When you get off the shuttle bus from the Shimizu port in ten minutes, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the Shimizu Station Ginza shopping street.This historic shopping street has many shops that are no longer open, but there are still owners who warmly welcome visitors from overseas. It’s a charming place where you can find very Japanese items such as tableware, kitchen knives, food products, kimono, and stationery. Some shops can also assist you in English.
We visited the Shimizu Ekimae Ginza Shopping Street to interview several shops that have become especially popular among cruise ship passengers.
KIKUKOU Knife Shop
KIKUKOU is a long‑established knife shop in this historic port town. For many years, foreign crew members and chefs have bought their knives here, and recently the number of cruise ship visitors has grown rapidly. The shop is known for offering high‑quality Japanese knives and carefully selected products from all over Japan. Before handing over a knife, the owner sharpens each one individually to ensure excellent cutting performance.
Because knives are considered restricted items in some countries, the shop also researches customs regulations for customers who want to know whether they can bring a knife home. Thanks to positive Google Maps reviews among cruise travelers, Japanese knives have become a popular souvenir—some customers even buy ten at a time. The owner can communicate in simple English and enjoys talking with international visitors. In addition to kitchen knives, pruning shears and petty knives are also popular. Although the shop is usually closed on Wednesdays, they try to open whenever a cruise ship is in port.
KURITAYA HONTEN (Tableware Shop)
KURITAYA HONTEN is a specialty shop offering a wide selection of Japanese tableware. International visitors are often fascinated by Japanese ceramics and purchase not only bowls and chopsticks but many other pieces that catch their eye—some even buy ten donburi bowls at once. Items with traditional Japanese designs, especially Mt. Fuji–themed pieces unique to Shizuoka, are particularly popular.
Although the shop is normally closed on Wednesdays, it opens whenever a cruise ship is in port. The owner is a professional jazz pianist who has performed around the world and speaks excellent English, so visitors are encouraged to stop by and chat.
JIROCHOYA (Grocery shop)
JIROCHOYA has been a trusted shop in Shizuoka. Their handmade Chōju Kombu is an original product, and they offer high‑quality ingredients essential to traditional Japanese cooking, including kombu, seafood products, dried foods, tsukudani, miso, and pickles.
International visitors have come to appreciate Japanese katsuobushi and miso, and one of the most popular items among cruise passengers is the “Miso Bottle,” which makes delicious miso soup simply by adding hot water. The owner speaks English, so overseas customers can shop comfortably and ask questions with ease.
BUNGU NO MARUYAMA (Stationery)
Maruyama Stationery is a retro-style stationery shop located in the middle of the shopping street. Among cruise passengers, realistic novelty erasers shaped like animals, vehicles, and food are especially popular as gifts for children and grandchildren. Japanese-style greeting cards and local sightseeing magnets also sell well.
The shop opens on Wednesdays when cruise ships are in port. The owner previously worked for a bank in China and can assist customers in both English and Chinese, making it easy for international visitors to shop comfortably.
MARUKYO (Kimono Shop)
Marukyo is a kimono shop located right at the entrance of the shopping street where the cruise shuttle buses arrive. At Marukyo, you’ll find a full selection of traditional Japanese clothing, including kimono, obi sashes, zōri sandals, and various kimono accessories. The number of international visitors has been increasing, and the shop is grateful for their support. Many customers enjoy browsing traditional Japanese clothing, while others purchase yukata for their grandchildren or pick up popular Godzilla T‑shirts. Japanese‑style tapestries and shopping bags also sell well.
The shop opens at 10:00 on days when cruise ships are in port. Although Wednesday is normally a closed day, they make sure to open whenever the cruise shuttle buses are operating.
NAKAZAWA-EN CHAHO (Tea Shop)
Nakazawaen Tea Shop offers a wide range of teas, including local Shimizu tea and deep‑steamed Kakegawa tea. Located directly in front of the cruise shuttle bus stop, it always attracts the attention of international visitors. At the shop entrance, visitors can enjoy a popular Japanese tea‑tasting experience. Staff demonstrate how to brew tea right in front of you, and you can whisk the tea yourself and enjoy it together with traditional Japanese sweets.
