pacrimheather

Thanks so much for your instant reply!!!!! Thats just the info I needed. I love Japan but need to be aware they are 15 years older and I don't want to wear them out.

I just led some "senior sensitivity training" on Friday to help the Japanese that serve non-Japanese cruise passengers better understand their challenges and limitations--esp. when it comes to mobility. I think it was very eye-opening for them.

Hi Heather,

We are bringing first timers to Japan, they are older, capable of walking but a bit slower than the average person, and I am wondering about our free day in Yokohama on the b2b cruise.

 

We have been to Hida folk village in Takayama, Shirakawa-mura near Toyama, Boso no Mura Open Air Museum Narita.

We are thinking of taking them to Nihon Minka-en or alternatively the much easier to get to Sankei-en gardens. Could you advise how Nihon Minka-en compares to the other villages we have visited and weather you feel it is worth the extra time involved in travel to go there. Alternative is to take the hop on hop off bus to Sankei-en gardes in the morning and then do a lap on each of the routes in the afternoon using a 500 yen day ticket.

Thanks for all your help.

I would stick with Sankei-en. Due to CIQ procedures and so forth, people tend to have less time on "turnaround" day as in transit passengers in Yokohama than they think they will. It's probably pushing it to go that far, and Sankei-en is quite nice. The other benefit is the gardens are relatively shaded. The walking surface is mostly flat but they use gravel. Make sure they pack/wear good walking shoes with rubber soles. If they get tired, you can take a break inside for a Japanese tea ceremony. I think I recall seeing a few wheelchairs available at the entrance either for free or nominal rental, if needed.

A LOT Of people do both. Start with land, so you can adjust to the time zone at your own pace and get oriented. Then you will be poised to take full advantage of the cruise. Use your time for the land portion to focus on places inland since you will be visiting coastal port cities on the cruise.

Purely in the interest of transparency, the app Cruise Port Navigator is owned by Heather Hopkins Clement, the person who has recommended it.

 

The app is well designed and very helpful.

That's precisely why I just posted the name of the app without further comment. :) Just wanted to make people aware of it; they can decide for themselves whether or not it's useful. Feedback is always welcome.

Cruise Port Navigator

I use it all the time. Never been told about a limit. Take my carry-on onboard.

Hi, good to hear from you again! That's a good way to catch my attention. :)

It is my understanding that instead of the local authorities providing free shuttles, Princess is now selling shuttle bus tickets onboard through the shore excursion office for $5-10. No tenders on this itinerary. I believe the shuttle bus drop-off points are essentially the same, but please reconfirm onboard.

Hi Heather I would really appreciate your help in regard to the following Japanese ports as to whether free shuttles will be put on for our upcoming cruise but also if any of the stops will be tenders

 

Ishinomaki 28 july

 

As you've probably discovered in your research, Ishinomaki was one of the places heavily destroyed by the 2011 tsunami. Although a small Japanese cruise ship called there in May, this is the very first time to receive a foreign cruise ship this size. The shuttle bus will drop you off at "Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba" which is a market/souvenir shop. 　According to Google Maps that's a 25-30 minute drive from the port. From there to Ishinomaki station is about a 15-minute walk. Keep in mind that many of the port areas in the Tohoku region are much less densely populated, so public transport is scarce and infrequent. (I went everywhere by car when I visited.)

 

Hakodate 29 July

Typical drop-off point is Hakodate station which is very central. From Minatocho pier, it's about a 15-minute drive.

 

Aomori 2nd and 7th August

Typically, the shuttle drop-off point is ASPAM--just a 5-minute drive from where the Diamond docks. However, during the Nebuta Festival traffic is crazy, so the drop-off point could change. If you go our on your own, allow yourself PLENTY of time to get back to the ship as you are likely to get stuck in heavy traffic and may not be able to get a taxi, etc.

 

Akita 6 August

Typically, the shuttle drop-off point is the Castle Hotel which is about 20 minutes from the port. From there, it's a 10-15 minute walk to Akita Station. Again, be cautious about your return time due to the Kanto Festival.

