Maizuru (Kyoto), Japan

Cruises to Maizuru (Kyoto)

Maizuru - a cosy port city on the Sea of Japan coast, the main maritime gateway to the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. It is a port that reveals an entirely different Japan to travellers — free of the crowds of central Kyoto, yet with a bay curved like a crane's wing, a century of naval history, and fishing villages that still serve the freshest crab in the region. The city sits on the shore of the scenic Maizuru Bay, surrounded by the forested hills of Kyoto Prefecture, whose 342 square kilometres hide two entirely different districts — a western one, home to an Edo-period castle town, and an eastern one, built up with the brick warehouses of a former imperial naval base.
For cruise travellers, Maizuru is a port of call that is increasingly welcoming liners sailing along the Sea of Japan coast and around Honshu Island. In 2026, the number of cruise ship calls at Kyoto Maizuru Port reached a record 22 — nearly double the 13 calls the year before, with seven ships visiting for the very first time. The port is increasingly serving not only as a stop on an itinerary, but also as an embarkation point for select Japanese cruises around the Sea of Japan. 🚢

📋 Before you set off on a cruise to Maizuru or step ashore for a few hours in port, here's what you need to know:
🇯🇵 Country: Japan
📍 Region: Kyoto Prefecture, northern part (Kansai region)
👥 Population: around 74,000 residents (as of early 2026)
📐 Area: 342 km² (132 sq mi); about 80% of the territory is forested
🗣️ Language: Japanese; English is spoken to a limited extent, mostly in the port's tourist zone
💴 Currency: Japanese yen (JPY)
🕐 Time zone: JST (UTC+9) — 7 hours ahead of Kyiv time in winter and 6 hours ahead in summer, when Ukraine observes daylight saving time; Japan does not observe daylight saving
☀️ Climate: temperate and humid, with warm, sticky summers (+82…+91 °F / +28…+33 °C) and cool, often snowy winters — the Sea of Japan coast gets far more snow in winter than central Kyoto
✈️ Nearest airport: Kansai International Airport (KIX) — 73 mi (117 km) from the port, about a 2.5-hour drive
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Kyoto Maizuru Port (京都舞鶴港)
🗺️ Main berths: Mizunagi Pier (舞鶴国際ふ頭, 1,150 ft / 350 m long, 46 ft / 14 m deep) and the No. 2 Pier in Higashi-Maizuru (第2ふ頭), home to the «Umitobira» cruise terminal

🏛️ The history of Maizuru — from a castle town to an imperial naval base
⏳ Tanabe Castle and the birth of the name «Dancing Crane»
The history of Maizuru begins long before the city became a naval base. In the western part of today's city, Tanabe Castle once stood during the Edo period, and a typical Japanese castle town belonging to the Hosokawa clan grew up around it. It was the winding shape of the bay — which from the air resembles a crane with outstretched wings — that gave the city its poetic name, «Maizuru», or «Dancing Crane». This part of the city still keeps the atmosphere of a quiet historic town, with narrow streets and temples.
⚓ The birth of the naval base and Japan's modernisation
On 1 October 1901, at the height of Japan's «rich country, strong army» drive, the government opened a naval district headquarters (鎮守府) in Maizuru — the only imperial naval base on the Sea of Japan coast, and one of the country's four main naval bases alongside Yokosuka, Kure and Sasebo. The eastern part of the city, previously a quiet fishing village, was rapidly transformed by the most advanced technology of the day: deep-water piers, shipyards, munitions factories and the brick warehouses that survive to this day. The port played an important role in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, and later in the events of the Second World War, when Maizuru's shipyards built and repaired vessels of the imperial fleet.
🕊️ A port of repatriation — the city's most moving chapter
After Japan's surrender in 1945, Maizuru, a port that had suffered relatively little bombing damage, was chosen as one of the country's main «repatriation ports». Between 1945 and 1958, more than 660,000 Japanese citizens who had been held captive or stranded in occupied Manchuria, Korea and Soviet camps in Siberia returned home by sea through the port. The letters and diaries of these returnees, held at the local memorial museum, were inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2015 — one of the very few Japanese collections to receive that recognition. Today, the former military harbour has become a peaceful port city that carefully preserves both sides of its history — the military and the deeply human.

⚓ The Port of Maizuru — Kyoto's gateway on the Sea of Japan
📊 Scale and layout of the port
Today's Kyoto Maizuru Port is split into two large harbours — Nishi-Maizuru (West Maizuru), where Tanabe Castle once stood, and Higashi-Maizuru (East Maizuru), the historic naval district lined with brick warehouses. The bay's shoreline, cut through with cosy coves and headlands in classic ria fashion, runs to roughly 61 miles (98 km), and the bay itself lies within Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park.
Most cruise ships dock at Mizunagi Pier (舞鶴国際ふ頭) in the western harbour — a multipurpose international terminal 1,150 feet (350 m) long and 46 feet (14 m) deep, able to berth vessels of up to 50,000 gross tons directly alongside. Smaller and mid-sized liners, along with ships that can't get a slot at Mizunagi, dock at the No. 2 Pier (第2ふ頭) in the eastern harbour, home since 2024 to the modern «Umitobira» cruise terminal (うみとびら, «Doorway to the Sea»), complete with waiting areas, an information desk and souvenir shops.

