October 28, 2026 Shimizu Port Shore Day Guide for Celebrity Millennium Passengers

2026年10月25日

寄港日ガイド / Port Day Guide

Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Celebrity Millennium departs Kagoshima and arrives at Shimizu Port’s Hinode Pier at 07:00. She sails at 17:00 the same day, bound for Yokohama.

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

🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む

The scheduled time in port is 10 hours. Once you allow for disembarking and getting back on board, about 8 hours is a realistic window to spend outside the port. That is still enough to enjoy the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka in one day: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure shrine buildings, the Toro Archaeological Site, which recreates Yayoi-period life, the Kashi no Ichi market where Shimizu’s tuna is brought in, and Espulse Dream Plaza, right at the port.

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 the memories of Kagoshima still fresh, what should you see, eat, and do next in Shimizu? I’ll walk you through it 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.

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1. Port Day Basics

Here is the port schedule for October 28, 2026 at a glance.

Item	Details
Port date	Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Arrival	07:00
Departure	17:00
Scheduled time in port	About 10 hours
Realistic sightseeing time	About 8 hours
Berth	Shimizu Port, Hinode Pier
Previous port	Kagoshima
Next port	Yokohama

By the end of October, the air is often clear, though typhoons can still affect the weather. On a sunny day Mt. Fuji is beautifully visible, but rain is forecast this time, so I’ve prepared a plan centered on indoor and covered spots.

Late October is also the autumn sakura shrimp fishing season (October to December). You may come across fresh, in-season sakura shrimp at restaurants around the port.

2. Weather and What to Wear on October 28, 2026

The forecast for your port day is drizzle (moderate). The high is around 20.7℃ (69°F), the low around 14.8℃ (59°F), and the chance of rain is 64%.

If you’re not used to Celsius, use these as a guide: 15℃ = 59°F, 20℃ = 68°F, 25℃ = 77°F.

Daytime temperatures are comfortable, but the morning may feel a little chilly. A light jacket or something you can layer on will be handy.

With a high chance of rain, an umbrella or rain jacket is a must. Choose comfortable walking shoes that you won’t mind getting wet. It’s best to focus on covered or indoor spots.

7-day Shizuoka forecast by meteoblue

Please note that this forecast was current at the time of publication (a few days before your port day). The weather widget above always shows the latest weekly forecast, so check it again on the morning you arrive.

3. Getting from Shimizu Port to the City and Sights

For each type of transportation, I’ve summarized how fares work, how to pay, and how often it runs. If you want to make the most of your limited time in port, a taxi is the best choice.

🚕 Taxi (Most flexible — recommended)

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

The biggest advantage is that you can cover places that are hard to reach by public transport, such as Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu, in one go. If you split the fare in a group, the cost per person is more reasonable than you might expect. On a rainy day, a taxi is especially comfortable.

【Where to board】Taxis wait at Hinode Pier to meet cruise ship arrivals. If you don’t see one, the tourist information desk inside 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 it rises by ¥100 every 285 m. Time is also added while waiting at traffic lights or in traffic. It’s not rude to ask for a rough estimate before you get in, such as “About how much to ○○?”
【Chartering a taxi】Hourly charter is ¥7,700 per hour for a standard car. The sightseeing taxi plan (Shizutetsu Taxi) starts at ¥30,800 for 4 hours, which works out to about ¥7,700 per person for a group of 4. Show the driver your list of places you want to visit and work out the route together
【Payment】Cash and credit cards are the safest bet. Transit IC cards and QR payments vary by vehicle, so check before you ride if you want to use them. Tipping is not necessary
【Language】Most drivers speak only Japanese, but showing them the spot names in this article (with the Japanese names) on your phone will get your message across

🚌 Free Shuttle Buses (Connecting the port and Shimizu Station — a little-known helper)

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

There are two types of free buses at Shimizu Port. They board at different places, so it helps to know the difference.

① Espulse Dream Plaza Free Shuttle Bus (year-round, open to everyone)

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

It connects Dream Plaza, Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu), and JR Shimizu Station Minato Exit in about 8 minutes. The boarding point is not at Hinode Pier but at the Dream Plaza bus stop next 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 past each hour), and every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays (at :00, :15, :30, and :45). October 28 is a Wednesday, so the weekday 30-minute schedule applies
【First and last buses】From Dream Plaza, the first bus is at 10:00 and the last at 22:20. From JR Shimizu Station Minato Exit, the first bus is at 9:45
【Note】It does not run before 10:00 a.m. Since your ship arrives at 07:00, take a taxi or walk for your first move of the morning
【Best for】Getting to JR Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station. It saves you a walk of 20 minutes or more

② Free Shuttle Bus for Cruise Passengers (Arranged by the cruise line, port days only)

On port days, a free bus may run from right in front of Hinode Pier toward Shin-Shimizu Station and JR Shimizu Station. The biggest difference from ① is that you can board right after leaving the ship.

