September 17, 2026 Shimizu Port Shore Day Guide for Star Seeker Passengers

Thursday, September 17, 2026. After leaving Tokyo, Star Seeker sails west across Suruga Bay and arrives at Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port, at 08:00. She departs the same day at 17:00, bound next for Shingu on the Kii Peninsula.

🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む

The scheduled port call is nine hours, but once you factor in disembarkation and the return-to-ship deadline, roughly seven and a half hours ashore is a realistic figure. Even so, that’s plenty of time to enjoy the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure main hall, the Toro Ruins where life 2,000 years ago has been recreated, the Kashi-no-Ichi fish market where Shimizu’s famous tuna lands, 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 Tokyo 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

First, here’s your September 17, 2026 schedule at a glance.

Item	Details
Port call date	Thursday, September 17, 2026
Arrival	08:00
Departure	17:00
Scheduled time in port	About 9 hours
Realistic sightseeing time	About 7.5 hours
Berth	Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port
Previous port	Tokyo
Next port	Shingu

This is Star Seeker’s maiden call at Shimizu Port.

A ship’s first visit is a special occasion for a port, so it may be worth watching the quayside as you come alongside.

Mid-September in Shimizu is a time when lingering summer heat meets the first hints of autumn. Mornings and evenings gradually become more comfortable, but daytime still carries traces of summer. It’s also typhoon season, so the weather can change quickly.

2. Weather and What to Wear on September 17, 2026

The forecast for your port day is showers. Highs of around 26.3℃ (79°F), lows around 19.8℃ (68°F), with a 60% chance of rain.

If you’re not used to Celsius, use these as a guide: 20℃ = 68°F, 25℃ = 77°F, 30℃ = 86°F.

Be sure to bring a folding umbrella or a rain jacket. Showers tend to come and go, and on days like this a hooded jacket can be easier to manage than constantly opening and closing an umbrella.

For footwear, sneakers you don’t mind getting wet are the safest choice. The stone steps at Kunozan Toshogu and the garden paths at the Toro Ruins can get a little slippery after rain.

Temperatures won’t be too high, but humidity tends to rise, so plan breaks at indoor facilities as you go. The model route below is built around places with a roof over your head.

7-day Shizuoka forecast by meteoblue

Please note that this forecast reflects conditions at the time 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 of your visit.

3. Getting from Shimizu Port into Town and to the Sights

Shimizu is an easy port to explore independently. Here’s a breakdown of each transport option, including how fares work, payment methods, and frequency.

If you want maximum freedom in your limited hours, a taxi is the way to go. With rain in the forecast, building your day around taxis and trains will make getting around far less stressful.

🚕 Taxi (the most flexible option — recommended)

The biggest advantage is being able to reach places that are awkward by public transport, such as Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu, all in one trip. 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 base fare is ¥700 (up to 1.17 km), then ¥100 for every additional 285 m. Time charges also apply while waiting at lights or in traffic. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for a rough estimate before boarding: “About how much to ○○?”
• 【Chartering by the hour】Hourly charter is ¥7,700 per hour for a standard vehicle. 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 desired stops and plan the route together
• 【Payment】Cash and credit cards are reliably accepted. 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 Japanese only, but showing them the spot names in this article (with Japanese script) on your phone works perfectly well

The model route below also uses taxis to travel from Kunozan Toshogu to the Toro Ruins and then back toward Shimizu Port.

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

There are two kinds of free buses at Shimizu Port. They depart from different stops, so knowing the difference will save confusion.

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

Connects Dream Plaza, Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu), and JR Shimizu Station’s Minato-guchi exit in about 8 minutes. The stop is not at Hinode Pier but at the Dream Plaza bus stop next 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 & 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, use a taxi or walk for your first move of the morning
• 【Best for】Heading to JR Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station. It saves you a walk of 20 minutes or more

September 17 is a Thursday, so the weekday timetable applies: every 30 minutes. Remember it isn’t running yet if you’re heading out around 8:00.