🚢 How many liners call at the port
2026 has been a record year for Kyoto Maizuru Port, with 22 cruise ship calls scheduled — almost double the 13 calls made in 2025, seven of them maiden visits. In spring 2026 alone, nine large liners called at the port within just two months, including Diamond Princess and Spectrum of the Seas. The port is nowhere near the scale of an overcrowded mega-terminal — typically only one large ship is in port at a time, which makes a walk along the waterfront far more relaxed than at mega-ports like Yokohama or Kobe.

🏢 Which cruise lines call at Maizuru
The port is regularly visited by Princess Cruises (Diamond Princess), Royal Caribbean International (Spectrum of the Seas), Costa Cruises (Costa Serena), and Japan's own premium line, NYK Cruises (Asuka II), along with a growing number of premium and luxury brands such as Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, which are adding Maizuru to itineraries around the Sea of Japan and Kyushu. A handful of sailings — such as Costa Serena's May cruise around the Sea of Japan — use Maizuru as an embarkation port for Japanese passengers, so the port occasionally serves a dual function, although the vast majority of calls remain classic port-of-call stops. 🌊

💡 Interesting facts about Maizuru and its port
A few lesser-known details make for a fuller picture of the port:
🕊️ The city's name is a poetic metaphor. «Maizuru» translates as «dancing crane» — and that is exactly what the bay's winding shoreline looks like from above.
📜 The letters of Maizuru's repatriates are on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. It is one of the very few Japanese document collections to hold that status, telling the story of hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens returning home after the Second World War.
🧱 There are 12 brick warehouses — eight of them officially designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Several buildings in Red Brick Park are still in use today as cafes, a craft brewery and museums.
🌶️ Maizuru is the birthplace of the famous Kyoto Manganji pepper (万願寺唐辛子), one of the best-known varieties of «Kyoto vegetables» (kyo-yasai).
🚢 Maizuru is one of Japan's four main naval bases. Along with Yokosuka, Kure and Sasebo, it is one of the «big four» ports where imperial fleet headquarters were established between 1889 and 1901; today it is home to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force base.
🌉 Nearby is one of Japan's three most celebrated views. About 19 miles (30 km) from the port lies the sandbar of Amanohashidate («Bridge to Heaven»), a natural landmark that the Japanese have long ranked among the «Three Views of Japan», alongside Miyajima and Matsushima.

📍 Maizuru's must-see landmarks for cruise travellers
A cruise ship's call at Maizuru typically lasts 6 to 10 hours, so it pays to set your priorities in advance. A detailed list with photos, addresses and opening hours can be found in the «Landmarks and Points of Interest» section; below is a brief overview of the key spots that define the city.
🧱 Red Brick Park — an ensemble of twelve early-20th-century brick warehouses, the heart of Maizuru's naval heritage, now home to museums, cafes and a craft brewery.
⚓ Maizuru Bay boat cruise — sightseeing boats that sail past Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels, often guided by former naval personnel.
🕊️ Repatriation Memorial Museum — a moving exhibition on the homecoming of hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens after the Second World War, whose records are inscribed on the UNESCO register.
🌉 Amanohashidate — a sandbar and one of Japan's three most famous views, a popular excursion destination for passengers with a long call.
🏯 West Maizuru (the former castle town) — quiet Edo-period streets around the ruins of Tanabe Castle, an entirely different, homely side of Japan away from the tourist crowds.
🚄 Kyoto — roughly 1.5–2 hours away by train; for passengers with a very long call, it's a chance to see the historic capital as well.

✨ Why it's worth visiting Maizuru on a cruise
Maizuru is a rare case of a port where everything works in favour of an unhurried, authentic encounter with Japan.
First, it's Japan without the filter: brick warehouses of the imperial fleet, fishing boats and the narrow streets of a castle town are all just minutes on foot from the gangway. 🧱
Second, it offers easy access to the region's landmark sights: within an hour or two you can reach the sandbar of Amanohashidate, or even historic central Kyoto. 🌉
Third, the port isn't yet overrun with tourist traffic — unlike mega-ports such as Yokohama or Kobe, it stays comfortable even on the busiest days when large liners are in town. 🍵

The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you choose the ideal liner, itinerary and cabin, walk you through planning your day in Maizuru, and offer exclusive rates from Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises and other leading brands we work with as a priority partner in Ukraine. 🤝

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and is accurate as of the date of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. For up-to-date information, please check with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals

How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Maizuru

Maizuru is the sea gateway to Kyoto — a port on the Sea of Japan coast that welcomes cruise liners more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the historic city itself. It is one of the more unusual ports in Japan: the cruise terminal sits in an industrial district of Wakasa Bay, while the highlight of the itinerary — ancient Kyoto — lies well inland, an hour to an hour and a half away. There is no direct subway or tram to the port, but there is a convenient rail link and a network of buses. Below is a verified, step-by-step guide covering every transfer option, current 2026 prices, and tips from the Four Gates Group cruise specialists. 🎯

