monkey@cruise

That's what cruise critic forum for - sharing travel information. Himeji castle entrance fee will increase 2-4 times next year. The only Japan castle which is built with concrete, air conditioning, elevators, stairs with hand rails (upgrading to escalators) -- Osaka Castle.

Sorry, I should have told you: Before the crosswalk, go to the right, there is a ground level walkway to the parking area (1F), take elevator up. Less strenuous.

Tokyo Haneda (HND) Airport Terminal 3 International Arrivals Procedure: 1. Go through a mandatory health temperature check. 2. It certainly helps to complete either the Visit Japan Web or immigration/customs forms before arrival, otherwise you have to move aside to fill out the forms. 3. Reach an area where officials will scan your passport, take your fingerprints and your portrait. 4. Line up to clear immigration. 5. Go through customs, separate queue for VJW.

Has anyone notice the following Japan airport scenario? In airport arrival luggage area, you will see a designated person to ensure your luggage lands gently at the conveyor belt (with large rubber blocks to cushion the luggage), sometimes they neatly line up suitcases with handle facing outwards, make easier to retrieve own luggage. While Japan gives extra services for free for every detail, in other country you have to pay tips for things that should be their job.

Foreign seniors who have reached the age of 65 and hold a ROC (Taiwan) Resident Certificate can enjoy the senior discount. Train has less stops, If going to Longshan temple, only 5 min, 2 metro stops from Taipei Main, but 25 min, 12 metro stops from Nangang. If you plan to visit Xinyi District and Songshan District, make sense getting off at Nangang and Songshan and save TWD $13 train fare.

@StopTheWorld If it is a challenge pushing luggage up the incline slope to 2F Osanbashi Terminal Entrance; go to 1F parking level and take the elevator up. https://osanbashi.jp/en/floor/

@StopTheWorld You will "go underground" in Yokohama station when transferring from Shonan-Shinjuku Line (from Shinjuku station) to Minatomirai Line (to Nihon-Odori station). You will travel from 1F level to B5 level, station elevators are small because design for wheelchairs and baby strollers use. Google map cannot display station's multi-level mapping and your precise location inside a station.

I bought NARA and Ikaruga 1 day ticket, included Osaka metro & bus, plus Nara bus. I walked off Tempozan cruise terminal at 8:25am, bus to Osakako station, rode the Chuo Line to Ikoma Station, transferred to Kintetsu-Nara Line (next platform) and arrived Kintetsu-Nara Station at 9:40am. Met out guide at 10am, and bus to Kasuganocho to start our tour. After a 6 hours tour, pity stop at Dotonbori. When returned the ship, we gave the passes to the crews so they can night out in Osaka.

@Pushka Elevator access to street level only via Exit 1 (Pref office) and Exit 4 (Osanbashi/Citadines Hotel). Street level Exit 4, at Citadines Hotel corner.

Most port cruise terminal have free wifi access.

If any family member loves Japanese sushi or Sasimi, the last port - Shimizu, take the free shuttle to Shimizu Station, walk to Shimizu Fish Market and Kashi-no-Ichi Market, waterfront Japanese eatery serving market-fresh seafood lunch, cheaper than onboard "Sushi on Five" and no 18% gratuity 😜. Try 7-Eleven convenience store mixed-fruit sandwiches.

Your DS can make his abode as a Japanese one. Most of the products are genuine Japan produce, not made in China. https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Sennichimae+Doguyasuji+Shopping+Street+for+cookware/@34.6637988,135.5034861,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMgcF_KcJalshOL79WRcHu5eNz-HyZEhRecLDOT!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMgcF_KcJalshOL79WRcHu5eNz-HyZEhRecLDOT%3Dw152-h86-k-no!7i3840!8i2160!4m7!3m6!1s0x6000e76bcede077d:0xf0cb8551dd9d84cb!8m2!3d34.664001!4d135.5034589!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F121pqbfh?entry=ttu One of the famous Takoyaki stalls - Takoyakiza is there (X)

Japanese chopsticks are typically sharp and pointed, in order to dissect fish and seafood. They are traditionally made of wood or bamboo, and are lacquered. For Osaka port, will do some kitchenware shopping in Namba. Next to Don Quijote Namba Sennichimae, is the Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street for cookware - selling household goods, kitchenware, pottery and tools. The Tokyo counterpart is Kappabashi Kitchen Tools Street near Asakusa Station.

