Home / Berths & shuttles
The berth decides your day · 39 portsWhere will your ship actually tie up?
Cruise lines usually reveal the berth and the shuttle plan a day or two before arrival. It does not have to be a secret: here is what can be known in advance, measured.
10 walk-off ports13 depend on the berth16 need a ride
39 ports
YokohamaCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockOsanbashi (72% of calls) or Shinko Pier / Hammerhead (24%) — Daikoku only for ships too tall for the Bay Bridge (4%)On footOsanbashi and Shinko: Minato Mirai, Red Brick & Chinatown on foot. Daikoku: nothing walkableShuttle or transferDaikoku: cruise-line shuttle or taxi (city buses 109/17 run but crowd on ship days)
TokyoShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockTokyo International Cruise Terminal (Odaiba) — or Harumi Passenger Terminal for many ships under ~70,000 GTOn footOdaiba: Yurikamome station 8 min on foot. Harumi: no station — Toei bus To05-1 to Ginza and Tokyo StationShuttle or transferFree shuttles on many calls, not all (Odaiba ⇄ Tokyo Teleport; Harumi ⇄ Tokyo Station), times set call by call
Shimizu · measured on footCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockHinode Pier — or Okitsu container berthOn footHinode: Dream Plaza ~10 min, Kashi-no-Ichi fish market ~20–25 min on foot (or the free shuttle to JR Shimizu Station)Shuttle or transferOkitsu: you cannot walk out — shuttle only, last departure = real deadline
KobeWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockKobe Port Terminal (most international ships) — or Naka Pier (Japanese and small luxury ships, up to the 77,000-ton class)On footPort Terminal: Port Liner station outside, two stops (~5 min, ¥210) to Sannomiya. Naka Pier: Port Tower 5 min, Nankinmachi ~12–15 min, JR Motomachi 15 minShuttle or transferThe port runs a free shuttle bus between the terminals and the city centre on ship days — times from your ship
OsakaWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockTempozan, Osaka PortOn footAquarium ~5 min on foot; Osakako subway station ~5 min from the terminal (~8 min from the far end of the quay)Shuttle or transferNone needed — the subway is the shuttle
NagasakiWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockMatsugae / Dejima wharf, downtownOn footThe city starts at the gangway — Dejima and Chinatown on foot, trams for the restShuttle or transferNone needed
KagoshimaCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockMarine Port Kagoshima — or Kita-futo for smaller shipsOn footMarine Port: not for sightseeing on foot, but the Wakita tram stop is ~27 min on a signed route. Kita-futo: Sakurajima ferry ~5 min, tram stop ~7 min, Tenmonkan ~20 min on footShuttle or transferMarine Port: shuttle ~30 min to Tenmonkan or Chuo Station, every 30–60 min
HiroshimaCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockUjina No.5 by the 2024 cruise terminal (most ships) — or Itsukaichi (mostly the second ship on two-ship days)On footUjina: tram toward the Peace Memorial. Itsukaichi: nothing around the wharfShuttle or transferItsukaichi: taxi ~6 min to Itsukaichi Station, then train/tram into the city
HakodateCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockWakamatsu (Hakodate Cruise Terminal) — or Minato-cho for ships over ~120,000 GT and some two-ship daysOn footWakamatsu: Morning Market 3 min, station ~5 min on foot. Minato-cho: not walkable (6 km north)Shuttle or transferMinato-cho: ship shuttle (details per call) or taxi ~20 min to the station — check your daily programme
AomoriWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockShin-Chuo Wharf (cruise terminal) — Okidate only for the very largest ships or a second ship in Nebuta weekOn footShin-Chuo: Wa Rasse and A-Factory a flat 15–20 min walk; station ~20 minShuttle or transferNone needed at Shin-Chuo. Okidate (2 of 43 calls in 2026, none from October): follow your ship’s transport
AkitaShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockNakajima Wharf, Akita Port Cruise Terminal (Selion tower 10 min on foot)On footSelion tower is 10 min on foot; central Akita is notShuttle or transferTaxi ~25–30 min to Akita Station, or walk 10 min to Selion for the ¥550 bus (26 min); any ship shuttle is line-dependent
KanazawaShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockMuryoji cruise terminal (2020) — or Ohama Wharf for MSC Bellissima (no terminal); Tonomizu for some second shipsOn footDo not plan on walking to Kenroku-en — the sights are 20–30 min awayShuttle or transferBus 04 to Kanazawa Station West (28–35 min, ¥310; last back 18:13 weekdays, 15:45 weekends) or taxi ~15–20 min; from Ohama, shuttle or taxi only
SakaiminatoCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockSakai Yumeminato Terminal (nearly all ships, 6 km by road from town) — Showa quays for small expedition ships onlyOn footShowa: fish market beside the berth; the yokai road starts at the station ~30 min on footShuttle or transferFrom Yumeminato: ship shuttle to Sakaiminato Station on some calls (may be paid), or taxi ~15 min (~¥2,300)
SaseboCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockMiura Wharf (International Terminal), central — or Sasebo Cruise Center at Uragashira (some ships, often on two-ship days)On footMiura: the covered arcade starts 5 min from the gangwayShuttle or transferUragashira: free water bus to Sasebo Station ~20 min, free shuttle bus to Huis Ten Bosch ~10 min (not guaranteed every call)
Fukuoka (Hakata)Check your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockChuo Wharf Berth 5 (Cruise Center) — a second ship uses Chuo Berth 6 or Hakozaki WharfOn footChuo Wharf: town reachable by short bus/taxiShuttle or transferChuo: 500 m walk to the BRT stop. Hakozaki: no bus stop — taxi
KochiShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockKochi New Port, Sanri No.7 Wharf — Berth 7-3 normally; 7-2 for the second ship on two-ship daysOn footA working harbor away from the center — no walking route worth planningShuttle or transferShuttle or taxi to the castle/Hirome Market area
TakamatsuWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockTakamatsu Port (Sunport)On footThe castle is 10–12 min on foot; island ferries leave from the same waterfrontShuttle or transferNone needed
BeppuShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockBeppu International Tourist Port, No.4 Pier (the only cruise berth)On footToyoken (toriten) is a 9-min walk; downtown and Takegawara are 2.8 km — take a taxiShuttle or transferNo official cruise shuttle. Kannawa is ~15 min by taxi (from ~¥1,650), or route 24 from Shiomicho (0.9 km walk), 13 min, ¥260
OtaruWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockNo.3 Wharf, Berths 16–17 (every call 2024–2026; Katsunai, 3 km east, has had no calls since 2023)On footNo.3 Wharf: the canal is about 500 m (5–10 min); JR Otaru Station ~15 min; Sakaimachi street ~20 min on footShuttle or transferRarely needed at No.3
IshigakiShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockNew Port cruise quay (Painuhama, in use since 2018; 420 m) — big ships alongside, no tender, no terminal buildingOn footTown is 40–50 min on foot — further than the map suggestsShuttle or transferSome lines run a free shuttle to the island ferry terminal (the city runs none); Euglena Mall is 3–5 min on foot from there
MiyakojimaWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockHirara Port — big ships berth alongside, no tenderOn footBerth shuttle to the terminal, then Hirara town ~15 min on foot; the island beyond needs pre-booked wheelsShuttle or transferBerth-to-terminal shuttle bus (~1 km) — walking in the port is not allowed
NahaShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockNaha Cruise Terminal, Wakasa — or the 2nd Cruise Berth at Shinko for the biggest ships and two-ship days (over 40% of calls; a terminal building there opens Nov 2027)On footWakasa: Kencho-mae station and Kokusai-dori ~20 min on foot (1.5 km). Shinko: not walkable (5.6 km, cargo district)Shuttle or transferWakasa: trial ¥240 shuttle to Kokusai-dori on some calls, or taxi ~5 min (~¥850). Shinko: ship shuttle or taxi ~10 min (~¥1,750)
TsurugaShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockMariyama North or South Quay — cargo quays ~4 km from downtown, no terminal building (small ships have used Kanegasaki)On footNot from Mariyama. Kanegasaki, when used, is right at the museum quarterShuttle or transferFree shuttle loop on 2026 calls, every 30 min: quay → museum quarter → Kehi Jingu side → station (route and hours posted per call)
