Best of Japan - Millennium 5/2 - 5/15

[DaKahuna]

Our next stop was at The Trappistine Convent.  The convent was the first in Japan and was founded in 1898 by a small group of French Catholic Nuns.  There are about 50 resident nuns that live at the convent today. 

 

The grounds are simply wonderful and we were lucky enough that there were still some cherry blossoms in bloom.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[DaKahuna]

After the bus returned us to the port, we were both feeling hunger pains and my DW wanted to have some ramen.  After passing up a couple of seafood restaurants we found a small ramen shop and each had a bowl of shio ramen. (I had a beer to go with mine) and we split an order of gyoza. 

 

[DaKahuna]

After having a late lunch we stopped off at a Lawson’s close to the ramen shop we ate at and picked up a few items and then walked back to the ship.  

 

Once again we found interesting information from the Retreat Concierge’s regarding tomorrow’s port visit to Aomori.  

 

 

 

 And even better an invitation to Martini Night in the Retreat.  

This will be pre dinner vs post dinner drinks from the timing on it.  Now to pick which martini I want to have.  I have been having a different one each night so I guess tomorrow night, I’ll have to pick multiple ones.  My favorites are — cucumber, Mexicali, sidecar, and last night’s espresso martini was wonderful.  I even had a Basil martini that they repeated for my DW last night.  Of course, with the exception of a couple of sidecars, all of the ones so far have been at the martini bar.  

 

It is now time for dinner .. so I guess we’ll make the stroll down to Luminae 

 

 

[hcat]

beautiful gardens at the  convent!

[Pushka]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

After having a late lunch we stopped off at a Lawson’s close to the ramen shop we ate at and picked up a few items and then walked back to the ship.  

 

Once again we found interesting information from the Retreat Concierge’s regarding tomorrow’s port visit to Aomori.  

 

 

 

 And even better an invitation to Martini Night in the Retreat.  

This will be pre dinner vs post dinner drinks from the timing on it.  Now to pick which martini I want to have.  I have been having a different one each night so I guess tomorrow night, I’ll have to pick multiple ones.  My favorites are — cucumber, Mexicali, sidecar, and last night’s espresso martini was wonderful.  I even had a Basil martini that they repeated for my DW last night.  Of course, with the exception of a couple of sidecars, all of the ones so far have been at the martini bar.  

 

It is now time for dinner .. so I guess we’ll make the stroll down to Luminae 

 

 

Do all Retreat guests get invited or just Elite ones?

[DaKahuna]

11 minutes ago, Pushka said:

Do all Retreat guests get invited or just Elite ones?

 

 Anything related to the Retreat is for all Retreat guest.  Our experience has been that your CC status, except for Zenith, does not matter in the Retreat.  The only real discriminator is what level of suite you are in.  

 

[DaKahuna]

Dinner tonight in Luminae was amazing.  I have to apologize now as our entrees were so inviting that I failed to capture a picture of either of them and did not realize it until we were half way through.  I come from the @Jim_Iain school of picture taking in that no pictures after the first bite, with very rare exceptions.  This often causes a problem as my DW tends to be quick with a fork. 

 

After our amuse-bouche, which was a blue cheese macaron with grape preserve — no picture — we both dug right in. 

 

For our first appetizer, my wife had the Cauliflower Veloute (a cold soup)

 

 

 And I had the escargot from the MDR

 

 

For her second appetizer, my DW had her usual French Onion Soup — I think she does this just to make our daughter jealous 

 

 

And I had the spinach salad — it was in a word  — delicious.  

 

 

For our mains, which we dug into so quickly I forgot all bout the camera, she had the Vadouvan Chicken, with was very tender and juicy.   I went with the braised lamb shank.  When the Maitre’d came by to ask how or dinner was I told him that it was terrible.  I told him I went to cut a bite and when I touched it, the meat fell off the bone.  Tender, juicy and delicious.  

