Canonical page: /p/japan/aburatsu-nichinan/ Collected: 2026-10-18 JSON: /p/japan/aburatsu-nichinan/index.json [Ports](/ports/) Japan # Aburatsu-Nichinan [About the port](/p/japan/aburatsu-nichinan/)[Timetable](/p/japan/aburatsu-nichinan/timetable/2026-10/) Getting ashore East Area berths 9 and 10 Into town Walk about 3 km, or taxi Best starting point Aburatsu town centre Currency [Yen - JPY](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=JPY) ## Terminal and berths Ships usually dock at the East Area berths, No. 9 and No. 10, so a tender is rarely needed. The Higashi Wharf opened in 1998 and takes cargo ships, ferries and cruise liners. A 12-metre wharf at the eastern head was completed in 1999. Asuka 2 calls here often. Legend of the Seas, now Marella Discovery 2, is the largest passenger ship to have called so far. Berth arrangements change from call to call, so the ship's notice for the day is the final word on where you will land. ## Getting ashore Shuttles run on some calls, but routes and fares vary, so check the onboard information for each visit. Taxis are the simplest choice for a trip with several stops. JR trains and Miyazaki Kotsu buses run infrequently, so do not plan a return around them without checking the timetable first. Aburatsu Station is about five minutes away by car, which makes it a practical point for a train-based outing. Agree the fare and the return time with the driver before the car moves. ## Into town and transport Central Aburatsu is about 3 km from the berths, roughly a 30-minute walk. The Aburatsu Town Loop covers about 2.5 to 3 km and takes roughly 40 minutes of walking, with 1.5 to 2 hours recommended with stops. It passes Horikawa Bridge, the canal, Yumemi Bridge, the Red Brick Hall, the Sugimura Hardware Store and the shopping arcade. Walking the full distance from the berth adds up to 8 to 9 km, which is a long way in summer heat. For Obi Castle Town, a taxi takes 15 to 20 minutes from the port, or take the JR Nichinan Line from Aburatsu Station for about 10 minutes, then walk 15 to 20 minutes to the castle district. ## Sights Obi Castle Town is the main historic stop, about 8 km from the berth, and needs 3 to 4 hours. The archived WhatsInPort page describes it as a former samurai stronghold dating back to the 1400s. The Obi Castle Town Walk runs about 3.5 to 4 km round trip from Obi Station, with 2 to 3 hours recommended. It takes in Yoshokan, Otemon Gate, the castle grounds and Shintokudo, with a museum choice. Udo Jingu, about 12 km away, is a shrine set in a sea cave. Reaching it involves stairs, so it suits people with good mobility. The Aoshima and northern coast trip is about 30 km, roughly 40 minutes by road, and takes 4 to 5 hours or more. Cape Toi lies about 45 km south, around 50 minutes each way. ## Food & shopping The Aburatsu Old Port and Horikawa Canal take 1.5 to 3 hours. The canal-side heritage sights and local seafood make a good stop once you are in town, though the walk from the berth is long. The archived page describes a seafood market and souvenir shops close to the port. That description is general and dates from 2024, so check what is open on the day. Carry water if you plan to walk the canal in summer. Plan to eat in town rather than near the berths, since the sources read do not describe food facilities at the port. ## Organised tours Organised tours suit Udo, Sun Messe and Aoshima, which are easier by coach than by bus. Cape Toi also works best with a tour or a private car. A full-day tour is unnecessary for Obi or central Aburatsu alone, because the castle town fits comfortably into a half day. Excursion timings should leave generous return margins for Obi, Udo, Aoshima and Cape Toi, since bus and train frequencies are low and the roads are longer than they look on a map. ## Money & connectivity The sources read do not name the currency. The yen is the expected currency, and the code JPY is used here as an assumption to check. The archived page lists a currency converter and nothing more. It says the cruise port does not offer public wifi, though nearby restaurants and cafés may offer free wifi to customers. Those details are from 2024 and may have changed. Check mobile coverage and cash needs before you leave the ship, and keep some cash for buses and small shops. ## Practical tips Confirm the berth, shuttle and all-aboard times with the ship before you go. Identify the return train or bus before you leave the port, and note the last service of the day. Carry water in summer heat. Leave generous return margins for Obi, Udo, Aoshima and Cape Toi. Confirm any opening hours on the day, since the sources read are not dated to the visit. The JR Nichinan Line runs from Aburatsu Station to Obi Station in about 10 minutes, which is the quickest way to reach the castle walk without a long taxi ride. ## Accessibility & mobility The Cruisemapper wiki says the Udo Jingu shrine involves stairs and suits people with good mobility. The sources read do not describe step-free routes at the berths or on the town loop. Ask the ship about shuttle access and check transport options with the driver before booking. Plan your call ## Who's in port? 2 calls in the collected schedule. [View timetable](/p/japan/aburatsu-nichinan/timetable/2026-10/) ## Maps & transport - [Cruise port on Google MapsAburatsu berths ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=31.580776,131.404814) - [Port guide with town and transportCruiseMapper wiki ↗](https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/aburatsu-nichinan-port-12903?tab=wiki) ## Useful links - [WhatsInPort archive pageArchived 2024 guide, not current ↗](https://www.whatsinport.com/Aburatsu.htm) - [CruiseMapper port wikiPort guide and schedule ↗](https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/aburatsu-nichinan-port-12903?tab=wiki) - [Convert yen to your currencyDaily reference rates ↗](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=JPY)