📍 Exactly where the cruise port of Maizuru is located
The Port of Maizuru (京都舞鶴港) is split into two historic areas — the west and east sides of the bay — and it helps to understand this in advance:

⚓ Nishi-Maizuru (western side) — the modern cargo and cruise hub:
• Maizuru Kokusai Futo (舞鶴国際ふ頭), locally nicknamed «Mizunagi Wharf» (みずなぎ埠頭), is the main — and practically the only — berth able to receive large modern cruise ships. The quay is 350 m long with a depth of 14 m, allowing liners such as Diamond Princess or Spectrum of the Seas to dock.
• Address for GPS: Shimofukui, Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture (Wada district, west port)
• Nearest station: JR Nishi-Maizuru (西舞鶴駅) — about 2–3 km away

⚓ Higashi-Maizuru (eastern side) — the historic naval district:
• This is home to the Red Brick Warehouses waterfront district (赤れんがパーク, Akarenga Park) and Kitasui Pier (北吸桟橋), which occasionally receives smaller and classic-style liners (for example, the Japanese ship Asuka II).
• Nearest station: JR Higashi-Maizuru (東舞鶴駅) — the city's main railway hub, and the terminus for the express trains arriving from Kyoto.

❗ Important: the exact berth for your ship is always stated in your cruise voucher and in the port's call schedule. The vast majority of large international liners (MSC, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Costa) dock at Nishi-Maizuru, at Mizunagi Wharf — confirm this 48–72 hours before your port call.

✈️ From Kansai International Airport (KIX) to the cruise terminal
Maizuru has no international airport of its own. The closest are Kansai International Airport (KIX), roughly 170 km (106 miles) away, and Itami Airport in Osaka. The overwhelming majority of international flights, including connections from Ukraine (via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, or Seoul), arrive through KIX. The journey to the port takes anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the mode of transport.

🚕 Private transfer — the most comfortable option
A driver will meet you at arrivals with a name board, help with your luggage, and take you directly to the correct berth.
• Cost: from 45,000 JPY for a sedan (1–3 people), from 60,000–70,000 JPY for a minivan (4–8 people)
• Travel time: 2.5–3 hours (via the Kyoto-Jukan Expressway → Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway)
• Advantages: fixed price, flight monitoring, no transfers or waiting at stations
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — simply provide your flight number when booking your cruise.

🚆 Train — the most predictable option
Route:
1️⃣ The airport express JR Haruka from Kansai Airport Station to Kyoto Station (approx. 75–80 min, 2,900–3,200 JPY)
2️⃣ Transfer to the dedicated limited express «Maizuru» (特急まいづる) from Kyoto Station to Nishi-Maizuru Station (the station closest to the pier; approx. 85 min, 3,420 JPY for a reserved seat)
Total time: around 3 hours including the transfer
Total cost: approximately 6,300–6,600 JPY per person

🚌 Bus — a budget but lengthy option
Limousine buses run from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station (about 80–90 min, 1,800–2,200 JPY), where you transfer to the «Umi-no-Kyoto» express bus or the «Maizuru» train to the port. Total travel time: 3.5–4 hours.
⚠️ Important: given the long distance and multiple transfers, we recommend either booking a private transfer or flying into Kansai a day early and spending a night in Kyoto before boarding.

🚂 From Kyoto railway station to the cruise terminal
For most passengers, Kyoto Station is the starting point of the journey to Maizuru, since it is where the shinkansen lines from Tokyo, Osaka, and other Japanese cities converge.

🚆 JR's dedicated limited express «Maizuru» (特急まいづる)
• Route: Kyoto Station → Nishi-Maizuru Station (closest to Mizunagi Wharf) or Higashi-Maizuru Station (if the ship is berthed near Akarenga Park)
• Travel time: 85 minutes to Nishi-Maizuru, 93 minutes to Higashi-Maizuru
• Fare (ticket + reserved seat, standard car, 2026): 3,420 JPY to Nishi-Maizuru, 4,370 JPY to Higashi-Maizuru
• Frequency: 6–8 departures a day
• Booking: reserved-seat tickets can be purchased at any JR «Midori-no-Madoguchi» ticket counter or online via the JR West e5489 service

🚌 «Umi-no-Kyoto» express bus (海の京都・舞鶴赤れんがエクスプレス)
• Route: Kyoto Station (Karasuma exit) → Nishi-Maizuru → Higashi-Maizuru → Maizuru Ferry Terminal
• Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes – 3 hours, depending on traffic
• Fare: 2,600–2,700 JPY one way
• Advantages: cheaper than the train, no transfers, drops off almost at the port
• Drawbacks: subject to expressway traffic, fewer daily departures (4–6 per day)

🚕 Taxi from Kyoto Station
Given the distance of over 100 km, a taxi all the way from Kyoto is very expensive (roughly 25,000–30,000 JPY) and is rarely used — it only makes sense for a group of 4–5 people splitting the cost, or as part of a private transfer package.

