Japan - semi live trip report

Hi Andrea

I will be coming along with you.

I really liked Yokohama. Stayed at a very nice APA Hotel but the hotel is geared towards the Japan speaking business community and when there were glitches, I could not get the assistance that I might have gotten had I stayed at a hotel geared towards the leisure community.

The breakfast buffet at my hotel was a very large one, many items both Eastern and Western. I do not remember why I said that the breakfast was different but it was a great breakfast. There were maybe 75 items every morning.

We had a wonderful Onsen at my hotel which stayed open until about midnight. Many guests walked around in robes and slippers. The restaurant had a sign posted informing guests that bathrobes and slippers were not allowed,.

What port are you leaving from? Originally we were supposed to leave from one of the two that were close to the hotels, both very nice.

Then Norwegian changed it on us and we left from Daikoku Cruise Terminal which was an industrial cruise terminal and not very nice. . We had to take.a cab. My hotel did not call cabs for guests. I needed help requesting a.cab from staff but did not get the help that I needed and when it was all said and done, my cab did not show up. I grabbed a cab off of the street which was a big mistake. The driver tried to cheat me and the guys at the port made him go away.

I did not mention the above in my TR. In fact, I never really wrote about Yokohama in my TR.

I really liked Yokohama. It is very pretty with a lot to do. I took the Tourist Bus which is a hoho bus. I rode the full route twice, not getting off.

There was one stop very high on a hill and I think there may have been a nice museum. I believe this may be the area where foreigners once had to stay and lived. If you have not yet gone to this park and museum, very recommended. I am mad at me because I did not get off.

From what persons have told me, Yokohama is much quieter and less chaotic than Tokyo.

Wonderful travels to you. I will be following.

Thanks, Andrea! I look forward to reading your report, especially since I have a trip planned to Japan in May.

As I have been to Tokyo before, I will be spending part of the trip based in Yokohama. On my first trip (in 2002), I stayed in Asakusa in Tokyo.

Have a great time!

BostonPhil, we are departing from Osanbashi Pier as expected, but just got an email stating the disembarkation port is Daikoku. We hadn't yet arranged the post cruise transfer to Tokyo. Just as well. Our hotel is walking distance to the embarkation point. I think Yokohama may be a "softer landing" for a first time in Japan. Not very chaotic or noisy, though today was the marathon so there were lots of runners around the waterfront

Sherry, our six nights in Tokyo post cruise are in Asakusa. It was hard to pinpoint the best location but really we need to use transit no matter where we stay.

Yokohama, Day One
After our relaxing morning we headed out past the Red Brick Warehouse. This was the starting area for the marathon so it was bustling with very fit people of all ages. The Warehouse wasn't yet open so we kept walking and found a Cafe with spectacular water views and had cappuccino. Then we went to Cosmo 21, the big Observation Wheel. Well recommended and we even had our first view of Mt Fuji from it!

Red Brick Warehouse is a shopping complex with a mix of higher and leather goods, fashion, jewelry and other items, but no souvenir shops of the kind you see elsewhere in the world. The only thing I wanted was a beautifully Yokohama themed decorated phone case but they were only available for iPhone and I have Android. Oh well, I'm sure I'll see a million more before this trip is over.

We made our way back to the hotel for a rest before our "drinks and bites" tour with Sheleina (With Locals). We went to a place for various chicken parts on a skewer. All tasty except gizzard. This place was interesting because it was one place, but you could sit near the open kitchen for the kind of food you wanted. We watched our chef grill our meat. We were adjacent to the Okinawa food grill and people had big orchids in their cocktails.

We then went on to a sushi place. I've always been afraid of sushi because I don't like seafood. It was a whole plate of various raw fish. All good to very good. I was surprised how nice it was. I think I would have said delicious if I could get out of my own head. We finished with a BBQ oyster. That I hated. Ugh. I'm in the room with a Coke Zero trying to get the taste out of my mouth.

