Shimizu is one of Japan’s most rewarding cruise stops โ a compact, friendly port city in Shizuoka Prefecture that sits in the shadow of the iconic Mount Fuji. Whether you have a full day or just a handful of hours, there’s genuine magic waiting beyond the dock gates, from fresh tuna breakfasts to tea-scented hillsides and some of the clearest views of Japan’s most beloved mountain.
Arriving by Ship
Cruise ships dock at Shimizu Port, which is conveniently located right in the heart of the city. The terminal building is modern and well-organised, with tourist information desks, currency exchange, and English-speaking staff on hand to help you get oriented. From the port gate, the city centre is walkable in under ten minutes, and taxis are readily available just outside. A free shuttle bus sometimes runs between the terminal and the nearby S-Pulse Dream Plaza shopping complex โ check with the terminal on arrival. One thing worth knowing immediately: Shimizu is not the main event for many passengers. Mount Fuji is. On clear days โ and Shimizu gets a generous share of them โ the view of Fuji across Suruga Bay is simply stunning, and that snowcapped silhouette will likely dictate how you plan your day.
Things to Do
If Fuji is calling, don’t hesitate. A guided excursion to the Fuji Five Lakes area or the highlands around Fujinomiya gives you front-row access to Japan’s most photographed peak. For a well-organised group experience, consider a highlights car tour with a local guide departing directly from the port ๐ Book: Fuji Highlights Group Car Tour by Shimizu Port with Local Guide. If you prefer something more private and flexible, a six-hour private tour lets you set the pace and linger wherever the views are best ๐ Book: Shizuoka/Shimizu Mt Fuji View 6 hr Private Tour: Guide Only. For those short on time, a focused four-hour circuit hits the essential Fuji viewpoints without the fatigue ๐ Book: All-about Mt.Fuji Short Tour from Shimizu Port.
Back in Shimizu itself, the Nihondaira Plateau is a beautiful escape into forested hills above the city, accessible by ropeway and offering panoramic views over Suruga Bay. The Kunozan Tosho-gu Shrine, reached via 1,159 steep stone steps (or the ropeway, which most people wisely choose), is one of Japan’s most historically significant Shinto shrines โ dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified Japan. Down at the waterfront, the S-Pulse Dream Plaza sits beside a working fishing harbour, and the small Shimizu Marinaria area is pleasant for an afternoon stroll.
Local Food
Shimizu takes its seafood seriously, and you should too. The city is Japan’s largest tuna landing port, which means the sashimi here is extraordinary โ firm, deep red, and absurdly fresh. Head to the Uoichiba Kaisenkan inside Dream Plaza, a seafood market and restaurant complex where you can assemble a bowl of tuna, salmon, and ikura (salmon roe) over rice for a genuinely memorable lunch. Maguro (tuna) is the star, appearing in everything from classic sashimi platters to buttery tuna belly (otoro) that practically dissolves on your tongue. Shizuoka Prefecture is also Japan’s leading green tea region, so look out for matcha-flavoured sweets, soft-serve ice cream, and freshly brewed sencha at almost every cafรฉ and market stall. A matcha ice cream cone while watching fishing boats drift past the harbour is one of those small travel moments you’ll remember disproportionately fondly.
Shopping
Dream Plaza is your most convenient shopping hub, with a good mix of souvenir shops, local food producers, and fashion outlets across multiple floors. Look for Shizuoka green tea packaged in beautiful tins โ it makes an elegant, lightweight gift. Wasabi products are another local speciality (the region grows much of Japan’s wasabi), and you’ll find wasabi-flavoured crackers, sauces, and pickles that are far more nuanced than anything you’ve had with supermarket sushi. For something more traditional, small lacquerware items and locally crafted ceramics are worth seeking out in the market area near the port. If you want to venture further afield and have your shopping woven into a broader sightseeing itinerary, a private van tour can combine local stops with coastal and mountain scenery ๐ Book: Private sightseeing tour from Shimizu Port / Van Taxi.
Practical Tips
Shimizu is compact enough to navigate comfortably on foot or by short taxi rides, but English signage becomes sparse once you leave the tourist zone โ downloading Google Translate’s Japanese offline pack before arrival is genuinely useful. Cash is still preferred in many smaller restaurants and market stalls, so carry yen. The port usually requires passengers back on board by late afternoon, so prioritise Fuji trips in the morning when skies tend to be clearest โ clouds typically build around the summit by early afternoon. Comfortable walking shoes are essential if you plan to tackle any shrine steps or plateau paths.
Shimizu rewards curious travellers who look beyond the obvious. Whether you spend your hours chasing Fuji’s reflection or quietly sipping green tea by the harbour, this quietly confident little port city has a way of staying with you long after your ship has sailed.
๐๏ธ Things to Book in Advance
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๐ Getting to Shimizu Japan
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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