gtsing1311

10 hours ago, onlyslightlymad said:

I had a quick look at your itinerary.  Actually, most of the ports are different, but I'll tell you what we did on the ones that are the same.  I realised that I said that we didn't do any ship excursions but that's not true.  We did do one in Shimizu and one in Nagasaki.

Not sure if you are staying pre or post cruise.  We spent a couple of nights in Tokyo and did a great cycle tour.

I see you are staying in Kobe overnight.  We did the same.  The train station in Kobe was within walking distance of the cruise ship.  On the first day, we took a train to Himeji and went to Himeji castle.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himeji_Castle It is a UNESCO world heritage site and I just really wanted to see it.  As I recall the train took about an hour and it is an easy walk to the castle from the station.   There are also very pretty gardens nearby.  We did this on the first day because we figured that if we were delayed, the ship would still be there and we wouldn't get left behind.

On Day 2, we took a train to the Nada district of Kobe, as it is known for it's sake breweries. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3556.html. We took a self guided walking map to visit the breweries.  We actually only managed to find three but it was fun and everyone was very helpful and friendly.  We then trained back into town because I wanted to try some Kobe beef.  From our Lonely Planet guide, we followed directions to a recommended gourmet burger joint, which was very funky.  Again, everyone was very friendly.  That was a bit of a walk so we were quite tired after that and headed back to the ship.  I prefer to see fewer attractions and see them well, rather than five minutes here and there.

For Nagasaki, we did do a Celebrity tour.  It was a walking tour, but also used the local trams to get about.  I learnt a lot and I would recommend it.  Note, everything we did involved some walking.

At Shimizu, we were only docked for a half day (less time that you are).  So for this we did a bus tour off the ship as we were worried about time.  It was quite frustrating as there was a lot of driving, stopping for short time, taking pictures, waiting for people to come back to the bus.  I do not recommend this tour.  The one interesting part of the tour was the visit to the original tomb of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunōzan_Tōshō-gū#:~:text=The Kunōzan Tōshō-gū (久能,gū shrines in the country.  If you have been watching the new adaptation of Shogun, the character of Toranaga is based on the historical figure.  If I was to visit again, I would find my own way to this tomb and not waste my time on all the other boring bus bits.

I know a lot of passengers will opt to visit Fuji but we didn't feel this was enough time on our port visit.  You have more time in port.  Also, after the cruise we went to Hakone for five days.  This is a thermal resort town close to Fuji, so we had the option to visit then.

We did not visit Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Jeju or Osaka (but I had been to Osaka before).  Instead we went to Busan, Aomori,  and Kochi.  So, sorry I can't be of more assistance with those other ports.

This is REALLY helpful!  thank you.  We're spending 3 full days in Tokyo prior to boarding.  Just flummoxed by the cost/logistics of the off-ship activities and a bit hesitant to spend the $ as husband had an accident (on our own boat!) and has some temporary mobility problems, fingers crossed he'll be fit enough to do the required walking by then.  I too am put off by the long bus trips, as you say, too short on the sight-seeing, too heavy on the transport.  I'll print off your document and use it to make our plans this weekend. Thanks again.

3 hours ago, onlyslightlymad said:

Our cruise was in 2017 so that was a few years ago but I am happy to share what we did and what we liked and didn't like.  I'm not sure if the ports are the same.

Hi I'm sure the ports are very much the same.  Currently drawing a blank on onshore options as all the tour companies are fully booked.  Ships excursions are expensive but I'll likely end up booking one or two as otherwise won't get to see much.

Ship excursions are usually expensive but these 2024 ones are actually prohibitive.  I'm looking at off-ship tours, still pricey but not as much as the ship and private or smaller groups.

Our cruise departs Yokogawa 21st April 2024: alarmed at the cost of shore excursions even with external third party private tours: has anyone used Hop On Hop Off bus (HOHO) at any Japan ports? Particularly interested in a Kyoto tour, also ports Kagoshima and Hiroshima.  In Europe often the HOHO buses line up at the cruise terminals - is this the same in Japan?