August 9, 2026 Shimizu Port Shore Day Guide for Asuka III Passengers

Sunday, August 9, 2026. After departing Kobe and sailing northeast across Suruga Bay, Asuka III arrives at Hinode Pier in Shimizu Port at 08:00. She sails again the same day at 22:00, bound once more for Kobe.

🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む

On paper you have 14 hours in port, but once you factor in disembarkation and the return to the ship, roughly 12 hours is what you can realistically spend ashore. Even so, that’s plenty of time to enjoy the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka in a single day: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure halls, the Toro Ruins where life from 2,000 years ago is preserved, the Kashi-no-Ichi fish market where Shimizu’s tuna comes ashore, and S-Pulse Dream Plaza right beside the pier.

Think of this page as your morning paper for your day in port — something to read on the morning your ship arrives at Shimizu, August 9, 2026. With Kobe still fresh in your memory, what should you see, eat, and do next 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. Port Call Essentials

First, here’s your August 9, 2026 port schedule at a glance.

Item	Details
Date in port	Sunday, August 9, 2026
Arrival	08:00
Departure	22:00
Scheduled time in port	Approx. 14 hours
Realistic sightseeing time	Approx. 12 hours
Berth	Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port
Previous port	Kobe
Next port	Kobe

An 08:00 arrival and 22:00 departure makes this an unusually long call for Shimizu. You’ll have time to cover the main sights during the day and still enjoy dinner at the port or an evening stroll along the waterfront. Since it’s a Sunday, downtown Shizuoka and Shimizu will be lively with families out and about.

Early August falls just before the Obon holiday, right in the heart of the summer vacation season. In most years, the Shimizu Minato Festival takes place between late July and early August, filling the whole city with a summer mood. Daytime heat and humidity can be intense, so it’s wise to work indoor attractions into your route.

2. Weather and What to Wear on August 9, 2026

The forecast for your day in port calls for thunderstorms. The high is 29.2℃ (85°F), the low 24.2℃ (76°F), and the chance of rain is a hefty 85%. If you’re not used to Celsius, use these as a guide: 25℃=77°F, 30℃=86°F, 35℃=95°F.

An 85% chance of rain essentially means “expect rain.” Be sure to bring a folding umbrella or rain jacket when you go ashore. It’s smart to build your day around indoor attractions, and the model route later in this guide has been designed with rain in mind. If there’s thunder, keep visits to unsheltered spots such as observation decks and beaches brief.

Temperatures should stay just under 30℃, but with high humidity it will feel very muggy. Wear quick-drying clothing and drink cold beverages frequently. Comfortable walking shoes are a better choice than sandals on wet pavement. Pacing yourself with a break in an air-conditioned space about once an hour will feel just right on a day like this.

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 to the City and Sightseeing Areas

Hinode Pier at Shimizu Port is conveniently close to both the city center and the main sights. Below is a breakdown of each option, including how fares work, payment methods, and frequency. If you want maximum freedom within your limited time in port, a taxi is your best bet — and with rain in the forecast, a taxi or train will feel especially comfortable on this particular day.

🚕 Taxi (the most flexible option — recommended)

The biggest advantage is being able to combine hard-to-reach destinations like Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu in one trip. Split among a group, the per-person cost is more reasonable than you might expect. Our model route below uses taxis.

• 【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-based charges also apply while waiting at lights or in traffic. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask roughly how much a ride to a given destination will cost before you get in
• 【Chartering option】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 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 plan to use them. No tipping required
• 【Language】Most drivers speak only Japanese, but showing the spot names from this article (with Japanese text) on your phone works just fine

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

Shimizu Port has two different free buses, and they leave from different places.

1. The S-Pulse Dream Plaza free shuttle (year-round, open to everyone)

It links Dream Plaza, Shizutetsu Shin-Shimizu Station and the Minato exit of JR Shimizu Station in about 8 minutes. It leaves from the Dream Plaza bus stop next to the pier, not from Hinode Wharf itself.

• Fare: free. You don’t need to be a shopper to ride
• Frequency: every 30 minutes on weekdays (departing Dream Plaza on the hour and half hour), every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays
• First and last: first bus from Dream Plaza at 10:00, last at 22:20; first from JR Shimizu Station at 9:45
• It does not run before 10:00. On an early arrival, take a taxi or walk for your first move of the day

2. A port-day shuttle for cruise passengers (arranged by the cruise line)

On call days a free bus often leaves from directly in front of Hinode Wharf for Shin-Shimizu and JR Shimizu stations. Unlike the Dream Plaza shuttle, you board it steps from the gangway. During the Celebrity Millennium call on August 16, 2026, it was operated by Ihara Kanko (verified on site by our editors). Whether it runs, and its times and destinations, vary by call — check your ship’s daily program or ask the staff on the pier.

