October 27, 2026 Shimizu Port Shore Day Guide for Diamond Princess Passengers

2026年10月24日2026年10月25日

寄港日ガイド / Port Day Guide

Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Diamond Princess departs Tokushima Komatsushima, sails east across the Pacific, and arrives at Hinode Pier in Shimizu Port at 13:00. She departs the same day at 19:00, bound for Yokohama.

🇯🇵 日本語版はこちら: 日本語で読む

The scheduled time in port is six hours. Once you allow for disembarking and getting back on board, a realistic window for exploring is about 4.5 hours. Even so, that’s enough to enjoy the best of Shimizu and Shizuoka in a single day: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine with its National Treasure shrine buildings, the Kawagishi no Ichi market where Shimizu Port’s tuna is brought in, and S-Pulse 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 memories of Tokushima Komatsushima still fresh, what should you see, eat, and do next in Shimizu? Here is the answer 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 27, 2026, at a glance.

Item	Details
Port day	Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Arrival	13:00
Departure	19:00
Scheduled time in port	About 6 hours
Realistic sightseeing time	About 4.5 hours
Berth	Shimizu Port, Hinode Pier
Previous port	Tokushima Komatsushima
Next port	Yokohama

Late October is deep autumn in Shimizu. September and October are also typhoon season, and this time the forecast calls for heavy rain.

Since the ship arrives in the afternoon, your sightseeing time runs until early evening. The days are getting shorter, so it’s best to finish any outdoor sightseeing while it’s still light.

2. Weather and What to Wear on October 27, 2026

The forecast for port day is heavy showers. The high is around 24℃ (75°F), the low around 19℃ (66°F), and the chance of rain is 90%.

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

Temperatures are mild, but expect heavy rain. A rain jacket or windbreaker is easier to move around in than an umbrella.

Wear shoes that can get wet, and bring a spare pair of socks. Choosing mostly indoor activities will keep you comfortable even in the rain.

7-day Shizuoka forecast by meteoblue

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

3. Getting from Shimizu Port to the City and Attractions

Below, each way of getting around is broken down by how fares work, how to pay, and how often it runs. If you want to make the most of your limited time in port, taxis are the best choice. On a rainy day, taxis and trains keep you dry and comfortable.

🚕 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 taxi stand at Hinode Pier, with the TaaS taxi-tour information truck（撮影：清水港クルーズガイド編集部）

The biggest advantage is that you can visit places that are hard to reach by public transport, such as Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu, in one trip. Split among a group, the cost per person is more affordable than you might expect. We use a taxi in this article’s model route too.

【Where to board】Taxis wait at Hinode Pier to meet arriving cruise ships. If you don’t see one, the tourist information desk in the port terminal can call one for you (Shizutetsu Taxi Dispatch Center: 054-281-5111)
【How fares work】Taxis are metered. The base fare is ¥700 (up to 1.17 km), then rises by ¥100 for every 285 m. Time spent waiting at lights or in traffic is also added. It’s perfectly polite to ask for a rough estimate before you get in, such as “About how much to ◯◯?”
【Chartering a taxi】Hourly charter for a standard car is ¥7,700 per hour. The sightseeing taxi plan (Shizutetsu Taxi) starts at ¥30,800 for 4 hours, or about ¥7,700 per person for a group of four. 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. Acceptance of transit IC cards and QR payments varies 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 the spot names in this article (with Japanese text) on your phone will get the message across

🚌 Free Shuttle Buses (Connecting the Port and Shimizu Station — An Underrated Ally)

The east–west concourse of JR Shimizu Station, lined with S-Pulse banners（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 leave from different stops, so it helps to know which is which.

① S-Pulse 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 the Minato exit of JR Shimizu Station in about 8 minutes. The stop is at Dream Plaza next to the pier, not at Hinode Pier itself.

【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 each hour), every 15 minutes on weekends and holidays (at :00, :15, :30, and :45)
【First and last buses】From Dream Plaza, first bus at 10:00 and last bus at 22:20. From the Minato exit of JR Shimizu Station, first bus at 9:45
【Note】It doesn’t run before 10:00 a.m. Since the ship arrives at 13:00 this time, that won’t be a problem
【Best for】Heading to JR Shimizu Station or Shin-Shimizu Station. It saves you a walk of over 20 minutes

② Free Shuttle Buses for Cruise Passengers, Port Days Only (arranged by the cruise line)

On port days, a free bus may run from right in front of Hinode Pier toward Shin-Shimizu Station and JR Shimizu Station. The big 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 between Hinode Pier, Shin-Shimizu Station, and JR Shimizu Station (confirmed on site by our editorial team)
Whether it runs, and its times and destinations, vary with each port call. Check the onboard announcements, or ask staff on 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 on port days only

⛴ Water Bus (Travel by Sea with Views of Mt. Fuji)

The ticket counter sign at the water bus terminal（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 Kawagishi no Ichi market). The ride itself is part of the Shimizu Port experience. With heavy rain in the forecast, we recommend checking on the day whether any sailings are canceled or suspended.