🏙️ From central Maizuru to the cruise terminal
If you have already arrived by train or bus at Nishi-Maizuru or Higashi-Maizuru Station, the final leg to the berth works as follows:

🚕 Taxi from Nishi-Maizuru Station (closest to Mizunagi Wharf)
• Travel time: 5–7 minutes
• Cost: approximately 1,000–1,300 JPY

🚕 Taxi from Higashi-Maizuru Station
• To Mizunagi Wharf (Nishi-Maizuru): 20–25 minutes, approximately 3,000–3,500 JPY
• To Kitasui Pier / Akarenga Park (if the ship is berthed there): 7 minutes, approximately 1,200–1,500 JPY

🚶 On foot
From Nishi-Maizuru Station to Mizunagi Wharf is about a 30-minute walk through an industrial area; from Higashi-Maizuru to Akarenga Park is about 25 minutes along the waterfront. Not recommended if you are travelling with luggage.

🚌 Local Kyoto Kotsu bus
• Runs from both stations toward the port, with stops at «Nishi-machi» (西町) and «Shiyakusho-mae» (市役所前, by City Hall)
• From the bus stop it is a further 10–15-minute walk to the pier
• Fare: 200–300 JPY

🚌 Free shuttle on port-call days
On days when a major cruise ship calls, the City of Maizuru and the port authority frequently arrange a free shuttle bus linking the pier, the nearest station, and the city's tourist sites (Akarenga Park, the Repatriation Memorial Museum). The availability and timetable of this shuttle are always confirmed closer to your cruise date — your Four Gates Group cruise manager checks this separately for each port call.

🚗 By private car — parking near the port
If you are travelling by rental car via the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway:
• «Maizuru-Nishi» interchange (舞鶴西IC): about 14 km, 20 minutes to Mizunagi Wharf
• «Maizuru-Higashi» interchange (舞鶴東IC): about 7 km, 15 minutes to Kitasui Pier / Akarenga Park
• From Kyoto: via the Kyoto-Jukan Expressway → Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway, a distance of about 107 km (66 miles), 1.5–2 hours' drive

🅿️ Parking near Mizunagi Wharf
On days when a cruise ship is in port, temporary parking is arranged close to the terminal for vehicles picking up or dropping off passengers. There is no official long-term parking at the pier itself for the duration of a cruise — it is better to leave your car at the Nishi-Maizuru Station car park (around 500–700 JPY per day) and use a taxi or the shuttle from there.
💡 Tip: arrange a rental car in Japan well in advance through an agency at Kyoto Station — an International Driving Permit or a certified Japanese translation of your driving licence is required.

♿ Accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility
The Port of Maizuru is gradually adapting to the needs of passengers with reduced mobility, though the infrastructure here is more modest than at major European ports:
✅ The terminal at Mizunagi Wharf is equipped with ramps and a lift
✅ JR Nishi-Maizuru and Higashi-Maizuru stations have lifts and tactile paving
✅ Maizuru taxi companies provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles on request — book in advance by phone with the taxi company or through your cruise manager
✅ On port-call days, port staff and volunteer «cruise supporters» are on hand at the terminal to assist with boarding and disembarkation
⚠️ Due to the industrial character of the area and limited pavement, independently travelling on foot between the port and the station in a wheelchair is not recommended — use a taxi or an organised transfer instead.

⏰ When to arrive at the cruise terminal
Maizuru functions mainly as a port of call on international cruise itineraries — the ship stays here for just a few hours as part of a longer voyage around Japan or Asia. That said, several times a year the port also handles embarkation and disembarkation for Japanese domestic cruises (for example, «Asuka II» or special themed sailings for Kyoto Prefecture residents). It is therefore important to distinguish between two scenarios:

🔵 Scenario 1. Port of call (a stop during your cruise)
The most common scenario for Four Gates Group clients. The «all aboard» rule is just as strict here as at European ports: you must be back on board 60–90 minutes before the scheduled departure time. If you are planning a trip into Kyoto or to Amanohashidate, be sure to build in enough time for the return journey — a minimum of 3–3.5 hours each way to Kyoto means such a trip is realistic only during a long port call (10–12+ hours).

🟢 Scenario 2. Embarkation / disembarkation port
If your cruise actually begins or ends in Maizuru, check-in typically opens 3–4 hours before departure. The cruise line sends the exact terminal arrival time in advance (often in individual time slots). Since Nishi-Maizuru Station and the pier are several kilometres apart, plan to arrive in the city with a buffer — at least 2 hours before check-in opens — so you can reach the pier calmly with your luggage.
❗ Boarding deadline: typically 60 minutes before departure. Every Four Gates Group voucher includes the exact boarding time for your specific cruise.

