October 17, 2026 Shimizu Port Shore Day Guide for Navigator of the Seas Passengers

Saturday, October 17, 2026. After sailing south from Hakodate along the Pacific coast of Honshu, Navigator of the Seas arrives at Hinode Pier in Shimizu Port at 07:00. She departs 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 you have eleven hours in port, but once you factor in disembarkation and the return to the ship, roughly nine hours of actual shore time is a realistic figure. That’s plenty to take in the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka in a single day: Nihondaira, looking out over Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay from 307 meters up; Kunozan Toshogu, with its National Treasure shrine buildings; Miho no Matsubara, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Kashi no Ichi, the market where Shimizu Port’s famous tuna comes ashore.

And there’s something extra today. The Shimizu Cruise Festival takes place right on Hinode Pier, from 8:00 in the morning until 19:00, with food stalls and a bon dance circle set up within sight of your ship.

Think of this page as your morning paper for your day in port — something to read on the morning your ship arrives at Shimizu on October 17, 2026. With Hakodate still fresh in your memory, what should you see, what should you eat, and how should you spend your day here in Shimizu? Here’s a thorough look, 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. Your Day in Port at a Glance

First, here’s a quick summary of the schedule for October 17, 2026.

Item	Details
Port call date	Saturday, October 17, 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	Hakodate
Next port	Tokyo

This is Navigator of the Seas’ very first call at Shimizu Port. At 139,999 gross tons, she is among the largest ships visiting Shimizu in 2026.

With a 07:00 arrival and an 18:00 departure, an early start lets you fit in the mountaintop views, the seaside pine grove, and the port’s tuna, and still be back at the pier for the festival in the late afternoon.

Mid-October is arguably the most pleasant time of year to walk around Shimizu. The muggy summer heat is gone, typhoon season is all but over, and the number of days with crisp, clear views of Mt. Fuji keeps growing. October is also the month when the autumn sakura shrimp season opens in Suruga Bay.

It’s a Saturday, so Kashi no Ichi market and Dream Plaza will be busier than on a weekday. On the plus side, the free shuttle bus between the port and Shimizu Station runs every 15 minutes on weekends, making that hop easier than usual.

And as mentioned above, the Shimizu Cruise Festival is on at Hinode Pier today. Section 5 has the details. The venue is right where you step off the ship, so the easiest way to enjoy it is to drop in briefly before you set off in the morning, and again before you reboard in the evening.

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

The forecast for your port day is mostly sunny, with a high of around 23.7℃ (75°F), a low of around 14.6℃ (58°F), and a 0% chance of rain.

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

Daytime should be pleasant in a single long-sleeved shirt. When you step ashore at 07:00, though, it may be down around 15℃, and the festival grounds will cool off quickly once the sun goes down. Be sure to bring a light jacket or cardigan.

Rain is very unlikely. The sun is stronger than you might expect, so pack a hat, sunglasses, and something to drink. Both the observation walkway at Nihondaira and the pine grove at Miho no Matsubara have spots with little shade.

A clear autumn Saturday. Mt. Fuji is easiest to see in the morning, before any clouds build, which is one reason our itinerary puts Nihondaira first thing.

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 for independent sightseeing. Below is a breakdown of fares, payment methods, and service frequency for each option. If you want maximum freedom within a limited port call, a taxi is your best bet.

🚕 Taxi (the most flexible option — recommended)

The big advantage is being able to string together places that are awkward to reach by public transport, such as Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu. Split among a group, the cost per person is more reasonable than you’d think.

• 【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-drop fare is ¥700 (up to 1.17 km), then ¥100 for each additional 285 m. Time charges also apply at traffic lights and in congestion. It’s perfectly polite to ask for a rough estimate before you get in: “About how much to ◯◯?”
• 【Chartering by the hour】An hourly charter costs ¥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 plan 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 Japanese only, but showing them a spot name from this article (with the Japanese text) on your phone works just fine

Our model itinerary also uses a taxi for the early-morning run up to Nihondaira. With a 07:00 arrival, a taxi is the practical way to get moving.

🚌 Free Shuttle Buses (linking 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), and the Minato exit of JR Shimizu Station 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 exit): first at 9:45
• 【Note】It does not run before 10:00. 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

October 17 is a Saturday, so the weekend schedule applies: every 15 minutes. With a 07:00 arrival, remember you can’t use it first thing in the morning.

