清水 · Shimizu · Japan
Your gateway to some of Japan's most celebrated cruise port. Carefully timed private shore excursions, experienced local guides, and calm cultural exploration. We build itineraries around your ship's schedule.
PORT TERMINAL
Shimizu Marine Terminal
Nearest City
Shizouka City
Cruise Season
Year-round / Peak season: March - May, Oct - Nov
Available Excursions
11 Excursions
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Highest Quality Tours
Customized Group Tours
Worth-money Services
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Understanding Yokohama Port
Shimizu is the port that delivers what most travelers spend an entire Japan journey searching for: Mt. Fuji, seen clearly, seen closely, seen without compromise. From Suruga Bay, the mountain rises almost directly from sea level, unobstructed by the foothills that obscure it from Kyoto or Tokyo. On a clear morning, arriving guests often see it from the ship before they reach the gangway.
But Shimizu is more than a Fuji gateway. The surrounding Shizuoka Prefecture is Japan's largest green tea producing region, which is home to the terraced fields of Okabe and Makinohara. The gyokuro and sencha of extraordinary quality have been cultivated since the Edo period here. Miho no Matsubara, a pine-forested spit of land at the base of the mountain's reflection, is both a UNESCO World Heritage component and one of Japan's thirty-six most celebrated scenic views.
Our Shimizu shore excursions are built around this layered richness, not just the mountain, but the culture, the cuisine, and the landscape that surrounds it. Private vehicles, specialist guides, and every moment timed precisely around your vessel's schedule.
3,776m
Height of Mt. Fuji
Japan's Highest Peak - UNESCO World Heritage since 2013
40%
of Japan's green tea
Produced in Shizuoka Prefecture - Shimizu's surrounding
45min
to Mt. Fuji 5th Station
Private coach from Shimizu Port to Fuji Subaru Line
UNESCO
Miho no Matsubara
One of Japan's most celebrated scenic landscapes
Each Shimizu shore excursion itinerary is built around your ship's timing and designed to give you a genuine, unhurried experience of Japan.
Note: Sending us your request is FREE and EASY. Our consultants will contact you within 12 working hours.
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 6.5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Shiraito Falls, Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Miho-no-Matsubara (Mt. Fuji viewspot), Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre
Excursion Type: Scenic / Cultural / Nature-focused
Activity Level: Easy
Cruise: Navigator of the Seas, NCL Jade
Fixed Departure Date: Oct 17 2026, Nov 29 2026
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Shizouka Sengen Shrine, Sunpu Castle Park, Miho-no-Matsubarra
Excursion Type: Cultural / Mt. Fuji view
Activity Level: Easy
Cruise: NCL Jade, Diamond Princess
Fixed Departure Date: Sep 21 2026, Oct 26 2026
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 6 - 7.5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi cruising, Owakudani Valley
Excursion Type: Mt.Fuji view / Sightseeing
Activity Level: Easy
Cruise: Celebrity Millennium, Diamond Princess, Azamara Pursuit, NCL Jade
Multiple dates available
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 4 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Kunozan Toshogu Shrine & Nihondaira Ropeway, Miho no Matsubara, S-Pulse Dream Plaza (If time permits)
Excursion Type: Sightseeing, Mt.Fuji views
Activity Level: Easy
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 7.5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre, Lake Ashi cruising (Viking boat), Owakudani Valley
Excursion Type: Sightseeing
Activity Level: Moderate
Cruise: Celebrity Millennium
Multiple dates available
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Kuno-zan Toshogu Shrine & Nihon-daira Rope-way (Mt. Fuji viewspot), Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Miho-no-Matsubara (Mt. Fuji viewspot)
Excursion Type: Sightseeing
Activity Level: Moderate
Cruise: Diamond Princess, NCL Jade, HAL - ms Westerdam
Multiple dates available
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 4.5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Miho-no-Matsubara (Mt. Fuji viewspot)
Excursion Type: Scenic / Mt. Fuji view
Activity Level: Easy
Cruise: Diamond Princess, Norwegian Jade
Fixed Departure Date: June 22 2026, July 20 2026, Oct 08 2026
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station
Excursion Type: Sightseeing
Activity Level: Easy
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum, Tea Ceremony, Miho no Matsubara beach
Excursion Type: Culture / Sightseeing
Activity Level: Easy
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Owaku-dani Valley, Mount Fuji
Excursion Type: Sightseeing
Activity Level: Moderate
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Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 6 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Fujisan Hongu Sengen-taisha Shrine, Shiraito Falls, Mihono Matsubara (Mt. Fuji view)
Excursion Type: Cultural Discovery
Activity Level: Easy
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Shimizu, Deeply Known
UNESCO · World Heritage
Venerated since antiquity, Fuji has been a subject of pilgrimage, poetry, and painting for over a thousand years. From Shimizu port, you stand closer to the base than from any other port in Japan.
