Well believe it or not, my trip to Japan is right around the corner.
I have adjusted to the high cost of the port excursions and am thinking about booking more than the four I have booked. I was going to stay in port and do things around port but the more that I learn, the more I want to go and see.
For those who have been to Kanazawa: Reading that the Gardens are quite beautiful. Shore excursion is only 4 hours long . Is that enough to not be terribly rushed?
"Visit several of the most definitive attractions in Kanazawa, which together will provide you with a historical perspective of this intriguing city. Considered one of the finest gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen was constructed over nearly two centuries by the ruling Maeda family. Designed to maximize its water features and scenic views, the gardens lie in the shadow of Kanazawa Castle. The Maeda family founded the castle even earlier and although it was destroyed by fire twice, much of it has been reconstructed using traditional techniques and materials. The turrets, the storehouse that connects them and the main gate are especially interesting as they now appear exactly as they did in the 1850s. Omichi Market is just as historically important as it was created 300 years ago. It remains one of the city’s liveliest markets with displays of every type of food imaginable, although seafood is the specialty. Be sure to try whatever samples are offered."
HIGHLIGHTS
• Meander through lush Kenrokuen Gardens, which lies in the shadow of Kanazawa Castle.
• Visit Kanazawa Castle, the former headquarters of the powerful Maeda clan.
• Browse Omichi, one of the prefecture’s top seafood markets for 300 years.
And I am thinking of doing the Arita excursion when ported at Sasebo? If you have been, what is your opinion.
Gain a broad understanding of the area in and around Sasebo through attractions that highlight its extraordinary porcelain and natural beauty.
Mifuneyama Rakuen is a particularly lovely floral landscape, as it features a colorful floating garden, thousands of cherry trees and an outstanding view of Mt. Mifune. While you may find porcelain while stopping briefly to shop, you will behold some of the absolute finest examples of it at a gallery that honors famed 19th-century porcelain craftsman Chuji Fukagawa.
Fukagawa’s treasured vase that won a gold medal at the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris is encased in glass. The first porcelain produced in Japan was made in nearby Arita, a legendary town for potters since the 17th century. The craftsmen donated the white porcelain torii archway at Tozan Shrine and it has become the town’s beloved symbol. While meandering about the shrine, you can also expect to see unusual porcelain statues and porcelain plaques on which visitors write prayers.