📅 Friday, April 3, 2026 | Arrival 08:00 → Departure 18:00 | 10 hours ashore
Welcome to Shimizu Port in the heart of cherry blossom season! With 10 full hours to explore, you can experience the very best of Shimizu and Shizuoka today. Expect mild, mostly cloudy weather — perfect for sightseeing.
☁️ Today’s Weather
- Conditions: Mostly cloudy with occasional rain
- High: 19°C (66°F) / Low: 10°C (50°F)
- Chance of rain: 30%
- What to wear: Bring a folding umbrella just in case, plus a light jacket
> A 30% chance of rain means “maybe bring an umbrella.” Enjoy cherry blossom season in Shimizu to the fullest!
🎪 Today’s Events in Shimizu & Shizuoka
1. Japanese Elvis × Eel Feast Live Show (Suminoyaki Mankichi) — Today April 3 only! A unique live event at a local eel restaurant near the port
2. 30th Hotto Tea Ceremony — April 1–5
3. Cherry Blossoms at Nihondaira Summit & Parkway — Shimizu Ward
4. Kazuichi Hayashi Pottery Exhibition — March 28 – April 26
5. 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 — A 4-hour charter taxi (approx. ¥15,000–20,000) is ideal for groups wanting to cover multiple sights
🗺️ Recommended Itinerary for Today
10 hours ashore × Partly cloudy → Nihondaira, Toshogu & Miho Full Course
With 10 hours and manageable weather, you can hit all of Shimizu’s classic highlights in one day.
▶ 9:00 Nihondaira & Yume Terrace (approx. 1 hour)
Take the bus to Nihondaira (55 min). The Nihondaira Yume Terrace observation deck offers sweeping views of Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the Southern Alps. Even through clouds, the views are dramatic.
- 🎫 Observation floor: ¥360
- ⏰ 10:00–18:00 / Closed Tuesdays (open today ✓)
▶ 10:30 Kunozan Toshogu Shrine (approx. 1.5 hours)
Ride the Nihondaira Ropeway (5 min) down to Kunozan Toshogu, a National Treasure shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate. The brilliantly lacquered shrine buildings are stunning — fully enjoyable even in light rain.
- 🎫 Admission: ¥500 (shrine) / ¥800 (shrine + museum)
- ⏰ 9:00–17:00 / Open year-round
▶ 12:30 Shimizu Fish Market “Kashinoichi” — Lunch (approx. 1 hour)
Head to Shimizu’s famous fish market by taxi or bus. Don’t miss the fresh tuna bowl and the spring-only Sakura shrimp tempura.
- Tuna bowl (Maguro-don): ¥1,500–2,000
- Sakura shrimp tempura: from ¥800 (spring season only)
- ⏰ 9:30–17:30 / Closed Wednesdays (open today ✓)
▶ 14:00 Miho no Matsubara Pine Grove (approx. 1.5 hours)
Take the water bus or bus to Miho no Matsubara (25–30 min). Stroll through the World Heritage pine grove and catch views of Mt. Fuji between the clouds. The “Miho Shirubenkan” visitor center tells the story of the Hagoromo legend.
- 🎫 Free admission
- Water bus: ¥400 one-way (check schedule in advance)
▶ 16:00 S-Pulse Dream Plaza (approx. 1 hour)
A 5-minute walk from the port. Browse souvenirs and visit the beloved Chibi Maruko-chan Land to wrap up the day.
- ⏰ 10:00–20:00
▶ 17:30 Return to Shimizu Port
🍽️ Shimizu & Shizuoka’s Must-Try Food
| Food | About | Price |
|——|——-|——-|
| 🐟 Maguro-don (Tuna bowl) | Some of Japan’s freshest tuna, landed right here in Shimizu | from ¥1,500 |
| 🦐 Sakura shrimp tempura | Spring only! Tiny pink shrimp from Suruga Bay | from ¥800 |
| 🍢 Shizuoka Oden | Dark broth, black fish cakes — a beloved local B-grade classic | from ¥500 |
| 🌿 Wasabi | Shizuoka grows Japan’s finest wasabi — perfect as a souvenir | from ¥300 |
| 🍵 Shizuoka green tea | Japan’s #1 tea-producing region. Try the deep-steamed variety | from ¥500 |
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 port terminal and Shimizu Station tourist info center |
| 🚕 Taxi | Shizutetsu Taxi: 054-285-1212 |
| 🆘 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 Nippon Maru
Nippon Maru is one of Japan’s most celebrated luxury cruise ships (22,472 GT), operated by Mitsui OSK Passenger Line. Known for its exceptional Japanese hospitality and elegant service, she sails Japan’s most scenic coastal routes. Today she calls in from Hamajima (Mie Prefecture) and continues on to Yokohama.
We hope your time in Shimizu becomes a treasured memory of your journey. ⚓
*Information is current as of April 3, 2026. Please check with individual facilities for the latest details.*
