Saturday, October 3, 2026. After departing Kobe, the Asuka III sails northeast across Suruga Bay and arrives at Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port, at 08:00. She sails again the same day at 22:00, bound for Yokohama.
🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む
On paper that’s 14 hours in port, but once you factor in disembarkation and the return-to-ship deadline, roughly 12 hours is what you can realistically spend ashore. Even so, that’s plenty of time to take in the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure halls, the 360-degree panorama from Nihondaira Yume Terrace, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Miho no Matsubara, and Kashi no Ichi market, where Shimizu’s famous tuna comes ashore.
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 Kobe still fresh in your memory, here’s what to see, what to eat, and how to spend your day in Shimizu, told from a local’s 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 October 3, 2026
- 3. Getting from Shimizu Port into Town and to the Sights
- 4. Recommended Itinerary: "The Full Shizuoka Course — Nihondaira, Toshogu, Miho, and Sunset at the Port"
- 5. Events in Shimizu on October 3, 2026
- 6. Local Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka
- 7. Practical Information for a Worry-Free Day
- 8. Returning to the Ship
- 9. About the Asuka III
- More Asuka III Calls at Shimizu Port
1. Port Call Essentials
First, here’s your port call schedule for October 3, 2026 at a glance.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Port call date | Saturday, October 3, 2026 |
| Arrival | 08:00 |
| Departure | 22:00 |
| Scheduled time in port | About 14 hours |
| Realistic sightseeing time | About 12 hours |
| Berth | Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port |
| Previous port | Kobe |
| Next port | Yokohama |
Early October in Shimizu is when the muggy heat of summer finally lifts and walking outdoors becomes a pleasure again.
It falls near the tail end of typhoon season, so conditions vary from day to day — but after a rain the air clears, and Mt. Fuji can stand out beautifully.
And it’s a Saturday. Both the fish market and the shopping streets are livelier than on a weekday. The free shuttle bus also runs more frequently on weekends and holidays, making it easier than usual to travel between the port and Shimizu Station.
A 22:00 departure is a generously long stay by cruise standards. You can head out on a full-day excursion, then return to the port in the evening for dinner and souvenir shopping.
2. Weather and What to Wear on October 3, 2026
As of this writing (a few days before the port call), the forecast for Shimizu on October 3, 2026 calls for cloudy skies.
The high is expected to be 22.4℃ (72°F) and the low 17.8℃ (64°F), with just an 8% chance of rain — so precipitation looks unlikely.
If you’re not used to Celsius, use these as a guide: 20℃ = 68°F, 25℃ = 77°F, 30℃ = 86°F.
During the day, a single long-sleeved shirt will be comfortable. However, around 8 a.m. and again at the evening return-to-ship time, temperatures drop to about 18℃, so bring a light jacket or cardigan.
At the summit of Nihondaira and along the shore at Miho no Matsubara, the breeze makes it feel 2–3 degrees cooler than in town. Having something to throw on makes a big difference in how long you’ll want to linger at the observation decks.
Since cloudy skies are forecast, Mt. Fuji may be hidden at times. The relaxed approach is simply to shoot the moment the summit appears.
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 Town and to the Sights
Shimizu is a port where you can set off on your own the moment you step ashore. Here’s a breakdown of each option, with fare structures, payment methods, and frequency.
If you want maximum freedom with your limited time in port, a taxi is the way to go. Being able to string together your own combination of destinations means you can make full use of those 14 hours.
🚕 Taxi (the most flexible option)
The biggest advantage is being able to cover places that are hard to reach by public transport — such as Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu — in one go. 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 each additional 285 m. Time-based charges also apply while waiting at lights or in traffic. It’s perfectly polite to ask for a rough estimate before you get in: “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 people. Show the driver your list of spots and plan the route together
- 【Payment】Cash and credit cards are reliable. 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 just fine
Our model itinerary below uses a taxi for the first-thing-in-the-morning run up to Nihondaira.
🚌 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 places, so it helps to keep them straight.
