Shimizu Port is nationally renowned for its frozen tuna landings. Along with the Miho Peninsula as a natural breakwater, this port has played a major role as a keystone of the region, dating as far back as the Manyo period, with many people and goods coming and going, because of the calm waves and its location almost in the center of Japan.
In this area, where the Shimizu Port is located, you can experience the charms of a port town, such as scenic ocean views and tuna cuisine. This time, we visited the area around S-Pulse Dream Plaza, where you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of such a port city of Shimizu.
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To Shimizu Port, one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan
Take the free shuttle bus with a cute retro design from the East Exit of JR Shimizu to S-Pulse Dream Plaza. It takes about 10 minutes to arrive, get off the bus, look to the east and see a view of the harbor with the sea and many small boats anchored.
The stylish atmosphere of the reddish-brown brick corridors and the sea breeze heightens the excitement.
Boarding of Mt. Fuji Shimizu Port Cruise
First, we enjoyed The Mt. Fuji & Shimizu Port Cruise, which takes you around Shimizu Port.
After registering at the Hinode Port boarding area, board the sightseeing boat, the “Bay Promenade”. I quickly climbed up to the rooftop, where my view quickly widened, and beyond the sea, I could see Mt. Fuji.
Playing with a Black-headed gull
I looked up and saw many seagulls flying nearby. This is a Black-headed gull that flies to Japan in winter. On this excursion, you can also experience feeding the Black-headed gulls. Because the Black-headed gulls are always being fed by people, they seem to gather around the boat out of nowhere when it is time to depart.
Depart from the Hinode Port. We will depart on a 45-minute cruise with the Black-headed gull. Some Black-headed gull fly at the same height as your eye level and as fast as the boat, and you can see their cute black eyes and beautiful white feathers up close.
I bought some food for the gulls on board, and when I returned to the rooftop deck, I nervously tried to feed the gulls. I put the gull food in the palm of my hand and held it out from the deck. Then, many Black-headed gulls gathered around for the food. Some gulls try to eat all the food in the palm of the hand by themselves, while some are too vigorous to take the food, others wait their turn and squeak and scream… The unexpectedly adorable appearance of the gulls made me smile.
Encountering dolphins in the beautiful harbor scenery
The ship proceeds through Shimizu Port with Black-headed gulls. Around Hinode Port, patrol boats and tugboats of Shizuoka Pref. Police and Japan Coast Guard are anchored, and looking in the direction of Mt. Fuji, an earth exploration vessel with a large blue ladder was visible. The variety of ships made us realize that Shimizu Port is one of the most prominent ports in Japan. After the boat proceeds for a while, you will see the Miho Beach on the right, which is a lazy coastline on the inland sea side of The Miho Peninsula. Although it is off-season now, Miho Beach, with its quiet waves, is a popular beach where small children can play safely.
As the boat continues on, two lighthouses come into view. The sea between these lighthouses extends into Suruga Bay, through which the ships coming and going from Shimizu Port pass.
When we came to an area where white gantry cranes, shaped like giraffes, unload large containers brought by ship and tanks for liquefied natural gas and other products were lined up, there was a ship announcement saying “Dolphins can bee seen ahead on the left”
In fact, a pod of dolphins has been living here in Shimizu Port since May 2020, and it has become a big news in the area. In the distance, among the waves, I saw the dorsal fins of five dolphins moving, as if spinning! Being mammals, dolphins are said to come to the surface for air once every five minutes, so I kept my eyes peeled for more, and there it was again, in a different spot than before! Then, after staring at the wide surface of the ocean for a while, I was able to catch a glimpse of it once more in the distance. Sometimes a pod of dolphins will even swim toward the boat. What a great opportunity to see dolphins in the wild without having to go south to the islands! Mt. Fuji, Black-headed gulls, and dolphins, I felt that not only tourists from outside of the prefecture, but also local residents should enjoy the Shimizu Port cruise as well.