When Celebrity Millennium called on August 16, 2026, Ihara Kanko Bus operated this service, connecting 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. Please check the onboard announcements or ask staff at the pier after you disembark
How to tell them apart: ① is a red bus (with “S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA” on the body), while ② is a chartered vehicle that runs only on port days

⛴ Water Bus (Travel while enjoying views of Mt. Fuji from the sea)

The floating pontoon and boarding gate at water bus berth No. 1（撮影：清水港クルーズガイド編集部）

Small boats run from Hinode Pier (in front of Dream Plaza) to the Miho area and to Ejiri (toward Kashi no Ichi market). The ride itself is part of the Shimizu Port sightseeing experience. However, Mt. Fuji is hard to see on rainy or foggy days, so we don’t use it in this model route.

【How fares work】One flat fare per trip: ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for elementary school children. Hinode to Miho takes about 15 minutes, and Hinode to Ejiri about 10 minutes
【Frequency】7 sailings a day. Reservations are not possible; boarding is first come, first served
【How to buy tickets】Buy your ticket at the boarding point
【Cancellations】Because it runs within the harbor, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in bad weather such as typhoons. Check the day’s operation at the boarding point or by phone (054-353-2222)

🚏 Local Bus (The standard way to Miho — Shizutetsu Justline)

To reach Miho no Matsubara by public transport, take the “Miho Yamanote Line.” It costs ¥440 and takes about 25 minutes from Shimizu Station to the Miho no Matsubara Iriguchi stop.

【Frequency】Roughly 3 to 4 buses an hour during the day
【How it works】Board through the rear door and pay at the fare box at the front when you get off (pay-on-exit). With nationwide transit IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA, just tap when you board and when you get off
【Paying with cash】The change machine on the bus handles only coins and ¥1,000 bills. If you only have large bills, break them at a convenience store before boarding
【Note】To get from the port to the Shimizu Station bus terminal, you’ll need to take the free shuttle bus or walk

🚃 Train (To central Shizuoka)

This is an option if you want to venture out to the Shizuoka Station area, such as Aoba Yokocho (Shizuoka oden alley) or Sunpu Castle Park.

【JR Tokaido Line】Shimizu Station to Shizuoka Station costs ¥240 and takes about 12 minutes. Trains run 3 to 4 times an hour during the day
【Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu)】Shin-Shimizu Station to Shin-Shizuoka Station costs ¥350 and takes about 23 minutes. Trains run about every 8 minutes, so you can ride without worrying about the timetable
【Payment】Transit IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA work on both. Contactless credit card payment at the gates is not supported, so buy a ticket with an IC card or cash
【From the port to the stations】The free shuttle bus is convenient for getting to Shimizu Station and Shin-Shimizu Station. On a rainy day, traveling by covered train is also comfortable

🚶 On Foot (Fine for getting around the port area)

Espulse 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. If you take the water bus from Hinode to Ejiri (about 10 minutes), Kashi no Ichi is right in front of where you get off
JR Shimizu Station: About 1.5 km, 20–25 minutes on foot. We recommend the free shuttle bus
Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu): About 1 km, around 15 minutes on foot

For even more detail on transportation and practical information from the port, see our Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.

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

4. Recommended Model Route: “Rain or Shine — An Autumn Indoor Sightseeing Course”

If you’re deciding between a cruise line tour and a local tour or independent arrangements, start with our Shimizu Shore Excursions Compared, which lays out costs and who each option suits.

“With 10 hours in port, what should I see on a rainy day?”

This course is the answer to that question.

You’ll visit Kunozan Toshogu and the Toro Archaeological Site to the south first, then return to the port area to finish with a seafood lunch and shopping. It’s a one-way loop that avoids going back and forth between the port and distant spots, so no travel time is wasted.

Kunozan Toshogu’s shrine buildings have roofs, and the Toro Museum is indoors. I chose places that are easy to enjoy even in the rain.

