Blossoms, bullet train and beyond: exploring Japan by Land and Sea.

[Pushka]

And on the road back to the ship. Just like that. It’s gone.

 

[Pushka]

So, I'm a day behind but Fuji took my concentration.

We departed promptly at 5pm and slipped under the Yokohama bridge. Quite windy by now.



We were to have dinner in Luminae but first sorted out the alcohol 'purchase'. They have Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc - our favourite - and she has kept us back a bottle. For us alcohol is free from the retreat lounge and we can take it to other places like dining room etc. Luggage arrived about 3pm so we unpacked and MrP headed off to the gym.

Enjoyed a gimlet first and then the Cloudy Bay was found. Headed off to dinner. I didn't grab a picture of the main menu and on these class ships we can also order off the main dining room menu. We did a bit of both.

Dinner ware for the amuse bouche was lovely but taken away after that. Soup was pumpkin, which was fine, then lamb loin. Desert - would have loved the ganache but ended up with apple pie which was nice enough. The ice cream onboard fails compared with ice cream in Japan.



Dinner was served quickly which is always good. Had to pay for the Pinot noir which was excellent and a generous serve but we knew that. Then it was off to Effy to get the first charm. Didn't have to sit through any talk but did talk with the new manager there who is a delightful young man from Mumbai. MrP now thinks I don't need any more charms. Harrumph.

We then had a cookie and hot drink after another cloudy ball and called it a night.

 

[Pushka]

This morning it was bright and sunny and it seemed our excursion to Fuji san would be successful. We could see Fuji on the starboard aft at port so everyone was grabbing the picture in case it became obscured which is the usual pattern.

We enjoyed a quick breakfast in Luminae and started chatting with the couple next to us about our plans. Turned it out was with them, they'd planned the excursion on cruise critic.

Breakfast - only had the juice, eggs and bacon. Weird colour of the eggs. We were told it was because they were Asian? By now all the buses had arrived.


The in room breakfast menu.

Got our gear and met at the meeting place and got off the ship. We had to show and have passports scanned on the way out. And off we went.

Our first goal was to go to the lake with the best views of Fuji and avoid the buses as they can't travel here. We were the only ones here and it was so quiet and peaceful for about 20 minutes until a really noisy group of people showed up and that was our cue to keep walking.



If there is no wind then the reflection of Fuji appears in the lake. That would have been stunning.

 

[Pushka]

We then kept walking around the lake, still in peaceful silence. And towards what must be the best camping ground in the world.







I asked if I could take a photo of these guys and they thought that was so funny. And they obliged.


And all members go camping.

 

[kookaburra75]

Or how about Fuji and waterfall together?

Now, that's just showing off. But very jealous and thank you for letting us ride along with you and MrP

 

[Pushka]

Our next stop was the two waterfalls that formed when Fuji erupted centuries ago. The lava formed a platform from which water now falls into two magnificent waterfalls.















And then of course Fuji together with the waterfalls.

 

[RooFlyer]

For us alcohol is free from the retreat lounge and we can take it to other places like dining room etc.

You mean you have the bottle in your room and can tuck it under your arm and take it to the dining room? Otherwise have to pay at the dining room?

We had to show and have passports scanned on the way out.

So no bar-coded room key-card? Its passports to ID off and on again?

 

[Pushka]

Yes to that but by the glass.

You mean you have the bottle in your room and can tuck it under your arm and take it to the dining room? Otherwise have to pay at the dining room?



So no bar-coded room key-card? Its passports to ID off and on again?

yes to both. Need key card off shop and passport to get through immigration. On return just show key card to immigration and swipe to get back onboard.

 

[Pushka]

A few more before the next stop. And us.

 

[SuePa]

The mountain with the blossoms is lovely. Very Japanese.

 

[Pushka]

It

The mountain with the blossoms is lovely. Very Japanese.

It was the only tree we saw in bloom.

 

[SuePa]

But it was where it needed to be for a great photo - bonus.

 

[Pushka]

After the waterfalls we visited the Shrine that was built to help protect from further Fuji eruptions. Seems to be doing the job. Hongu Fuji Sengen-jinja Shrine But after so many spectacular sights that morning we didn’t really give it the attention it deserved.

Every year there is a festival of horseback archery like this. Runs along a strip of road in front of the entrance. The usual massive Tori gates on entrance. The garners were pretty.






This is one of few shrines that have a third level. It faces Fuji. It owns Fuji.

 

[Quickstatus]

How is it possible to get perfect FujiSan views on more than one day?

 

[Pushka]

There is a series of sacred waters where tradition has it that people cleansed themselves before climbing Fuji. Our guide has done this three times.

 

[Pushka]

How is it possible to get perfect FujiSan views on more than one day?

If referring to our 2 sightings It was that tiny wish I made at Meiji Shri shrine and the talisman I wear on my bag of course. .

 

[Quickstatus]

It was that tiny wish I made at Meiji Shri shrine and the talisman I wear on my bag of course

Ah its starting to make sense.
I reckon the deer could have something to do with it.

 

[Pushka]

Gliding slowly into Osaka Bay at 10.15 am. We’ve been under pilot for an hour now. Arrival at 12 noon but into Kobe. Weather will be ok until 8pm then heavy rain for tomorrow. We had not planned on returning to Osaka or Kyoto but touring Kobe. Some won’t have a pleasant tourist day tomorrow.



We just got delivered a photo from formal night. Umm. We didn’t order it. . And @RooFlyer - we now have two of the charms. You just walk in at a specified time, say hello and they give you one. Nice.

And aren’t these the most beautiful teabags.

 

[Quickstatus]

What's with Japan and their over the top presentation and wrappings.

 

[Pushka]

What's with Japan and their over the top presentation and wrappings.

Not sure it’s Japan. Maybe just suite level everywhere. I enjoy it.

Kobe port.