I spent a week or so in Japan in the Spring touring around on my own. It's a great place but over-tourism is an issue. I would suggest, though, that 7-11 and convenience stores in general are a huge part of Japanese and Asian culture. 7-11 is even Japanese owned these days
Yes. The big three konbini (convenience stores) in Japan (7-11, Lawson, FamilyMart) are all fully Japanese owned and headquartered, so although it may appear that they are Western (and technically 2 of the 3 have their origin in the West) they are a Japanese cultural institution since the 70’s
100%. Best thing to do is pick a couple of must do tours and the rest go into the city and wander round yourself. Food discovery is great. And Japanese are so friendly.
@@paulkoza8652 7-11 in Japan are much different from the USA. Trust me, I patronized them for 10 years. Fun fact: there are more 7-11's and Lawsons PER CAPITA in Japan than in the USA.
With regard to self touring, one of the great things about Japan is that you never need to worry about wandering into a "bad area" and being robbed or harassed, and if you get lost or lose something, somebody will help you out. If you lose your wallet, just go to a police box and they will make calls and help you track it down. Most likely, some kind person will have already turned it in at a nearby police box or train station and you'll get your wallet back pretty quickly -- with all the money and cards still inside. The safe and friendly culture of Japan makes it so much more relaxing and enjoyable to wander around and explore places off the beaten track.
Yes there’s not many robberies in Japan compared to some other countries but please do Not put down your guard . I was robbed back in the 1990s because I had just arrived from taking a long bullet train and I wisely took off my undergarment belt which had some of my money and my passport and put it down on the table of the youth hostel while only a meter away met To figure out how to buy green tea in the vending machine. I don’t think the man who stole it was Japanese at all, who stole it in a matter of a few seconds, but I’m not gonna say in this comment, who I think it was, I have no way of approving it back then or now. I was the only person in the room when this happened, although I saw two or three men down the hallway, but they seem so far away. It didn’t seem a problem to put something down on a table for a few seconds.
I just returned yesterday from my second cruise of Japan on Holland America and they had lectures on Japanese history and on culture as well as port talks for people who wanted to tour on their own. These included tips on what to see, how to get there and what it will cost. I’ve found Holland America always emphasizes the destination with history and culture a priority.
That’s really good to hear as we’re off to Japan with HAL in October ‘24. 11 ports not including Tokyo, with 6 excursions booked so far and planning to do our own thing for the rest.
Japanese 7-11s are far superior to western ones... I dont seen the convenience stores as a sign of westernization at all (doesn't mean the other indicators arent accurate). If you skip 7-11, Lawson, and Family Mart when visiting Japan then I think you're missing out on a bit of local culture.
Yes, I spent a year in Japan around 2002. コンビニ were where I bought most of my meals. Everything was made fresh daily. There were no suspicious sandwiches with best before date a month out, missing any "packaged on" date, of the sort sold here in North America.
Having cruised Japan, I'm really surprised that you think the country is a one time deal. I can understand that before you go, but once you experience Japan, it is a completely different story. I have traveled extensively, and avoided Japan because of my fear of the language. I can go to Europe, I speak several languages, I can read (my Greek is rough, but doable), but in Japan I would be both illiterate and dumb, and that is very, very daunting. I was right, but so wrong also! First, Google Translate gets you through a lot of rough spots especially reading. Next the people cannot be described, and you came close. Polite, very eager to help, kind, and very respectful. If they can't help, they will find someone who can. Cultural immersion - this is not a Western, Christian based nation. I VERY highly recommend the book "Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye: A Journey". It isn't expensive, it isn't long, but you will get so much information about the country, the people, the religions, the moires of the culture, it is incredible. It is a true story, not a novel. No not read it prior to a multi-thousand dollar/pound journey is almost criminal. Finally, most of the port stops are in big cities. Tokyo aside, Japanese cities are squat, concrete, generally speaking, ugly. The smaller towns, the parks and gardens, the castles and shrines simply cannot be described, they are so magnificent. To anyone worried about a trip to Japan, wrong, wrong, wrong! GO! And to those who have been, well, I can't wait to go back. As always Gary, thank you, and great job! My offer to take me on as a travel partner still stands.
I LOVE Japan. I love seeing people experience it for the first time, it’s like watching children in Disneyland as people usually love the experience. I’ve been to Japan 6 times and 3 times as a solo traveler. All the points you mentioned are spot on, especially regarding mobility and being respectful. Japan is a place where things will be easier if you are mobile and follow the rules. Also do research before you go to maximize your time there. Enjoy!
