Google Maps, search for “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港 日の出埠頭.” Your ship’s berth will show up right away.
If you’re taking a taxi, telling the driver “清水港 日の出埠頭 (Hinode Pier)” will get the message across. Showing it written down or on your phone screen makes it even more certain.
9. About Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Millennium is a 91,011-ton ship operated by Celebrity Cruises. She measures 294 m in length and carries up to 2,218 guests. Entering service in July 2000, she was the first of the Millennium class. Her port of registry is Malta.
In 2019, after nearly two decades in service, she underwent a major refit under the “Celebrity Revolution” fleet modernization program. Staterooms, restaurants, and lounges were brought close to the standard of the latest Edge class, and The Retreat, a sun deck exclusive to suite guests, was newly added.
Celebrity Cruises is a premium brand built around the concept of “modern luxury,” long praised for the quality of its dining and service — and Millennium has carried that reputation since her maiden voyage.
She also has a strong connection with Shimizu: Celebrity Millennium is the foreign cruise ship calling here most often in the 2026 season, with 12 visits scheduled for the year. As a mainstay of Japan-departing Asian itineraries, she has become a familiar sight to locals.
From Kagoshima’s Sakurajima to Suruga Bay, and next on to Tokyo — Shimizu sits right at the turning point of a voyage that runs the length of Japan.
Rain may be in the forecast, but the National Treasure halls at Kunozan, the 2,000-year-old village site, and the port’s tuna aren’t going anywhere. If anything, with fewer people around, it may turn out to be a day when you can take your time.
We hope your day in Shimizu becomes one of the images you look back on as your ship makes for Tokyo. 良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.
More Celebrity Millennium Calls at Shimizu Port
Guides for this ship’s other port calls:
- Port Call Guide: April 20, 2026
- Port Call Guide: April 22, 2026
- Port Call Guide: May 13, 2026
- Port Call Guide: May 15, 2026
- Port Call Guide: June 5, 2026
- Port Call Guide: June 17, 2026
- Port Call Guide: July 11, 2026
- Port Call Guide: July 14, 2026
- Port Call Guide: July 26, 2026
- Port Call Guide: August 16, 2026
- Port Call Guide: August 29, 2026