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

Small boats connect the Hinode landing (in front of Dream Plaza) with the Miho area 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 leg. Hinode to Miho takes about 15 minutes; Hinode to Ejiri about 10 minutes
• 【Frequency】Seven sailings per day. No reservations — boarding is first come, first served
• 【Tickets】Purchase at the landing
• 【Cancellations】Since the route stays within the harbor, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in severe weather such as typhoons. Check the day’s operating status at the landing or by phone (054-353-2222). With thunderstorms forecast, anyone hoping to ride should check first thing in the morning

🚏 Local bus (the standard way to Miho — Shizutetsu Just Line)

To reach 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 entrance.

• 【Frequency】Roughly 3–4 buses per hour during the day
• 【How to ride】Board through the rear door and pay at the farebox up front when you get off. With nationally compatible IC cards such as Suica or ICOCA, just tap when boarding and again when alighting
• 【If paying cash】The onboard change machine accepts only coins and ¥1,000 notes. If you only have larger bills, break them at a convenience store before boarding
• 【Note】You’ll need to take the free shuttle bus or walk from the port to the Shimizu Station bus terminal

🚃 Train (to central Shizuoka City)

This is your option for venturing to the Shizuoka Station area, home to Aoba Yokocho (Shizuoka oden) and Sunpu Castle Park. Even on a rainy day, you can travel station to station without getting wet.

• 【JR Tokaido Line】Shimizu to Shizuoka: ¥240, about 12 minutes. Three to four 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 IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA. Contactless credit card tapping is not supported at the gates, 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 (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 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, roughly 15 minutes on foot

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

• For the correct link, please see the Shimizu Cruise Port Complete Guide.

4. Recommended Model Route: “A Rainy-Day Full Course of Shizuoka”

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

“What should I see in 12 hours?” Here’s our answer, tailored to the rainy forecast for August 9. This itinerary centers on places you can enjoy under a roof. In the morning you cover Kunozan Toshogu and the Toro Ruins to the south, then return to the port area in the afternoon for a tuna rice bowl and Dream Plaza. Because it flows in one direction rather than shuttling back and forth, you’ll spend far less energy on travel in the rain.

The halls at Kunozan Toshogu can be viewed under cover, and the ropeway runs in rain (except in strong winds or lightning). The Toro Museum and Dream Plaza are entirely indoors. The beauty of this route is that bad weather won’t derail the whole day.

Time	Spot	What you’ll do	Time needed
08:30	Hinode Pier	Disembark, taxi to Nihondaira (about 30 min)	30 min
09:00	Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu	Peek at Yume Terrace, then a 5-minute ropeway ride. Visit the National Treasure halls and museum	120 min
11:00	Transfer	Ropeway back to Nihondaira, taxi to the Toro Ruins (about 20 min)	30 min
11:30	Toro Ruins & Toro Museum	Learn about Yayoi-period life through the reconstructed village and excavated artifacts	75 min
12:45	Transfer	Taxi toward Shimizu Port (about 25 min)	30 min
13:15	Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”	A late tuna bowl lunch and souvenir shopping	75 min
14:30	Transfer	Free shuttle bus to Dream Plaza (about 10 min)	15 min
14:45	S-Pulse Dream Plaza	Chibi Maruko-chan Land, Shimizu Sushi Museum, shopping	180 min
17:45	Shimizu Sushi Yokocho	Dinner. Locally caught tuna sushi and sakura shrimp gunkan	90 min
19:15	Dream Sky Ferris wheel	Night views of the harbor and Asuka III from 52 m up	45 min
20:15	Hinode Pier	A 5-minute walk back to the ship. Board by 21:30	60 min

Estimated budget: from about ¥10,000 per person (taxi, admissions, and meals included)

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

Japan’s oldest Toshogu shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. From Nihondaira, a mere 5-minute ropeway ride carries you across a valley and down to the grounds on the mountainside. The shrine buildings, covered in vividly colored carvings, are designated National Treasures, and since viewing takes place under cover, rain is no obstacle. Admission is ¥700 for the shrine, ¥600 for the museum, or ¥1,200 for both. The combination ticket is the better value if you plan to see the museum’s collection of Ieyasu-related artifacts. Open 9:00–17:00, year-round.

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

Nihondaira & Nihondaira Yume Terrace

A 360-degree observation facility atop a 307-meter hill. On a clear day you can take in Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, the Southern Alps, and Miho no Matsubara all at once — though on this day it may well be shrouded in cloud. Even so, the wooden observation corridor is impressive as a piece of architecture, and it’s right next to the ropeway station, making it well worth a stop. Admission is free; open 9:00–17:00 on Sundays.