Time	Spot	Details	Approx. duration
07:30	Hinode Pier → Nihondaira	Travel to Nihondaira by bus (about 55 min)	About 55 min
08:30	Kunozan Toshogu	Take the ropeway to see the National Treasure shrine buildings and the museum	About 120 min
10:45	Toro Archaeological Site and Toro Museum	Ride the ropeway back to Nihondaira, then take a taxi (about 20 min). Learn about Yayoi-period life	About 75 min
12:30	Kashi no Ichi	Taxi toward Shimizu Port (about 25 min). A late tuna rice bowl lunch	About 60 min
13:45	Espulse Dream Plaza	Chibi Maruko-chan Land and souvenir shopping	About 90 min
15:15	Hinode Pier	5-minute walk back to the ship. Be back by 16:30, 30 minutes before departure	Plenty of margin

Estimated budget: from about ¥7,000 per person (including taxi, admission, and meals)

Kunozan Toshogu

This is the oldest Toshogu shrine in Japan, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The brilliantly colored National Treasure shrine buildings look vivid even on a rainy day. From Nihondaira, you can ride the ropeway for about 5 minutes and enjoy a sky-high ride on the way.

Admission is ¥700 for the shrine buildings, ¥600 for the museum, and ¥1,200 for a combination ticket. The combination ticket that includes the museum is the better deal.

For how to get to Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu on your own, and what it costs, see our Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu Guide.

Toro Archaeological Site and Toro Museum

This is the site of a settlement from the Yayoi period, about 2,000 years ago, and is designated a Special Historic Site by the national government. Reconstructed pit dwellings and rice paddies stand side by side.

The site and the museum’s first floor are free, and the permanent exhibition on the second floor costs ¥300. On a rainy day, focus on the museum and take an umbrella for a short walk around the site. English support is limited, so this spot is best for history lovers.

Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi no Ichi”

The counter at Kaisengumi, a seafood delicacy shop, with overseas visitors browsing（撮影：清水港クルーズガイド編集部）

This market gathers local seafood, including tuna landed at Shimizu Port. The tuna rice bowl at Maguro-kan is a dish you should try when you come to Shimizu.

It’s a 3–5 minute walk from the east exit of JR Shimizu Station, and it’s indoors, so it’s comfortable in the rain. At this time of year, you may find sakura shrimp dishes on the menu.

Espulse Dream Plaza

The Shizuoka sake corner in Suruga Minori Market, on the ground floor of Dream Plaza（撮影：清水港クルーズガイド編集部）

This complex is about a 5-minute walk from the port, and you can spend time indoors even on a rainy day. Chibi Maruko-chan Land costs ¥1,200 for adults and ¥700 for elementary school children and younger (ages 3 and up), and is open 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30).

If you finish your souvenir shopping here, you’ll have the shortest route back to the ship.

Business status on Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Kunozan Toshogu: Open (9:00–17:00, open daily)
Toro Museum: Open (it closes on Mondays, so it is open on Wednesday. 9:00–16:30)
Kashi no Ichi: Wednesday is its regular closing day, so both Ichiba-kan and Maguro-kan are likely to be closed (it is not a public holiday). Please consider the lunch alternative below
Espulse Dream Plaza: Open (shops 10:00–20:00 / restaurants 11:00–21:00, varies by store). Chibi Maruko-chan Land is open year-round

Alternative to Kashi no Ichi: October 28 is a Wednesday, which is Kashi no Ichi’s regular closing day. For lunch (around 12:30), we recommend taking a taxi directly to Espulse Dream Plaza and enjoying tuna sushi at Shimizu Sushi Yokocho. That way you’ll spend longer at Dream Plaza, so you can enjoy a relaxed meal and shopping.

For other options beyond those introduced here, from walkable spots to half-day courses and rainy-day plans, see 20 Things to Do in Shimizu.

5. Events in Shimizu on October 28, 2026

Unfortunately, we could not confirm any specific events taking place on your port day (October 28, 2026). For the latest information on the day, check the tourist information desk inside the Shimizu Port passenger terminal, or search “清水イベント” on your smartphone.

6. Local Food Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka

The Shimizu and Shizuoka area is one of the best food destinations in Japan. Here are the local specialties I hope you’ll try on your port day.