TobaWalk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockTender port — ships anchor off Toba Marine Terminal; tenders land at its Sadahama pier (Mitsui Ocean Sakura: Mikimoto Pearl Island pier)On footFrom the Sadahama landing: station 5–10 min, Mikimoto Pearl Island and the aquarium 10–15 min, all flatShuttle or transferNone needed — but wind can cancel tenders, and then the call
SakataShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockKominato Wharf (North Port), ~6 km / 15 min by car from the old town — no terminal buildingOn footNot walkable in practiceShuttle or transferShip shuttle (operator and fare vary by line — check the daily programme) or taxi ~15 min; the quay has a taxi pool
Sendai–ShiogamaShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockTakamatsu Wharf No.2 (or Nakano Wharf No.1), Sendai port districtOn footA closed cargo quay — no walking out; JR Nakanosakae is ~10 min by carShuttle or transferTaxis and buses wait inside the gate; check your daily programme for a ship shuttle
MiyakoShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockFujiwara Wharf, ~3.3 km from the stationOn footNot to the station or market — the 2018 terminal itself doubles as a tsunami refugeShuttle or transferA city-centre shuttle is among the port’s listed ship-day services (operator and fare vary by call); Sokei station on the Sanriku Railway is a 16-min walk
NiigataCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockEast Port for big ships (~20 km out) — or West Port (Yamanoshita) for small ships, ~4 km from the stationOn footWest Port: bus stops 8–11 min on foot, then ~15 min into town. East Port: nothing walkableShuttle or transferEast Port: shuttle essential (Princess runs it paid to the station area)
MaizuruCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockWest Port No.2 Wharf (Dai-2, Umitobira terminal) for every 2026 ship up to 116,000 GT — International Wharf (no terminal) for Spectrum of the SeasOn footDai-2: Nishi-Maizuru Station ~30 min on foot, flat (taxi ~5 min); the prefecture’s port page says a shuttle is needed to reach townShuttle or transferShip-day shuttles have run Dai-2 → Nishi-Maizuru Station and International Wharf → Bazaar Town Maizuru / Toretore Center (2025); 2026 fare and frequency unconfirmed
KushiroCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockDowntown cruise terminal for most ships — or West Port No.4 for the biggestOn footDowntown terminal: MOO ~5 min, Washo Market ~15 min, station ~15 min, all flatShuttle or transferWest Port No.4 is 8 km out with no public transport: shuttle ~20 min to the KKS Convention Center by MOO (free if the line runs it; ¥1,800 return in the 2025 trial), or taxi ~15 min
Busan (Korea)Shuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockInternational Passenger Terminal, North Port (most calls; main berth takes ships up to 170,000 GT) — Yeongdo Cruise Terminal for MSC Bellissima and when North Port is fullOn footNorth Port: Busan Station and metro Line 1 10–15 min by covered deck; Jagalchi 4.4 km. Yeongdo: the National Maritime Museum is on the same road; nothing else walkableShuttle or transferNorth Port: walk to Busan Station, or bus 5-1 from the terminal to Jagalchi every 16 min. Yeongdo has no subway: taxi (Jagalchi ~20 min) or a 15-min walk to buses 101/88 at Dongsam Samgeori
Jeju (Korea)Check your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockJeju Port Intl. Passenger Terminal (under 100,000 GT) — or Gangjeong Cruise Terminal (100,000 GT and over)On footJeju Port: Dongmun Market 2.6 km, city bus 7 min. Gangjeong: the haenyeo house next door; Seogwipo 10 kmShuttle or transferJeju Port: City Tour bus hourly (not Mondays, cards only). Gangjeong: bus 680 to Seogwipo; taxis at both
Incheon (Seoul)Shuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockIncheon Port Cruise Terminal, SongdoOn footNothing is walkable and there is no bus stop — nearest subway 7 kmShuttle or transferFree city shuttles on cruise days to Sinpo Market, Chinatown–Wolmido and the Songdo outlet (not Seoul; no published timetable, cancelled at short notice in 2025); taxis at Gate 2