① S-PULSE Dream Plaza free shuttle (year-round, open to everyone)
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 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-guchi: 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 for】Heading to JR Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station — it shortcuts a walk of 20 minutes or more
October 3 is a Saturday, so buses run every 15 minutes during the day. Just remember that they aren’t running yet when you arrive at 8:00 a.m.
② Port-call-only free shuttle for cruise passengers (arranged by the cruise line)
On port call days, a free bus sometimes departs from right in front of Hinode Pier for Shin-Shimizu Station and JR Shimizu Station. The key difference from ① is that you can board immediately after disembarking.
- For the 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 editorial team)
- Whether it runs, and its times and destinations, differ with each port call. Check the onboard announcements or ask pier staff after disembarking
- How to tell them apart: ① is a red bus (with “S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA” on the body), ② is a chartered vehicle operating only on that port call day
⛴ 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 Kashi no Ichi). The ride itself is a Shimizu Port sightseeing experience.
- 【How fares work】A flat ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary school children per section. Hinode → Miho takes about 15 minutes; Hinode → Ejiri about 10 minutes
- 【Frequency】7 sailings a 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 typhoons or other severe weather. Check same-day operation at the pier or by phone (054-353-2222)
Our model itinerary uses it to get from Kashi no Ichi to Miho no Matsubara, and again to return from Miho to the port. Since sailings are limited, snap a photo of the timetable at the pier to keep your day running smoothly.
🚏 Local bus (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 Iriguchi stop 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 fare box at the front when you get off. With nationally interoperable IC cards such as Suica or ICOCA, just tap on boarding and again when you alight
- 【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 (to central Shizuoka City)
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 Station → Shizuoka Station: ¥240, about 12 minutes. Trains run 3–4 times an hour during the day
- 【Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu)】Shin-Shimizu Station → Shin-Shizuoka Station: ¥350, about 23 minutes. Departures roughly 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 and Shin-Shimizu Station
🚶 On foot (plenty for the area around the port)
- 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. 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 bus is recommended
- Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu): about 1 km, around 15 minutes on foot
For more detail on transport options and practical information from the port, see our Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.
4. Recommended Itinerary: “The Full Shizuoka Course — Nihondaira, Toshogu, Miho, and Sunset at the Port”
If you’re weighing a ship’s shore excursion against a local tour or doing it yourself, start with our Shimizu Shore Excursions Compared, which lays out the costs and who each option suits.
“What should I see in 12 hours?”
To answer that question, we’ve put together a course that covers the highlights of Shimizu and Shizuoka in a single day.
Take a taxi up into the hills first thing (Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu), come back down to the port for a tuna rice bowl at lunch, cross to Miho no Matsubara by boat in the afternoon, then return to the port in the evening to wrap up at Dream Plaza.
It’s a one-directional route with no back-and-forth between the port and far-flung spots. Because the final stop is right next to the pier, there’s no last-minute rush before returning to the ship.
| Time | Spot | Details | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Hinode Pier | Taxi to the summit of Nihondaira | 30 min |
| 09:00 | Nihondaira Yume Terrace | Sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay from the observation corridor | 60 min |
| 10:00 | Nihondaira Ropeway | From the summit station to Kunozan (about 5 minutes) | 10 min |
| 10:10 | Kunozan Toshogu | Tour the National Treasure shrine halls and museum | 90 min |
| 11:40 | Transfer | Back by ropeway, then taxi to Kashi no Ichi | 35 min |
| 12:15 | Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi” | Tuna bowl lunch, shopping at Ichiba-kan | 60 min |
| 13:15 | Transfer | Water bus from Ejiri Pier to Miho | 30 min |
| 13:45 | Miho no Matsubara | Kami no Michi, Hagoromo Pine, Mihoshirube | 90 min |
| 15:15 | Transfer | Water bus from Miho to Hinode (about 15 minutes) | 30 min |
| 15:45 | S-PULSE Dream Plaza | Dream Sky Ferris wheel, Chibi Maruko-chan Land, souvenirs | 120 min |
| 17:45 | Shimizu Sushi Yokocho | Dinner featuring Shimizu tuna | 90 min |
| 19:15 | Around the port | Evening stroll along the pier, rest | Free |
| 21:15 | Hinode Pier | Return to ship (45 minutes before departure) | — |
Estimated budget: from about ¥12,000 per person (taxi, admission fees, and meals included)
Chartering a taxi for four makes the morning run into the hills far easier. At ¥7,700 per hour, the three-plus hours needed for Nihondaira and Kunozan works out to roughly ¥6,000 per person.