Matcha and Shizuoka green tea are especially popular, and visitors can purchase high‑quality, authentic Japanese tea. On cruise ship days, the shop opens early at 8:30 to welcome arriving passengers.
Sights and Experience from Shimizu Port
■Shimizu Area
S-Pulse Dream Plaza (Shimizu Port), Shimizu Ryugeji Temple, Shimizu Seishintei Tea House, Shimizu Funakoshi Tsutsumi Park, Shizuoka, Shimizu Shimizu Ekimae Ginza Shopping Street, Shimizu Shimizu Fish Market, Riverside Market, Shimizu Shimizu Port Seamen’s Inn Museum”SUEHIRO”, Shimizu Minowa Inari Shrine, Shimizu Shimizuminato Jirocho Seika (Jirocho’s Birthplace), Shimizu Miho no Matsubara Nihondaira ( Yume-Terrace) Nihondaira Ocha Kaikan Nihondaira Ropeway Nippondaira Hotel Kunozan Toshogu Shrine Satta Pass Jiji-in Temple, Shizuoka ▲Shizuoka City Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art 【Long-Term Closure】
■Shizuoka Area
Oden Yokocho ( Aoba Yokocho), Shizuoka Shizuoka City Museum of History Shizuoka Gofuku-cho Shopping Street Shizuoka Hobby Square Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, Shizuoka Sumpu Castle Park, Shizuoka
■Eastern Shizuoka Area
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) Hakone Area Owakudani Valley, Hakone Mishima Sky Walk Fuji Safari Park Fuji Bussharito Heiwa Park, Gotemba Gotemba Premium Outlets, Gotemba Mt.Fuji World Heritage Centre, Shizuoka Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, Fuji-City Jinba Falls, Fujinomiya Lake Tanuki Shiraito Falls, Fujinomiya Taiseki-Ji Temple, Fujinomiya Obuchi-sasaba, Fuji-City
■Close to Mt.Fuji
Oshino Hakkai Lake Kawaguchi Lake Motosu Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba Arakurayama Sengen Park, Fujiyoshida Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengenjinja, Fujiyoshida Narusawa Ice Cave Yurari Hot Springs （Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari）
Sights and Experience from Shimizu Port
■Shimizu Area
S-Pulse Dream Plaza (Shimizu Port), Shimizu Ryugeji Temple, Shimizu Seishintei Tea House, Shimizu Funakoshi Tsutsumi Park, Shizuoka, Shimizu Shimizu Ekimae Ginza Shopping Street, Shimizu Shimizu Fish Market, Riverside Market, Shimizu Shimizu Port Seamen’s Inn Museum”SUEHIRO”, Shimizu Minowa Inari Shrine, Shimizu Shimizuminato Jirocho Seika (Jirocho’s Birthplace), Shimizu Miho no Matsubara Nihondaira ( Yume-Terrace) Nihondaira Ocha Kaikan Nihondaira Ropeway Nippondaira Hotel Kunozan Toshogu Shrine Satta Pass Jiji-in Temple, Shizuoka ▲Shizuoka City Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art 【Long-Term Closure】
■Shizuoka Area
Oden Yokocho ( Aoba Yokocho), Shizuoka Shizuoka City Museum of History Shizuoka Gofuku-cho Shopping Street Shizuoka Hobby Square Shizuoka Sengen Shrine, Shizuoka Sumpu Castle Park, Shizuoka
■Eastern Shizuoka Area
Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) Hakone Area Owakudani Valley, Hakone Mishima Sky Walk Fuji Safari Park Fuji Bussharito Heiwa Park, Gotemba Gotemba Premium Outlets, Gotemba Mt.Fuji World Heritage Centre, Shizuoka Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, Fuji-City Jinba Falls, Fujinomiya Lake Tanuki Shiraito Falls, Fujinomiya Taiseki-Ji Temple, Fujinomiya Obuchi-sasaba, Fuji-City
■Close to Mt.Fuji
Oshino Hakkai Lake Kawaguchi Lake Motosu Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba Arakurayama Sengen Park, Fujiyoshida Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengenjinja, Fujiyoshida Narusawa Ice Cave Yurari Hot Springs （Fuji Chobo no Yu Yurari）