Keelung (Taipei)Walk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockWest 3 (most big mainstream ships) or East 2 (smaller and luxury ships, and when West 3 is taken) — calls split about evenlyOn footDowntown either way: Miaokou Night Market ~12–15 min on foot from West 3, ~6–8 min from East 2; Keelung Station 4 min (West) or 8 min (East)Shuttle or transferNone needed in Keelung; Taipei is a train ride
Fushiki–ToyamaShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockManyo No. 3 Berth, Fushiki district of Takaoka City (ships over ~32,000 GT: Westerdam, Diamond Princess, Asuka, MSC) — or the Kaiwo Berth, Shinminato, beside Kaiwomaru Park (small ships: Azamara Pursuit, Le Soléal); 8 km apartOn footFushiki: a cargo wharf with no terminal, shops or ATM; only Shokoji temple (2 km) and the Kitamaebune Museum are on foot. Kaiwo: Kaiwomaru Park next door, fish market 0.8 kmShuttle or transferNo public shuttle. Princess runs a paid one to Takaoka Station; HAL unverified. Taxi ~15 min to Takaoka; Himi line from Fushiki Station (20 min walk) roughly hourly
OmaezakiShuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockWest Wharf berth No. 2 (西ふ頭2号岸壁), a −12 m car-carrier quay in the west of the port — every cruise call since 2019 (Westerdam, Diamond Princess, Zaandam); no terminal, CIQ and information in tents on the apronOn footNothing. The wharf gate is closed to pedestrians on ship days; the lighthouse is 10 min by car and Nabura Market 1.9 kmShuttle or transferFree city shuttles to Omaezaki and Makinohara sights at the 2023 and 2026 calls; no destinations, timetable or fare are published in advance. Princess says “confirm locally”. Taxi stand on the apron, small fleet
NagoyaCheck your berth
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockKinjo Pier berths 80–81 (金城ふ頭80・81号) for the big international ships (Norwegian Jade, Navigator of the Seas) — or Garden Pier No.3 by the aquarium for most Japanese-market and smaller luxury ships. The berth is set per call; mid-size ships have used bothOn footKinjo: no terminal building listed; Aonami Line Kinjo-futo Station about 10 min on foot (MLIT), 1.2 km and 15–17 min by our estimate, exit point inside the restricted quay not confirmed. The SCMAGLEV museum, LEGOLAND and Maker’s Pier are by the station. Garden No.3: Nagoyako subway station about 5 min, aquarium on the pierShuttle or transferKinjo: a quay ⇄ Kinjo-futo Station shuttle ran in 2016; for 2026 calls not confirmed, check the daily programme. Taxi stand not confirmed; Nagoya Station about 16.6 km, about ¥7,300 on the meter, our estimate. Aonami Line to Nagoya 24 min, ¥360
Yeosu (Korea)Shuttle / ride
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockThe single cruise berth (500 m, 11 m, rated 150,000–170,000 GT) inside the north breakwater of the Expo port. Yeosu Expo Passenger Ship Terminal, beside the 2012 Expo site; every cruise call. No cruise berth at GwangyangOn footSky Tower 3 min, Expo KTX station 10–15 min, Aqua Planet 16 min. Jasan Park cable-car station 2.3 km (about 30 min, uphill at the end), Jinnamgwan 35 min, Odongdo breakwater 37 min — our estimates. Hyangiram and Suncheon are not walksShuttle or transferFree city shuttles confirmed on 2026 Chinese-market ship days (Jinnamgwan, Yi Sun-sin Square, Odongdo, a market); routes unpublished and unconfirmed for Western ships. Taxi rank at the terminal on ship days, ₩4,300 flagfall. The city tour bus returns 17:20, after a 17:00 sailing
Sokcho (Korea)Walk-off
Berth, walk and shuttle
Where ships dockSokcho Port International Cruise Terminal, 136-58 Seorakgeumgangdaegyo-ro, Cheongho-dong, on the spit at the mouth of Cheongcho Lake; every cruise call. Berth length, depth and tonnage limit not published; largest caller on record Costa Serena, 114,261 GT. Not Daepo Harbor (4.9 km south), whatever the cruise line’s page saysOn footAbai Village 582 m, 9 min; the Tourist & Fishery Market 1.3 km, 20 min via the ₩500 Gaetbae hand-pulled ferry; Sokcho Beach 37 min; Expo Tower 41 min (the city’s own walking map). Seoraksan is 13.7 km and needs wheelsShuttle or transferFree city shuttle terminal ⇄ market on the 2025–26 calls, timetable unpublished; check at the gangway. Taxi rank at the terminal, ₩4,600 flagfall; Seoraksan about 26 min, ₩13,500–20,900 on the meter, our estimate. Bus 7/7-1 to Seoraksan from the Express Bus Terminal, 2.3 km awayNo port matches that filter. .