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

On port days, a free bus to Shin-Shimizu Station and JR Shimizu Station sometimes departs right in front of Hinode Pier. The key difference from ① is that you can board as soon as you step 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, vary from call to call. Check the onboard announcements or ask port staff after disembarking
• How to tell them apart: ① is a red bus (marked S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA), while ② is a chartered coach running only on port days

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

A small boat connecting the Hinode landing (in front of Dream Plaza) with Miho and Ejiri (near Kashi no Ichi market). 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 to Miho takes about 15 minutes; Hinode to Ejiri about 10 minutes
• 【Frequency】7 sailings a day. No reservations — first come, first served
• 【Tickets】Purchase at the landing
• 【Cancellations】Since it runs within the harbor, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in typhoons or other rough weather. Check the day’s operation at the landing 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. With a clear autumn forecast on October 17, there’s a very good chance you’ll spot Mt. Fuji from the water. With only 7 sailings a day, be sure to check the day’s timetable at the landing.

🚏 Local Buses (the standard route to Miho — Shizutetsu Just Line)

If you’re heading to Miho no Matsubara by public transport, take the Miho Yamanote Line. It’s ¥440 and about 25 minutes from Shimizu Station to the Miho no Matsubara Iriguchi stop.

• 【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 nationally compatible IC cards such as Suica or ICOCA, 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 (to central Shizuoka City)

An option if you want to venture out to the Shizuoka Station area for Shizuoka oden at Aoba Yokocho or a stroll through Sunpu Castle Park.

• 【JR Tokaido Line】Shimizu to Shizuoka Station: ¥240, about 12 minutes. 3–4 trains per hour during the day
• 【Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu)】Shin-Shimizu to Shin-Shizuoka Station: ¥350, about 23 minutes. Trains run roughly every 8 minutes, so no need to consult a timetable
• 【Payment】Both accept IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA. 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 or Shin-Shimizu Station

🚶 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 on foot. Or take the water bus from Hinode to Ejiri (about 10 minutes) and the market is right in front of you 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 more detail on transport options and practical tips, see our Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.

4. Recommended Itinerary: “The Full Shizuoka Course, Then the Festival on the Pier”

If you’re torn between a ship’s excursion, a local tour, and going it alone, start with our Shimizu Shore Excursions Compared, which lays out costs and who each option suits.

“What should I see in nine hours?” Here’s a local’s answer.

This itinerary covers Shizuoka’s signature sights in a single day, then brings you back to the pier in the late afternoon for the Shimizu Cruise Festival. Start early with a taxi up to the summit at Nihondaira, then take the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu. Come down to Shimizu Port for a tuna rice bowl at lunch, cross to Miho no Matsubara by water bus in the afternoon, and when you land back at Hinode around 14:30, the rest of the day is festival time: bon dancing at 15:00 and 16:00, food stalls, and souvenir browsing, with the ship right there.

The order is designed so you never have to double back. You knock out the mountaintop sights (Nihondaira and Kunozan) in the morning, come down to the coast, and end up right in front of the pier.

Time	Spot	Details	Approx. time
07:30	Hinode Pier	Disembark and take a taxi to Nihondaira (save the festival for later)	30 min travel
08:00	Nihondaira / Nihondaira Yume Terrace	Panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay from the observation walkway (building opens at 9:00)	60 min
09:10	Kunozan Toshogu	About 5 min by Nihondaira Ropeway. Visit the National Treasure shrine and museum	90 min
10:50	Return to Nihondaira	Back by ropeway, then taxi toward Shimizu Station	30 min travel
11:30	Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”	Tuna bowl lunch and souvenir hunting (arrive early on a Saturday)	60 min
12:40	Ejiri landing	Water bus to Miho (check the timetable on site)	20 min travel
13:05	Miho no Matsubara	Kami no Michi, the Hagoromo Pine, and the Mihoshirube center	70 min
14:20	Miho landing	Water bus back to Hinode (about 15 min)	15 min travel
14:40	Shimizu Cruise Festival (Hinode Pier)	Food stalls, bon dancing at 15:00 and 16:00, stage performances	150 min
17:15	Hinode Pier	Return to ship. A send-off takes place on the pier from 17:45	—

Estimated budget: from about ¥12,000 per person (taxi, admissions, and meals included)

Since the water bus runs only 7 times a day, check the timetable at the Ejiri landing before you leave Kashi no Ichi. If the timing doesn’t work out, you can instead catch the Miho Yamanote Line bus from Shimizu Station (¥440, about 25 minutes).