 

For our desserts my wife had the peach soufflet

 

 

And I decided to construct my own — 

 

Two scoops of vanilla ice cream 

 

 

And a couple of table spoons of Bailey’s Irish Cream 

 

 

And then add a couple of tablespoons of black coffee - 

 

 

Can you tell I could not wait to dig into my home made Affogato?

 

The left over Bailey’s went into the left over coffee of course. 

 

 

 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

Question — for my fellow CC passengers on this cruise - what are your thoughts about getting together around 1400 - 1430 on Monday, our last sea day at the Sunset bar?  I know we tried to have an embarkation day get together but I don’t think more than 10 - 12 of us ever managed to meet up at the bar.  There are still names, I’d like to put together with faces, included a few of you I met and have not seen since. 

 

 

[rsvp1]

On 5/10/2024 at 4:04 AM, scorfman said:

Trip day9, Cruise day 8

 

Welcome to Busan, South Korea!

 

We woke up and prepared to meet our fellow tourers for the day. On the Cruise Critic thread for this cruise, we were lucky to find a couple who were looking for more people to join a private tour they were arranging for the day. We signed on and boy am I glad we did. At 8:00am we went in the Guest Services area and met up with the other six, 2 from Sydney, and 4 from Miami. What a great group and we were fast friends. We knew it would be a fun day together. At maybe 8:30am they cleared the ship and we disembarked. We met our guide BK outside just before 9:00am and made introductions, took some photos, and piled into the van to depart for the day. The van was sized well for the group so we were all quite comfortable I think.

 

From the port we first drove about 40 minutes, arriving at Haedong Yonggung Temple. BK entertained us with some facts and nice talk along the way as we all got to know each other a bit better. It was a short walk from parking and BK kept us all together and on the right track. It wasn't too crowded yet and we were able to spend about 50 minutes seeing the sights. This is a really beautiful temple and there were several monks chanting while we were there.

 

On the way back to the van we admired the various food and item stalls. Near the end, we saw a stall selling beondegi, which is a sort of cooked/stewed silkworm snack quite common in Korea. I knew instantly that we were part of the right group as BK grabbed a cupful and we all gave it a try. Lot's of laughing and chewing. It wasn't bad and had a bit of a nutty taste. I don't think I'd have it again but YOLO! BK remarked that in all his many tours, no group had everyone had a try. I could tell he was genuinely surprised and impressed. As it turned out, one member of the group sneaked out of it, but I shall not name and shame. One person had a second helping, so we agreed that made up for it.

 

 

Back in the van and off to our next destination. Along the way we were passing Haeundae Beach. There was a sand sculpture competition going on there so we called an audible on the tour and stopped for a 15 minute look. Good time for a bathroom break as well for many. The sand sculptures were huge and amazing and we were fortunate to have seen them. I found a geocache here as well so yet another country for geocaching!

 

 

Next, we drove to Chrysanthemum Park, home of the Nurimaru APAC House. We went by way of a scenic road climbing up a hillside drive lined with cherry trees and fancy residences. This park was beautiful and smelled wonderful owing to the flowering bushes all around. It was also filled with magpies singing and flying about. We enjoyed the quieter side of Busan here, taking a nice long walk with amazing views as small breaks. The APAC House was nice and we all stood where the world leaders had their photographs taken the last time there was a meeting here. We just couldn't get over the views of the city, the ocean, and Haeundae beach from this perspective. Even the drives to and from each place on the tour were beautiful and interesting. So many bridges of different styles.

 

 

After the loop around the park we were back at the van and off to lunch! BK offered 3 choices: Samgye-tang,  Korean BBQ, or vegetable BiBimBap. We all agreed to go with the Korean BBQ and arrived just a few minutes later at Obanjang restaurant. They warmly greeted us and sat us at a table for 8, with 2 grills. There was an array of Korean salad, and other tasty items to go with the meat. I think we all ordered the same, which was a portion of pork shoulder and a portion of pork belly for each person. We all ordered a beverage of choice, such as soda or beer, and of course we had to order some Soju, which is said to be the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. It is similar to a watered-down vodka in taste. We all toasted and enjoyed. The meal was amazing and we found a few things we will add to our regular dining repertoire at home. I fell in love with the bean sprout salad. With full bellies and warm hearts we headed out ready for whatever was next.

