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
Back-to-Ship Guarantee
Highest Quality Tours
Customized Group Tours
Worth-money Services
Travel Safe and Secure
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
40%
of Japan's green tea
45min
to Mt. Fuji 5th Station
UNESCO
Miho no Matsubara
Each Shimizu shore excursion itinerary is built around your ship's timing and designed to give you a genuine, unhurried experience of Japan.
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Cruise Ships: NCL Jade
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Cruise Ships: Diamond Princess, NCL Jade
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Cruise Ships: Celebrity Millennium, Diamond Princess, NCL Jade
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Cruise Ships: Diamond Princess, Azamara Pursuit
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Cruise Ships: Diamond Princess, NCL Jade, HAL-ms Westerdam, Celebrity Millennium
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
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
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
Shimizu Shore Excursions
Duration: 5 hours
Port: Shimizu, Japan
Highlights: Owaku-dani Valley, Mount Fuji
Excursion Type: Sightseeing
Activity Level: Moderate
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
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
Back-to-Ship Guarantee: Return to Your Ship 90-120 Minutes Before Departure
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.
Not sure which attraction fits your call? Send your ship and date, and we recommend the best Shimizu shore excursion for your hours ashore.
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.
Port Pickup · Private Vehicles
Your English-speaking guide meets you at the cruise terminal at Shimizu Port with a welcome board showing your name, then takes you to your private air-conditioned vehicle.
1 - Disembark. Most ships dock at Hinode Pier, right beside the welcome terminal. Walk out through the terminal.
2 - Find your guide. Look for the welcome board with your name at the terminal exit.
3 - Board your private vehicle directly at the cruise terminal. No stations, no meeting-point hunting.
4 - Return in good time. We drop you back at the terminal 90 - 120 minutes before your ship departs.
Ship at Okitsu Pier? On busy two-ship days one vessel may be assigned to Okitsu, a container berth about 4 km from Hinode where walking out is not permitted. Tell us your ship and date and we confirm your berth and exact meeting arrangement in advance. Before your call you also receive written meeting instructions and your guide's contact details.
| Guests | Vehicle | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 3 | Private sedan | Couples and solo travellers; easiest on narrow hill roads such as Nihondaira |
| 4 - 6 | Minivan (Alphard / Noah class) | Families and friends; room for bags and cameras. A group of 4 with luggage is more comfortable here than in a sedan |
| 7 - 9 | Hiace van (Grand Cabin class) | Multi-generation families and larger friend groups |
| 10 - 20 | Mini coach (Coaster class) | Cruise-roll-call groups, clubs and reunions |
| 21 - 30 | Coach | Large private groups (30 guests is our small-group maximum) |
Vehicle class is confirmed with your quote; the exact model depends on availability. Limited mobility or a wheelchair? Tell us when you enquire and we choose the vehicle accordingly.
Travelling with a group? Tell us how many guests and we quote the right vehicle for private tours from 2 guests.
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.
Cruise Calendar · Updated for 2026/2027
| Date & Time | Ship |
|---|---|
| Oct 08 2026 (07:00 - 14:30) | Norwegian Jade |
| Oct 15 2026 (07:00 - 18:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Oct 17 2026 (07:00 - 18:00) | Navigator of the Seas |
| Oct 18 2026 (N/A - N/A) | Viking Orion |
| Oct 21 2026 (07:00 - 16:00) | Seven Seas Explorer |
| Oct 25 2026 (08:00 - 17:00) | ms Westerdam |
| Oct 25 2026 (08:00 - 17:00) | Star Seeker |
| Oct 26 2026 (07:00 - 14:30) | Norwegian Jade |
| Oct 27 2026 (08:00 - 17:00) | Star Seeker |
| Oct 27 2026 (13:00 - 19:00) | Diamond Princess |
| Oct 30 2026 (08:00 - 18:00) | Silver Moon |
| Date & Time | Ship |
|---|---|
| Nov 04 2026 (08:00 - 18:00) | Seabourn Encore |
| Nov 09 2026 (07:00 - 15:00) | ms Westerdam |
| Nov 11 2026 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Nov 13 2026 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Nov 24 2026 (07:00 - 16:00) | Diamond Princess |
| Nov 29 2026 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Date & Time | Ship |
|---|---|
| Dec 01 2026 (07:00 - 15:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Date & Time | Ship |
|---|---|
| Feb 26 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Seabourn Encore |
| Feb 28 2027 (10:00 - 19:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Date & Time | Ship |
|---|---|
| Mar 01 2027 (08:00 - 16:00) | ms Westerdam |
| Mar 04 2027 (11:00 - 18:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Mar 06 2027 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Mar 11 2027 (07:00 - 16:00) | Vasco da Gama-Nicko |
| Mar 12 2027 (07:00 - 18:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Mar 20 2027 (09:00 - 17:00) | Star Seeker |
| Mar 20 2027 (11:00 - 19:00) | ms Westerdam |
| Mar 22 2027 (07:00 - 15:00) | Star Seeker |
| Mar 22 2027 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Mar 24 2027 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Mar 24 2027 (07:00 - 18:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Mar 25 2027 (06:00 - 18:00) | Ritz-Carlton Luminara |
| Mar 26 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Seabourn Encore |
| Mar 27 2027 (08:00 - 20:00) | Azamara Pursuit |
| Mar 27 2027 (11:00 - 19:00) | ms Westerdam |
| Mar 29 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Seven Seas Explorer |
| Mar 30 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Silver Muse |
| Mar 30 2027 (09:00 - 21:00) | Oceania Nautica-Aurelia |
| Date & Time | Ship |
|---|---|
| Apr 05 2027 (07:00 - 18:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Apr 07 2027 (10:00 - 18:00) | Diamond Princess |
| Apr 09 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Seabourn Encore |
| Apr 09 2027 (09:00 - 17:00) | Star Seeker |
| Apr 10 2027 (09:00 - 19:00) | Oceania Nautica-Aurelia |
| Apr 10 2027 (12:00 - 20:00) | Oceania Vista |
| Apr 11 2027 (07:00 - 17:00) | Norwegian Jade |
| Apr 13 2027 (07:00 - 15:00) | Silver Muse |
| Apr 14 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Silver Seas Explorer |
| Apr 17 2027 (07:00 - 18:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Apr 20 2027 (10:00 - 17:00) | Sapphire Princess |
| Apr 26 2027 (08:00 - 18:00) | Ritz-Carlton Luminara |
| Apr 27 2027 (08:00 - 15:00) | Silver Muse |
| Apr 28 2027 (10:00 - 20:00) | Azamara Quest |
| Apr 29 2027 (07:00 - 18:00) | Celebrity Millennium |
| Apr 30 2027 (N/A - N/A) | Viking Orion |
Your ship is on the list? Send us the ship name and date. We build your Shimizu itinerary around your exact arrival and departure time and reply within 12 working hours. Sending your request is free.
"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
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