Akita Cruise Port
Akita, Japan · Asia
Cruise ships dock at Akita Port — Nakajima Pier (Port Tower Selion), Akita.
Plan my port daysDocked industrial port with a landmark viewing tower; city 7 km inland, day trips by shinkansen.
At a glance
Port summary
Ships berth at Nakajima Pier beside Port Tower Selion, about 7 km from central Akita. The old port railway shuttle has closed, so reach the city by port shuttle bus or taxi (~¥3,000), then the Akita Shinkansen from Akita Station serves Kakunodate (~45 min) and Lake Tazawa. The Oga Peninsula is a road/rail trip of about an hour. Carry yen; rural spots are cash-only.
Cruise dock
🚢 Akita Port — Nakajima Pier (Port Tower Selion)
The cruise berth at Nakajima Pier (No.2/No.3 quaywall) beside Port Tower Selion, about 7 km from central Akita. Ships berth alongside; passengers reach the city by port shuttle bus or taxi as the port railway has closed.
📍 Latitude: 39.752857, Longitude: 140.061382
See dock on port map →Getting to Akita
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Carry several thousand yen in cash for buses, temples, small restaurants and market stalls. Cards and IC cards cover trains, the shinkansen, big shops and city attractions.
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Inside the Japan collection
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Typical weather
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Excursions compared
4 comparedKakunodate samurai district by Akita Shinkansen
≈ 6 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€175$200
Do it yourself
€65$74
Save ≈ €110Save ≈ $125 (63% off)
Take the port shuttle bus (or a ~¥3,000 taxi, about 25 min) to Akita Station, then the Akita Shinkansen 'Komachi' about 45 minutes to Kakunodate; the samurai district is a 15–20 minute walk from the station. The streets are free to wander and only a few manor interiors charge ¥300–500. A local Ou/Tazawako-line train is cheaper (~¥1,340) but takes about 1h20.
See the DIY plan →
Oga Peninsula: Namahage folklore and wild coast
≈ 6 h · sold by 2 cruise lines
Cruise line
€165$188
Do it yourself
€64$73
Save ≈ €101Save ≈ $115 (61% off)
Oga is the one Akita day where a pre-booked rental car (or the ship's tour) genuinely wins — public transport is the Oga Line to Oga Station plus sparse local buses, an hour-plus each way with long waits. With a car from Akita Station it is about 80 minutes to the Namahage complex, then Godzilla Rock and Nyudozaki Cape are short drives along the coast. The Namahage Museum is ¥550, or ¥880 with the adjacent live show.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
9 plansRed Brick, Floats & Castle Park: the Easy Akita City Day
Akita's compact centre — a 1912 red-brick bank, the towering Kanto festival poles and a castle park — all on foot once the shuttle drops you.
Kakunodate Samurai Town by Bullet Train
Akita's signature day out — a 45-minute Komachi shinkansen ride to Edo-era samurai streets under weeping cherries.
Lake Tazawa: Japan's Deepest Lake & the Golden Maiden
A cobalt-blue caldera an hour by bullet train from the pier, with a lakeshore boat to the golden Tatsuko statue.
Oga Peninsula: Namahage Demons & the Wild Coast
Akita's folklore heartland — the horned Namahage demons, a live ogre ritual and a windswept cape of cliffs and a striped lighthouse.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Akita?
- Your ship docks directly at the Akita cruise terminal in Japan.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Akita?
- Yes. Akita is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Akita centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, Train, On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Akita?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Akita independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Akita and are cards accepted?
- Akita uses the Japanese Yen. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Akita cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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