 

 

We took a lengthy drive to Gamcheon Culture Village. We definitely took a roundabout way there and it didn't disappoint. With great commentary from BK we passed a lot of great views, got a look at some of the shipbuilding and dry docks here, and several historical bridges. I enjoyed the industrial workshops we saw. Then began the drive up the narrow streets to the village. BK stopped at a few vantage points, and it was fun to see us maneuver around the occasional opposing traffic.

 

 

We arrived at the village and parked in a parking garage. Goodness knows how they built it on this hillside. BK took us first to a great viewpoint overlooking the village for photos. We then ventured through a very narrow alleyway past houses both lived in and those that had been abandoned and had art installations in them. Fascinating. After winding around up and down we emerged at a shopping street where we were given 30 minutes to make our way back to the parking area. We found a souvenir along the way, and even found a stamp here. Obviously not an eki stamp as in Japan, but the local equivalent and we stamped it in our book. We also found one at the beach, and at the port.

 

 

Next we visited the Jagalchi Seafood Market. I've never seen anything like it and the variety of live seafood was astounding. I wish we'd had a chance to buy and eat some. It was a quick visit but not to be missed if you've never seen the like.

 

 

Last we walked a short distance to BIFF Square, passing all manner of live and dead seafood stalls and other people selling, smiling, beckoning, and eating.

 

 

In BIFF Square my wife sighted an Olive Young store. This is her commercial skincare Mecca. BK set us loose for 30 minutes to explore the area and she beelined for it. I have mixed emotions but she was smiling and the credit card survived with only minor burns and some chafing. After that we looked around and noticed down toward the International Market there were a series of tiny tables in the middle of the street. Women were sitting on cartons preparing bibimbap and their customers sitting on child seats eating away. It looked fabulous and reminded me that food safety has a place, but it is overdone in the states. That said, we didn't test that theory.

 

 

At the specified time we met back with BK for the short drive to the port where we parted ways. Unlike Japan where tipping is discouraged, I think we all gave BK a bit extra which he certainly earned and accepted with grace. I feel we all have a friend in South Korea now and would go out of our way to book him on any future visit. You can find him on Tours By Locals.

 

On the way back to the ship we stopped to get a refund on sales tax, then quickly had our passport scanned for exit. There was a Korean dance group performing as we walked back on board which was nice. On the ship, we dropped stuff off in the room and took Celebrity up on their invitation to the Sail Away on the helipad. We departed on-time and the view was stunning leaving the port and passing under the Busan Harbor Bridge.

 

 

We were late for dinner in the MDR but that wasn't an issue. The wife had a salad, and I had a tasty pork spring roll. We both had the chef's special of Katsu chicken with curry and rice. Dessert was a lava cake for her, and some butter pecan ice cream for me.

 

If that wasn't enough for the day, we stopped in the Martini Bar for a drink and the bartender flair show. After that we went to the 9:00pm theater show with King Jamsheed to wind down, and crashed in the room after that. What an amazing day.

 

later in the evening we wondered at the number of fishing boats out getting all those fish we saw at the market.

 

 

The weather was unbeatable with clear blue skies and 70 degrees. BK said it had been gloomy for days and this was an unusually nice day. Blessed to make new friends, eat good food, and see the world. Pinch me.

Can you advise the tour company and contact - this sounds like a great tour , thanks

[monkey@cruise]

Shimizu DIY

A free shuttle bus will provide by the Port Authority. It had two main drop off points: one at Shimizu JR station and the other S-Pulse Dream Plaza.

 

Shimizu JR station stop: 
** 50 min train ride (fare 600 yen) to Fujinomiya Station, 15 min walk to Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha (Free) and Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre (300 yen admission).
** 10 min walk to Shimizu Fish Market and Kashi-no-Ichi Market, a nice place to get seafood especially tuna. There are two parts, the seafood market and the restaurants. Waterfront Japanese eatery serving market-fresh seafood in a simple space at a fish market.