【How fares work】A flat fare per section: ¥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 aren’t accepted; boarding is first come, first served
【How to buy tickets】Buy your ticket at the boarding point
【Cancellations】Because the route stays within the harbor, cancellations are rare, but service may be suspended in typhoons or other severe weather. Check at the boarding point or by phone (054-353-2222) for that day’s operations

🚏 Local Bus (The Classic Route 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 entrance.

【Frequency】Roughly 3–4 buses an hour during the day
【How to ride】Board through the rear door and pay at the fare box at the front when you get off. If you use a nationwide transit IC card such as Suica or ICOCA, just tap when you board and again 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 the option for heading to the area around Shizuoka Station, such as Aoba Yokocho for Shizuoka oden or Sunpu Castle Park.

【JR Tokaido Line】Shimizu Station to Shizuoka Station costs ¥240 and takes about 12 minutes. Trains run 3–4 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】Both accept transit IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA. 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 the convenient way to reach Shimizu Station and Shin-Shimizu Station

🚶 On Foot (Fine for Staying Near the Port)

S-Pulse Dream Plaza: right next to the pier (1–3 minutes on foot)
Shimizu Fish Market “Kawagishi no Ichi”: about 1.3 km, a 15–20 minute walk. Or take the water bus from Hinode to Ejiri (about 10 minutes), and the market is right in front of where you get off
JR Shimizu Station: about 1.5 km, a 20–25 minute walk. We recommend the free shuttle bus
Shin-Shimizu Station (Shizutetsu): about 1 km, around a 15 minute walk

For more detail on getting around from the port and other practical information, see the 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: “Rainy Autumn — National Treasures and Port Eats”

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

“What should I see in six hours on a rainy day?”

This route is our answer. With a 13:00 arrival, you have about 4.5 hours for sightseeing, which is shorter than the model route normally assumes.

So we’ve combined Kunozan Toshogu, where you can see the National Treasure shrine buildings under cover, with Dream Plaza, right at the port. The route is one-directional: visit the farther southern area first, and finish at Dream Plaza, close to the pier.

Time	Spot	Details	Approx. Duration
13:30	Hinode Pier → Nihondaira	Taxi to the Nihondaira Ropeway station	About 20 min
13:50	Nihondaira Ropeway → Kunozan Toshogu	Ropeway ride (about 5 min), then see the National Treasure shrine buildings and museum	About 75 min
15:10	Kunozan Toshogu → Kawagishi no Ichi	Ropeway and taxi to Kawagishi no Ichi	About 45 min
15:55	Shimizu Fish Market “Kawagishi no Ichi”	Late lunch of tuna rice bowl, souvenirs	About 45 min
16:45	S-Pulse Dream Plaza	Chibi Maruko-chan Land and shopping	About 60 min
17:45	Walk to Hinode Pier	Back to the ship (about 5 min on foot). Arrive about 1 hour before departure	About 5 min

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

Kunozan Toshogu closes at 17:00, but this schedule gets you there in plenty of time.

Kunozan Toshogu

This is the oldest Toshogu shrine in Japan, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Its brilliantly colored National Treasure shrine buildings look just as beautiful in the rain.

Admission to the shrine buildings is ¥700, the museum is ¥600, and a combined ticket for both is ¥1,200. We think the combined ticket with the museum is the better deal.

It’s about 5 minutes by ropeway from Nihondaira. Cars can’t go directly to the shrine, so you’ll use the ropeway. It runs in the rain, but may stop in strong winds or thunderstorms.

For details on getting to Nihondaira and Kunozan Toshogu on your own, including costs, see the Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Guide.

Shimizu Fish Market “Kawagishi no Ichi”

This is a market opened to the public, a 3–5 minute walk from the east exit of JR Shimizu Station. It has two buildings: Maguro-kan (the tuna hall) and Ichiba-kan (the market hall).

A tuna rice bowl is a must-try when you come to Shimizu. Ichiba-kan is open from 9:30 to 17:30, so you’ll have time to shop for souvenirs after lunch.

S-Pulse Dream Plaza

Suruga Minori Market, the ground-floor food and souvenir hall at Dream Plaza, a few minutes' walk from the cruise berth — Suruga Minori Market, the ground-floor food and souvenir hall at Dream Plaza, a few minutes’ walk from the cruise berth（撮影：清水港クルーズガイド編集部）

This shopping and entertainment complex is about a 5-minute walk from Hinode Pier. Shops are open from 10:00 to 20:00 and restaurants from 11:00 to 21:00.

Chibi Maruko-chan Land costs ¥1,200 for adults and ¥700 for children, with last entry at 19:30. It’s indoors, so the rain won’t bother you.

The Ferris wheel closes in strong winds. It’s a good place to pass the time before heading back to the ship.