 

Sakaiminato 9 August

Typically, the shuttle drop-off point is Yumeminato Tower which is about a 10-minute drive. From the Tower to Sakaiminato Station is a 10-minute taxi ride.

 

Kochi 12 August

I haven't explored Kochi from their new terminal, but according to my port handbook, it is a 30-minute drive from the port to Kochi Station. Of course, the Yosakoi Festival traffic will impact things.

 

Tokushima 13 August

Typically, it's a 30-minute drive from the pier to Tokushima Station. Again, the Awa Odori Festival traffic may affect routes and drop-off points.

 

If free shuttles aren't provided is there a bus stop or is it easily walkable to town?

 

Thanks so much for your always helpful advice, We will be missing you on the Diamond.

If you need more detailed assistance with anything, you can email me at heahopcle at gmail dot com.

Generally speaking, they dress more conservatively. But they are not like in Thailand where you can't show your shoulders, ankles, etc. You will be asked to remove your shoes at times when visiting shrines and temples, so I recommend taking shoes with good soles for walking that can easily slip on/off.

I've written a very detailed article on this topic, but when I try to post the link it gets censored. If anyone wants me to send them the link, just email me at heahopcle at gmail dot com.

Personally, I think using taxis for long-haul trips is a waste of money. With some advance planning, you can avoid the cost and save that money for something better.

Yes, it's best to wait until you arrive in Japan and withdraw cash yen from the ATM, so make sure you know your card's PIN number.

Typical Japanese ATMs do not accept overseas cards. However, all three of the ones below will and have an "English Guidance" button (typically in the top right corner) you can press to change all the instructions into English.

Japan Post "JP" Yucho ATMs (mostly inside post offices, but some free-standing machines): https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en/ias/en_ias_index.html

Seven Banks ATMS (mostly inside 7-11 convenience stores, but some free-standing machines): https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/english/

Lawson (convenience store) ATMs: https://oversea.lawson-atm.com/ja/index.html

Thank Heather I am doing an excursion that will bring us to the warehouse. I don't know when I'd be back to Hakodate so I want to see as much as I can. Have a good day.

Make sure to try the Snaffles that are sold there. They are individual "one-bite" cheesecakes that are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! http://www.snaffles.jp/english/

Larger cruise ships typically dock outside of the city, and a shuttle bus brings them to Hakodate station. From there, it is about a 10-minute walk.

Thanks I like option 3. We are senior senior cruisers. How hard will it be to load our suitcases on train.

Also do you know the price from port to NRT?

Thanks Ontario Cruiser

That's why I typically recommend the airport limousine bus instead of a train, because it is almost door-to-door. Take the taxi from Osanbashi to "YCAT" (a specific area in Yokohama station, which is quite large). Then, take the limousine bus from YCAT to NRT. You can find everything you want to know about this service in English here: http://www.ycat.co.jp/en/route/narita/ycat2narita.php

If you want to explore before taking the coach to the airport, there is a luggage storage service there as well.

I‘ve searched the air pollution websites and China is definitely out, probably Japan and Hong Kong also.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I have allergies and asthma and spend half my time in Los Angeles and half my time in Japan. Japan's air quality is MUCH better than that of China's. I don't have any issues there.

Although I have NOT been to this particular aquarium, I have been to quite a few in Japan. Just a word of caution. In general, the way animals are treated at aquariums and zoos in Japan lags behind the way they are treated in the west. So, if that's the kind of thing that bothers you, you may want to pass.

Tokyo hotels - no problem.

Kyoto hotels - a bit difficult

Osaka hotels - possible, but probably not anyplace you want to stay, try outlying areas or Kyoto.

 

Tokyo should be less crowded than normal, but more of the crowds will be off work.

Osaka will be slammed with tourists.

Kyoto, well, it will ave more tourists than normal.

 

Be careful of anything you try and schedule, make certain it will be open. Many Imperial Household places will be closed on several of the dates, as will many other places and tours.

 

Trains will be crowded, if you are getting a JR Pass (recommended) get a Green Car pass. Reservations should not be too much of an issue, but get them at least a few hours early for shinkansen.

