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📅 Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Arrival 07:00 → Departure 18:00 | 11 hours ashore
Welcome to Shimizu Port in cherry blossom season! You have a full 11 hours to explore today. Rain is in the forecast, but Shimizu has plenty of wonderful indoor and all-weather spots to enjoy. Here’s your perfect plan for today.
☁️ Today’s Weather
- Conditions: Rain
- High: 18°C (64°F) / Low: 12°C (54°F)
- Chance of rain: 50%
- What to wear: Light raincoat or folding umbrella + thin jacket
In Japan, spring rain is called “Hanachirashi” — the rain that scatters cherry blossoms. The sight of petals drifting on wet stone is a uniquely beautiful part of Japanese spring.
🎪 Today’s Events in Shimizu & Shizuoka
Cherry blossom season is in full bloom! Here are today’s highlights:
- Cherry Blossoms at Nihondaira Summit & Parkway — Shimizu Ward
- Cherry Blossoms at Shimizu Funakoshi Tsutsumi Park — Shimizu Ward
- 30th Hotto Tea Ceremony — April 1–5
- Kazuichi Hayashi Pottery Exhibition — March 28 – April 26
- Kazumi Akiyama Art Exhibition — April 1–30
🚌 Getting Around from the Port
- 🚶 Walking — S-Pulse Dream Plaza and Kashinoichi Market are 5–10 min on foot
- 🚌 Local bus — IC cards (Suica etc.) accepted. Most routes go via Shimizu Station
- 🚕 Taxi — For groups, a 4-hour charter taxi (approx. ¥15,000–20,000) is the most efficient way to see multiple sights
🗺️ Recommended Itinerary for Today
11 hours ashore × Rainy weather → Indoor-focused highlights tour
▶ 9:00 Kunozan Toshogu Shrine (approx. 2 hours)
Take the bus to Nihondaira (55 min) → Nihondaira Ropeway (5 min) → Kunozan Toshogu, a National Treasure shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate. The brilliantly colored shrine buildings are breathtaking — and fully enjoyable even in the rain.
- 🎫 Admission: ¥700 (shrine) / ¥1,200 (shrine + museum)
- ⏰ 9:00–17:00 / Open year-round
▶ 12:00 Shimizu Fish Market “Kashinoichi” — Lunch (approx. 1 hour)
Head to Shimizu’s famous fish market for the freshest tuna in Japan. Spring is also the season for Sakura shrimp — don’t miss the tempura kakiage!
- Tuna bowl (Maguro-don): ¥1,500–2,000
- Sakura shrimp tempura: from ¥800
- ⏰ 9:30–17:30 / Closed Wednesdays (open today ✓)
▶ 14:00 Toro Archaeological Site & Museum (approx. 1.5 hours)
A 25-minute taxi ride away. Explore a nationally designated Special Historic Site featuring reconstructed Yayoi period (2,000 years ago) dwellings and rice paddies. Perfect for history lovers.
- 🎫 Admission: ¥300
- ⏰ 9:00–16:30 / Closed Mondays except holidays (open today ✓)
▶ 16:00 S-Pulse Dream Plaza (approx. 1.5 hours)
A 5-minute walk from the port — fully indoors, great for rainy days. Browse the Chibi Maruko-chan Land (Shimizu’s beloved manga character!), pick up souvenirs, and grab a snack.
- ⏰ 10:00–20:00
▶ 17:30 Return to Shimizu Port
🍽️ Shimizu & Shizuoka’s Must-Try Food
| Food | About | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🐟 Maguro-don (Tuna bowl) | Shimizu lands some of Japan’s freshest tuna | from ¥1,500 |
| 🦐 Sakura shrimp tempura | Spring only! Tiny pink shrimp from Suruga Bay | from ¥800 |
| 🍢 Shizuoka Oden | Dark broth, black fish cakes — a local B-grade classic | from ¥500 |
| 🌿 Wasabi products | Shizuoka grows Japan’s best wasabi — great as a souvenir | from ¥300 |
ℹ️ Practical Information
| 💴 Payment | Cash is king in Japan. Major facilities accept cards. ATMs at convenience stores |
|---|---|
| 📶 Wi-Fi | Free Wi-Fi at the port terminal and S-Pulse Dream Plaza |
| 🗣️ Language | English-speaking staff at the port terminal and Shimizu Station tourist info |
| 🚕 Taxi | Shizutetsu Taxi Dispatch Center: 054-281-5111 |
| 🆘 Emergency | Police: 110 / Ambulance & Fire: 119 |
🚢 How to Get Back to Your Ship
Please be back at Shimizu Port “Hinode Pier” by 17:30 (30 minutes before departure). If you’re lost, search “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” on Google Maps or show a taxi driver: 清水港 日の出埠頭.
⛵ About Heritage Adventurer
Heritage Adventurer is an international cruise ship (8,445 GT) sailing from Tokyo to Shimizu, then onward to Nagoya. As a smaller vessel, she fits beautifully into the intimate atmosphere of Shimizu’s historic port.
We hope your time in Shimizu becomes a treasured memory of your journey. ⚓
*Information is current as of April 2, 2026. Please check with individual facilities for the latest details.*