Nihondaira Yume Terrace
A timber-lattice observation facility standing at the 307 m summit. From the rooftop observation floor and the corridor that wraps around the building, you get a 360-degree view taking in Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Southern Alps, and Miho no Matsubara.
Admission is free. October 3 is a Saturday, so hours are 9:00–21:00.
Clouds often clear in the morning, which makes this a promising window for spotting Mt. Fuji if your ship arrives at 8:00.
Nihondaira Ropeway
A ropeway connecting Nihondaira Summit Station with Kunozan Station in about 5 minutes. It crosses a valley in midair, so you look down on the green ravine below and the horizon of Suruga Bay at the same time.
It operates in rain and light wind, but may be halted in strong winds or thunderstorms.
Kunozan Toshogu
The very first Toshogu shrine built in Japan, enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu. The shrine halls are designated National Treasures, covered in densely detailed carvings in vermilion, green, and gold.
Admission to the shrine halls is ¥700, the museum is ¥600, and a combination ticket is ¥1,200. The museum displays items connected to Ieyasu, so if you have time to spare, the combination ticket is the more rewarding choice.
Open 9:00–17:00, no closing days. You can also climb the stone steps of the seaside approach, but on a port call day the ropeway is the practical choice.
For detailed directions and costs for visiting Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu independently, see our Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Guide.
Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”
Shimizu’s fish market opened to the general public, split into two buildings: “Maguro-kan,” home to restaurants, and “Ichiba-kan,” lined with fresh fish and processed products.
Shimizu is one of Japan’s leading tuna landing ports. At Maguro-kan, bowls piled with lean tuna, medium fatty tuna, and premium fatty tuna go for around ¥1,000–2,500.
Ichiba-kan is open 9:30–17:30. You’ll find souvenirs you can take back to the ship, such as sakura shrimp shumai and minced tuna. It’s closed on Wednesdays, so it will be open on Saturday, October 3.
Miho no Matsubara
A component of the UNESCO World Heritage site, where Mt. Fuji rises beyond a pine grove of some 30,000 trees. The pine-lined path leading from the parking area to the shore is known as “Kami no Michi” (the Path of the Gods) — just walking between the trees is enough to shift your mood.
Out on the shore stands the “Hagoromo Pine,” where legend says a celestial maiden hung her feather robe. Admission is free and the site is open at all hours.
At the adjacent visitor center “Mihoshirube” (9:00–16:30, open year-round, free admission), multilingual exhibits explain the Hagoromo legend and Mt. Fuji worship.
For more on the highlights, the Hagoromo legend, and how to get there, see our Miho no Matsubara UNESCO Guide.
Shimizu Port Water Bus
A small sightseeing boat linking Hinode, Ejiri, and Miho. ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary school children per section, with 7 sailings a day (departing Hinode between 9:55 and 16:35).
Ejiri Pier is right in front of Kashi no Ichi, so it’s a short walk from lunch to the boat. The return trip from Miho to Hinode is a direct 15-minute ride — a shortcut across the water.
With so few sailings, always check departure times before you go. Service may be suspended in bad weather.
S-PULSE Dream Plaza
A shopping and entertainment complex next to Hinode Pier. Shops are open 10:00–20:00, restaurants 11:00–21:00.
The “Dream Sky” Ferris wheel costs ¥700, stands 52 m tall, and takes about 13 minutes per rotation. After sunset you can look down on Shimizu Port and the city lights (closed in strong winds).
“Chibi Maruko-chan Land” is open 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30), year-round, ¥1,200 for adults and ¥700 for children aged 3 through elementary school. It recreates the Shimizu streetscape where the manga’s creator grew up — a fun detour for anyone familiar with Japanese anime.