 

Wifi and Sim cards - no issue.

 

Transport to airport shouldn't be an issue.

 

We'll be arriving Apr 28 for the week prior to our cruise on May 6 and have hit up several Japanese forums to get advice (and figure out how much has changed since I lived there in the early 90's).

 

Answer to the second - a LOT.

I first lived in Japan as an exchange student in 1990, and yes a LOT has changed--most of it for the better when it comes to tourism.

My tips for Golden Week are to remember that banks and post offices are closed for national holidays. Shops and tourist spots are generally open, but may be operating under special hours. If you want to be out and about, you'll need to be extra patient (long lines) and extra tolerant of invasions of personal space (crowded). This also means, of course, you will accomplish less and that you need to give yourself more of a cushion time-wise.

Hi Heather,

We are on the MSC Splendida, disembarking Yokohama on the 28th April '18 and wondered if you had an update on sending luggage from the terminal to either a Tokyo hotel and/or Narita airport ?

Kind regards,

Mandy

Sagawa sometimes has a kiosk set up in the terminal for disembarking passengers, but I don't know specifically if there will be one on that day. If not, you could take a taxi to Yokohama station and send your luggage from there. Make sure you have the complete address and telephone # for your hotel--ideally in Japanese. Remember, also, that it is not a same-day service. If you send it the morning of embarkation, it won't arrive at a Tokyo hotel or Narita airport until the following morning by noon. However, Japanese hotels provide enough amenities and overnight sleepwear to get by with until then. Hope that helps!

Thank you very much for the clarification. Any ideas as to what we might do in that area now that I realize that we are pretty far from Kumamoto?

Yes, I can give you some tips. I just need to refresh my memory from my last visit there, I'll get back to you later this week.

Ovation of the Seas docks at the Port of Yatsushiro in Kumamoto prefecture: https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Yatsushiro+Port/@32.5245201,130.5300929,13.74z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1z5YWr5Luj5riv!3m4!1s0x35407f4c4f7f1807:0xc4261a3297b5e8ba!8m2!3d32.5132915!4d130.5567433?hl=en

Actually, although cruise lines often call the port "Kumamoto", it is actually Yatsushiro which is located in Kumamoto prefecture. I can confirm for you if you give me the date and ship. I know it's hard to plan when it is unclear where you are docking!

Thanks. I'd like to bring a small gift for the 3-day tour guide but have no idea what to bring (heck, I'm not even sure if the guide is a man or woman). Guess I'll have to give it some thought.

I typically recommend something representative of where you are from. If you run out, you can always get something like a keychain or magnet from the ship's store. As a Californian, I often give small, seasonal boxes from See's Candies. A lot of Japanese men aren't big on sweets, though. Recently I bought a lot of different things from Trader Joe's for some Japanese friends and then let them choose what they wanted. Items that were popular were the unique flavored loose teas, maple syrup and gourmet hot chocolate. Hope that helps. I try to aim for the US$5-10 range. Hope that helps!

Heather knows everything worth knowing about Japan and is a wonderful asset to CC.

We were on Diamond Princess in July 2015 when she was the "everything you need to know about Japan" lecturer.

We were again on Diamond Princess in August 2016 and sadly she wasn't on board. Such a huge loss to those cruising Japan.

We love Japan and will never get tired of the beautiful people. Think I am up to about 12 trips but only 2 cruises. We always combine JR pass and a couple of weeks of land travel pre/post cruise.

I wont comment as Heather is the guru of Japan so her info will be 100% accurate.

Tara Jane,

I just saw this post. Thanks for your kind words! I'm still back and forth between the US and Japan focused on assisting passengers cruising in Japan, but I am doing in on my own instead of for a cruise line. Let me know if/when I can ever be of assistance, but I've been following your posts through the years, and you are getting a good command of things in Japan!

Hi there, I would love to get more info, but your email was blocked out, hopefully you will see this message.

If you want to post your email here, I can contact you instead. Perhaps that won't get blocked?