② Port-call-only free shuttle for cruise passengers (arranged by the cruise line)

On port call days, a free bus sometimes runs directly from 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, and JR Shimizu Station (confirmed on site by our team)
• Whether it runs, and its times and destinations, differ with each port call. Check the onboard announcements or ask port staff at the pier after disembarking
• How to tell them apart: ① is a red bus marked “S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA”; ② is a chartered coach operating only on port call days

⛴ Water bus (travel with Mt. Fuji views from the water)

A small boat linking Hinode Pier (in front of Dream Plaza) with the Miho area and Ejiri (near the Kashi-no-Ichi fish market). 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】7 sailings per day. No reservations — first come, first served
• 【Tickets】Purchase at the boarding point
• 【Cancellations】Since it operates within the harbor, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in rough weather such as typhoons. Check on the day at the pier or by phone (054-353-2222)

With showers in the forecast, confirm at the pier that boats are running before working this into your plans.

🚏 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 the Miho no Matsubara entrance is ¥440 and 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 farebox by the driver when you get off. With Suica, ICOCA, or any nationally compatible IC card, simply tap on when boarding and tap off when alighting
• 【If 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 if you want to venture 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
• 【Port to station】The free shuttle bus is the easiest way to reach Shimizu Station and Shin-Shimizu Station

🚶 On foot (fine for the port area itself)

• 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 on foot. Or take the water bus from Hinode to Ejiri (about 10 minutes) and you’ll step off right in front of it
• JR Shimizu Station: about 1.5 km, 20–25 minutes on foot. The free shuttle is recommended
• Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu): about 1 km, roughly 15 minutes

For more detail on transport and practical tips from the port, see our Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.

4. Recommended Model Route: “National Treasures and a Yayoi Village on a Rainy Day”

If you’re weighing up a ship’s excursion versus a local tour or going independently, start with our Shimizu Shore Excursions Compared, which lays out costs and who each option suits.

“What should I see in seven and a half hours?” Here’s our answer, tailored to the day’s weather.

Because showers are forecast, this route is built around sheltered spots and indoor exhibits. You cover Kunozan Toshogu and the Toro Ruins — both south of the city center — in one sweep, then return to the port area for lunch and shopping. It’s a one-way route with no backtracking, so you won’t waste time in the rain.

You finish at S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA, a five-minute walk from the pier, so there’s no last-minute rush before returning to the ship.

Time	Place	Details	Duration
08:30	Hinode Pier	Disembark and take a taxi to the Nihondaira summit (about 30 min)	30 min
09:00	Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu	Ropeway to Kunozan (about 5 min). Visit the National Treasure shrine and museum	120 min
11:00	Transfer	Ropeway back to Nihondaira, then taxi to the Toro Ruins (about 20 min)	25 min
11:25	Toro Ruins & Toro Museum	Reconstructed pit dwellings and paddy fields, plus indoor exhibits	75 min
12:40	Transfer	Taxi toward Shimizu Port (about 25 min)	25 min
13:05	Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”	A late tuna bowl lunch and souvenir shopping	65 min
14:10	Transfer	Taxi to S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA (about 5 min)	10 min
14:20	S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA	Chibi Maruko-chan Land, Shimizu Sushi Yokocho, souvenirs	95 min
15:55	Hinode Pier	5-minute walk to the pier. Back on board by 16:30	20 min

Estimated budget: from about ¥7,000 per person (taxis, admissions, and meals included)

Nihondaira & Nihondaira Yume Terrace

A 360-degree observation facility atop a 307-meter hill. On clear days you can take in Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Southern Alps, and Miho no Matsubara all at once.

Even in the rain, there’s an indoor observation lounge, making it worth a stop before heading to the ropeway station. The building itself, wrapped in a circular wooden corridor, is a sight in its own right. Admission is free.

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

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

Japan’s oldest Toshogu shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The main hall, covered in brilliantly colored carvings, is designated a National Treasure.

The five-minute ropeway ride from Nihondaira, gliding across a valley toward the shrine, is memorable in itself. Admission is ¥700 for the shrine, ¥600 for the museum, or ¥1,200 for a combined ticket. The museum displays items connected to Ieyasu, and it’s a fine place to linger on a rainy day.