💡 Tips from the Four Gates Group experts
Over years of working with Japanese ports, our cruise specialists have gathered a set of tips that will save you time, money, and stress specifically in Maizuru:

🗾 Be realistic about how much time Kyoto takes. The journey one way takes 1.5–2 hours even on the fastest train. A trip into Kyoto should only be planned if your port call is 10 hours or longer — otherwise, stick to Maizuru itself and nearby Amanohashidate (one of Japan's three most celebrated scenic views, just 30–40 minutes from the port).

💴 Carry cash in yen. Cards are far from universally accepted in Japan's smaller port towns, especially in taxis and small cafés. Withdraw cash in advance from a 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATM, both of which accept foreign cards.

📱 Download offline maps and a translation app. Considerably fewer staff in Maizuru speak English compared with Tokyo or Kyoto. Google Translate's camera feature will make reading signs and menus much easier.

🎫 Book your «Maizuru» train ticket in advance. During cruise season (March–April and October–November), seats sell out quickly because so many passengers from a single ship are heading in the same direction at once.

🚌 Check for a free shuttle on your port-call day. The port and city regularly arrange free buses for cruise passengers on days when a major ship is in port — a considerable saving compared with taxis.

🌊 Don't rush straight out of the port. Authentic Japanese cultural activities for cruise guests — tea ceremonies, kimono workshops, band performances — are often held in and around the terminal. It's worth catching before heading into town.

🏨 Plan a night in Kyoto before or after your cruise. If Maizuru is your embarkation or disembarkation port, one or two nights in Kyoto beforehand or afterward will let you take in the ancient capital's most famous sights at a relaxed pace, without rushing on boarding day.

📞 Contacts at the Port of Maizuru
Port of Maizuru, harbour management office (舞鶴港湾事務所):+81 773 75 0844
Maizuru-Kyoto Taxi (舞鶴京都タクシー):+81 773 62 12 12
Nikko Taxi, Nishi-Maizuru branch:+81 773 75 11 88
Japan Police (emergency): 110
Ambulance and Fire Department: 119
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients):+38 097 653 05 53

Logistics in Maizuru are trickier than at ports in the heart of major cities — it really pays to plan every leg of the journey in advance, especially if your goal is to see Kyoto during a single port call. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group help our clients with every detail, from choosing the best transfer option to arranging a private tour with a guaranteed return to the ship. Contact your manager, and your day in Maizuru and Kyoto will go off without a hitch. 🛳️✨

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with your Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals

Landmarks and Attractions in Maizuru: A Complete Guide for Cruise Travelers

Maizuru — a port city on the Sea of Japan coast in Kyoto Prefecture that leads a double life. The western side of the city (Nishi-Maizuru) is a former castle town with a peaceful history, while the eastern side (Higashi-Maizuru) has been the main base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force since the early 20th century. And an hour's drive away lies Amanohashidate — one of Japan's three most celebrated scenic views, praised as far back as the ancient chronicle «Kojiki». For a cruise passenger with 7–9 hours in port, the key is balancing Maizuru's naval history with the natural grandeur of Amanohashidate. Below is a verified guide to the key sites, with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours, and precise directions from the cruise pier. 🎯

🧱 1. Maizuru Akarenga Park (Red Brick Park)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Maizuru Akarenga Park is a complex of eight red-brick warehouses built by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the early 20th century. Five of them are open to visitors today and are recognized as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
🔹 It is one of the largest and best-preserved complexes of brick warehouses from pre-war Japan — often compared in scale only to the warehouses of Yokohama.
🔹 The buildings still bear traces of their original purpose: they once stored torpedoes and ammunition for Imperial Navy ships.
🔹 The complex regularly serves as a filming location — historical dramas and TV series have used it thanks to its authentic early-20th-century atmosphere.
🔹 In the evening the warehouses are illuminated — the night lighting turns the waterfront into one of the most romantic spots in Kyoto Prefecture.
🔹 Building No. 1 houses the Red Brick Museum — a one-of-a-kind museum in Japan devoted entirely to the history of brick as a building material, featuring a reconstructed Hoffmann kiln for brick firing.

📜 History:
The warehouses were built between 1902 and 1903 as part of the Maizuru Naval Arsenal — one of the four main bases of the Imperial Japanese Navy alongside Yokosuka, Kure, and Sasebo. Brick construction was chosen for its fire resistance, a critical property for ammunition storage. After World War II, some of the buildings passed to the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and from the 1990s onward the city of Maizuru gradually restored and opened the buildings to the public, turning this former military infrastructure into a cultural quarter.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise pier:
• Taxi: the pier is located in the western part of the port (Nishiko), while Akarenga Park is in the eastern part (Higashi-Maizuru). The ride takes about 20–25 minutes along the harbor road
• Train: from Nishi-Maizuru Station (5–7 min by taxi from the pier) take the JR Maizuru Line to Higashi-Maizuru Station — only 6–7 minutes — then 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi to the park
• GPS address: Kyoto-fu, Maizuru-shi, Kitasui, 1039

💶 Price and opening hours:
• Walking around the park grounds: free
• Red Brick Museum (Building No. 1): adults — 400 JPY, students — 150 JPY
• Combined ticket with the Repatriation Memorial Museum: adults — 600 JPY, students — 200 JPY
• Opening hours (2026): daily 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30), except during the New Year holiday period (Dec 29 – Jan 1)
⚠️ Tip: Buildings No. 2 and 3 house cafes serving the signature «navy curry» (an Imperial Navy tradition) and a souvenir shop — a great lunch spot during your call.

