monkey@cruise

"Use after entering Japan" is for tax free shopping QR code which is totally useless, and asking if you have travel and COVID insurance. As long as you got the yellow bar (immigration) and blue (customs) QR codes, you are good to go. The QR codes are for Japan arrival through airport, you will fingerprint both index fingers and photo. Your passport will have a Japan "temporary visit" QR code sticker. If your cruise sail to South Korea and return japan, this process will redo at the first Japan port of entry, you will use the print forms, no VJW app.

Use the cruise terminal address: Osanbashi Yokohama 1-1-4 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0002 TEL: 045-211-2304

Below is part of Kyoto station map, so you know how to access the subway: If you prefer eating Western style lunch, head back to Kyoto station to underground Porta, rows of restaurants in there. If you have no mobility issue and able to walk two miles. Take a taxi from Kyoto station to Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple (locate on a hill slope), visit the temple then walk down to Gion area through Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda Photograph Spot and Ninenzaka. Look out for the tatami Starbucks! Once you reach Kodaijiminamimon-dori, you can take a taxi back to Kyoto head back to Kobe or continue walking to Yasaka Shrine and Famous Hanamikoji Street to end your walking tour. Remember most Japan attractions close at 5pm; Cash is King in Japan, mostly prefer cash transaction, so load up Japanese yen when rate is good. Michael Kyoto-Stn.pdf

Japanese are very polite and helpful, be prepare not everyone speak English. Use simple plain English to communicate. Have all your destination address in Japanese. I took taxi from Yokohama train station to cruise terminal and vice versa, no lost in translation. Was rainy when in Aomori port, I took a bus 30 min to the south end shopping mall. I am the only non-Japanese there, after done all my shopping, they showed me the bus stop back to Aomori JR train station (cruise terminal) For Japan subway and rail travel, utilizing the station numbering system (consisting of letters and numbers to train/subway station). It aims to facilitate navigation for foreign travelers not familiar with the local language by using globally understood characters. e.g. Karasuma Line Kyoto station is (K11) in green color and Tozai Line, Karasuma Oike station is (T13) in red color, so you don't have to remember the lengthy station name. If you tell a subway station staff that you want to go from K11 to T13, he/she will know you want to travel from Kyoto Station on Karasuma Line to Karasuma Oike station on Tozai Line. No only in Japan, same token apply to Europe and Asian subway/train system. Travel time from Kyoto station to Kitaoji station by subway is 13 min, to Karasuma Oike station is 15 min. You cannot visit the Kinkaku-ji temple inside just photo shoot and admire from a distance, you will done your pilgrimage in 30 - 45 min. Also Nijo Castle isn't big neither. I pre-cruise stayed in Kyoto for 5 days last month.

I totally avoid HOHO buses, Kyoto road traffic sometimes very congested. Here is my suggestion. 1. Shinkansen from Shin-Kobe station to Kyoto station 2. Take Central Exit to Subway Karasuma Line Kyoto station (K11) 3. Purchase a Kyoto City Subway One-Day Pass (800 yen) https://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/webguide/en/ticket/regular_1day_card_tika.html 4. Kyoto station to Kinkaku-ji temple a) subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto station (K11) to Kitaoji station (K04) b) in Kitaoji sttaion, take EXIT 2 or 3 to taxi stand. c) taxi to Kinkaku-ji temple , 10 min, fare 1,300 yen d) taxi stand near the temple entrance, taxi back to Kitaoji station (K04) 5. Kyoto station to Nijo Castle a) subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto station (K11) to Karasuma Oike station (K08) b) transfer to Tozai Line, Karasuma Oike station (T13) to Nijojo-mae (Nijo-jo Castle) station (T14) 6. Travel from Kinkaku-ji temple to Nijo Castle. a) subway Karasuma Line from Kitaoji station (K04) to Karasuma Oike station (K08) b) transfer to Tozai Line, Karasuma Oike station (T13) to Nijojo-mae (Nijo-jo Castle) station (T14)

Shin-Kobe to Kyoto is 70 km with a stop at Shin-Osaka. You won't able to feel the speed of Shinkansen, because of short distance. Kyoto Station North East has a foreign tourist taxi stand (simple English) https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9864454,135.7599404,3a,47.9y,32.19h,69.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1saL1CV4ej-RnO1FQi9tAG_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=ja&entry=ttu I usually print out the address in Japanese and show it to taxi driver, never lost in translation: Nijō Castle 元離宮二条城 Address: 〒604-8301　京都市中京区二条通堀川西入二条城町541 English guided tour: https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/castle_guide/guide_tour/?lang=en Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺 Address: 〒603-8361 京都府京都市北区金閣寺町１

I disembarked from Celebrity Millennium 4 days ago. I took taxi from Yokohama cruise terminal to YCAT costs 2,100 yen. Luggage carts are available at YCAT taxi stand, the building access ramp is at the right side. YCAT airport bus to Narita runs every hour, fare is 3,700yen, travel time is < 2 hrs. https://www.ycat.co.jp/route/narita/ycat2narita/