Operating Status on Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Kunozan Toshogu: Open (9:00–17:00, open year-round)
Nihondaira Ropeway: Open (suspended in strong winds or thunderstorms)
Shimizu Fish Market “Kawagishi no Ichi”: Open (closed on Wednesdays, so open as usual on Tuesday)
S-Pulse Dream Plaza: Open (varies by shop)
Nihondaira Yume Terrace: Open (closed on the second Tuesday of the month, but October 27 is the fourth Tuesday)

For other options, from places within walking distance to half-day courses and rainy-day plans, see 20 Things to Do in Shimizu.

5. Events in Shimizu on October 27, 2026

We found no specific events in the Shimizu area timed to this port call. We recommend asking at the tourist information desk in the port terminal about what’s happening that day.

Searching for “清水イベント” on your smartphone may also turn up the latest information.

6. Local Specialties of Shimizu and Shizuoka

The Shimizu and Shizuoka area is one of the best food destinations in Japan. Here are the local specialties we recommend trying on your port day.

Dish	Where	Approx. Price	Highlights
Tuna rice bowl, assorted sashimi	Maguro-kan (inside Kawagishi no Ichi)	¥1,000–2,500	Wide variety and fresh tuna. Closed Wednesdays
Sushi with Shimizu tuna, sakura shrimp gunkan	Shimizu Sushi Yokocho (inside Dream Plaza)	¥1,500–4,000	5 minutes on foot from the port. Several sushi restaurants in one place
Sakura shrimp kakiage (tempura fritter)	Yui Fishing Port area (25 min by car)	¥800–1,500	Autumn season runs October–December. Cash only
Shizuoka oden	Aoba Yokocho area (20 min by train)	¥500–1,500	Known for kuro hanpen (black fish cake) and dashiko (fish powder). Mostly open from evening
Seafood rice bowl, sakura shrimp shumai	Ichiba-kan (Kawagishi no Ichi)	¥500–2,000	Plenty of takeout options. Closed Wednesdays
Wasabi treats	Throughout Shimizu and Shizuoka	¥300–3,000	Wasabi soft serve and wasabi-zuke (pickled wasabi) are popular souvenirs too

What we especially want to tell you about is sakura shrimp, a seasonal treat unique to October.

Sakura shrimp are small shrimp caught only in Suruga Bay, with two fishing seasons a year, spring and autumn. The autumn season runs from late October through December, and starts right about now.

As kakiage, they offer a crispy texture and the shrimp’s natural sweetness. You can also try them as gunkan sushi at Sushi Yokocho in Dream Plaza, which we recommend if you want to eat near the port.

There isn’t time to go as far as the Yui Fishing Port area, but you can still find seasonal sakura shrimp at restaurants in the city.

For a deeper look at the seasons, ways to enjoy, and recommended restaurants for tuna, sakura shrimp, and shirasu, see the Shimizu Seafood Guide.

7. Practical Information for a Worry-Free Day

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available at the Shimizu Port Terminal and S-Pulse Dream Plaza. You can also connect to Japan’s nationwide free Wi-Fi at convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart).

Payment Methods

In Japan, many shops are cash-based, and cash is the safest choice especially at small restaurants and in taxis. Credit cards are accepted at S-Pulse Dream Plaza and at the larger shops in Kawagishi no Ichi.

Visa and Mastercard are the easiest to use, and some places don’t accept Amex or Diners. Seven Bank ATMs are located inside convenience stores. We recommend carrying ¥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 one at convenience stores near the port or at Shimizu Station. You can also ride with cash, but change may not always be available, so it helps to carry coins.

Language Support

English is available at the tourist information desks (Shimizu Port Terminal and Shimizu Station). S-Pulse Dream Plaza and Kawagishi no Ichi also have English menus and English-speaking staff.

Taxi drivers generally speak only Japanese, so using Google Translate will help you communicate.

Tourist Information Desks

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 Dispatch Center)	054-281-5111

8. Getting Back to Your Ship

Diamond Princess departs at 19:00. Please be back at Hinode Pier by 18:30, 30 minutes before departure.

In Google Maps, search for “Shimizu Port Hinode Pier” or “清水港日の出埠頭” to see the boarding location.

In a taxi, tell the driver “清水港日の出埠頭 (Hinode Pier)”. Roads tend to get crowded on rainy evenings, so we recommend leaving yourself plenty of extra time.

9. About Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess is a ship operated by Princess Cruises, with a gross tonnage of about 116,000 tons. She entered service in 2004 and was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Nagasaki Shipyard. When she debuted, she was the largest cruise ship ever built in Japan.

Her 2014 refit added features for cruises departing from and returning to Japan. The Japanese-style communal bath at sea, “Izumi no Yu,” and the sushi restaurant “Kai Sushi” are among the ship’s signature features.

She is a regular visitor, calling at Shimizu Port several times every year. Once again, this will be a day when local people welcome the ship.

From Tokushima Komatsushima to Shimizu and then Yokohama, you’re traveling through a Japan that shows a different face at each port. We hope your rainy day in Shimizu becomes a cherished memory along the way.

良い旅を。Have a wonderful voyage.