I'd recommend this tour. Both are places we would have felt somewhat intimidated to enter and clueless on ordering, so it was a great option for us.

Tomorrow we are going to Kamakura.

You need 3 days in Kyoto.
Also, check out Nikko, north of Tokyo.

Andrea

i think we were supposed to sail from Osanbashi Pier but then Norwegian changed it to Daikoku which is far out and an industrial port. Probably your cruise line will offer transportation to Tokyo which will be fine. A cab is going to be very expensive. I think there is also a ride service from Daikoku to Tokyo when cruise ships arrive. .

Your report is already making me feel nostalgic.

Octoberfest was happening around the Red Brick Warehouse when I was there.

Looking forward to following your trip.

Enjoy your trip!
If you have the energy tomorrow, Kamakura is a short side trip from Yokohama (just half an hour away!) and it is really, really worthwhile. All you need to know is here: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html

I've personally really enjoyed the walk/hike from Kita Kamakura station (with a few worthwhile temples around) to the Giant Buddha and Hasedera. It's the Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) hiking trail.

Then, you could hop on the Enoden tram back to the centre of Kamakura to check out the Hachiman shrine and the shops all along and around the approach.

I'm not sure I set the atmosphere at the restaurants. Both were small, people jammed in at counters or tables on teeny tiny stools. The chicken place was smoky and steamy and very Japan of the imagination. The fish place was also small. We had fish for two, it came on a bed of salad and there was a bite size slice of each fish for us. Salmon, tuna, cod, prawn, anchovies, and more that I forget just now.

There was a drunk guy at the fish place who was very interested in Chris.

Geo, unfortunately we only have one day in Kyoto. Alas a reason to return to Japan.

Allan, glad you are tuning in. You will be pleased to know we are going to a baseball game in Tokyo.

Balso, we are off to Kamakura later this morning. We will follow your plan; it sounds perfect.

BostonPhil, I think we will book the Celebrity transfer yo Tokyo. It doesn't go anywhere near our hotel, but once in the City we can either taxi or take the metro. I feel comfortable taking the metro but with luggage a taxi might be better.

Holy crap Balso that hike darn near killed me!!!

We took the train to Kita Kamakura to start the hike of the Shrines to Big Buddha. Holy heck! I read this is rated a moderate hike; I'd hate to see challenging. The path was up and down, covered with exposed roots, very steep in places. Hard to describe. At one point I had to sit on a rock and jump down from that position. Its very treacherous and twice I half twisted my right ankle. It's not too bad tonight, a bit sore when I walk but totally bearable.

We had a look around a few shrines along the way until we finally arrived at Big Buddha, Daibutsu. We arrived at the busiest time but it was still impressive. I liked the giant woven sandals that were hanging nearby, just in case Buddha took to the trail I guess.

At Buddha I bought a charm "to protect you from your own calamities". Send good wishes to keep it activated for me until the end of the trip!

We had lunch at a pannini place before the long walk to the station to head back to Yokohame.

Tonight we dragged ourselves up and went to Chinatown for dinner. It i so beautiful there after dark. Really glad we went.

Tomorrow we embark our ship! I'm ready for a rest and we have a sea day right out of the gate. I think every cruise should start and end with a sea day. This one is in port last day but we booked a short excursion.

Luckily our hotel has a launderette so in the morning we can get all our clothes washed before setting out to ship. Nice to get on-board with a bag full of clean clothes only. We saw there's a beer vending machine in the launderette!

I don't remember the path being as rough as you describe, but upon further research I see that the path suffered some typhoon damage last year, which might very well explain the washed-out sections! I hope that it was still enjoyable.

Yokahama has one of the largest Chinatowns outside of China. Maybe the largest.

I walked to the gate but decided not to enter because it was so crowded and I think hot.

Have a relaxing sea day. Look forward to continuing reports.

We are using an eSim for the first time. Totally easy and reliable. Unfortunately my phone now thinks I want to "date" young Asian women.