Note:
- Although English is not spoken, there are plenty of opportunities to communicate in smiles with the vendors or use google translate solve basic communication problem.
- If you don't care for seafood, there are options like pork katsu dish....
- Before deciding which of the many restaurants to choose from for having a fresh seafood lunch, I advise to browse up and down the storefronts for their wax food displays.
- If you couldn't get on a Japan's green tea tour, try some while visiting the market.
- Try Sakura Shrimp Kakiage, small red shrimps and minced green onions are mixed with a small amount of tempura batter and deep-fried until crispy.

 

S-Pulse Dream Plaza stop:
** Shimizu Sushi Museum. There is an admission free area ”Shimizu Sushi Yokocho”, and an area centered on ”Sushi Gakudo” in the 2nd floor where admission fees (300 yen) required.
** Mt. Fuji & Shimizu Port Cruise, 40 minute cruise, fare 1500 yen. The pier is Hinode platform, 5-7 min walk from cruise terminal or S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
https://www.shimizu-cruise.co.jp/en/baycruise/

[scorfman]

10 hours ago, rsvp1 said:

Can you advise the tour company and contact - this sounds like a great tour , thanks

BK from Tours by Locals

[DaKahuna]

Good morning from Aomori, Japan. 

 

We were welcomed by a small band of performers, playing across from the mid-ships gangway area.  We listened to them from our balcony until they finished their performance. 

 

 

Glancing around I could not help but notice snow capped mountains in the distance.  Just the way I like anything related with snow — far and away from where I am but viewable. 

 

 

Our shore excursion meets at 0845 in the theater so we have a bit of time to relax before heading there. 

 

 

 

 

 

[monkey@cruise]

It's 20 min walking distance to city center, head to the triangle building direction. Showing sea pass will get discount on Nebuta Museum WA RASSE admission.  

[arsesta]

On 5/8/2024 at 7:58 PM, monkey@cruise said:

Japan's Three Most Scenic Places: Miyajima (Shrine Island), Amanohashidate (Heaven Bridge) and Matsushima (Pine Island).  https://nihonsankei.jp/eng/

 

The most popular item in Miyajima is the oyster curry bread (500 yen), which contains two whole large oysters. "Hiroshima Curry bread Laboratory Miyajima Main Store"

 

Oyster lovers, try the Oyster set meal in Kakiya or Oyster okonomiyaki in SAKURAMARU.

Travelling from JR Itsukaichi Station (Shuttle drop off) to Miyajima on public transportation is easy and inexpensive:
- From Itsukaichi Station, take San-yo Line (For Iwakuni or Ono-Ura) to Miyajimaguchi Station, every 15 min, fare ¥200, 4 stops, 12 min.
- Walk 5-8 min to Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal, take JR West Miyajima Ferry or Matsudai Kisen Ferry to Miyajima, fare ¥200 + tourist tax ¥100, 10 min crossing time. 15 min walking time from ferry terminal to Itsukushima Jinja.

 

From Miyajima to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum:
1. Expensive high speed ferry from Miyajima to Atomic Bomb Dome pier, 45 min time,  fare ¥2400-2800
2. Travel back to Miyajimaguchi Station, take San-yo Line (for Hiroshima, Shiraichi or Itozaki) to Yokogawa Station, every 15 min, fare ¥330, 7 stops, 22 min.
The train station is connected to Yokogawa tram  Station.  Ride Hiroshima Dentetsu No.7 (For Hiroshimako) every 15 min, fare ¥220, 15 min , 9 stops get off at Fukuromachi tram station and walk 8 min to the Museum.

 

@monkey@cruise Thanks for sharing this info! 😀 We are heading there in June. Is there a fee to ride the shuttle from cruise port to JR Itsukaichi station? Do they offer a shuttle back from JR station to the port as well? 

