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.

My friend is onboard May 2nd sailing, he emailed me saying he went back to cruise terminal looking for the eki stamp station after check-in. You cannot go back once through exit immigration control. My last Japan cruise, I could go back after check-in but not the Singapore to Yokohama sailing, no one allow go back once through Singapore exit control.

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/

Osaka Castle Hakodate: left - Red Brick Warehouse, Mt. Hakodate, Motomachi at foothills

The cable car ride is Mt. Hakodate, foothills is Motomachi area. You can see the Red Brick Warehouse near the bay. try the Pastry snaffles.

Cruise ship will dock on the right behind the overpass, the fish market back entrance is on the left, you can make it in 3 min.

5 min walk there. If you can leave the ship before 1pm, have lunch there, price is much cheaper than onboard Sushi on 5 and without the 18% gratuity.😜

Hakodate DIY (if you are the last person off the ship at 1pm, then eat before you leave). - Purchase a tram day pass (600 yen) from Tourist Information Center (near the central exit) at Hakodate Station. There are only two tram lines in the city, and they follow the same route except for the last three stops, at the foot of Mt. Hakodate. The routes are distinguished by color and number: * Route 2 (red, station codes starting with Y): Runs from Yunokawa, stopping at Matsukazecho, Hakodate-Ekimae, and Jujigai, and terminates at Yachigashira. * Route 5 (blue, station codes starting with D): Runs from Yunokawa, stopping at Matsukazecho, Hakodate-Ekimae, and Jujigai, and terminates at Hakodate-Dokkumae. To ride a tram, make your way to the closest tram stop, which are islands (very narrow) in the middle of main streets, use tram pedestrian crosswalks to the island. DO NOT JAYWALK ! Look at the signs to be sure you’re boarding a tram going to your destination. Trams arrive every 6 to 12 minutes during the day. Board the tram by the middle or rear door, front door for EXIT only. Some of the trams have a vintage look and some are very modern in appearance. Trams for Goryokaku For the historic fortress of Goryokaku, from Hakodate-Ekimae near Hakodate Station get on either a Route 2 or Route 5 tram going toward Yunokawa. Get off at Goryokaku-Koenmae (D/Y 09) and walk about 10 minutes to Goryokaku Park. Trams for Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse and Motomachi: -- For Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, from Hakodate-Ekimae near Hakodate Station get on either a Route 2 or Route 5 tram going toward Yachigashira or Hakodate-Dokkumae. Get off at Jujigai (D/Y 20) and walk uphill, about 7 minutes, to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway terminal. -- For the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse shopping mall area, from Hakodate-Ekimae near Hakodate Station get on either a Route 2 or Route 5 tram going toward Yachigashira or Hakodate-Dokkumae. Get off at Jujigai (D/Y 20) and walk northwest, about 7 minutes, toward the bay. -- For Motomachi, where you can visit historic buildings such as the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward and the Former British Consulate, from Hakodate-Ekimae near Hakodate Station get on either a Route 2 going toward Hakodate-Dokkumae. Get off at Suehirocho (D21) and walk uphill toward Motomachi Park. Japanese snacks and beers: 10 min walk from cruise terminal to MAXValu supermarket, Eating area on 2nd floor, microwave available.

Are you talking the Hakodate Morning Market Ekini Market? If the ship docks at Wakamatsu Wharf Quay, will be walking distance. The market closes at 2pm. The good one is fishing your own squids for your Donburi. If you missed the Hakodate one, go to Aomori's AUGA basement fish market, the Aomori Gyosai Center (Aomori Nokkedon) is too touristy.

With the latest IOS 17.2+, Suica mobile still not working with some foreign Visa cards, OK with Mastercard or AMEX. The work around is top up with cash through an IC capable station kiosk (identify with flashing purple lights) Make sure you add money outside of the Mobile Suica nightly downtime maintenance period: 1am~5am JST. I will use Apple Watch instead of iphone for digital IC.

Last month, my friend bought a physical Suica card from JR tourist office in Shinjuku. I bought an Icoca card from Osaka KIX airport, works across Japan.

Can't use Visit Japan Web app because only applicable for airport arrival. Will be paper arrival card and customs declaration. All passengers must face picture and index fingers print again, and new tourist sticker.

I did ask customer relation regarding who authorize the priority, they always say Japan immigration. I know Suite and Shore Excursion passengers always the top. You will receive your immigration letter and time ticket day before Hakodate arrival. If immigration done onboard the stations will be in Rendezvous Lounge, and Deck 4 will be off limits,

Do expect slow Japan immigration and customs clearance onboard at Hakodate (3-4 hours). The plus side, ship will dock at Wakamatsu Wharf Quay: 500 feet to JR Hakodate station, 0.6 mi to Red Brick Warehouse, 1.2 mi to Mt Hakodate Ropeway station. 2.2 mi to Goryōkaku Tower. You can view these attractions from Deck 12. Suite and Aqua cabin passengers, ship excursion passengers and confirmed private tours passengers will assign priority clearance. Anyone who got off the ship late, still can visit these attraction on a budget. Beer lovers, the onboard Sapporo beer is from CANADA! I picked up the genuine (125-150 yen) from MAXVALU supermarket, 15 min walk from cruise terminal, will see ship crews pick up their supply from there, the eating area is on 2nd floor, also my beer hall.

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.

Yes, you can, you must carry your cruise card and passport. I knew a few passengers in May sailing went back to the cruise terminal for the ekistamp after check-in.

