9. Hiroshima

The day began under heavy grey skies as Rob was up early on deck, coffee in hand, watching us glide quietly into the port of Hiroshima. There’s something reflective about arriving by sea, especially to a city with such a powerful history.

Once docked, we teamed up with our Aussie friends, Chris and Bernie, and caught the shuttle bus to the ferry terminal. From there, we grabbed tickets for the short crossing to Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima. The weather wasn’t exactly on our side, but we weren’t about to let a few clouds dampen the day.

 

We strolled along the coastal path, sharing the walkway with the island’s famously relaxed deer, who grazed calmly beside us as if we were the visitors in their home. Then, through the mist, we caught sight of the iconic “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Rising from the water in the sweeping curve of the bay, it’s every bit as striking in person as it is in photographs — even under brooding skies.

After exploring the island, we returned to the ferry port and made our way back to the mainland, travelling through one of the inland waterways towards Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The mood shifted as we approached our first stop: the Atomic Bomb Dome. Standing before the skeletal remains of the building is a sobering experience. It’s hard to comprehend the devastation that unfolded here in 1945, and yet the structure stands — silent, powerful, and unignorable.

We crossed the bridge to see the Flame of Peace, burning steadily as a symbol of hope for a world without nuclear weapons. Nearby, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims offered a quiet space for reflection — a deeply moving tribute to those who lost their lives.

And then, just as we stepped back outside, the heavens opened. What had threatened all morning finally arrived in the form of a proper downpour. Soaked but still smiling, we decided to call it a day and jumped into a taxi back to the ship.

We may not have seen as much of the city as we’d planned, but sometimes travel isn’t about ticking every box. Despite the rain, it was a meaningful, memorable visit — one that will stay with us long after the clouds have cleared.

8. Beppu,

It was a chilly morning when Rob made his way up on deck, determined not to miss our arrival into Beppu. As the ship quietly glided toward port, the sun began to rise, casting a pale golden glow across the water. The coastline slowly revealed itself — a mix of mountains and pockets of heavy industry — not the prettiest first impression, perhaps, but atmospheric in its own way.

After breakfast onboard, we ventured ashore and caught a local bus into the town centre. The streets around the bus station were surprisingly quiet, as if the city was still stretching itself awake. We wandered through the calm morning streets, picking up a few “essential supplies” before making our way to Beppu Tower. From the top, we were rewarded with sweeping views across the city and coastline — a much better perspective of Beppu than we’d had from the sea.

Feeling adventurous, we jumped on another local bus, this time heading for the Beppu Ropeway. The gondola lifted us steadily up the mountainside toward Mount Tsurumi, and for a few hopeful minutes we watched the town shrink beneath us. Then we noticed we were heading straight into cloud.

 By the time we reached the summit, we were completely enveloped in thick mist. It was such a shame — on a clear day, the panoramic views are said to be spectacular. Instead, we had a very authentic “inside a cloud” experience!

Back onboard, we enjoyed a late lunch followed by a restful afternoon — sometimes a little downtime is just what’s needed after mountain adventures.

In the evening, we returned to the Wheelhouse Bar, where a wonderfully talented pianist set the perfect relaxed mood. Later, we headed to the Princess Lounge for Dan Middleditch’s Elvis tribute show. He was undeniably talented, though we couldn’t help feeling he raced through a few of the classics a little too quickly for our liking.

After dinner, it was time to test our musical knowledge in the Explorer’s Lounge with a 50s and 60s music quiz. When the scores were finally added up, we found ourselves sitting comfortably in the “decidedly average” category. Not quite chart-toppers — but we had a lot of fun trying !

7. Seaday on the Diamond Princess

There’s something wonderfully indulgent about waking up late on a sea day — and we fully embraced it. We slept in so long that our morning began with coffee in our stateroom, slowly easing into the day while the ocean drifted by outside. Eventually, we made our way to the Horizon Court for a leisurely brunch, enjoying the relaxed pace that only a day at sea can offer.

Late morning brought one of the most entertaining events of the cruise — a shot glass meet-up in the Wheelhouse Bar. A group of us who had connected through Facebook finally met in person to exchange shot glasses from our hometowns and get acquainted properly. The only rule? Once you picked your glass, you had to stand up and introduce yourself.