 

It seems like it does take a bit of time to get out of the Hiroshima cruise terminal due to immigrations/customs from the other posts. Was there a specific time you were expected back at the ship before it departed? Ours is supposed to be docked from 1-10 pm. Would getting back to the ship by 9 pm be ok? 

 

 

[scorfman]

26 minutes ago, arsesta said:

@monkey@cruise Thanks for sharing this info! 😀 We are heading there in June. Is there a fee to ride the shuttle from cruise port to JR Itsukaichi station? Do they offer a shuttle back from JR station to the port as well? 

 

It seems like it does take a bit of time to get out of the Hiroshima cruise terminal due to immigrations/customs from the other posts. Was there a specific time you were expected back at the ship before it departed? Ours is supposed to be docked from 1-10 pm. Would getting back to the ship by 9 pm be ok? 

 

 

The shuttle is free both ways. Please see my summary post of our day in Hiroshima for full info!

[lyneem]

On 5/2/2024 at 5:55 AM, DaKahuna said:

 

  Thank you for this information.  We both use the Surica app in our Apple Wallet.  Has worked well for all our train rides.  Interestingly enough, the fare is cheaper if you use IC to pay than if you buy a physical ticket.  I think I only noticed one or two people in all our travels using a physical ticket.  

 

Hi , I will be in Japan for the cruise leaving oct 6th 2024. How do I buy this suica app and will it work on a samsung phone ? and exactly what is it?

[Pushka]

11 minutes ago, lyneem said:

Hi , I will be in Japan for the cruise leaving oct 6th 2024. How do I buy this suica app and will it work on a samsung phone ? and exactly what is it?

It isn't available for non Japanese made Androids, only IPhones unfortunately. You can just buy tickets as you go. 

[scorfman]

1 minute ago, Pushka said:

It isn't available for non Japanese made Androids, only IPhones unfortunately. You can just buy tickets as you go. 

Or get a physical Suica at the airport on arrival. You can use them all over Japan, like Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima,etc and they are super convenient. Search YouTube and there is all manner of info. 

[monkey@cruise]

52 minutes ago, arsesta said:

@monkey@cruise Thanks for sharing this info! 😀 We are heading there in June. Is there a fee to ride the shuttle from cruise port to JR Itsukaichi station? Do they offer a shuttle back from JR station to the port as well? 

 

It seems like it does take a bit of time to get out of the Hiroshima cruise terminal due to immigrations/customs from the other posts. Was there a specific time you were expected back at the ship before it departed? Ours is supposed to be docked from 1-10 pm. Would getting back to the ship by 9 pm be ok? 

 

 

The FREE shuttle buses are run by Port Authority because Itsukaichi Wharf is an industrial area. From cruise terminal to JR Itsukaichi station is 1.5 mi distance (10 min ride). The ship will post the last return shuttle time.

 

Check your cruise itinerary, exit immigration at last port before South Korea and entrance immigration and customs  at first port after South Korea. For example, if your cruise itinerary is Hiroshima -> South Korea -> Hakodate, then your exit immigration is at Hiroshima and entrance immigration at Hakodate. In general, aboard time for non tender port is 30 minutes before sailing; 60 minutes for tender port.

 

Most Hiroshima stores close at 8:00pm, and public transport (tram and train) from city center to Itsukaichi Station takes an hour. If you miss the ship and your next port is Hakodate, will be an expensive 12 hours Shinkansen ride to catch your ship.🙂
 

[arsesta]

20 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

The FREE shuttle buses are run by Port Authority because Itsukaichi Wharf is an industrial area. From cruise terminal to JR Itsukaichi station is 1.5 mi distance (10 min ride). The ship will post the last return shuttle time.

 

Check your cruise itinerary, exit immigration at last port before South Korea and entrance immigration and customs  at first port after South Korea. For example, if your cruise itinerary is Hiroshima -> South Korea -> Hakodate, then your exit immigration is at Hiroshima and entrance immigration at Hakodate. In general, aboard time for non tender port is 30 minutes before sailing; 60 minutes for tender port.

