Kyoto (Maizuru) Cruise Port
Maizuru, Japan · Asia
Cruise ships dock at Kyoto Maizuru Port International Wharf No. 2 (Maejima Pier), Maizuru.
Plan my port daysDocked naval-town port, gateway to Kyoto (2h), Amanohashidate and the Red Brick Park.
At a glance
Port summary
The wharf is at Maejima Pier in Maizuru, not in Kyoto. Kyoto city is about 85 km and 2 hours each way by train or road, so it is a full-day commitment; Amanohashidate (about 1 hour) and Maizuru's Red Brick Park, naval piers and seafood market are the realistic half-day options. A free shuttle links the terminal to Nishi-Maizuru Station and Red Brick Park.
Cruise dock
đą Kyoto Maizuru Port International Wharf No. 2 (Maejima Pier)
The international cruise wharf at Maejima Pier in Higashi-Maizuru, where ships berth alongside. The Red Brick Park is a 20-minute walk and a free shuttle runs to Nishi-Maizuru Station.
đ Latitude: 35.48066, Longitude: 135.392895
See dock on port map âGetting to Maizuru
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Free city shuttle links the terminal to Nishi-Maizuru Station and the Red Brick Park on cruise days. Confirm the last return time when you board.
đ Signed shuttle stop outside the terminal.
JR Maizuru Line and limited expresses reach Kyoto in about 2 hours; the Kyoto Tango Railway from Nishi-Maizuru reaches Amanohashidate in about 50 minutes. Check return times carefully.
đ JR Higashi-Maizuru or Nishi-Maizuru Station (via shuttle).
Taxis are metered and mostly take cards, but supply is limited on big-ship days with 30-45 minute queues. Best for short hops in Maizuru, not the long Kyoto run.
đ Taxi rank at the pier gate.
It is a flat 20-25 minute walk from the pier to the Red Brick Park and the Higashi-Maizuru waterfront; the town center and station are a bit further or a short shuttle ride.
đ Walk left along the waterfront from the terminal.
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, big shops and Kyoto sights.
Things to do
Amanohashidate Sandbar
â Highlight
A 3.6 km pine-covered sandbar you can walk or cycle across, one of Japanâs three great scenic views.
đ Morning for calm light and fewer crowds
Maizuru Red Brick Park
Short stopâ Highlight
Twelve Meiji-era naval brick warehouses reborn as museums, cafes and event halls by the water.
đ Any time; pleasant in the morning light
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
â Highlight
Kyotoâs gold-leaf Zen pavilion mirrored in its reflecting pond, the cityâs most famous sight.
đ Right at opening to beat the crowds
Maizuru Port Toretore Center
Short stopđ Market
A harbourside market where you pick fresh Sea-of-Japan seafood and eat it grilled on the spot.
đ Late morning to lunchtime when the stalls are busiest
Fushimi Inari Taisha
âȘ Church / Cathedral
Thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up a sacred mountain at Kyotoâs most photographed shrine.
đ Early or late to walk the quieter upper gates
Chion-ji Temple
Short stopâȘ Church / Cathedral
A serene Buddhist temple at the sandbar's edge, known for its fan-shaped omikuji fortunes.
đ Morning, en route to the sandbar
Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum
đïž Museum
A moving museum to the postwar repatriates who came home through Maizuru, a UNESCO Memory site.
đ Any time
Amanohashidate View Land
Short stopđž Viewpoint
A hilltop park reached by chairlift, famed for the upside-down 'matanozoki' view of the sandbar.
đ Clear days for the classic view
Goro-san Sky Tower Viewpoint
Short stopđž Viewpoint
A hilltop tower and deck with a sweeping view over Maizuru's fjord-like bay and naval harbour.
đ Clear days for the best bay views
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
đż Nature
A luminous green corridor of towering bamboo on Kyoto's western edge, beside riverside temples.
đ Early morning for near-empty paths
Maizuru Naval Port & JMSDF Piers
Short stopother
Japan's active naval base, where Self-Defense Force destroyers line the historic waterfront.
đ Daytime; weekend harbour boat tours run seasonally
Ine no Funaya Boat Houses
other
Rows of wooden boat houses rising straight from the water around a tranquil, sheltered bay.
đ Midday for the best light on the water
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Plan my port days âFrequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Maizuru?
- Your ship docks directly at the Maizuru cruise terminal in Japan.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Maizuru?
- Yes. Maizuru is walkable from the cruise port â many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Maizuru centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Train, Taxi, On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Maizuru?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Maizuru independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Maizuru and are cards accepted?
- Maizuru uses the Japanese Yen. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors â cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Maizuru 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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