3,776 meters above Suruga Bay
Tea Culture · Shizuoka
The hillsides surrounding Shimizu produce 40% of Japan's green tea harvest. Our tea excursions in Shimizu take guests into pestate gardens. Not tourist shops, but working farms where the farmer's family has been cultivating sencha for many generations.
UNESCO · Scenic Landscape
A pine-forested peninsula at the base of Fuji's reflection in Suruga Bay - one of Japan's 36 most celebrated views and a UNESCO component site.
Shimizu Port, Shizuoka Prefecture - Dedicated cruise terminal on Suruga Bay
Signature Experiences
Mt. Fuji, Miho no Matsubara (UNESCO), Shizuoka tea estates, wasabi farms, sake brewery, Kawaguchiko
Regional Notes
Shizuoka = 40% of Japan's green tea, 70% of wasabi · Third-largest tuna port
Best Visibility
December - February (clearest) · Spring cherry blossom (Mar - Apr) · Autumn (Oct - Nov)
Mt. Fuji Access
5th Station: 45 min · Kawaguchiko: 55 - 65 min · Miho no Matsubara: 15 min
Private tour (from 2 guests) · Small-group tour (up to 30 guests)
Full-day (7 - 10 hrs) · Half-day (4 - 5 hrs) · Bespoke custom
6 - 12 Weeks recommended; Spring/Autumn tours fill quickly
Port Logistics
Realistic travel times and minimum port call requirements
| Destination | Travel Time (Private Vehicle) | Minimum Port Call Needed | Feasibility | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimizu & Miho no Matsubara | Port-side (10–20 min) | 5 hours | Excellent - Any port call | Short calls, Mt. Fuji views, relaxed sightseeing |
| Nihondaira & Kunozan Toshogu Shrine | 25 - 40 minutes | 6 hours | Very Good - Most port calls | Scenic ropeway, culture, senior-friendly touring |
| Shizuoka Tea Country | 45 - 70 minutes | 7 hours | Good - Standard port calls | Tea experiences, countryside scenery |
| Hakone & Lake Ashi | 90 - 120 minutes | 9 - 10 hours | Achievable - Longer calls | Nature, volcanic scenery, Fuji views |
| Fuji Five Lakes Region | 90 - 110 minutes | 10 hours | Possible - Clear weather important | Iconic Mt. Fuji landscapes, photography |
| Abe River Valley (Wasabi & Sake) | 60 - 90 minutes | 7 - 8 hours | Good - Moderate port calls | Local food culture, rural Japan |
| Mishima & Izu Gateway | 70 - 90 minutes | 8 hours | Good - Standard to long calls | Gardens, fresh seafood, quieter atmosphere |
Travel times are realistic estimates accounting for typical traffic. We confirm suitability based on your exact ship schedule before recommending any itinerary.
A cruise on Lake Ashi offers calm waters, fresh mountain air, and spectacular views of surrounding landscapes. On clear days, passengers may even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji from Shimizu port, framed by forests and hills.
On the shores of Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine is famous for its large red torii gate rising from the water. As part of many Shimizu shore excursions, this site offers a tranquil yet striking experience. It is often combined with a lake cruise, giving travelers an excellent introduction to the highlights of Hakone.