Naturally, Rob couldn’t resist the spotlight. He stood up confidently and declared, “Hello everyone, my name is Rob and I’m an alcoholic.” The room erupted with laughter — definitely a moment to remember!

 We came away with shot glasses from Tennessee and Sacramento, each with its own story and new friendship attached.

As evening rolled in, it was formal night on the Diamond Princess we stopped for a quick drink in Crooners Bar, soaking up the atmosphere and watching the pyramid of glasses being filled with champagne in the Atrium before heading to the Princess Theater for the show “I Got the Music in Me.” It was a fantastic performance, but the standout star of the night was Briggeta’s daughter, whose powerful vocals absolutely stole the show.

We rounded off the evening with yet another superb meal at Vavaldies restaurant, ending a perfectly relaxed and laughter-filled day at sea.

6. Princess Diamond Sailaway from Yokohama

 The day began early — very early — at least for Rob. Determined not to miss the arrival of our ship, he slipped out of the hotel at first light and walked down to the waterfront, hoping to catch a dramatic entrance as she sailed into port. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, the mighty Diamond Princess was already quietly berthed, as if she’d been there all along. No grand arrival — but the excitement was real all the same.

After breakfast, we left the Citadines Harbour Front Yokohama and made the short walk to the cruise terminal at Osanbashi Pier. There she was in full view — sleek, gleaming, and promising ten days of adventure around southern Japan.

Boarding was impressively smooth. Within what felt like minutes, we’d stepped from terminal to ship and found ourselves seated in the International Dining Room, tucking into a surprisingly refined lunch. There’s something wonderfully surreal about enjoying a multi-course meal while knowing your “hotel” is about to sail away.

Soon after, the announcement came that our cabin was ready. We unpacked quickly — always a satisfying moment, turning a cabin into your space — and headed straight up on deck for the sailaway party.

Standing on the forward deck as the ship gently pulled away from Yokohama was one of those travel moments you don’t forget. The skyline slowly shifted, the harbour widened, and the buzz of anticipation rippled through the passengers. As we approached the impressive Yokohama Bay Bridge, everyone looked up.

 From our vantage point, it seemed almost impossibly close — the ship’s radar domes appearing to barely squeeze beneath the bridge’s structure. A collective intake of breath… and then we were through, heading out into open water.

That evening, the sense of occasion continued. We enjoyed pre-dinner drinks in Crooner's Lounge — relaxed, atmospheric, and the perfect place to toast the beginning of our voyage.

Later, we made our way to the Princess Theater for an outstanding performance by world-renowned harmonica player Aiden Soon. It was polished, energetic, and unexpectedly powerful — a reminder that cruise entertainment can genuinely surprise you.

From early-morning anticipation to sailing beneath the bridge and ending with world-class live music, it felt like the perfect opening chapter to our journey at sea.

5 Mount Fuji trip

It was a bleary-eyed start on a rain-drizzled morning as we set off for the Mount Fuji region. We’d booked the tour weeks earlier, and there’s always that little spark of anticipation when a plan finally becomes reality. In the hotel lobby we met our fellow adventurers — just six others: two Canadians and four Americans. Small group, which immediately felt like a good sign.

Our driver and guide for the day, Jack, quickly proved we were in safe hands. Friendly, knowledgeable, and full of those little insights you’d never find in a guidebook, he set the tone perfectly.

After a two-hour drive weaving through Tokyo’s vast suburbs, we arrived at our first stop: the famous Chureito Pagoda. Even with the lingering drizzle, the view was striking — the elegant red pagoda standing proudly in the foreground, with Mount Fuji rising in the distance. It’s one of those postcard scenes that feels surreal when you’re actually standing there.

Next, we made our way to Oishi Park, set along the banks of Lake Kawaguchi. And this is where the day truly came alive. The clouds began to lift, revealing Mount Fuji in all its glory — snow dusting the upper slopes, wisps of cloud swirling dramatically around the summit. It looked almost staged.

Naturally, this was prime selfie territory. Our small group had already begun to bond, and there’s something about standing in front of Japan’s most iconic mountain that turns strangers into friends.

