Ships dock directly at Hinode Pier, putting you steps from the S-Pulse Dream Plaza boardwalk.
💡 Pro move: Most cruise lines (Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Oceania) dock here; all use Hinode Pier.
All cruise ships use Hinode Pier, a deep-water berth adjacent to S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Oceania | Hinode Pier, Shimizu Port📍 | Docked |
| NYK Cruises & expedition ships | Hinode Pier📍 | Docked |
From Fuji panoramas to samurai shrines and the freshest tuna in Japan, Shimizu punches well above its size.
Ride to the Nihondaira plateau for 360° views of Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the Izu Peninsula from Kengo Kuma's sleek observation terrace — admission is free once you're up there.
Find Mt. Fuji day tours →Japan's original shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified the nation. Reach it via the Nihondaira Ropeway for stunning gorge views, then explore gold-leaf Shinto architecture — a National Treasure.
Find Toshogu Shrine tours →A UNESCO World Heritage landscape: 7 km of ancient pine trees framing an iconic view of Mt. Fuji above the volcanic black pebble beach. Take the water bus from Hinode for the best approach.
Find Miho no Matsubara tours →Shimizu lands more bluefin tuna than anywhere in Japan. The Kashi no Ichi market next to Shimizu Station is a lively wholesale market with direct-to-public sales — order a maguro-don and a sakura ebi kakiage.
Find food and market tours →The beloved manga character was born in Shimizu — her museum inside S-Pulse Dream Plaza celebrates the town's most famous export. Great for families and anime fans; themed manhole covers dot the streets outside.
Find cultural tours →Japan's deepest bay offers a scenic ride from Hinode Pier to the Miho Peninsula with views back to the ship and Fuji on the horizon. Cheap, fast, and a memorable way to see the port from the water.
Find bay cruise tours →The waterfront boardwalk from the ship to S-Pulse is flat and scenic; Shimizu Station makes a good turnaround on foot.
A restored historic boardwalk along the waterfront passes preserved rail tracks, moored yachts, and bay views. Ends at the S-Pulse shopping complex where you'll find tuna sushi, matcha soft serve, and Chibi Maruko-chan Land.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Continue from S-Pulse toward JR Shimizu Station through the harbor district, passing local shops and the entrance to Kashi no Ichi fish market. Flat all the way; easy return by taxi or shuttle.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F / 11°C | 37°F / 3°C | 7 | 6:53 AM | 4:57 PM |
| Feb | 52°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C | 8 | 6:32 AM | 5:28 PM |
| Mar | 59°F / 15°C | 44°F / 7°C | 12 | 5:57 AM | 5:53 PM |
| Apr | 65°F / 18°C | 50°F / 10°C | 12 | 5:14 AM | 6:18 PM |
| May | 73°F / 23°C | 59°F / 15°C | 12 | 4:42 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Jun | 77°F / 25°C | 66°F / 19°C | 16 | 4:31 AM | 7:01 PM |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 17 | 4:43 AM | 7:00 PM |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 76°F / 24°C | 16 | 5:06 AM | 6:34 PM |
| Sep | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 18 | 5:28 AM | 5:53 PM |
| Oct | 72°F / 22°C | 60°F / 16°C | 14 | 5:51 AM | 5:11 PM |
| Nov | 65°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 11 | 6:20 AM | 4:40 PM |
| Dec | 56°F / 13°C | 42°F / 6°C | 7 | 6:46 AM | 4:35 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
S-Pulse Dream Plaza (adjacent to Hinode Pier) runs a free shuttle bus to JR Shimizu Station. Many cruise lines also offer complimentary shuttles to the station, with journey times of 7–25 minutes.
Taxis are available outside the pier and take about 2–5 minutes to JR Shimizu Station. Metered fares; the GO app can be used to book local taxis.
Taxis to Shizuoka Station (the broader city center) take approximately 25–30 minutes and cost in the ¥5,000–¥6,500 range.
Uber operates in Shimizu and connects riders with local licensed taxis via the app. Useful for English-speaking travelers who want upfront pricing.
The Shimizu Water Bus connects Hinode Pier to Shimizu Fish Market, JR Shimizu Station area, and the Miho Peninsula. The Hinode–Miho single fare is ¥800; a return (Mini-Cruise) ticket is ¥1,000.
Upcoming cruises that call at Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.