Hi im thinking of travelling next year with my partner and our teenage daughters 16 & 19, we would like a mix of visiting shrines but mostly just exploring the shops and busy city’s. Sampling foods etc, what would yous suggest would be the best way to travel there? I was looking at a cruise getting off at various ports but im not sure if thats going to give us enough time in the busy city’s we would like to enjoy, any help or advice would be fantastic and appreciated thanks
@666dogtanion I wouldn’t recommend a cruise around Japan. You barely get to see the ports you stop at. If you do decide to go on a cruise spend some time in Tokyo before or after the cruise. Do a lot of research by watching RU-vid videos. Just going to Tokyo is great for a first trip to Japan, there is so much to see and it can be overwhelming. If you want to ride the Shinkansen then go to Osaka too. Make sure to be mindful of what time of the year you are going (I can’t stand the heat of a Tokyo summer). You will walk a lot. Hotel rooms can be very small. Try not to bring a lot of luggage especially if you are going to shlepping it around the train stations, it’s a pain and you may want to take home a lot of souvenirs. If you go to Kyoto consider getting around by taxi vs bus or subway as the buses can be crazy busy and subway lines not that convenient for tourists. Sorry for long post but I hope you and your family get to go to Japan soon, it’s such a special place I hope you have a wonderful trip!
One tip for hotels pre and post cruise: if you go away from western branded hotels you will tend to save a lot of money. Japanese chains such as Dormy Inn in my experience can be half the price or less as compared to western brands (which tend to skew to luxury western brands). I saw the interior of the Hilton Tokyo on Gary's clips and while that's a nice hotel, it's definitely one of the more expensive properties in that area. The Citadines in Kabukicho about a 15 min walk away from it is less than 1/3 the price for a few nights next month. The Citadines isn't as luxurious of a hotel for sure but it's perfectly fine and I think better located for tourism.
This is a very fair explanation of Japanese culture. One thing you misunderstand is that 7-Eleven is vastly superior in Japan than in the US/Europe. There is fresh Japanese food that you can heat there or take to a park or office for a quick easy meal/snack. They also discourage eating while walking.
I was there in Japan in the late 1990s and even then I remembered the 7-Eleven was a very good place to go for buying budget food. That was also delicious. And drinks !!
I agree with you, ideally 4 nights in Tokyo and 3 in Kyoto before the cruise. That gives you 3 days of touring around each city and a day to get reset due to time difference. Japan is just one of those very well kept places, like Bermuda or Switzerland.
We did a lot of homework for our two-week cruise, which really made the trip much better. You can't do enough study before you go. We fly in 3 days before to see some of the sites before the ship, which allowed us to see how the big cities are.
I did the Regent Cruise of Japan last month. The excursions were included in the cost. It was absolutely fantastic. A good mix for all interests. The guides were lovely, locals who were excited to be guiding us. With any cruise it pays to research your excursions before booking. I loved that most places we went we were the only cruise ship in the port. A bit of research about the history of Japan before you go helps.
I thoroughly enjoyed an Osaka to Vancouver cruise on the Statendam in 2007. I booked four extra nights in Osaka which was my favorite part of the trip. Public transport was safe and easy. My full day side trip to Kyoto was perfect. I loved the restaurants with their plastic menu displays in the windows. And was amazed by the packaging and boxing when I bought a single slice of cake in a bakery. People were always friendly and helpful, and I was touched by high school kids offering an arm when I was ascending a long flight of stairs. I have no idea if things have changed dramatically since 2007, but I loved my cruise. My advice is to go while you are able. There was lots of walking and lots of stairs.
RE Food and cultural moires. When you buy food from a food vendor, you do not walk and eat it. Eating is done in front of the venue. And don't expect a trash can to be waiting for you when you are done. Despite the fact the country is virtually litter free, it is also trash bin free. Where the trash goes is hard to tell, so be prepared to carry it with you.
I wasn't getting food from a street vendor. I was eating it in a sit down restaurant. In the window in front of the restaurant they usually have a plastic model of the plates on the menu so you can at least see what the food looks like before you order it. It seems to be a very widespread convention throughout the entire country.@@davidh9844
7/11 may be a "US corp" but my goodness it is far away from what you will find in the US> 7/11 can be a lifeline, particularly during off hours with good food , safe ATM and useful products you need. The ATM service , if needed, is a go to, hands down.