Google sometimes is not your reliable travel tool. The easiest and most economical travel route from Itsukaichi to Hirosshima Peace Memorial Museum. From JR Itsukaichi station, San-yo Line (for Hiroshima: Shiraichi or Itozaki) every 15 min, fare ¥200, 10 min, 3 stops, off at Yokogawa Station, 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. For those travel without IC card, For San-yo Line, purchase the ticket through the vending machines, choose English language option. Here is how to ride the tram: https://www.hiroden.co.jp/en/s-howtoride.html Transport fare payment accept cash or IC card, also tram only accept 1000 yen bank note for change. If you plan to ride the tram > 3 time, buy a street car (tram) day pass for 700 yen.

If you like to save 3500 yen on taxi: Taxi to Shinagawa station Konan Exit taxi stand, 700 feet to the cruise shuttle Shinagawa pickup stand.

If you go to Kyoto first, prefer taking a taxi (no Uber in Japan) from cruise terminal to either Osaka station or Shin-Osaka station. For short haul travel, shinkansen isn't the quickest mode of transportation, and is expensive. Usually I fly to Osaka and pre-cruise stay in Kyoto or Osaka, cost in much cheaper than in Tokyo, and ride the shinkansen from Kyoto to Yokohama cruise terminal in 2.5 hrs, same time frame from Tokyo Narita to Yokohama terminal. If you plan carefully, your saving can pay for another Japan cruise 🤑. If you plan staying in Nara for 4 hours, you can connect a local volunteer guide (you pay for his/her meal and travel/admin expenses). Most Japan attractions open till 5pm, plan accordingly.

YCAT website: https://www.ycat.co.jp/#animatedModal02 Select English in left side language option. Timetable: https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCYCAT/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.ycat.co.jp/route/haneda/ycat2haneda/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XPARAM=s,&XCHARSET=UTF-8&XPORG=,&XJSID=0 Floor Map:. Taxi drop off at the taxi stand on the south side, luggage carts available nearby, follow the direction to the lobby area. Bus tickets to Haneda must purchase through ticket machines (have English lang. option). Fare is 650 yen, 30 min ride, frequent is 15 min. You have to tell the curbside dispatcher which terminal you are getting off, so he/she will load your luggage accordingly, There is a restriction, 1 piece checked bag per passenger.

Please note: April is Sakura Season (Cherry Blossom) in Japan. Golden week: Apr 29, 2025 – May 5, 2025. Osaka Expo: Apr 13, 2025 – Oct 13, 2025 Ship will dock at Osaka Tempozan cruise terminal Osaka to Nara: walk 10 min to Osakako Station, take Chuo Line to Ikome station, transfer to Kinetetsu-Nara Line to Kintetsu-Nara station. travel time 1 hr. Either walk or bus to Tōdai-ji temple and Nara Deer Park. Nara to Kyoto: a) To Fushimi Inari Taisha or Kyoto station: Take Nara Line from Nara Station (1 mile west of Kintetsu-Nara station), to Inari Station or Kyoto station. b) To Fushimi Inari Taisha: Take Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu-Nara station to Kintetsu-Tambabashi Station. Walk 3 min to Tambabashi Sation, take Keihan Main Line to Ryukokudai-mae-fukakusa Station. To Kyoto station: Take Kintetsu-Kyoto Line from Kintetsu-Nara station to Kyoto station. Kyoto to Osaka: Take Tokaido-Sanyo Line from Kyoto station to Osaka station, transfer to metro Osaka Loop Line in Osaka station or metro Midosuji Line in Umeda station, then transfer to metro Chuo Line back to Osakako Station. one hour travel time. If you like night out in Dotonbori (Osaka Time Square), take metro Midosuji Line to Namba station. There are two levels and one underground food courts in Kyoto station. Osaka station is complex, don't got lost inside!

Here is the Tokyo Port Authority 2024 cruise schedule: https://www.kouwan.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kanko/cruiseshipschedule2024_En.pdf 東京港客船入港予定|観光レジャー|東京都港湾局公式ホームページ (tokyo.lg.jp) For NCL ships, usually dock at Tokyo International cruise terminal. Free Shuttle Bus Information 　The Bureau of Port and Harbor, Tokyo, operates a free shuttle bus service for passengers boarding and disembarking cruise Cruise Ship when they enter the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. 　The route and schedule of the shuttle bus service will be posted in the "Announcements" section of the website below as soon as they are finalized. https://www.tptc.co.jp/cms/terminal/file/file2024/cruise_terminal/shuttlebus/0430QEshuttlebus-english.pdf

All sailings on Spectrum of the Seas when departing from Mainland China, are Culturally Enriching Cruises. Guests will be immersed in the local culture, Mandarin and Chinese food are the primary on board. By the same token, Diamond Princess sailings are Japanese.

Don't be surprised if seeing bidet toilets bring on board 😜 Dancing grannies and Damas 大妈 bad behaviour on MSC Bellissima during her maiden voyage from Shanghai, only pizza area and specialty restaurants were missed. This is how Socialism with Chinese characteristics supersedes Western Capitalism !

Which airport Haneda or Narita? All international flights must be checked in at least 2 hours before scheduled departure, you must go through security and exit immigration. Once the gangway is open for disembarkation, the real wait is simply how many other people are ahead of you. Yokohama has three cruise terminals, taxi resource will be tight if multiple ships in port, taxi time to Haneda airport usually is 30 min without traffic; to Narita is 90 min.