⚓ 2. Navy Harbor Cruise (海軍ゆかりの港めぐり遊覧船)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
This 30-minute cruise on a small boat is the only way to see an active Japanese naval base this close without special clearance.
🔹 The route passes Kitasui Pier — the main mooring point for destroyers and frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, including Aegis-class destroyers.
🔹 The boat rounds Maizuru Bay, whose shape is a textbook example of a ria coastline — a deeply indented bay that gives the port natural protection from storms, which is exactly why it was chosen as a naval base.
🔹 From the deck you can see the Japan Marine United shipyard, which still builds ships for the Self-Defense Forces.
🔹 The cruise is often recognized by anime and detective-drama fans — several popular Japanese film franchises have used it as a filming backdrop.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise pier:
• Boats depart from the pier next to Akarenga Park (Kitasui), so the route is identical to point 1 — taxi 20–25 min or train + walk
• Tickets are sold at the counter inside the Red Brick Museum (Building No. 1)

💶 Price and opening hours:
• Adults: about 1,300–1,500 JPY
• Children (ages 3–12): about 700–800 JPY
• Duration: about 30 minutes
• Season: mostly March through November, fewer departures on weekdays, more frequent on weekends and holidays (roughly 4 sailings a day)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: the cruise does not operate in winter or in bad weather. Online booking is available in advance, but on cruise ship call days it is recommended to buy tickets as soon as you disembark — seats are limited.

🕊️ 3. Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum (舞鶴引揚記念館)
💡 Interesting facts and background:
This is one of Japan's most moving and historically significant museums, dedicated to a dramatic chapter of the country's postwar history.
🔹 Between 1945 and 1958, the port of Maizuru received more than 660,000 Japanese repatriates returning home from Soviet captivity and from former Japanese territories in Asia.
🔹 The museum's collection of documents — diaries, letters, and drawings by repatriates — was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2015.
🔹 The song «Mother at the Pier» («Ganpeki no Haha»), dedicated to mothers who waited for years at the port of Maizuru for sons returning from captivity, became one of Japan's best-known postwar hits.
🔹 The museum sits on a hill overlooking the bay — the very spot where families once scanned the horizon, waiting for ships carrying repatriates.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise pier:
• Taxi: about 20–25 minutes (the museum is located near Akarenga Park, slightly further along the coast)
• It's convenient to combine this visit with Akarenga Park — a single ticket grants access to both sites

💶 Price and opening hours:
• Adults: 400 JPY (single ticket) or 600 JPY (combo with the Red Brick Museum)
• Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Closed: Wednesdays (if Wednesday is a public holiday, the closure moves to the next business day)

🐉 4. Amanohashidate (天橋立) — the «Bridge to Heaven»
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Amanohashidate is a natural sandbar 3.6 km long, covered with more than 8,000 pine trees, stretching across Miyazu Bay. It is one of Japan's «Three Views» (Nihon Sankei), alongside Miyajima and Matsushima — a status the sandbar has held since the 17th century.
🔹 The name translates as «bridge to heaven» — according to legend, it was a bridge a god once used to descend from the heavens to earth, and after it fell, the sandbar was formed.
🔹 The classic way to view it is by bending over and looking at it through your own legs from a hilltop viewpoint. Seen upside down, the sandbar appears to «soar into the sky» — a view known as «the ascending dragon's gaze» («shoryukan»).
🔹 The sandbar is still naturally growing through sea currents — a rare geological phenomenon that scientists have observed and documented for over a century.
🔹 The site is mentioned in Japan's oldest chronicle, the «Kojiki» (712 AD), and in classical Heian-era poetry.
🔹 Nearby stands the Shinto shrine Kono Jinja — one of the oldest in Japan, considered the «original home» of the Ise Shrine before its relocation.

📜 History:
Geologists date the formation of the sandbar to roughly 20 centuries of sand deposits carried by the Noe River and the coastal currents of Miyazu Bay. Pine trees have been planted along it since at least medieval times to stabilize the soil and provide a windbreak. From the 17th century, when Confucian scholar Hayashi Gaho officially compiled the list of «Japan's Three Views», Amanohashidate became a pilgrimage site for artists, poets, and travelers from across the country — a status it retains to this day.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise pier:
• Train (most convenient): from Nishi-Maizuru Station (5–7 min by taxi from the pier), take a direct Kyoto Tango Railway train to Amanohashidate Station. Travel time is about 45 minutes, fare 650–750 JPY one way. No transfers required — the line begins at Nishi-Maizuru Station
• Taxi: about 1 hour 10 minutes, a distance of 46 km, approximate fare 10,000–13,000 JPY one way
• Private transfer: the best option for families and groups — fixed price, comfort, no waiting