How this was verified
Distances are computed from published berth coordinates; shuttle facts come from cruise line shuttle documents (Princess's official 2026 shuttle list among them) and port authority pages; Shimizu was additionally timed on foot in person. Last verified August 16, 2026. Ships change berths — if your daily programme says otherwise on the day, trust the programme, then tell us so this page stays true.
Can you walk into town from cruise ports in Japan?
At some, yes; at most, it depends on the berth, which is why this page exists. Of the 39 ports indexed here, 10 are true walk-off ports where the town starts at the gangway, 13 have two berths and only one of them is walkable, and 16 need a shuttle or a ride whichever berth you get. Japan is unusual in this: the port name tells you almost nothing, and the berth tells you everything. Cruise lines typically confirm the berth only in the daily program a day or two ahead.
Which Japanese cruise ports are walk-off ports?
True walk-off ports — where the town genuinely starts at the gangway — are Nagasaki, Kobe, Osaka (Tempozan), Takamatsu, Otaru, Miyakojima and Keelung. Several more are walk-off only from their near berth: Shimizu at Hinode, Aomori at Shin-Chuo, Hakodate at Wakamatsu/Nishi, Sasebo at Miura, Yokohama at Osanbashi.
Why is shuttle information so hard to find before a cruise?
Because it is usually announced only in the ship’s daily program a day or two before arrival — and lines have little incentive to advertise a free shuttle next to their paid excursions. This page compiles what is knowable in advance from port authorities, operator documents and measured distances, so you can plan before the ship tells you.
Which Japanese ports have two different cruise berths?
Eight of our covered ports split their traffic by ship size: Yokohama (Osanbashi vs Daikoku), Shimizu (Hinode vs Okitsu), Aomori (Shin-Chuo vs Okidate), Hakodate (Wakamatsu/Nishi vs Minatocho), Hiroshima (Ujina vs Itsukaichi), Sakaiminato (Showa vs Yumeminato), Sasebo (Miura vs Uragashira) and Fukuoka (Chuo vs Kashii). In every case the near berth is walkable and the far berth is not — which berth you get decides your day.
How is this information verified?
Distances are measured from published berth coordinates; shuttle facts come from cruise line shuttle documents and port authority pages; Shimizu was additionally timed on foot in person. Each port guide links its sources, and this index was last verified August 16, 2026. If your daily program contradicts this page, trust the daily program — and tell us.
How do I find out which berth my ship will use in Japan?
Cruise lines typically confirm the berth only in the ship's daily program a day or two before arrival. Before that, the Port of Japan berth index compiles what is knowable in advance from port authority pages, cruise line shuttle documents and measured distances. It matters because eight covered ports split traffic by ship size, including Yokohama, Shimizu, Aomori, Hakodate, Hiroshima, Sakaiminato, Sasebo and Fukuoka, and in each case only the near berth is walkable. If the daily program contradicts the index, trust the program.
Use this data
Cite as: Port of Japan, “Japan cruise port berths”, 2026, port-of-japan.com/berths/ (checked August 16, 2026 (24 ports); September 26, 2026 (Kagoshima, Tsuruga, Toba, Sakata, Miyako, Niigata, Maizuru, Kushiro)). Download it as CSV · all open data. Free to reuse with a credit and a link.