Shimizu Sushi Yokocho
An area inside Dream Plaza gathering several sushi restaurants. Specialties include nigiri made with locally landed tuna and gunkan-maki topped with sakura shrimp.
Prices run about ¥1,500–4,000, and some shops offer English menus and accept cards. Just a 5-minute walk from the pier, it’s an ideal dinner spot on a day with a 22:00 departure.
Opening status on Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Nihondaira Yume Terrace: Open (9:00–21:00 on Saturdays). Closed on the second Tuesday and December 26–31, so there’s no issue on this date
- Kunozan Toshogu: Open (9:00–17:00, no closing days)
- Miho no Matsubara: Accessible all day. Mihoshirube is open 9:00–16:30, year-round
- Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”: Open (closed Wednesdays). Hours vary by restaurant in Maguro-kan
- S-PULSE Dream Plaza: Open (shops 10:00–20:00 / restaurants 11:00–21:00)
- Shimizu Port Water Bus: Scheduled to operate, but closures are irregular and sailings may be canceled in bad weather. Check on the day
- Free shuttle bus (Dream Plaza): Weekend/holiday timetable, every 15 minutes. First departure from Dream Plaza at 10:00
Maguro-kan at Kashi no Ichi gets crowded on Saturdays. There may be a wait if you arrive around noon, so consider an early lunch around 11 a.m. or shifting to after 1 p.m.
For options beyond those covered here — from spots within walking distance to half-day courses and rainy-day plans — see our comprehensive 20 Things to Do in Shimizu.
5. Events in Shimizu on October 3, 2026
As of publication, no specific events have been confirmed in Shimizu for October 3, 2026.
That said, autumn is a season when local festivals and markets can pop up on short notice. After disembarking, ask at the tourist information desk inside the Shimizu Port Passenger Terminal about that day’s happenings, or search “清水 イベント” (Shimizu events) on your smartphone — you may turn up something. Small events are also sometimes held at Dream Plaza and in the shopping streets on weekends, so keep an eye on the notice boards as you walk.
6. Local Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka
The Shimizu–Shizuoka area is one of Japan’s great food destinations. Here are the specialties worth trying on your day in port.
| Dish | Where | Price guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna rice bowls & sashimi platters | Maguro-kan (Kashi no Ichi) | ¥1,000–2,500 | Shimizu is a major tuna landing port. Everything from lean to premium fatty tuna in one bowl |
| Shimizu tuna sushi | Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (Dream Plaza) | ¥1,500–4,000 | 5 minutes on foot from the pier. Some shops open until 21:00 |
| Sakura shrimp kakiage | Yui Fishing Port area (25 min by car) | ¥800–1,500 | The autumn fishing season begins in October. Many shops are cash only |
| Shirasu (whitebait) bowl | Kashi no Ichi and around Miho | Around ¥1,000–1,800 (varies by shop) | Suruga Bay whitebait. The half-and-half “nishoku-don” with tuna is also popular |
| Shizuoka oden | Aoba Yokocho (central Shizuoka City) | ¥500–1,500 | Kuro-hanpen fish cake, eaten with dashi powder and green seaweed sprinkled on top |
| Wasabi products | Various spots around Shimizu Port | ¥300–3,000 | Shizuoka is Japan’s top wasabi producer. Try wasabi-zuke and even wasabi soft serve |
| Seafood takeout | Ichiba-kan (Kashi no Ichi) | ¥500–2,000 | Sakura shrimp shumai, minced tuna, and more — great as souvenirs |
The one we especially want to highlight is sakura shrimp, a seasonal delicacy that comes into its own in October.
These small red shrimp are said to be commercially fished only in Suruga Bay. There are two seasons a year — spring (March–June) and autumn (October–December) — and early October is right when the autumn catch begins.
The classic preparation is kakiage (a fritter). The batter is thin, and one bite releases a rush of fragrance and sweetness. If the timing of the catch works out, you may even find raw sakura shrimp.