💶 Price and opening hours of the main attractions:
• Walking or cycling along the sandbar: free (bike rental at the station — from 500 JPY per hour)
• Sightseeing boat (Amanohashidate – Ichinomiya): one way — 800 JPY (adults), round trip — 1,300 JPY
• Cable car / chairlift to Kasamatsu Park (the main viewpoint for the «dragon's gaze»): a single ticket covers both modes of transport, round trip — about 850 JPY
• Combined «boat + cable car» ticket: about 2,000 JPY — a saving compared to separate tickets
• Opening hours: boats and cable car run daily, roughly 9:00–17:00, with shorter hours in winter
⚠️ IMPORTANT: the sandbar is 3.6 km long — walking from one end to the other takes about an hour. To save time during a short port call, it's recommended to take the boat one way and walk back, or vice versa.

🏯 5. Tanabe Castle and the Historic Center of Nishi-Maizuru
💡 Interesting facts and background:
The western part of the city, where the cruise pier itself is located, is a former castle town with nearly 450 years of history — a world away from the military atmosphere of Higashi-Maizuru.
🔹 Tanabe Castle (also known as «Maizuru Castle», the source of the city's modern name) was founded in the 16th century by Hosokawa Fujitaka (Buddhist name: Yusai) — a nobleman, military commander, and one of the most learned men of his era, an ally of Oda Nobunaga and Akechi Mitsuhide.
🔹 About 100 cherry trees grow on the castle park grounds — making it one of the city's best spots for hanami in spring.
🔹 A small museum on the park grounds houses exhibits telling the story of the castle and its castle town over 290 years of history.

🚢 How to get there from the cruise pier:
• Taxi: 5–7 minutes
• On foot: about 25–30 minutes along the waterfront and central streets

💶 Price and opening hours:
• Walking through the park: free, open 24 hours
• Castle History Museum: a nominal entrance fee, open daily except during the New Year holiday period

🎨 6. Other Attractions Worth Visiting
• ⛵ Ine no Funaya (伊根の舟屋), the boathouse village — about 230 traditional houses built directly over the water of Ine Bay, a 30-minute drive from Amanohashidate. Best viewed from a sightseeing boat. Recommended only for those taking a private tour with ample time ashore.
• ⛩️ Kono Jinja Shrine (籠神社) — at the foot of the Amanohashidate sandbar, considered the «original site» of the goddess Amaterasu's worship before her cult moved to Ise. Free admission.
• 🏔️ Nariai-ji Temple (成相寺) — a Buddhist temple on the mountain above Kasamatsu Park, the 28th temple on the Saikoku pilgrimage route. Reachable by bus from Kasamatsu Park, admission about 500 JPY.
• 🐟 Maizuru Seafood Market (とれとれセンター) — fresh local seafood and fish lunches straight from the morning catch, popular with travelers touring by car.

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🗺️ Three Self-Guided Routes Through Maizuru in 8 Hours
A cruise call in Maizuru typically lasts 7–9 hours. It is realistic to combine the port's naval history with a visit to Amanohashidate — provided the route is well planned. Below are three options depending on budget and preferences.

🥉 Route No. 1. Budget — up to 2,500 JPY per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 2,000–2,500 JPY + food

🕘 9:00 a.m. — Depart the cruise pier
Taxi or rented bicycle toward the center of Nishi-Maizuru.

🕘 9:15–10:15 a.m. — Tanabe Castle and the historic center
A free walk through the park, photos by the surviving fortifications, castle history museum.

🕙 10:15–11:00 a.m. — Transfer to Higashi-Maizuru
JR Maizuru Line train (6–7 min, about 200 JPY) or taxi (20–25 min).

🕦 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Akarenga Park and the Red Brick Museum
Museum admission 400 JPY. Walk the grounds, photos by the brick warehouses, coffee in one of the buildings.

🕐 1:00–1:45 p.m. — Lunch at a cafe on the park grounds
Signature «navy curry» or «nikujaga» (a dish said to originate in Maizuru) — 900–1,300 JPY.

🕝 1:45–2:30 p.m. — Navy Harbor Cruise
30 minutes by boat past Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships — 1,300–1,500 JPY (if a sailing is scheduled that day).

🕞 2:30–4:00 p.m. — Repatriation Memorial Museum
Included in the combined ticket with Akarenga Park — no extra charge.

🕟 4:00–4:45 p.m. — Return to the port
Train + taxi, or a direct transfer.

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Round-trip train: 400 JPY
• Red Brick Museum (combo ticket): 600 JPY
• Navy harbor cruise: 1,300–1,500 JPY
• Lunch: 900–1,300 JPY
💸 TOTAL: about 3,200–3,800 JPY per person

🥈 Route No. 2. Optimal — 6,000–8,000 JPY per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 7,000 JPY + food

🕘 8:30 a.m. — Depart the pier, taxi to Nishi-Maizuru Station
5–7 minutes, about 1,000 JPY.