Staying around the port all day is also a perfectly good option. Breakfast from the festival stalls, shopping at Dream Plaza, the sailing-ship exhibition at the Verkehr Museum, tuna at Kashi no Ichi, and bon dancing in the afternoon. You’ll walk far less, and the day will feel unhurried.

Nihondaira / Nihondaira Yume Terrace

A 360-degree observation facility atop a 307-meter hill. You can see Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Southern Alps, and Miho no Matsubara spread out below.

The observation walkway circling the building is open at any hour. The interior opens at 9:00. If you arrive sometime after 8:00, the right move is to take in the morning view of Mt. Fuji from the walkway first.

Mid-October is when the air clears, and clouds are less likely to hide the summit in the morning hours.

Kunozan Toshogu

Japan’s oldest Toshogu shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It’s about a 5-minute ropeway ride from Nihondaira, crossing high above a valley.

The shrine buildings are a National Treasure. The lacquer work, vivid polychrome decoration, and fine carvings remain strikingly bright today. The adjoining museum displays items connected to the Tokugawa family.

Admission is ¥700 for the shrine, ¥600 for the museum, or ¥1,200 for a combined ticket. With a long day in port, the combined ticket is the way to go.

For details on reaching Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu on your own, including costs, see our Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Guide.

Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”

A market where the catch landed at Shimizu Port is gathered — and opened up so that the general public can buy it too.

It consists of two buildings: the “Maguro-kan” (Tuna Hall), lined with restaurants specializing in tuna, and the “Ichiba-kan,” housing fishmongers and souvenir shops. Shimizu is one of Japan’s leading tuna ports, so this is the place for variety and freshness.

On a Saturday, most restaurants have lines at lunchtime. Aim to arrive sometime after 11:00 for a smoother seating.

Miho no Matsubara

A UNESCO World Heritage component site where Mt. Fuji rises beyond a grove of some 30,000 pine trees.

The pine-lined path running from the parking area to the shore is called “Kami no Michi” (the Path of the Gods), shaded overhead by tall pines. At its end stands the “Hagoromo Pine,” where legend says a celestial maiden hung her feathered robe. Step out onto the beach and Mt. Fuji stands across Suruga Bay. On a clear autumn afternoon, your odds of seeing it are good.

The adjacent visitor center, Mihoshirube (9:00–16:30, free admission), is currently showing a small exhibition on Sesshu, the 15th-century monk-painter, and his famous view of Mt. Fuji with Miho no Matsubara.

For more on the highlights, the Hagoromo legend, and access details, see our Miho no Matsubara UNESCO Guide.

S-PULSE Dream Plaza

A shopping and entertainment complex right next to Hinode Pier, five minutes’ walk from the festival grounds. It houses around 60 businesses; shops open at 10:00 and restaurants at 11:00.

Since Shimizu is the setting of the anime “Chibi Maruko-chan,” the complex includes Chibi Maruko-chan Land (¥1,200 for adults, ¥700 for ages 3 through elementary school). The 52-meter Dream Sky Ferris wheel costs ¥700 for one roughly 13-minute rotation.

You can pick up all your Shizuoka souvenirs in one place — tea, wasabi, and tuna products.

Opening status for Saturday, October 17, 2026

• Nihondaira Yume Terrace: Open (9:00–21:00 on Saturdays; it closes on the second Tuesday of the month, so no issue today. The observation walkway is open all day)
• Kunozan Toshogu: Open (9:00–17:00, no closing days)
• Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”: Open (closed Wednesdays; Ichiba-kan 9:30–17:30)
• Miho no Matsubara: Open all day. The Mihoshirube information center is open 9:00–16:30, year-round
• Verkehr Museum: Open (9:30–17:00, last entry 16:30; closed Mondays)
• S-PULSE Dream Plaza: Open (shops 10:00–20:00 / restaurants 11:00–21:00)
• Shimizu Port Water Bus: Scheduled to operate. With only 7 sailings a day, confirm the day’s timetable and service status at the landing
• Free shuttle bus (Dream Plaza): Weekend timetable, every 15 minutes. First departure from Dream Plaza at 10:00
• Shimizu Cruise Festival: Hinode Pier, 8:00–19:00, free admission

It’s a Saturday, so the Tuna Hall at Kashi no Ichi starts filling up after 11:30. An early lunch, or shifting to after 13:00, makes for a calmer meal.