Known for its active volcanic landscape, Owakudani Valley features sulfur vents, hot springs, and dramatic scenery. Visitors on private Shimizu shore excursions can also try the famous black eggs boiled in the natural hot waters, said to add years to one’s life.
Included in many Shimizu Japan excursions, this valley offers a rare chance to witness Japan’s geothermal activity up close. It adds an adventurous touch to Shimizu excursions, especially for travelers seeking something beyond the traditional.
Kunozan Toshogu was established to commemorate Tokugawa Ieyasu - the great leader honored by Japanese people for uniting the nation. The shrine involves a considerable number of bright red buildings embellished with gold accents as well as vibrant carvings and paintings.
Outside the shrine, travelers can take a look at significant treasures in the Museum of Kunozan Toshogu including Ieyasu’s personal belongings, swords, armors, and hanging scrolls.
Miho beach extends for approximately three kilometers along the peninsula's eastern coast and consists of small stones rather than sand. Lies before Mt Fuji, there is no doubt that Miho Beach is among one of the best places for Mount Fuji excursions.
Follow the tree-lined beach is an attractive walking and cycling trail. There are also other interesting activities such as yacht, board sailing, fishing, and dragnet fishing by watching the ships in the port.
Shimizu shore excursions cannot miss Nihondaira Plateau - an ancient plateau with panoramic vistas of Mt. Fuji, the Pacific and tea plantations. Overlooking the Pacific and vast, verdant fields of tea and flowers, with Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, and the Izu Peninsula, this hilly terrain’s view has been said to truly represent the spirit of Japan.
Visitors can also see the summit of 307-meter high Mt. Udoyama, as well as the neighboring areas. There is also a legend of Yamato Takeru looked at the view here from the top of the mountain.
This site most famous for the seven-kilometer seashore lined with green pine trees. These pine groves were recognized as part of the Fujisan Cultural Site in the World Heritage List. It has a 650-year-old pine tree called Hagoromo no Matsu which is believed to be where the angel wearing a Hagoromo floated down.
This is also a popular spot to view Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula across Suruga Bay. Miho No Matsubara offers spectacular landscapes with green pine trees, white waves, blue ocean and Mount Fuji which appears in various drawings, especially the Hiroshige Utagawa’s ukiyo-e
Shiraito Falls is one of Japan’s most graceful waterfalls, cascading in thin white streams that resemble silk threads. The surrounding greenery creates a tranquil atmosphere, making it a refreshing break from busy sightseeing.
Its beauty also makes it one of the top Shimizu Japan attractions, especially during lush summer months or the vivid autumn season.
Dedicated to Hiroshige and his contemporaries, Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum is known as a collection of over 1400 prints as well as craft artifacts from Hiroshige's time such as Hina dolls, lacquerware, and exquisite miniature furniture.
The print by Hiroshige and other artists of the time were beautifully preserved and exhibited with brightly colored.
The Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre is an essential stop for anyone curious about Japan’s most iconic mountain. With modern exhibits, striking architecture, and interactive learning spaces, the museum provides visitors with a deep understanding of why Mt. Fuji is considered both a natural wonder and a cultural treasure.
Why Choose Japan Shore Excursions
Shimizu is our most active port. We know the terminals intimately, understand the traffic realities of each day of the week, and have established relationships with local guides across every destination from Shimizu port to Hakone, or Shizouka center. That operational depth is what allows us to deliver a genuinely calm, reliable Shimizu shore excursion experience.
Every Shimizu shore excursion is timed with a real-time ship-return buffer. We monitor departure updates and maintain direct vessel liaison. In 19 years, not a single guest has missed their ship.
Our local guides specialize by destination. Your Shimizu guide is a Shimizu specialist; your local guide knows every path and Mount Fuji viewpoints. Never a generalist covering everything superficially.
The majority of our guests are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Our guides are chosen for their patience, cultural knowledge, and experience supporting older travelers with care and dignity.
We know the quieter approaches to view Mount Fuji and other highlights that other tourists can never find. That knowledge comes only from experience.