Toro Ruins & Toro Museum

The remains of a Yayoi-period village from about 2,000 years ago. Pit dwellings, raised-floor storehouses, and paddy fields have been reconstructed, spreading daily life of the era out before you in the open air.

The museum’s first floor is a hands-on exhibit where you can step up into a recreated house and touch the objects — enjoyable indoors even in the rain. The ruins and first floor are free; the second-floor permanent exhibition is ¥300 for adults. It’s a place where you can see the roots of Japanese rice farming with your own eyes.

Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”

The city’s fish market opened up to the public, split into two buildings: Maguro-kan (the tuna hall) and Ichiba-kan. Shimizu is a port town famous for its tuna landings.

Maguro-kan is lined with rice-bowl and sashimi restaurants — so many you’ll struggle to choose. Ichiba-kan sells souvenirs such as dried fish, sakura shrimp, and fish cakes. Since you can walk around under cover, it’s a good choice for lunch on a wet day.

S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA

A shopping and entertainment complex right beside Hinode Pier. Inside you’ll find Chibi Maruko-chan Land (¥1,200 for adults, ¥700 for ages 3 through elementary school), Shimizu Sushi Yokocho, and around 60 shops.

The Dream Sky Ferris wheel (¥700, 52 m tall, about 13 minutes per rotation) offers views over the harbor and town. It may close in strong winds. It’s the perfect place to pass the time indoors right up until you head back to the ship.

Opening Status for Thursday, September 17, 2026

• Kunozan Toshogu: 9:00–17:00, open daily — open
• Nihondaira Yume Terrace: 9:00–17:00, closed on the 2nd Tuesday — open on Thursday
• Toro Museum: 9:00–16:30, closed Mondays — open on Thursday (the ruins park is always open)
• Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”: Ichiba-kan 9:30–17:30, closed Wednesdays — open on Thursday. Maguro-kan hours vary by restaurant
• S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA: shops 10:00–20:00 / restaurants 11:00–21:00 — open
• Chibi Maruko-chan Land: 10:00–20:00, open year-round — open
• Verkehr Museum: 9:30–16:30, closed Mondays — open on Thursday (a good option if you have time to spare)

As a weekday Thursday, major crowds are unlikely. That said, rainy days draw people indoors, and the popular restaurants at Kashi-no-Ichi can have waits at the lunchtime peak. Arriving after 13:00 is generally calmer.

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 Around September 17, 2026

By mid-September in Shimizu, the late-summer heat is easing and autumn is beginning to make itself felt.

It’s a season of gallery exhibitions, evening harbor cruises, and events celebrating the harvest happening all around town.

If something catches your eye, do go and take a look.

🍇 ① Grape Picking & Direct Sales at Ishikiriyama Farm (September 12–13 / September 19–20)

A harvest-season event at a farm tucked into the hills of Yui. It doesn’t fall on September 17, your port day, but it’s worth considering if you’re staying in the Shimizu area over either of the surrounding weekends.

Reservations are required and places are first come, first served, so check early if you’re interested.

【Date & Time】Grape picking: Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026, 8:00–16:30 / Direct sales: Saturday, September 19, 9:00–14:00, and Sunday, September 20, 9:00–12:00

【Venue】Meet at the Ishikiriyama Farm parking lot ※ Shuttle bus to the site (238 Yui Iriyama, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 421-3101)

【Fee】Free entry ※ Grapes you pick are purchased at ¥1,600 per kg

【Eligibility】Reservation required, first come, first served. Bookings open Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 13:00 by phone or via the website

🔗 Official website: https://www.instagram.com/ishikiriyama_noen

🧵 ② Living with Handcraft II (September 12–28, 2026 — open on your port day)

An exhibition at a gallery in Udo-honcho, Shimizu-ku. It’s still running on your Thursday port call, open 10:00–17:00.

Being indoors, it’s an easy stop even on a showery day. It’s a little way from the port, but ideal if you’re after a quiet moment.