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. Events in Shimizu on October 17, 2026

Shimizu Cruise Festival (Hinode Pier, 8:00–19:00, free admission)

A festival held on the quay at Hinode Pier, timed to coincide with Navigator of the Seas’ call. The venue is right where you step off the ship, and five minutes’ walk from Dream Plaza. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

In the interest of full disclosure: the operator of this site is one of the volunteers on the festival’s organizing committee.

The stage program on the yagura (festival tower) opens at 8:15 with “Global Radio Calisthenics,” Japan’s famous morning exercise routine led in English, and continues through the day with taiko drums and shamisen (at 8:30 and again at 13:25), traditional dance, an iaido sword demonstration, giant-brush calligraphy, rakugo comic storytelling performed in English (11:00), sword dance, yosakoi dance, koto music, a kimono show, and more taiko. From 14:30 there’s a karaoke contest, and the finale from 17:30 is Shimizu’s own “kappore” port dance.

Everyone is welcome to join the bon dance circle at 15:00 and again at 16:00. At 13:00 there’s a candy toss for children.

There are 15 food stalls, 5 goods stalls, 4 kids’ booths, and 5 sponsor booths. Expect tuna seafood bowls, Shizuoka oden, skewers of Shizuoka wagyu beef, festival classics such as grilled chicken wings and takoyaki, craft beer, and matcha lattes. On the goods side, look for traditional Japanese crafts, two-piece yukata rentals, Shimizu-themed T-shirts and tenugui cloths, and a daruma doll painting experience.

From 17:45 to 18:15 there’s a send-off on the pier as the ship prepares to sail. Once you’re back on board, the view down onto the festival grounds from the deck is something you’ll only get on a day like this.

Times and content are subject to change. Check the official site (https://shimizu-cruisefes.com/) for the latest.

Kids’ Captain Experience (Hinode water bus landing, no reservation needed)

At the Hinode water bus landing, right next to the festival grounds, children can try their hand at being a boat captain at 11:30, 13:00, 14:00, and 15:00, run by the Mt. Fuji Shimizu Port Cruise company. No reservation needed.

Verkehr Museum: “Sailing Ships of East and West”

A special exhibition comparing Japanese and Western sailing ships through paintings and models. Runs September 12 to November 15, 2026. Open 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30); ¥400 adults, ¥300 junior and senior high students, ¥200 elementary students. The museum is in Minatomachi, about a 10-minute walk from Hinode Pier.

Mihoshirube: “Miho no Matsubara as Painted by Sesshu”

A small exhibition at the Mihoshirube visitor center at Miho no Matsubara, built around the famous ink painting of Mt. Fuji and the pine grove by the 15th-century monk-painter Sesshu. Runs September 12 to November 29, 9:00–16:30, free admission.

“Our Renoir” at the Shizuoka City Museum of Art

If you venture into central Shizuoka, the Shizuoka City Museum of Art, three minutes’ walk from JR Shizuoka Station, is showing a major Renoir exhibition. Runs September 22 to November 15; open 10:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30); ¥1,600 adults.

⚠️ Events may be changed or canceled due to weather or other circumstances. Please check official sources before heading 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 trying on your day in port.

Dish	Where	Price range	Notes
Tuna rice bowls and sashimi platters	Maguro-kan (inside Kashi no Ichi)	¥1,000–2,500	Shimizu Port is tuna central. English menus and card payment available
Shimizu nigiri sushi	Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (inside Dream Plaza)	¥1,500–4,000	5 minutes’ walk from the port; several sushi restaurants side by side
Sakura shrimp kakiage fritters	Yui area / Kashi no Ichi	¥800–1,500	Autumn season starts in October. Many shops are cash-only
Seafood bowls and takeaway	Ichiba-kan (Kashi no Ichi)	¥500–2,000	Sakura shrimp shumai and other snacks to eat on the go
Shizuoka oden	Aoba Yokocho (central Shizuoka City)	¥500–1,500	Look for black hanpen fish cake and dashi powder. Most places open in the evening
Shirasu (whitebait) bowls	Shimizu and Miho area	Varies by shop	Raw shirasu depends on the day’s catch
Wasabi products	Throughout Shimizu and Shizuoka City	¥300–3,000	Shizuoka is Japan’s top wasabi producer. A popular souvenir

One thing I especially want to mention is sakura shrimp, an October delicacy.