Who These Experience Are For
You have come specifically for Fuji. Our specialists know every viewpoint, every weather window, and every seasonal variation that separates the memorable from the magnificent.
Kawaguchiko at dawn, Miho no Matsubara at low tide. Shimizu shore excursions offer a Japan defined by extraordinary quietness, which are ideal for two people paying close attention.
Shizuoka produces Japan's finest tea and 70% of its wasabi. Our culinary Shimizu shore excursions go behind the counter, into the estate, the kura, the wasabi farm, and the market.
Mt. Fuji is one of those rare experiences that lands equally for every generation. We build the day so children discover wonder while grandparents find depth.
You have traveled enough to know that the image in the magazine is never the experience in reality. Shimizu, with the right guide, is the rare exception, which is better in person.
You've seen Kyoto's temples and Tokyo's energy. Shimizu offers a completely different register: natural, ancient, vast. Most returning visitors say it resets their sense of Japan.
"Our day in Shimizu was one of the highlights of the cruise. The Mount Fuji views from Nihondaira were unforgettable, and everything felt smooth and well organized."
“We wanted something more authentic than a large bus tour, and the tea countryside experience in Shizouka was perfect. Peaceful, scenic, and very personal.”
"The Hakone and Lake Ashi excursion was beautifully planned. Despite the distance from port, timing was excellent and we never felt rushed."
Hiroshi
Senior Shimizu Shore Excursion Specialist
6 Years Experience - Licensed
"Welcome to Shimizu!
As a local guide with many years of experience hosting cruise guests from around the world, I understand that your time in port is valuable. My goal is to provide a smooth, comfortable, and memorable journey tailored to your interests, pace, and travel style.
Shimizu Port is smaller and more relaxed than Osaka or Kobe. The gangway experience itself is part of the magic, and you often have Fuji visible from the pier. I recommend pausing there before getting in the vehicle. Let the mountain announce the day."
Also Calling at These Ports?
If your Japan cruise calls at other ports, we offer the same quality of private guiding throughout.
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View ExcursionsEverything You Need to Know
Mt. Fuji is visible from Shimizu on approximately 60 - 70% of sailing days. Our specialists monitor conditions from 48 hours out and adjust itineraries in real time. Visibility is highest from October through April, with December - February producing the clearest conditions.
Fuji's climbing season runs from early July to mid-September. Climbing from the 5th Station to the summit and back takes approximately 8 to 10 hours. This duration is typically beyond the time available on a standard shore excursion day.
However, we can arrange an ascent to the 6th - 7th Station (approximately 3 - 4 hours round trip from the 5th) for guests seeking altitude experience. Full summit climbs are available as a pre/post-cruise extension. We handle all permit requirements.
Several Shimizu experiences are fully accessible:
We recommend discussing individual requirements directly. We will design an itinerary that delivers the full Shimizu experience within your comfort level.
We recommend 6 - 12 weeks before your cruise departure. Late bookings are accommodated when availability permits.
In the event of cancellation, we will refund any payment made to Japan Shore Excursions (less any applicable cancellation fees). The cancellation fee will be calculated as follows:
∎ More than 40 days prior to trip departure: 10% of the deposit paid is non-refundable. This will be saved for your next trip with us. The rest of the deposit paid will be refunded (bank fee levied by your end)
∎ 40 - 30 days prior to trip departure: 35% charged of the deposit paid
∎ 29 - 15 days: 50% charged of the deposit paid
∎ 14 - 10 day: 75% charged of the total booking value
∎ Less than 10 days or No show: 100% charged of the total booking value
Every sailing has a different schedule. Every guest has a different Fuji. Tell us your ship, your arrival time, and what draws you to Shimizu. We will send a curated proposal within one business day.
There is no obligation, no automated reply. Just a thoughtful response from our Japan team.
No payment required to enquire
We respond within 24 hours
Itinerary adapted to your ship's schedule
Mobility and pacing needs accommodated
Free to adjust or cancel before confirmation
Understand The Destination