Thanks for the great tips for Japan. So looking forward to our visit in March/April. Also looking forward to enjoying the immersion into the culture of politeness there. I wish we could manage that level of courtesy in public in the US! 😃👍
Totally agree with you Garry. Something we won't fail to arrange next time we visit Japan. It was our biggest mistake on the 14 night Japan cruise; not organising excursions from many of the port cities which were very poor tourist destinations, however our 10 day pre cruise land content was fabulous. Two must see inclusions you didn't mention are Miyajima Island a short ferry hop from Hiroshima and walking through & dining in Pontocho Alley Kyoto, both offer life time memories other than the fabulous castles and shrines/temples.
@calumshaw next time, walk across the river eastbound on Hanamikoji street, then turn north and walk thru the Gion district, preferably after 10PM on a warm evening. If you are lucky you might see some REAL geisha going to/from work. Gion is where many of them live.
@@tipsfortravellers So enjoyable! I spent a semester teaching in Tokyo and would suggest fitting a few extra days there before or after as appropriate. Some the tips: a.) In Tokyo, STRONGLY recommend traveling a bit north of downtown in the YANAKA neghborhood, which was spared the bombling in WWII or serious fires. Magical. I also stayed in a traditional inn with a tatami mat and roll out matress for a weekend and loved it. b.) I loved checking out the sumo stadium and souvenir shops. Fascinated world, Cheers!
SUPPLEMENT: Absolutely AGREE that independent touring is a great option! Finally, one the most marvelous things I did was study up a bit in Tokyo on both Noh and Kabuki theater, then booked a ticket, one on my own, the other with a social media theater group, after which we went out to the bas after, talked theater and then had late night snacks. Wonderful.
Gary, I enjoyed your insights about cruising around Japan. I may be taking a Tokyo to Vancouver cruise in 2025, and I’m a bit nervous. You see, I lived in Japan for two years in the early 1980s, and I know it has changed in many ways. Seeing the country slowly while living there is a very different experience from popping in and out of ports. And I no longer speak the language! BTW, there were 7-11s in Japan forty years ago, even outside Tokyo in the smaller cities.
7-11 is NOT a Western retail chain. It was imported FROM Japan TO the West. And the product range is so extensive . It is possible to buy a very high quality lunch or dinner there for a very reasonable price. It even has its own branded Seven Bank, with ATM’s that take Western cards at better than fair exchange rates. If 7-11’s were as good in New York as they are all over Japan, I would go there every day.
Hmm. Close, but not exactly. 7-11 was founded in Texas in the 1920's, but their Japanese stores became very popular by the 1960's. By the 1990's, a Japanese entrepreneur bought the company outright, so yes, now it's a Japanese-owned retail chain. The purchase by different Japanese business interests was actually a bit more colorful than can be explained easily.
Good info. Some of it clearly obvious, read about the sights and history of the place before booking, at home, that will allow you to understand what you are visiting. Also, timing of the year is important, skip the cherry blossoming and you will be rewarded with lower crowds.
Lucky for many of us in Asia Pacific Japan isn’t that far. Japan is a lovely place. And tbh you need to do some independent touring. Set aside a city to go on a food discovery on foot with just your wits. Strike out. Don’t rely on tours all the time.
Good breakdown. I live in Japan, and I agree it's easy to self-tour, especially now with Google Maps and its transport guide functionality. It helps you immerse yourself in the confusing but navigable cities. It's Japanese government policy to try to get travellers out of the congested sites and into more far-flung places, but that's hard for tour ships.
Another quintessential temple worth seeing that's only about an hour east of Osaka by train is Todaiji Temple in Nara, not just for the temple itself (and it's 3 story tall brass Buddha) but also for the park it's contained within, as it is famous for it's "bowing deer". Feeding the deer with cheap cookies you can buy all over the park is a very fun, immersive, and unique experience. Highly recommended for a day trip in the Osaka port, especially if you have an extra day for it!
This was informative however it missed a big point. i.e. how you actually arranged these excursions as you don't appear to have been on the ship's excursions
Just a quick note-I lived and worked in Japan over 40 years ago (40!) and U.S. fast food was quite common. KFC, McDonalds, etc. were all quite common and not necessarily a result of American tourism, etc. (I lived in Kitkakyushu which had a foreign resident population of 100 in a city of over 1 1/2 million, so not an 'American' mecca).
