Shimizu: The Friendliest Japanese City

Day 18, Grand Asia 2018

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, Shimizu, Japan:

I’ll start at the end. Leaving Shimizu was our best sail away ever. A large crowd gathered on the pier and for at least 15 minutes elementary-school children entertained us with song and dance. It was a like halftime celebration at a football game. They had learned multiple songs with intricate marching and dancing routines. But their enthusiasm peaked with a rousing performance of YMCA, complete with arm motions resembling the letters. We all joined in from the outside decks.

The kids were surrounded by people in a festive mood. A blue mascot for the city. A woman holding a large dog wearing a witch hat. A group of senior citizens in wheelchairs. A crowd standing behind a banner saying “See You Again in Shimizu.” And as the ship pulled away from the pier, fireworks.

I remember a similar but smaller send-off from Shimizu last year, when it was raining. Shimizu reinforces our impressions that the Japanese are some of the friendliest people we see along our travels. While I was walking a few blocks from the ship terminal, a man on a bicycle stopped to ask me if we could chat so he could practice his English, which was very good. After about 10 minutes, he left me with a beautiful sash of fabric.

When we left the ship, a large group of Japanese volunteers helped us with directions. Crossing guards were ready to stop the non-existent traffic when we crossed the streets.

Joyce and I walked to the Baiinji Temple, and as we neared it, volunteers appeared to make sure we didn’t miss the turn through a narrow passageway to find it. I sat to sketch. It was hard to decide just what to include – everything is interesting. We toured the home of an early Shimizu resident, Jirocho, who helped develop this port town near the larger city of Shizuoka. We found interesting soccer art in a wall.

Earlier in the morning, I left the ship to sketch the town’s Ferris wheel with the ship in the background. I knew the small mall next door wouldn’t open early (last year we stood waiting for 20 minutes to go inside). It was a nice quiet morning along the marina walkway, which I appreciated after a few days in busy Yokohama. It doesn’t take me long to lose myself while I am sketching. I wear my bag across my shoulder because otherwise someone could take it from my side without any awareness on my part.

The city provided a shuttle bus to take us to a nearby train station, but most people who weren’t on a tour just explored the marina area. Shimizu is best known for its close views of Mount Fuji, but while the sun did come out, there were still heavy clouds on the horizon and we didn’t catch a glimpse of the mountain. I guess I will just have to return and hope for better luck next time.

Our mid-afternoon departure left us time to clean up for a gala dinner – this one a Japanese theme. We were invited to wear our kimonos, which of course I don’t have. Instead I wore the Chinese jacket I bought in Chicago’s Chinatown a year ago. I will wear it again for the upcoming Chinese gala night. The dining room staff wore Japanese attire, but as usual I got away without getting good photos at the table.