Toro Ruins & Toro Museum

A nationally designated Special Historic Site preserving a Yayoi-period village from around 2,000 years ago. Walking among the reconstructed pit dwellings and paddy fields gives you a real feel for the dawn of rice cultivation in Japan. The museum’s first floor introduces daily life of the era, and the second-floor permanent exhibition (¥300 general admission) displays excavated items designated Important Cultural Properties. Open 9:00–16:30, closed Mondays — so it’s open on this Sunday.

Shimizu Fish Market “Kashi-no-Ichi”

A market where tuna landed at Shimizu Port is gathered, opened up so that the general public can visit too. It comprises two buildings: “Maguro-kan,” lined with restaurants, and “Ichiba-kan,” selling fresh fish, dried seafood, and souvenirs. As you’d expect from Japan’s leading tuna-canning town, bowls combining lean akami, medium-fatty chutoro, and premium otoro are a specialty here, with prices generally in the ¥1,000–2,500 range. Ichiba-kan is open 9:30–17:30, closed Wednesdays.

S-Pulse Dream Plaza

A complex of roughly 60 shops right beside the pier. Highlights include Chibi Maruko-chan Land (¥1,200 adults, ¥700 ages 3 through elementary school; 10:00–20:00), inspired by the fact that Shimizu is the hometown of “Chibi Maruko-chan” creator Momoko Sakura; Shimizu Sushi Yokocho, a row of sushi restaurants; and the Shimizu Sushi Museum (¥500 adults, half price with a receipt from Sushi Yokocho), which traces the history of sushi. It’s all indoors, so a rainy afternoon spent here won’t feel dull.

Dream Sky Ferris Wheel

Perched on the roof of Dream Plaza, this 52-meter-high Ferris wheel takes about 13 minutes per rotation. Tickets are ¥700. It runs until 21:00 from April through October, making it a perfect after-dinner finale. Looking down on the illuminated harbor with Asuka III alongside the quay is a sight unique to your day in port. Closed during strong winds.

Opening status on Sunday, August 9, 2026

• Kunozan Toshogu: 9:00–17:00, open year-round → Open
• Nihondaira Yume Terrace: 9:00–17:00 on Sundays (closed 2nd Tuesday) → Open
• Toro Ruins & Toro Museum: 9:00–16:30, closed Mondays → Open
• Kashi-no-Ichi (Ichiba-kan): 9:30–17:30, closed Wednesdays → Open (most Maguro-kan restaurants serve roughly 11:00–15:00)
• S-Pulse Dream Plaza: shops 10:00–20:00, restaurants 11:00–21:00 (individual shops set their own days off) → Open
• Chibi Maruko-chan Land: 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30), open year-round → Open
• Dream Sky Ferris wheel: 10:00–21:00 (April–October) → Open, suspended in strong winds
• Verkehr Museum: 9:30–16:30, closed Mondays → Open (not included in this route, but within walking distance along the waterfront)

On an early-August Sunday, both Kashi-no-Ichi and Dream Plaza get crowded with vacationing families. Popular restaurants in Maguro-kan draw lines around noon, so shifting lunch to after 13:00, as in this route, keeps your wait time down.

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. Shimizu Events on August 9, 2026

August 9 is a Sunday in the thick of summer vacation. Shimizu typically enters a lively stretch at this time of year, with the afterglow of its summer festivals still in the air.

That said, we weren’t able to confirm any specific events taking place in the Shimizu or Shizuoka area on this particular day. For information on what’s happening, ask at the tourist information desk inside the Shimizu Port Passenger Terminal right after you disembark, or at the Shimizu Station tourist information center. Searching “清水 イベント” on your smartphone sometimes turns up recent listings on local information sites. You may just stumble upon an impromptu summer festival or a shopping street event.

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

6. Local Food Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka

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

Dish	Where	Price range	Notes
Tuna rice bowl (maguro-don)	Kashi-no-Ichi Maguro-kan (10 min on foot)	¥1,000–2,500	Akami, chutoro, and otoro in one bowl. English menus available
Locally caught tuna sushi	Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (inside Dream Plaza, 5 min on foot)	¥1,500–4,000	The closest sushi spot to the port. 11:00–21:00
Raw shirasu rice bowl	Kashi-no-Ichi, Dream Plaza	approx. ¥1,000–2,000	A Suruga Bay summer staple. Translucent raw whitebait is all about freshness
Sakura shrimp kakiage	Yui area (25 min by car) and around the city	¥800–1,500	Fishing seasons are spring and autumn; frozen and processed versions are available year-round in the city
Shizuoka oden	Aoba Yokocho (20 min by train + 5 min on foot)	¥500–1,500	Kuro-hanpen fish cake with dashi powder and aonori seaweed. From 17:00
Seafood takeaway	Kashi-no-Ichi Ichiba-kan	¥500–2,000	Minced tuna, sakura shrimp shumai. Great for gifts, too
Wasabi treats	Throughout Shimizu and Shizuoka City	¥300–3,000	Shizuoka is Japan’s top wasabi producer. Wasabi soft-serve is popular too