 

Most Hiroshima stores close at 8:00pm, and public transport (tram and train) from city center to Itsukaichi Station takes an hour. If you miss the ship and your next port is Hakodate, will be an expensive 12 hours Shinkansen ride to catch your ship.🙂
 

Super helpful. thank you so much! We will have a toddler with us so likely we won't stay out too late. From my recollection (this is pre-COVID), Hiroshima restaurants and bars were pretty lively in the evenings. We are excited to experience it again now with the rest of the family. 

 

Really appreciate your DIY instructions in this thread! 

[monkey@cruise]

13 minutes ago, arsesta said:

Super helpful. thank you so much! We will have a toddler with us so likely we won't stay out too late. From my recollection (this is pre-COVID), Hiroshima restaurants and bars were pretty lively in the evenings. We are excited to experience it again now with the rest of the family. 

 

Really appreciate your DIY instructions in this thread! 

I was in Hiroshima for 3 days this March. Yes, some restaurants and bars do stay open late beyond 9pm. Japan is now over tourism, and yen is devalued. 

[monkey@cruise]

1 hour ago, lyneem said:

Hi , I will be in Japan for the cruise leaving oct 6th 2024. How do I buy this suica app and will it work on a samsung phone ? and exactly what is it?

Suica is a JR EAST smartcard used to pay for travel on public transport in Japan. It's similar to Opal card in Australia. The Suica app is the digital copy on a smart phone. Suica app isn't perfect yet, does not work with some foreign VISA credit cards, OK with Mastercard and AMEX. In additional to SUICA, there are 9 more IC cards available, like PASMO, ICOCA....

 

If your purchase the "Welcome Suica" or "PASMO Passport" tourist IC card, they are non refundable and expires in 28 days. If you top up too much and leave unused, then on Day 29, your money will donate to Japan rail.

 

You can purchase transport day pass at each port city, is fixed cost and unlimited ride. You just need to plan for Tokyo transport.

[Pushka]

56 minutes ago, scorfman said:

Or get a physical Suica at the airport on arrival. You can use them all over Japan, like Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima,etc and they are super convenient. Search YouTube and there is all manner of info. 

Yes. But I have an iPhone. They are a good idea if not an iPhone user. 

[DaKahuna]

Today was a nice day weather wise.  

 

 Our tour bus was called early and we were sitting in the bus waiting to go by the time printed on the tickets said to be in the theater.  There was a little more delay when it turned out four people on our bus had been given the wrong numbers in the theater.  They were supposed to be on ed an all day tour vice a short three and a half hour tour.   Once that was sorted we were on our way. 

 

Our first stop was the Siery_-iJi Temple, home to Japan’s largest seated Buddha.  This one is 70 feet tall and weighs about 220 tons.  It was about a 30 minute bus ride from the ship’s terminal to the temple. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 the temple is also know for it’s impressive 5 level pagoda.  It is one of the tallest 5 level pagoda’s in Japan. 

 

 

 

And of course the start attraction is the sitting buda

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside the base of the buda there is a number of drawings showing 17 items  that are a part of the buddast beliefs.  After going through and looking at them, you come to the end and they are written out on three sheets of paper 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a lot of interesting things to see and experience at this temple and many felt that one hour was just simply not enough time but that is what the tour was allotted. 

 

 

 

 

[DaKahuna]

Our second stop on the tour, after about a 30 minute drive was the Nebuta Hours or Wa Rasse.  This is there the award winning floats, about 1.5 tons each, from the Nebuta Festival, which takes place each August, are housed.   If you are really into photography there is really so many great pictures that can be taken here.  I took so many it’s actually hard deciding which ones to include but there are just too many to include them all. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To give you an idea of how these are constructed here is a cut away of a face, the interior is a wire and wood frame covered with paper and then hand painted by various artist.  

 

 

Here is the front view 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are just a few of the mask and their artist that have been on floats over the years.