Dish	Where	Approx. price	Notes
Tuna rice bowl / sashimi platter	Maguro-kan (inside Kashi no Ichi)	¥1,000–2,500	10-minute walk from the port. May be closed on Wednesdays
Shimizu tuna sushi / sakura shrimp gunkan	Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (inside Dream Plaza)	¥1,500–4,000	5-minute walk from the port. Indoors, comfortable in the rain
Sakura shrimp kakiage (tempura fritter)	Yui Fishing Port area	¥800–1,500	25 minutes by car. In autumn fishing season. Cash only
Shizuoka oden	Aoba Yokocho area	¥500–1,500	Known for black hanpen (fish cake) and dashi powder. Opens in the evening
Seafood rice bowl / seared tuna	Ichiba-kan (Kashi no Ichi)	¥500–2,000	Takeout available. Closed on Wednesdays
Wasabi products	Throughout Shimizu and Shizuoka City	¥300–3,000	Freshly grated real wasabi, wasabi soft serve, and more

The one I most want to tell you about is sakura shrimp, a seasonal treat unique to October.

Sakura shrimp are tiny shrimp, a specialty of Suruga Bay. The fishing seasons are spring (March to June) and autumn (October to December), and late October is just when the autumn season gets under way.

In autumn, crispy kakiage fritters are especially popular, offering a light crunch along with the shrimp’s savory aroma and sweetness. Shops in the Yui Fishing Port area are famous for it, but it takes about 25 minutes by car from the port.

If you’re short on time, you can also try sakura shrimp gunkan at Shimizu Sushi Yokocho in Dream Plaza. Since you’re visiting Shimizu, be sure to try sakura shrimp at least once.

For a deeper look at the seasons, ways to eat, and recommended restaurants for tuna, sakura shrimp, and shirasu (whitebait), see our Shimizu Seafood Guide.

7. Practical Information for a Worry-Free Day

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available inside the Shimizu Port terminal and at Espulse Dream Plaza. Nationwide free Wi-Fi is also available at 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart. If you’ll be traveling a lot, it’s a good idea to get a prepaid SIM in advance.

Payment Methods

In Japan, many small restaurants and taxis in particular are cash-based. Credit cards are accepted at large stores in Espulse Dream Plaza and Kashi no Ichi. Visa and Mastercard are the easiest to use, and some shops don’t accept Amex or Diners.

There are Seven Bank ATMs inside convenience stores near the port. We recommend carrying about ¥3,000–10,000 in cash per person per day.

Transit IC Cards

Transit IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA work on buses and trains. You can buy them at convenience stores near the port and at Shimizu Station. You can also pay with cash, but change may not always be available, so it helps to have coins ready.

Language Support

The tourist information desks at Shimizu Port Terminal and Shimizu Station have English support. Some shops at Espulse Dream Plaza and Kashi no Ichi also offer English menus or English-speaking staff. Taxis are generally Japanese only, so we recommend using Google Translate.

Tourist Information Centers

Inside the Shimizu Port Passenger Terminal (right after 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 General Tourist Information Center (Shizuoka Station North Exit, English available)	054-253-1170
Taxi (Shizutetsu Taxi General Dispatch Center)	054-281-5111

8. Getting Back to Your Ship

Celebrity Millennium departs at 17:00. Please be back at Hinode Pier by 16:30, 30 minutes before departure.

If you get lost, search “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港日の出埠頭” in Google Maps to get directions from where you are.

If you’re taking a taxi, tell the driver “清水港日の出埠頭 (Hinode Pier).”

Since the last stop on this model route is Dream Plaza, you can walk back to the pier in about 5 minutes. The ground can be slippery in the rain, so allow plenty of time.

9. About Celebrity Millennium

Celebrity Millennium is a 91,011-ton ship operated by Celebrity Cruises. She entered service in July 2000 as the lead ship of the Millennium class, with a length of 294 m and a capacity of 2,218 passengers. As a premium ship that champions modern luxury, she is well regarded for the quality of her dining and service.

In 2019, she underwent a major refurbishment under Celebrity Cruises’ fleet modernization program, “Celebrity Revolution.” Staterooms, restaurants, and lounges were updated to the standards of the latest generation, and The Retreat Sundeck, a sun deck exclusively for suite guests, was added.

In the 2026 season, she is the foreign cruise ship that calls at Shimizu Port most often, with 12 calls scheduled for the year. She is a familiar favorite on Asia itineraries sailing from Japan.

From Kagoshima to Shimizu, and then on to Yokohama. Somewhere along your journey from southern Kyushu, through the center of Japan, and on to the east, I hope your rainy day in Shimizu becomes a quiet and memorable time. Take it slowly, enjoying the vivid colors of Kunozan Toshogu and the timeless history of the Toro Archaeological Site.

良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.