We then boarded a small boat for a 30-minute cruise across the lake. The wooded hills wrapped around us, the water calm beneath us, and Fuji towering above — serene, powerful, unforgettable. We both agreed this place felt special. Not just beautiful, but peaceful in a way that lingers.

Lunch was at a local restaurant Jack recommended — always trust the guide. We shared a steaming pot of noodle and vegetable stew, simple but absolutely delicious. Conversation flowed easily with our new friends — Drew, Deseree, Diane, Laura, Birgitta and Rolando. Travel has a funny way of compressing time; after just a few hours, it felt like we’d known them much longer.

In the afternoon we headed to the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, taking the cable car up the mountain opposite Fuji. By now the last of the clouds had completely cleared. The reward? Crystal-clear, jaw-dropping views of Mount Fuji under blue skies. We couldn’t believe our luck. One hour earlier and we might have seen nothing but mist.

On the drive back to Yokohama, Jack had one final surprise — a stretch of “Melody Road,” a cleverly engineered highway where grooves in the pavement play a tune through your tyres when driven at the right speed. It was quirky, unexpected, and the perfect light-hearted finale to a memorable day.

Yes, it was long. Yes, we were tired. But days like this — when nature shows off, strangers become companions, and everything just seems to fall into place — are exactly why we travel.

4. Shopping in Yokohama and theWaterfront

The following morning, feeling a little braver, we decided to tackle the Metro into central Yokohama. With most of the signs in Japanese, it felt slightly daunting at first. We stood on the platform double-checking maps and pretending we knew exactly what we were doing.

That’s when a local gentleman, standing with his young son, noticed our mild confusion. He asked where we were heading and kindly explained which train to catch and which station to watch for. Such a simple gesture — but one that perfectly sums up the warmth and helpfulness we’ve experienced in Japan.

We stepped off at Yokohama Station and spent some time picking up a few essentials and soaking up the everyday rhythm of the city. It’s always fascinating to step slightly away from the tourist spots and see normal life unfolding — commuters moving with purpose, immaculate streets, orderly queues.

Navigating the Metro back to the harbour felt like a small victory. We were practically locals by then.

Down at the waterfront, a strawberry festival was in full swing — or at least the queue for it was. The crowds were enormous, stretching far beyond what we were prepared to stand in, so we made the executive decision to admire it from afar and move on.

Instead, we stopped to admire the magnificent Nippon Maru, the beautifully preserved former training vessel now permanently docked in Yokohama’s harbour. With her towering masts and crisp white hull, she looks every bit the proud sailing ship of a bygone era.

Next came one of the more unusual attractions on our list: the Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama. A museum dedicated to instant noodles might not sound thrilling — but it was surprisingly engaging. From the history of Japan’s noodle obsession to the global success of cup noodles, it’s clever, interactive, and far more interesting than you’d expect.

Directly across the road stands the enormous Cosmo Clock 21, the giant Ferris wheel with a clock built into its centre. It dominates the skyline and is surrounded by a compact amusement park complete with some impressively twisty rollercoasters. It’s hard not to feel a little childlike standing beneath it.

As evening approached, we wandered down to Yokohama Chinatown — and what a contrast. The entrance gate alone is a blaze of colour and intricate detail. Inside, the streets buzz with energy: bright lanterns, sizzling food stalls, ornate façades and crowds flowing in every direction.

The main thoroughfare was packed, so we slipped down a quieter side street and stumbled upon a tiny local bar — just three tables inside. We perched at the counter and, through a combination of sign language, smiles and hopeful pointing, managed to order a couple of beers. The lady behind the bar, who must have been well into her 80s, served us with quiet efficiency and even presented two small plates of food. No fuss, no fanfare — just understated hospitality. It felt authentic and special.

Later, we wandered towards Hong Kong Street and chose a restaurant for dinner. The service was warm, the food satisfying, and we decided it was time to try Japan’s famous rice wine, sake. Smooth, slightly warming, and deceptively easy to drink — a fitting end to another day of small adventures.

From mastering the Metro to beers in a three-table bar, it was one of those days that didn’t rely on big headline attractions — just simple experiences that slowly stitch themselves into lasting memories.