🕘 9:00–9:45 a.m. — Train to Amanohashidate
Direct Kyoto Tango Railway train, 650–750 JPY.

🕙 9:45–10:15 a.m. — Walk the sandbar or cycle along the pine avenue
Bicycle rental — from 500 JPY/hour.

🕦 10:15–11:00 a.m. — Sightseeing boat across the bay
One way — 800 JPY, with seagull feeding along the way.

🕐 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Cable car to Kasamatsu Park
Round trip — 850 JPY. The main viewpoint, the «dragon's gaze», an upside-down photo.

🕐 12:00–1:15 p.m. — Lunch at a restaurant near Amanohashidate Station
A local specialty — grilled eel (unagi) or seafood — 1,500–2,500 JPY.

🕝 1:15–2:00 p.m. — Train back to Nishi-Maizuru
650–750 JPY.

🕒 2:00–3:30 p.m. — Akarenga Park (short visit)
Walk the grounds, photos, coffee — skipping the museum if time is short.

🕓 3:30–4:30 p.m. — Return to the port by taxi
1,000 JPY.

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Round-trip taxi to the station: 2,000 JPY
• Round-trip train: 1,300–1,500 JPY
• Boat: 800 JPY
• Cable car: 850 JPY
• Lunch: 1,500–2,500 JPY
💸 TOTAL: about 6,500–8,700 JPY per person
💡 Replacing the train with a private transfer is more comfortable but costs an extra 8,000–10,000 JPY.

🥇 Route No. 3. Premium — private tour from 45,000 JPY per person
⏱️ Total time: 8–9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: 45,000–70,000 JPY + tickets

🏆 What's included:
• ✅ Meet-and-greet with a private driver holding a sign right at the ship's gangway
• ✅ Comfortable car/minivan for the whole day
• ✅ Professional licensed English-speaking guide
• ✅ Priority access to the Amanohashidate cable car and sightseeing boat
• ✅ Optional add-on visit to the Ine boathouse village
• ✅ Restaurant table reservation featuring local cuisine
• ✅ Flexible itinerary — adjusted on the fly

This can be booked through your cruise manager, or you can contact us directly using any convenient method:

Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell):    +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar):   +380 97 653 05 53

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🕘 8:30 a.m. — Meet your driver and guide at the pier

🕘 9:00–10:15 a.m. — Drive to Amanohashidate
Comfortable car/minivan, with your guide sharing the history of Miyazu Bay along the way.

🕙 10:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Amanohashidate with your guide
Sightseeing boat, cable car to Kasamatsu Park without queues, a visit to Kono Jinja Shrine, and a detailed telling of the «bridge to heaven» legend.

🕧 12:15–1:45 p.m. — Lunch at a restaurant serving local cuisine
Fresh seafood from Miyazu Bay, including a signature eel dish. Reservation handled by your guide.

🕝 2:00–3:00 p.m. — Ine village (optional)
Drive (30 min), a stroll along the boathouses, photos over the water.

🕞 3:15–4:30 p.m. — Return to Maizuru, Akarenga Park with your guide
Private tour: the history of the naval arsenal, the Red Brick Museum, a harbor cruise past Self-Defense Force ships.

🕟 4:45 p.m. — Return to the port in your private car

💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide (8–9 hrs): from 20,000 JPY
• Driver with car (8–9 hrs): from 18,000 JPY
• Entrance tickets and transfers in Amanohashidate: about 5,000 JPY
• Lunch at a restaurant with local cuisine: from 4,000 JPY
💸 TOTAL: from 47,000 JPY per person (for 2+ people — priced per group, not per person)

🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private tours of Maizuru and Amanohashidate with licensed guides, transfer from the ship's gangway, and guaranteed return on board. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Maizuru will be perfectly planned to your taste. 🛳️✨

⚠️ Important to know before going ashore
🕐 The «all aboard» rule: you must be back on the ship 60 minutes before departure. If you're late, the ship will not wait, and catching up with it at the next port will be at your own expense.
🪪 Documents: bring a photocopy of your passport and your cruise Ship Card — in Japan, police are entitled to ask for identification.
💴 Cash: Japan is largely a cash-based society, especially outside major cities. Carry 5,000–10,000 JPY in cash; 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards.
👟 Clothing: comfortable footwear for walking along the Amanohashidate sandbar and the slopes of Kasamatsu Park.
📱 Internet: free Wi-Fi is available at Akarenga Park and at train stations. Download an offline Google Maps map in advance for navigation.
🈁 Language barrier: outside tourist sites, English is not widely spoken. Download Google Translate with the Japanese language pack, along with your route map, ahead of time.
☀️ Sun protection and humidity: summer brings high humidity and temperatures up to +33 °C (91 °F). A hat, water, and sunscreen are essential.
🚫 Seasonal attractions: the navy harbor cruise and some Amanohashidate services run on a limited season and schedule — check the current timetable right before going ashore.

ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.

FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals

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