I pre-cruise stayed in Kyoto for 5 days and stayed in a hotel across Kyoto station. The Shinkansen platforms locate Kyoto station building southside, where Kyoto subway station is at north east outside the Kyoto station building (Hotel Granvia Kyoto). To minimize hauling luggage distance, in Shinkansen look for Shinkansen Hachijo East Exit, take the elevator to street level, you will see a General Taxi Stand, Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit. The subway street level elevator access locates near tourist taxi stall #2, https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9865301,135.7597924,3a,15y,112.93h,90.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scQokZT_6_zeMHxLCobL9GQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu https://www.google.com/maps/place/General+Taxi+Stand,+Kyoto+Station+Karasuma+Exit/@34.986421,135.760649

Ship docked at 8am, disembark at deck 2 midship gangway. Must show passport to custom agents and random search for items prohibited to bring ashore like produce, cheese, fruits, meat, etc. We departed from Martini Bar at 8:15am, were able to catch bus #88 (8:24am) from cruise terminal to Osakako metro station to Nara. If weekdays, expect morning rush hours on street traffic and public transportation.

I also used SmartEx app on my Shinkansen travel 2 weeks ago. All Shinkansen tickets are time specific, you can make change to your tickets as long as your original departure time not passed and you hasn't passed the ticket gate. The non reserved tickets are non reserved seat tickets, no seat assignment usually car 1 - 3,

The shinkansen fare isn't cheap, from Shin-Kobe to Kyoto: non-reserve seat (car 1-3) 1,800 yen; reserve seat 2,800 yen. during peak hours, frequncy is every 10 - 15 min. Tickets are time specific, if you purchase in advance, you may change your ticket if your departure time has not passed. If you have IC card, just tap and go, otherwise purchase ticket through ticket counters or ticket machines which support four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Most major station ticket counter had iPad for Google translation.

The weather was extreme hot (95F) while I was in Kyoto. When weather cool off in late afternoon, I took the JR train from Kyoto station to Saga-Arashiyama Station for Arashiyama forest. The Arashiyama Monkey Park located south of Katsura River 1.5 mile walk and hike a hill, so I didn't go. You will love exploring in Kyoto than in Tokyo. Cost of living in Kyoto is much cheaper, I bought a Uniqlo Japanese Art T-shirt for 1500 yen in Kyoto, where in Asakusa (Tokyo) Uniqlo selling for 1950 yen. I rode the Nozomi Shinkansen green car from Kyoto to Shin-Yokohama, then transfer Yokohama Line to Sakuragichō Station (taxi stand is 200 feet away and taxi fare to cruise terminal is 1,00 yen). I will return Japan in March and August, 2024.

For my 30th September, 2023 sailing, my personal comment: Celebrity cruise fare but Carnival cruise food. Some food were either over or under cooked. So port intensive, I only watch two shows: a Singaporean magician and Japan Drum show performed by local when overnight in Osaka. If your cabin on starboard side, every port will see welcome and farewell shows perform by locals.

The ship is dated and meals are plain. Food on shore is better.

Shin-Kobe station is small, two of our CC members went from Kobe to Hiroshima on Shinkansen on Oct-2-23 during Kobe stop. I rode the Shinkansen from Kyoto back to Yokohama to embark the cruise. https://www.kobestation.com/shin-kobe-station-orientation-facilities/

Have you opened the weblink? Ticket sale locations are listed.

For my 30th September sailing on Celebrity Millennium, Kochi shuttle is compliment.

Haha, I am on 30th Sept sailing, currently overnight in Kobe, and move to Osaka terminal at 4 am. I spent 5 days pre-cruise in Kyoto, most of the attractions are crowded from 10am till 4pm. I took a train from Kobe to Himeji for Himeji Castle which is not crowded.

Show your passport will get 50% off. The bus pass also eligible free downtown area tram ride.

Very easy, compliment shuttle from cruise terminal to kochi downtown bus terminal. Purchase a MY-YU Godaisan bus pass 600 yen ( 50% off if show your passport.) the bus will take you to Makino Gardens https://visitkochijapan.com/en/usefuls/MY-YU Michael

I arrived Kyoto last night, hot 86F and humid, do a pre or post cruise stay in Kyoto

Declare at the customs, worst case scenario is confiscation and buy over the counter pain killer from Japan pharmacy.

See her post #1: Day 3 | Kobe, Japan Day 4 | Kyoto (Osaka), Japan Day 5 | Kyoto (Osaka), Japan Will overnight in Osaka for Kyoto.

You have the option either port shuttle or taxi from cruise terminal to city center. The tourist center isn't nearby: one at JR station (unless the drop off is JR station), the other is near Hirome Market. From Kochi Bus Terminal is one mile to Kochi Castle, https://welcome-kochi.jp/pamphlet/50981.pdf

Can travel to Kyoto either from Kobe or Osaka depend on the port time. If port itinerary specify Kyoto (Osaka), meaning extensive port time in Osaka for Kyoto. If using public transportation to Kyoto, is easier from Kobe than from Osaka, especially during morning rush hours.