You can find it at Maguro-kan and Ichiba-kan at Kashi no Ichi, as well as at restaurants in Dream Plaza. The home of sakura shrimp, the Yui Fishing Port area, is about 25 minutes away by car — well worth the trip if you have time to spare.
For a deeper dive into tuna, sakura shrimp, and whitebait — 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 (inside the terminal)
- S-PULSE Dream Plaza: Free Wi-Fi available
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): Free nationwide Wi-Fi available
- If you need a SIM card, buying a prepaid SIM at the airport on arrival makes things easier
Payment
Many shops in Japan still operate primarily on cash, and small restaurants and taxis in particular may accept nothing else.
Credit cards are accepted at S-PULSE Dream Plaza and the larger shops at Kashi no Ichi. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; Amex and Diners are often not.
Near the port, you can withdraw cash from overseas-issued cards at the Seven Bank ATM inside 7-Eleven.
As a guide, carrying ¥3,000–10,000 in cash per person per day should be plenty.
IC transit cards
Suica, ICOCA, and other IC transit cards work on buses and trains. On Shizutetsu Just Line local buses, simply tap when boarding and again when you get off.
Cards can be purchased at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station. Cash works too, but bus change machines accept only coins and ¥1,000 notes, so have small change ready.
Language support
The tourist information centers (Shimizu Port Terminal and Shimizu Station) offer English support.
S-PULSE Dream Plaza and Kashi no Ichi have English menus and English-speaking staff. “Mihoshirube” at Miho no Matsubara distributes multilingual pamphlets.
Taxis are basically Japanese-only. The surest approach is to show your destination on Google Translate or point to the spot names in this article.
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 20–25 minutes on foot)
Emergency contacts
| Purpose | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Ambulance / Fire | 119 |
| Shizuoka City Tourist Information Center (Shizuoka Station North Exit, English support) | 054-253-1170 |
| Taxi (Shizutetsu Taxi central dispatch) | 054-281-5111 |
8. Returning to the Ship
The Asuka III departs at 22:00. Make sure you’re back at Hinode Pier by 21:30 at the latest — 30 minutes before departure.
To be safe, aim for 21:15 so you can board without rushing. The city looks different at night than it does by day, and it’s easier to lose your way than you might expect.
On Google Maps, search “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港 日の出埠頭” to find the pier.
When taking a taxi, saying “清水港 日の出埠頭 (Hinode Pier)” will get you there. If you’re returning from central Shizuoka at night, the surest route is the train from JR Shizuoka Station to Shimizu Station (¥240, about 12 minutes), then a taxi from Shimizu Station.
9. About the Asuka III
The Asuka III is a Japanese-flagged cruise ship operated by NYK Cruises. She measures 52,265 gross tons, 230 m in length, with a capacity of 740 passengers (Shimizu Port’s schedules sometimes list her as 52,200 tons).
She entered service on July 20, 2025, making her a brand-new vessel, built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Her port of registry is Yokohama.
Her defining feature is that every cabin has a balcony. On an itinerary like this one, sailing across Suruga Bay, you can take in Mt. Fuji and the ridgelines of the Izu Peninsula right from your own balcony.
That 740-passenger capacity is also notable. For a 50,000-ton-class ship, the passenger count is deliberately modest, leaving plenty of room in the public spaces on board.
Together with the earlier Asuka II (50,444 tons), NYK Cruises now operates a two-ship fleet, making it the largest Japanese ocean cruise line. In 2026, her second year in service, she is sailing numerous Japan round-trip itineraries featuring fireworks festivals, Hokkaido, and the Seto Inland Sea.
A night after the port-town air of Kobe, Shimizu greets you with Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay — and tuna.
National Treasure shrine halls on the mountain, Mt. Fuji beyond the pines, a seafood bowl at the market: you can experience all of it in a single day. Then at 22:00, the ship pulls away from Hinode Pier bound for her next port, Yokohama.
Watching the lights of Shimizu Port recede from the deck is, to my mind, the final pleasure of this day in port. 良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.
More Asuka III Calls at Shimizu Port
Guides for this ship’s other port calls:
