Cruise to Japan Day 07 - Hokodate - Motomachi/Ekinamae Area - 27 September 2023

Gokoku Shrine in memory of soldiers killed in the war was our first sight after the tram turned the wrong way for us. Fifty fifty chance it was going right which was the direction we wanted. We got off at Horai-Chu stop and walked towards Mt. Hokodate Ropeway Sanroku station after visiting the shrine.

At the cable car we bought two one way tickets intending to walk back down.

Welcome character in the station.

Some serious antennas, would think free WiFi would be more available.

We started our walk down with Michael ahead of me and encountered this fellow hiker sunning himself on the hot tarmac. Tarmac was followed by lush forest with only human hikers passing us by on their way up.

Square on the floor approximately 2cm by 2cm that shows the way.

We continue walking to the preservation area.

Cruise to Japan Day 07 - Hakodate Goryokaku Area - 27 September 2023

We hope third time lucky as I have lost this post twice. I am going to split this day into 3 different posts as the internet as mentioned previously is suspect and keeps dropping.

Goryokaku Park Area:

We walked to Goryokaku Park following the tram line. The Fort Goryokaku's unique star shaped citadel has its origin in the 16th century Europe. A number of these citadel cites that were completely surrounded by forts were built during this war torn era. With the progress in guns and canons, these pentagon, star shapped structures that reduce blind spots during gun battles were erected to protect the local population from the colonising hordes.

In 1854, the Tokugawa shogunate ended the period of isolation that had lasted about 200 years by signing a treaty of peace and amnesty with the USA. Commadore Perry who came with his fleet of American battleships to inspect Hokodate following its designation as an open port was welcomed.

The conflict on whether to open Japan or keep it isolated, escalated into a campaign which eventually led to the outbreak of the Boshon War in 1868.

Deserters from the former shogonates army, unhappy with the decisions, took over the Fort for one year in 1868 eventually defeated by the ruling Meiji Government Army in 1869.

We climbed the tower to see the park from above, the height making it easier to distinguish the shape.

Tired and ready for a frappe, we found the nearest Starbucks.

We then caught the tram back to Wakamtsu Wharf en route to the Motomacki/ Ekimae Area

Cruise to Japan Day 06 - Otaru - 26 September 2023

Happy 61st Birthday Michael and 36 years married  and 44 years together, wow it seems long time!!

Halloween seems very important in Otaru along with Hello Kitty Cafe and the Snoopy shop.

Very welcoming to tourists Otaru is the first town with shops dedicated to souvenirs. After shopping, we made our way to the station and caught the number 11 bus to the Herring Palace. An old restored house with a beautiful museum and gardens.

Inside the museum

After some icecream at the restaurant, we walked back to the bus stop.

We caught the number 10 bus back to the station and walked back to the ship.

After a gym session Michael chose a Sushi restaurant for dinner and we ate like kings. Not sure Michael has quite converted to enjoying Sushi but we made some progress.

We watched the show at the princess theatre, fantastic, the dancers and singers performance of quality. I went to a Zumba dance party which Michael kindly watched and then we finally called it a night at 23:00, the latest that we have been up since we set off on the cruise. A great day and night!!

Cruise to Japan Day 05 - Aomori - 25 September 2023

Aomori for Hirosaki Castle. we took an organised tour to Hirosaki Castle, which turned out to be more of a double story house. It was a tiny and beautiful building with well kept gardens and large grounds.

We walked around the gardens and then carried onto an area where there was a show with some drumming and Chinese guitar playing, representing a smal piece of the Neputa festival where they have beautiful floats being carried down the streets around the castle.

Building the floats

Famous for apple trees, the apples are huge.

The gardens in every are we have visited are arranged in a very simple manner Zen like.

Cruise to Japan Day 04 - At Sea - 24 September 2023

As we have cruised for 110+ number of days, we got an invite to have a drink with the Captain.

There was one person that has cruised 5000+ days and another two people have cruises 2000+ days. Clearly it must be cheaper to cruise than go into an old age home.

Having done gym and Zumba as it was a sea day, we relaxed for the rest of the day

Tomorrow we going to visit a castle and a museum in Amori dedicated to one of the largest festivals in Japan.

Cruise to Japan Day 03 -Busan, South Korea - 23 September 2023

We arrived at Busan, South Korea at 10:30 to a stunning port area and beautiful , modern city. After yesterday's walk, we caught a bus into town. Walked an underground Mall and then the Lotte Mall, 11 floors with a water feature that spans 6 floors. Guinness book of records aquatic indoor water show.

Hunted for anime stores once again. No luck, except for the figure of Monkey D Luffy, there was no merch, so we retired to Starbucks for our usual frappe.

Returned to the ship and went up to the top deck to watch the sail away. What a feat of engineering, approximately 5m between the bridge and the top of the ship.

We went to the buffet for a change and I discovered an Asian pear or papple. Tastes like a pear crossed with an apple. Lots of other amazing dishes. Michael is now watching rugby, Portugal versus Georgia.

Sunset while leaving Busan.