【Date & Time】Saturday, September 12 – Monday, September 28, 2026, 10:00–17:00

【Venue】Mokupere × GALLERY kino (5-18 Udo-honcho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0879)

【Fee】Please check the official website for details

🔗 Official website: https://www.instagram.com/mokupere/

🍺 ③ Shimizu Port Beer Cruise (September 11, 18, 26 and more)

A harbor cruise with all-you-can-drink, departing from Hinode Pier. The boarding point is right in front of Dream Plaza, just steps from the pier where you’ll come ashore.

Star Seeker departs at 17:00, so you can’t join on the day — but it’s worth knowing this is another way locals enjoy Shimizu Port.

【Date & Time】Friday, September 11; Friday, September 18; Saturday, September 26; Saturday, October 3; Friday, October 9; Friday, October 16; and Saturday, October 24, 2026 / Friday sailings: check-in from 18:30; Saturday sailings: check-in from 17:00

【Venue】Shimizu Port Hinode boarding point (1-7-410-3 Minatocho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0943)

【Fee】All-you-can-drink with alcohol: ¥4,500 / Soft drinks only: ¥3,500 adults, ¥1,750 elementary school children

【Eligibility】Bookings accepted August 10 – October 24, 2026

🔗 Official website: https://ticket.shimizu-cruise.co.jp/top?lng=ja-JP

🎨 ④ [Free Ticket Giveaway] “Prebato Talent Show” Exhibition at Marinart, Shimizu Cultural Hall (September 5–27, 2026 — open on your port day)

An exhibition in the first-floor gallery of Marinart, a cultural facility near JR Shimizu Station. There are no closed days during the run, so it’s open on your Thursday port call from 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30).

It’s close enough to drop by on a trip from the port toward Shimizu Station, and being indoors, the weather won’t matter.

【Date & Time】Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 ※ No closed days during the run. 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)

【Venue】Marinart, Shimizu Cultural Hall, 1F Gallery (214 Shimazaki-cho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 424-0823)

【Fee】Adults & university students ¥1,500 (¥1,300); junior & senior high school students ¥1,200 (¥1,000); elementary school students ¥700 (¥600); preschoolers free ※ Free for holders of a disability or rehabilitation certificate ※ Figures in parentheses are advance ticket prices

🔗 Official website: Details page (at-S)

💃 ⑤ Daytime Geigi Dance Performances — Autumn (September 3 – November 30, 2026; dates vary by venue)

A chance to watch geigi (Shizuoka’s geisha) perform traditional dance at a ryotei restaurant during the daytime. Venues are mainly long-established establishments in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, and prices differ by venue.

Advance booking is required, and telephone reservations are not accepted. Dates differ by venue, so check the official website.

【Date & Time】Thursday, September 3 – Monday, November 30, 2026 ※ Dates vary by venue. 12:00–14:00 (reception opens 11:30)

【Venue】Nasubi Sohonten, Taigetsuro, Nasu no Hana Muan, Kappo Ohana, Sakura Ebi Ryori 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】Bookings open Monday, August 17, 2026 at 9:00 via the online form or by fax (phone bookings not accepted) ※ First come, first served at each venue; closes once capacity is reached

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

6. Local Food in Shimizu and Shizuoka

The Shimizu and Shizuoka area is one of Japan’s great food destinations. Here are the specialties we’d most like you to try on your day in port.

Dish	Where	Approx. price	Notes
Tuna rice bowl / sashimi platter	Maguro-kan (Kashi-no-Ichi)	¥1,000–2,500	Shimizu tuna eaten inside the market. English menus and cards accepted
Shimizu sushi	Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (Dream Plaza)	¥1,500–4,000	5 minutes’ walk from the pier. Several sushi restaurants gathered together
Seafood bowls & takeaway	Ichiba-kan (Kashi-no-Ichi)	¥500–2,000	Minced tuna, sakura shrimp shumai and more. Good for souvenirs too
Shirasu (whitebait) dishes	Kashi-no-Ichi & around Dream Plaza	Varies by restaurant	Suruga Bay whitebait. Raw shirasu depends on the day’s catch
Sakura shrimp kakiage	Yui area (25 min by car)	¥800–1,500	Available until sold out. Many shops are cash only
Shizuoka oden	Aoba Yokocho (20 min by train from Shimizu)	¥500–1,500	Black hanpen and dashi powder make it Shizuoka-style. Mostly open evenings
Wasabi products	Throughout Shimizu & Shizuoka City	¥300–3,000	Shizuoka is Japan’s top wasabi producer. Wasabi-zuke is a classic souvenir

One item we especially want to highlight is shirasu (whitebait), a Suruga Bay staple.