Any non-reserved tickets (for any train going today only) is cash-only. Ticket machine have English and take cash only. For non-reserved tickets, you’ll notice there’s no time on the ticket. That’s because it can be used for any local train to that destination on the day you purchased it.

Practice using chopsticks to pick up glass marbles. Actually Korean stainless steel chopsticks and spoon set - Sujeo (Korean: 수저) are more slippery than common chopsticks, they are definitely way harder to use. KIX airport train ticket gates: using E-ticket

One of my cruise friends who is a bad use of chopsticks, he will either bringing a travel utensils set with case or chopsticks helper to Japan. Cutlery is a scare item in typical Japanese restaurants.

From Osaka Airport (KIX) to Kyoto Station, easy way either by highway bus or express train, both have pros and cons. 1. “HARUKA” Express train (Hello Kitty Themed), travel time 75 min, runs 2/hr, usual fare is ¥3,640, discounted to ¥2,200 for foreign passport visitors. https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/one_way/haruka/ Train carriages are clean with large luggage racks, though is the quickest way, but the Kyoto station platform sucks! Train arrives at Platform 30, a distance to the exit gates. 2. An airport bus, travel time 90 min, runs 2/hr, fare is ¥2,800. You are allowed TWO pieces of luggage per person. Kyoto Bus station locates at Kyoto Station’s Hachijo-guchi southern exit, taxi stand nearby. https://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY I usually ride the Haruka express and purchase ticket through klook website, Just scan a QR-code under a scanner next to the station gates to issue the train ticket and on my way.

From Osaka Tempozan cruise terminal to Kintetsu-Nara by taxi, travel time 50 min, fare about ¥17,000 subject to traffic.

Japanese culture: even under extreme heat, very few wearing shorts. Women wear long sleeves to shield from the sun. If you plan to visit any temple or shrine, dress code is same as European churches. Go to Uniqlo store in Sakuragicho (across from YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN Sakuragicho Station), get an Airism material shirt, a high performance comfort conditioning technology that actively wicks away moisture and heat from skin. It's highly breathable and quick-drying. If you purchase amount is > ¥5500 will less the 10% tax. (Must present with your passport). Uniqlo Airism face masks also a good buy.

@villauk I will fly to Osaka airport on 28th August and stay in Kyoto till 31-August, then ride the Shinkansen to Yokohama to board the Mille in the afternoon. I have posted some port DIY info under 31-August roll call. Bon Voyage !

Keelung to Taipei train runs every 20 min, travel time 44min, fare is TWD $41 (US $1.30) Ticket vending machines support English language. From Taipei train station (TRA), take south exit to Taipei metro station, purchase a metro unlimited ride day pass for TWD $150 (US 4.70), station staffs understand English. Most station and tourist area signages and maps are in Chinese and English.

I second Xuan also, had his HCMC tour in March. The rickshaw ride was exhilarating! In the madness HCMC traffic. 😵

Not necessary, there are different train companies service between Kobe and Osaka. Tokaido Sanyo Line is between Kobe Sannomiya station and Osaka Station 21 min ¥420 Kobe Line is between Kobe-Sannomiya station and Osaka-Umeda Station 33 min ¥330 Hanshin Line is between Kobe-Sannomiya Station and Osaka-Namba Station 44 min ¥420 Depends on your Osaka destination.

NCL Spirit docks at Jeju International Passenger Terminal. island north side. https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/port-of-call/cruises-to-jeju

Which Kyoto attractions you like to visit? I will be in Kyoto in two weeks, will check out how bad the overtourism.