One seasonal delicacy we especially want to highlight for August is raw shirasu (whitebait). Shirasu is a Suruga Bay summer staple, but because it spoils quickly, it can only be served raw on days when there’s been a catch. Summer makes freshness even harder to guarantee, which is exactly what makes finding it so rewarding. Its silky texture and subtle sweetness make it an entirely different food from the boiled kama-age variety. Ask at the eateries in Kashi-no-Ichi or the sushi restaurants in Dream Plaza: “Nama shirasu, kyō arimasu ka?” (“Do you have raw shirasu today?”) If you see a sign announcing today’s delivery, you’ve hit the jackpot.

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 Ashore

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in the Shimizu Port terminal and at S-Pulse Dream Plaza. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart also offer free nationwide Wi-Fi, so ducking in out of the rain to get online is a handy option. For longer stays, buying a prepaid SIM at the airport is the most convenient choice.

Payment

Cash is still the norm at many Japanese businesses, and it’s the surest option at small restaurants and in taxis. Credit cards are accepted at the larger stores in Dream Plaza and Kashi-no-Ichi. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted; Amex and Diners may be declined. Convenience stores near the port have Seven Bank ATMs that accept overseas-issued cards for cash withdrawals. Carrying ¥3,000–10,000 in cash per person per day will let you move around with peace of mind.

IC transit cards

Nationally compatible IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA work on both buses and trains. You can buy one at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station. Cash is also fine, but bus change machines only accept coins and ¥1,000 notes, so keep small change on hand.

Language support

The tourist information centers (Shimizu Port terminal and Shimizu Station) offer English assistance. Many shops and restaurants at Dream Plaza and Kashi-no-Ichi have English menus or English-speaking staff, and the “Mihoshirube” facility at Miho no Matsubara distributes multilingual pamphlets. Assume taxi drivers speak only Japanese — show them the Japanese place names from this article on your screen, or use Google Translate.

Tourist information centers

• Inside the Shimizu Port Passenger Terminal: right where you disembark
• Shimizu Station Tourist Information Center: about 1.5 km from the port (free shuttle bus or a 20–25 minute walk)

Emergency contacts

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

8. Getting Back to the Ship

Asuka III departs at 22:00. Plan to be back at Hinode Pier by 21:30 at the latest. Since you’ll be returning after dark, allow yourself a little extra travel time to stay relaxed.

If you get lost, search Google Maps for “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港 日の出埠頭” for directions. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Dream Plaza.

If you take a taxi, tell the driver “清水港 日の出埠頭 (Hinode Pier).” On cruise days local drivers know exactly where the ships berth, so that’s all you need to say. During heavy rain, don’t force yourself to walk — a taxi is the reliable choice.

9. About Asuka III

Asuka III is a 52,265-gross-ton Japanese-flagged cruise ship launched by NYK Cruises on July 20, 2025 (Shimizu Port’s scheduled arrival lists sometimes state 52,200 tons). She measures 230 m long and 29.8 m wide, with capacity for 740 guests. Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, she was created to combine European shipbuilding expertise with Japanese hospitality. Her home port is Yokohama.

Her defining feature is that every cabin has a private balcony. Guest capacity is set lower than that of her predecessor Asuka II (50,444 tons, 872 guests), meaning the extra size has been channeled into more space per person. The result is an environment where distinctly Japanese design sensibilities coexist with the sense of escape that only a ship at sea can offer.

In 2026, her second year of service, she is operating a wide range of Japan round-trip itineraries, including cruises timed to fireworks festivals and voyages to Hokkaido and the Seto Inland Sea. This Shimizu call is one day on a round trip out of Kobe and back to Kobe — a route that reflects this ship’s character of exploring Japan’s ports with care.

From Kobe to Shimizu and back to Kobe: this day marks the very turning point of the round trip, and we hope you’ll enjoy it without letting the rainy forecast dampen your spirits. National Treasure shrine halls, 2,000-year-old rice paddies, and the port’s famous tuna — Shimizu has plenty to offer even under a roof. We hope to see you at this port again. 良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.

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More Asuka III Calls at Shimizu Port

Guides for this ship’s other port calls:

• Port Call Guide: July 19, 2026