Suruga Bay is the only place in Japan where sakura shrimp fishing is permitted. There are two seasons a year — spring (March–June) and autumn (October–December) — and your port call falls right as the autumn season opens.

These small, pale pink shrimp give off a wonderful toasty aroma when cooked. The classic preparation is kakiage — a fritter eaten with salt or tempura dipping sauce — where the shrimp layer upon one another inside the batter for a light, crisp bite.

You’ll find sakura shrimp dishes at the Ichiba-kan at Kashi no Ichi and at restaurants in Dream Plaza. Depending on the catch, raw sakura shrimp may also be on offer — meltingly sweet and an entirely different food from the cooked version. If you spot it, consider it your lucky day.

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 (inside the terminal)
• S-PULSE Dream Plaza: Free Wi-Fi available
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): Nationwide free Wi-Fi available
• For longer stays, buying a prepaid SIM at the airport is convenient

Payment Methods

Many businesses in Japan still operate primarily on cash, and at small restaurants and in taxis, cash is the sure bet.

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 may not work everywhere.

Near the port, you can withdraw cash using overseas-issued cards at Seven Bank ATMs inside convenience stores. As a rule of thumb, carrying ¥3,000–10,000 in cash per person per day will keep you covered.

IC Transit Cards

Nationally compatible IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA work on buses and trains.

You can buy one at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station. Cash is also accepted, but bus change machines only handle coins and ¥1,000 notes, so keep small change on hand.

Language Support

The tourist information desks (Shimizu Port Terminal and Shimizu Station) offer English assistance.

S-PULSE Dream Plaza and Kashi no Ichi have English menus and English-speaking staff. The Mihoshirube center at Miho no Matsubara stocks multilingual information brochures.

Taxis are generally Japanese-only. Showing your destination on Google Translate, or pointing to a spot name in this article, will get the message across.

Tourist Information Centers

• Inside the 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 Center (Shizuoka Station north exit, English available)	054-253-1170
Taxi (Shizutetsu Taxi central dispatch)	054-281-5111

8. Getting Back to the Ship

Navigator of the Seas departs at 18:00. Be sure to return to Hinode Pier by 17:30 at the latest.

Our model itinerary has you back at the pier by 17:15. Since the festival grounds are right in front of the pier, you can spend your last hour there without worrying about getting back. Just allow a little extra time to move through the crowd between the festival and the ship’s gate.

If you’re returning from Miho no Matsubara by water bus, sailings are limited — catching one departure earlier than you think you need gives you peace of mind.

If you get lost, search Google Maps for “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港 日の出埠頭.” It will give you directions from anywhere in the city.

In a taxi, simply say “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier (清水港 日の出埠頭)” and the driver will understand. Roads around the pier are expected to be congested because of the festival, so if you’re coming back from farther afield by taxi, leave a bit of a buffer. On days when a large cruise ship is berthed, the ship itself is your landmark — just look toward the harbor.

9. About Navigator of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas is a 139,999-ton cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. She is 311 meters long and carries about 3,400 passengers at double occupancy.

She entered service in 2002 as one of the Voyager-class ships, known for the Royal Promenade, an indoor boulevard running through the heart of the ship. In 2019 she underwent a major modernization that refreshed her pool deck, added water slides, and updated her restaurants.

October 17, 2026 marks her first-ever call at Shimizu Port. When a ship of this size is alongside Hinode Pier, the whole waterfront looks different.

From Hakodate to Shimizu on Suruga Bay, and onward to Tokyo — today’s call sits at the foot of Mt. Fuji on her way south along the Pacific coast of Honshu.

Mt. Fuji, a National Treasure shrine, tuna, and a bon dance on the pier. I hope your nine hours in Shimizu give you something to talk about as the ship sails on toward Tokyo.

良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.