'Discoverer-ing' Japan and the Philippines

For example as a Brit I would work hard to deter a foreigner trying to get a flavour of our country by cruising round Dover, Lowestoff, Grimsby, Newcastle when the interesting bits like Oxford, Cambridge, The Cotswolds and The Pennines are 'three hour coach rides'.

 

Belfast, Inverness, Cardiff and many other places are less than a 3 hour coach ride for anyone who concedes that some of Britain isn't England.

What a shame that you would have visitors miss seeing Canterbury, the Weald, the Broads, Southwold and Aldeburgh , the Wolds, the Peak District, York, Durham, Alnwick, all of which are much less than 3 hours' distance from the ports which you mention, quite apart from the vibrancy of Newcastle itself.

 

I am all for packing and unpacking once on a trip, but part of the burden is transporting luggage from A-B-C etc. It is common and very safe in Japan to send cases ahead from hotel to hotel which alleviates some of the stress of a multi-centre holiday..

 

Rp

And even Norwich, if one was foolhardy enough to venture across the border.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Three posters challenging my short list of inland attractions.

Yes I know I have not included everywhere worth seeing. Before this highjacks the thread can I admit my omissions and hope we can go back to discussing Japan.

Tony

Three posters challenging my short list of inland attractions.

 

Yes I know I have not included everywhere worth seeing. Before this highjacks the thread can I admit my omissions and hope we can go back to discussing Japan.

 

Tony

I definitely wouldn't give up on Japan.We have travelled Japan extensively.The only cruises around Japan that we have done and would recommend would be at Cherry blossom time as you get to the major gardens without the hassle of trains and hotels which are crowded at that time.

When travelling around we travel by train-they are comfortable and fast plus always on time.We use the Japanese system of Takubin to send our luggage to a hotel 3-4 days ahead so only have our carryons on the train.So not unpacking everyday.It is very reliable.

We have now had 50+ visits to Japan and still love going back.

Thanks for taking us along ME. Have a safe journey back to a sunny and warm England.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

T & C Fulham - in answer to your questions, my views remain the same. Please remember that 70% of the Japanese landmass is mountainous, and most settlements tend to be accessible from the coast, in reasonable time.

Drron is right in that most Japanese travel long distance by public transport, and almost all adhere rigidly to the low speed limits. The "three hour" coach journey was in fact only one and half hours each way - big apologies if I misled you.

I would certainly not sail again on Silver Discoverer, but at the time of booking, it offered the only opportunity to increase my knowledge of both Japan and Philippines.

Please note that should you wish to go to Japan, specifically to see it at cherry blossom time, it really is a hit and miss affair, depending on the severity of the previous winter etc. As you may have read MainsD was in the same area, ten days before me, and had glorious cherry blossom in beautiful bloom, whereas I was basically a week too late. MainsD has given a website previously on this post which may assist.

Thanks again to you all for your kind comments, and yes I am now home.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Thanks.

So we did the right thing in not risking that vessel for the Sri Lanka to Zanzibar trip. Good.

With reference to Japan it seems that chasing the cherry blossom can result in being there with some pretty indifferent weather. We love the blossom as well but we do have it in London and our understanding is that it is just one of the many attractions of Japan.

I'd rather go when the weather is more summery and reliable. Does anyone have any views as to when this would be?

Tony

Here is a link to the temperatures throughout the year in Japan.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2273.html

That website has a lot of info on Japan travel.

It should be pointed out that even in their winter-Jan,Feb-that Okinawa(Naha)has more consistent summery weather than a London summer.

We generally travel May or October when less crowds and weather is OK.But not the first week of May-Golden Week-when everyone travels.

Thanks for the link.

Tony

Leaving the best to last - hopefully!!

Below are two of the pics taken, one on the day of our embarkation - April 17th, and the other - a night shot the previous day from our hotel window - April 16 - if this finally works - more will follow!

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Another night shot of Naka Cruise Terminal from Okura Hotel Kobe

First port of call was Okayama -

These gardens are ranked one of the top three gardens in Japan.

Hopefully more to follow

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Herewith the pictures mentioned in previous post!!

Apologies

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Takamatsu

Silver Discoverer docked at Takamatsu looking surprisingly ship shape and Bristol fashion!

Leaving Takamatsu at sunset.

More pics of future ports to follow

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Apart from the gardens visited in Okayama, I also went to Kurashiki which has a preserved canal area that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the city served as an important rice distribution centre.

As you can see this was so lovely and peaceful and belies the amount of tourists milling around.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Hiroshima

Three pictures from Hiroshima

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Moji Day 5 - April 21

The first stop was high above the town of Moji, on a misty morning.

The other pictures are of the fascinating fish market - Korato in Moji, showing the various delicacies on offer, including a cheaper version of the balloon fish. Splashing out with Silver Discoverer's money I chose the most expensive quality, not that pictured.

More to follow, once I have got them named and identified correctly.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Kumamoto April 22nd

Main reason for this port is to visit the Kumamoto Castle. Unfortunately this suffered extensive earthquake damage in 2016, and the inner grounds are no longer accessible, so it is now only possible to view this huge citadel from the outside.

Fortunately Silversea arranged a second excursion to Yamaga, to see the Yachiyoza Theatre, now restored to its full glory. They staged a special production for us which tells the history of the how the festival came about. It comes from an ancient story which tells how the Yamaga villagers helped the legendary Emperor Keiko (71 to 130 AD) and his followers who were lost in the middle of the fog by holding lighted pine torches in their hands to lead the way. The August 15th festival’s highlight is a dance by about a thousand girls, dressed in plain summer dresses with lighted paper lanterns on their heads. Needless to say the version which was put on for us was only a handful of girls, but the lanterns which they wore on their heads were very colourful.

Herewith a few photos of this event and the theatre in which it is staged, together with a picture of the very many polytunnels which dot this part of Kumamoto.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

A few photos from Amami Oshima on Day 8, April 24th of the Silver Discoverer cruise from Kobe to Manila.

Visiting the famous silk factory, which was a bit of a disappointment, as I felt that its days are numbered. The staff who actually weave the intricate threads of silk are now well past middle age and one wonders whether or not it will survive as a "cottage" industry, or become mechanised, and lose its individuality. Time will tell.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Naha - Okinawa Day 9 April 25th

Last Japanese port of call for the Silver Discoverer on her voyage from Kobe to Manila.

The diverse goods one is able to buy in the local shopping mall. The first picture shows a general view of the large mall, and the second, an item for sale, which is not for the faint hearted!! According to a reliable source who has tried this habu sake wine, it is supposed to fill you with more vigour. I decided I didn't wish to find out if this was in fact true!!

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Batanes - Philippines - Day 11 April 27th

This island proved to be the most interesting and fascinating of all the Philippines islands we visited. Here a couple of photos depicting its charm.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

Day 12 - April 28th Vigan

The ship arrived at Salomague Port, and we landed by zodiac. From there we were transferred to a coach to drive the forty five minutes distance between the port and Vigan, the UNESCO World Heritage site, by virtue of its old colonial architecture.

Attached are a few photos of the arrival of Silver Discoverer in the port of Salomague and scenes of Calle Crisologo in the centre of Vigan.

Kindest regards

Master Echo

PS Sorry the pictures did not accompany the dialogue, but hope these will give you a visual representation on the places I visited.

Sincerely hope that the next posting will be able to include the photos at the same time!!!