FromSea2ShiningSea

Tomorrow, 4/9/2024, we board the Celebrity Millennium for our cruise. We have been busy the last 4 days with private group tours that were planned, organized and set up by a fellow passenger. Everything has been amazing so far. I will try to get caught up from where I left off with Day 11- 4/5.

It took about 5 hours with bullet train and local trains. Google map was very helpful. Also, I have to take back what I said about DH planning and organizing everything with the trip. Somethings were spur of the moment such as the visit to the NAKED Suraka Festival where we found out about it from the Tourist Information office.

Day 9- 4/3- Today we leave Kyoto to travel 526 km (320 miles) by train to Kyonon for a one night stay in a beach resort with DH’s brother, who happens to be in Japan this week with his family. An open air Onsen- a hot spring - with a view of the beach Day 10- 4/4- Weather clears up nicely today. We check out of this hotel and leave for Tokyo. We arrive in Tokyo! Sushi for dinner We have a 7:20pm time reservation to go up to the Shibuya Sky. This is the famous Shibuya crossing view from the 11th floor. Now we go up to the rooftop. A laser light beam up to the sky. Views from the rooftop

Day 8- 4/2 - Part 3. After the tea ceremony, we walked around meandering through the streets with the many shops and restaurants. A peek at a private property Walking along with the crowd Lunch is at a popular, tiny hole-in-the-wall ramen place. We keep walking and now exploring the Gion district Matcha green tea soft serve ice cream in a cup… …or have it fancy with fruits and other toppings. A soft, fluffy and very flurry cat laying outside a restaurant. Straw Belts Bonfire Camellia

Day 2 4/2- Kyoto Part 2- Great photo opportunities for those in kimonos. It is getting very crowded so it’s good time to leave. We have a Japanese Tea Ceremony at 12 Noon to attend.

Day 8- 4/2. Kyoto- In the morning we visit the Kiyomizu-Dera temple before it gets packed with people. A girl washes her hands before entering the temple as a symbolic cleansing.

Thank you, Aussie. Yes, DH planned and organized everything out so not to overlap with our tours while we’re on the Celebrity Best of Japan cruise. He read Japan travel books, researched all the different places and the kinds of things to do in each place. He read all the reviews on different hotels and planned out transportation for every activity. He did not plan any private tours. Everything is on our own. He had a lot of references from his planning back in 2019 for our 2020 trip that never panned out. Bob, you are absolutely correct about how organized and precise the train system works in Japan. It does seem so overwhelming in the beginning and it does take a while to understand how it works. Everything runs like clockwork so you have to really plan ahead and not be late. I also notice how clean the trains are. There is no trash in the cars and the seats and floors are not dirty. I wish we had good public transportation system like this or other foreign countries. Maryann, thank you for thinking of us. There is no concerns here in Japan. I think there was tsunami warning for Okinawa but that’s about all although it’s been raining here all day and seems like everywhere.

Day 7- 4/1 We leave Okayama today and head for Kyoto on the bullet train. But first we make a stop in Himeji to visit the Himeji Castle. School children on a field trip to the castle There is street food across the road from the castle where you can get a bite to eat. We now take the train to Kyoto. Saka No Hotel is where we stay for 2 days. The table and chairs on the floor is called Horigotatsu. There is a square opening in the floor where you put your legs in. Not too bad to get in and out of for DH and me. In Kyoto is where you see people wearing kimonos out. Now through April 7 there is the NAKED Sakura Festival night time show at the Nijo-Jo Castle where you can enjoy a stunning seasonal illumination of the castle and trees. No restaurants are open by the time we finish so we get this from a grocery store and this is our dinner after a long day.

Day 6- 3/31 On the second day of Okayama, we take the local train to Kurashiki and visited the Bikan Historic Area which is a reconstruction of old villages. You can stroll through the streets with the many shops or taste different kinds of snacks and food or just enjoy the whole scenery. A bride and groom strolling through A bride and groom photoshoot A Snoopy Chicolat shop for those who love Snoopy (🙋‍♀️me). A Father Christmas Christmas shop for @Sea Dog Greg A man riding his bike with his cat on his shoulder reminds me of the first cat that Greg had that loved being on his shoulder. And finally, a sushi dinner

Day 5- 3/30 Today we say goodbye to Miyajima and board the bullet train for Okayama for 2 days. The sun is arising…most definitely In Okayama Visit to the Okayama Castle Visit to the Koraku-en Gardens Sunset- A view from our hotel room balcony Right outside our hotel

Maryann, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Would it be possible to go see her one last time if she’s still in hospice? Hugs. @dani negreanu Feel better soon. Lots of chicken soup. 🫕

After a long day, we return to Miyajima for the sunset.

Day 4- 3/29 Today’s adventure takes us to Hiroshima. We take the ferry over from Miyajima, take the train and then catch a bus for our first stop…Costco. Whenever we travel to new places, we always try to visit their local Costco’s. It is always interesting to check out all the different merchandise that they carry. Here is just a few samples of what I have not seen at our local Costco. Next is a visit to Peace Memorial Park The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall with its iconic green dome that sustained major damage when the atomic bomb exploded but instantly killed everyone inside. The Peace Bell Time for one more stop…the Hiroshima Castle

Day 3- 3/28 Today’s activities is to walk to the Miyajima Public Aquarium. Along the way are a few photos… I don’t want to make this post super long so I will just post a few aquarium photos. Cuttle Fish We found Nemo Coral that looks like bouquets of flowers Lion Fish Red Crown Crane This shows how oysters are made. Walking back along the beachfront…a small shrine. Finally…a treat! This soft-serve ice cream is thick and rich. A 100% better than what RC serves as soft-serve.

We found hardly any cherry blossoms 🌸 Perhaps a little early and a bit cold still. But we did find this one that blossomed amongst the others in a little cherry tree orchard.