Shimizu (Japan Shizuoka)

Shimizu is a port town in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture (Sunto District), with population around 35,000 and total area approx 9 km2 (5 mi2).

Shimizu is located at Izu Peninsula's northern end. Kakita River (main tourist attraction) passes through the town. The region has temperate climate with humid and hot summers and cool, mild winters. Neighboring municipalities include Nagaizumi, Numazu and Mishima.

In 1889, this urban area was reorganized into town within Sunto District, merging with 11 small hamlets. In 1963 was attained its town status. Attempts were made for a merger with the neighboring Numazu.

Town's economy is largely based on agriculture. The town also serves as a bedroom community for industrial zones in Mishima and Numazu. Shimizu has 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school. National Route I passes through the town, but Shimizu doesn't have passenger railway connections.

On January 31, 2017, Shimizu was selected as one of all 6 Japanese ports to receive private funding for structural upgrades of their cruise terminal facilities.

• The project aimed to attract more cruise ships and to increase the number of visiting international passengers. The other ports in that list were Yokohama, Sasebo, Yatsushiro-Kumamoto City, Motobu and Miyakojima.
• At the above-listed ports, cruise companies will build passenger terminals and other port facilities using their own funds. Other companies and lines / operators will be also allowed to use these facilities. However, the cruise shipping companies that will build the new port facilities will be given priority to use the wharves.
• The companies involved in the port building project are NYK Cruises (subsidiary of the Japanese cargo shipping corporation Nippon Yusen Kaisha / NYK Line) and RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd).
• In 2016, the number of cruise ship visitors to Japan reached 1,9 million. In comparison, the 2013 season's statistics showed only 174,000 passengers.