Shirasu appears on local menus from spring through the warmer months. Raw shirasu is generally served only on days when it has just been landed — it has a silky texture and a faint natural sweetness.

Because it doesn’t travel well, you rarely encounter it far from where it’s caught. This is a dish that truly means something eaten here in Shimizu.

Raw shirasu isn’t available every day, depending on the catch, so check the notices posted at restaurant entrances or near ticket machines. Boiled shirasu (kamaage) is generally easier to find throughout the year, and a popular option is the two-color bowl, half shirasu and half tuna. Look for it at Maguro-kan and Ichiba-kan in Kashi-no-Ichi, or at restaurants in Dream Plaza.

For a deeper dive into 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

Wi-Fi

• Shimizu Port Terminal: free Wi-Fi available
• S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA: free Wi-Fi. A handy place to charge your phone and get online while sheltering from the rain
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): nationwide free Wi-Fi available
• If you need sustained connectivity, we recommend buying a prepaid SIM at the airport

Payment

Cash is still the default at many businesses in Japan, especially small restaurants and taxis.

Credit cards are accepted at larger stores in S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA and Kashi-no-Ichi. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; Amex and Diners are sometimes declined.

Near the port, Seven Bank ATMs inside convenience stores accept overseas-issued cards for cash withdrawals. As a guide, carrying ¥3,000–10,000 in cash per person per day is a good idea.

IC transit cards

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

You can buy one at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station. Cash works too, but bus change machines only accept coins and ¥1,000 notes, so keep small change handy.

Language support

• Tourist information centers (Shimizu Port Terminal, Shimizu Station): English support available
• S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA and Kashi-no-Ichi: English menus and English-speaking staff
• Miho no Matsubara “Mihoshirube”: multilingual brochures available
• Taxis: essentially Japanese only. Show your destination on your phone screen or use Google Translate

Tourist information centers

• Inside Shimizu Port Passenger Terminal — right where you disembark
• Shimizu Station Tourist Information — about 1.5 km from the port (free shuttle bus, or 20–25 minutes on foot)

Emergency contacts

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

8. Getting Back to the Ship

Star Seeker departs at 17:00. Be back at Hinode Pier by 16:30 at the latest — 30 minutes before departure.

If you spend your final hours in the port area, it’s only about a five-minute walk from Dream Plaza to the pier.

If you’re returning from the city, search Google Maps for “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港 日の出埠頭” to find the location.

When taking a taxi, say “清水港 日の出埠頭 (Hinode Pier)” — drivers will understand. Showing them this page on your phone is another sure method.

Roads tend to get busier in the rain, so allow yourself plenty of time.

9. About Star Seeker

Star Seeker is a 9,923-ton foreign-flagged cruise ship. Considering that large cruise ships run into the tens of thousands of tons, she’s decidedly compact.

The advantage of a small ship is being able to call at ports larger vessels can’t enter. This very itinerary — Tokyo to Shimizu and on to Shingu — is possible precisely because of her size.

With a limited number of passengers, the ship feels spacious and the crew feel close at hand. The openness of the decks and the sensation of viewing the harbor from close to the water are pleasures unique to a small ship.

This is her first-ever call at Shimizu Port, making it a day of new beginnings for the port as well. After you come alongside, try looking back at your ship from the pier — you may see her in a whole new light.

From the bustle of Tokyo, across Suruga Bay, and on to Shingu, the gateway to Kumano. In between lies Shimizu — a town of Mt. Fuji, harbors, and tuna.

Rain may be in the forecast, but the National Treasure shrine, the 2,000-year-old village, and the tuna bowls at the market will all be there regardless of the weather. May your seven and a half hours in Shimizu be one of the finest days of your voyage.

良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.