Health-conscious lunch Healthy Izakaya Shimizu Fish to Field
After finishing the cruise with the scenic view of Shimizu Port and the Black-headed gulls, we head to the S-Pulse Dream Plaza for lunch. In the S-Pulse Dream Plaza, there is Shimizu Sushi Yokocho with 8 sushi restaurants where you can enjoy sushi and sashimi of tuna and local fish. This time, however, we had lunch at “Healthy Izakaya Shimizu Fish to Field,” which is not only a great place to enjoy seafood, but also a restaurant popular for its health-conscious dishes that are sugar-free, gluten-free, and additive-free.
After the meal, while gazing out of the window at the ocean, one can relax with a cup of coffee with soy milk and agave syrup (a sweet made from agave that does not raise blood sugar levels).
Chibi Maruko-chan Land
Chibi Maruko-chan is loved by people of all ages as a nationally known anime. Shimizu is depicted as the town where Chibi Maruko-chan and her family live, and it is also the birthplace of the author, Momoko Sakura. On the third floor of S-Pulse Dream Plaza is “Chibi Maruko-chan Land”, the only permanent museum in Japan that is unique to the birthplace of Chibi Maruko-chan. The museum attracts Chibi Maruko-chan fans from Japan and abroad.
Chibi Maruko-chan Shrine and Cute Omikuji
Chibi Maruko-chan Land features a heartwarming family scene, a nostalgic elementary school classroom, a Chibi Maruko-chan object d’art from the cover of the first comic book, a theater room where you can watch the nostalgic cell-art animation “Chibi Maruko-chan,” and the opening scene from the 1990 anime broadcast. The “Yume Ippai (Full of Dreams)” zone, a photo spot where visitors can experience the world of the theme, and the Sakura Momoko Museum, and other creative exhibitions that adults too can enjoy. As you stamp the “passport” given to you at the reception desk, a shrine suddenly appears!
This shrine was created because of Momoko Sakura’s love of shrines, and of course you can pay your respects at the shrine, and there are also red seals and red seal books available. The shrine’s most popular item is the omikuji, which is drawn by nearly half of the visitors. The omikuji contains details of the fortune and illustrations of lucky charms such as Chibi Maruko-chan, Mt. Fuji, and the Uchide no kozuchi, all of which were conceived and drawn by Momoko Sakura. You will be empowered by the heartwarming messages and cute illustrated omikuji.
Projection Mapping
In the last zone of Chibi Maruko-chan Land, “Maruko’s dream amusement park”, once every 10 minutes a projection mapping of Maruko-chan and other characters dancing on an objet d’art of Mt. Fuji is projected to the tune of “Odoru Pompokolin,” the opening song of the 2000 anime “Chibi-Maruko-chan.
My eyes were glued to this projection mapping, which seemed to condense the fun world of Chibi Maruko-chan into images and music. As both adults and children can be energized, this projection mapping is a must-see. Don’t miss it!
In addition to this, Maruko-chan appears here several times a day! She will perform a dance. After that, you can take a photo with her, so make sure to check the time of Chibi Maruko-chan’s appearance before going to the museum.
Recommended souvenirs – Specialty products unique to Shimizu
Shimizu, the birthplace of canned tuna
Shimizu boasts an abundance of tuna landings, and there are more than 10 companies that produce canned tuna using this tuna. About 97% of canned tuna in Japan is produced in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The Shimizu Kanzume Market, located on the first floor of the S-Pulse Dream Plaza, sells various cans of tuna and bonito, the pride of Shizuoka Prefecture.
From premium tuna cans made from tuna toro and marinated in olive oil, to garlic and chili-flavored tuna cans, these cans, which are not usually found in supermarkets, are stylishly packaged and will surely make a great souvenir for your friends and family.
Summary
Half a day quickly passed as we enjoyed a cruise around the scenic Shimizu Port, a delicious lunch, and the exciting world of Chibi Maruko-chan.
Mt. Fuji Shimizu Port Cruise also offers event cruises such as the “Night Cruise” with a fireworks show and the “Pirate Ship Cruise” during Golden Week (spring vacation), where staff members dress up as pirates to liven up the cruise.
S-Pulse Dream Plaza also has a Ferris wheel, an amusement park, and other attractions which we were unable to introduce this time. On winter nights, illumination is also held, making this a romantic spot to spend time.
We invite you to visit S-Pulse Dream Plaza, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a port town with your family or on a date.