The Japanese 7-11s and other Western food franchises are a whole order of magnitude better than the American versions; Japanese people eat out much more than we do (their kitchens are often the size of small closets), and they won't put up with bad food. So don't assume the food in even a lowly 7-11 will be what you're used to; it's often very good! PS: consider a capsule hotel in Tokyo; it's much cheaper and an interesting experience in its own right.
I went to Japan last June. Tokyo and Osaka. LOVED it!!! Beautiful country. People were respectful. Food was fresh. Went to Disney and universal. Went to the Temples, Castles and parks. Had fun going around different trains. Did food crawls in Osaka. Enjoyed cheap but quality food in Lawsons and 711. Had my picture taken with Godzilla, saw monkeys near the bamboo grove area and ate wagyu on my last day. Amazing!!! It is a walking country and taxi is expensive but worth it in some cases. In a 10 day period you will see more regions on a cruise but with the lack of time you will miss a few things i can imagine.
I went to Japan (non cruise) earlier this year, and the hotels, even in Tokyo, were cheaper than expected! In particular, they have small rooms for solo travelers at good rates at business hotels. The prices for, say, April are much higher than I paid, though, as I went in the off-season, but still cheaper than hotels in a lot of large U.S. cities. And of course some of the other cities are cheaper than Tokyo. Restaurants and public transit were also very reasonable.
Visiting Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima are definite musts, but spend some time if you can in some of the smaller cities… especially in the mountains! A full experience of Japan needs to include an overnight ryokan (inn) stay, along with an onsen (hot spring bath). Neither of these are easily done on a cruise, but a few days’ travel before or after a cruise can catch this.
This has convinced us NOT to cruise round Japan but to cruise to it, most likely transpacific. A cruise round looks like it simply doesn't do it justice, especially when we're from Scotland and therefore a fair way to travel. As always, appreciate the info.
@@reestyfarts Totally get it, and don't disagree. But on this occasion we'll blow the budget and spend a month travelling around. JR passes seem to be the way to go.
London prices and expensive hotels? I know that individual experiences vary, but I found everything to be literally half price compared to London - even airport hotels and decent eateries.
Very interesting, we have been to Japan twice and what you share is accurate. A couple of things, we are not baseball fans but went to a game in Yokohama where we stayed prior to our cruise. It was GREAT! An amazing experience, unlike any game you will attend in North America. Another note, 7-11 is actually a Japanese based company.
I don’t understand how rebuilding a building I « not authentic »… the temples for example are still used as temples, houses are still houses, gardens are still gardens, castles are still castles. You might not have had good guides, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have good guides. If you were self touring and didn’t research historical or cultural information that’s on you. Hotels in japan are not expensive, there are so many different options from 15$ a night to hundreds, but typically it’s not hard to find a room under 100$ that is comfortable and private. Most places don’t have Starbucks etc… that’s just maybe cities like Osaka and Tokyo. I really find you generalize your statements to the whole country, but you only saw the very tiny sliver that the cruise brought you to that has more western tourists. I think your cruise did you dirty if you didn’t get good guides. The service in Japan is unparalleled in my opinion.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Japan a few times for work. Amazing place. Everything just works. I remember taking an elevator to the top of a skyscaper in Tokyo. Felt like it was running in an oil bath. And my Japanese colleagues went out of their way to introduce us to various local cuisines. I think I only had sushi once. I do want to go back with my better half, but not sure about doing the tourist thing. I feel I had a look behind the curtain during my work travels. ;)
For Tokyo you should try the higher end capsule hotels -- they have small rooms instead of coffins. MUCH cheaper than hotels because they are more for Japanese visiting from other areas - and Tokyo is FAR more expensive for them since they aren't benefitting from exchange. Generally soda/tea/coffee and some foods are included. $35 or so is typical. (there are tons of videos of solo travelers using them on here to check to see if you are the type to enjoy it)
1.Tipping in japan is a big no-no its rude there. 2. When solo traveling Japan is very safe but the bars in Roppongi and Shinjiku should be avoided as there a lot of scammers running the bars. 3. Try to avoid areas with too much English signage, it normally means your getting something overpriced and not super authentic. 4.If your worried about trying sushi for the first time Sushiro is a good place to go as they have a tablet ordering system which pretranslates all the food. 5.Google translate works ok in Japan but i would not rely on it for overly complicated things.
Everyone experiences cruisers as being in a bubble not caring about anything - sadly or happily the Japanese are unwilling to have hoards of cruisers disrupt communities by having them land in the midst. Pity about the lack of interest in real Japanese culture on the ship....I still do not know why a nice man like you keeps cruising....
You missed the north island (Hokkaido)! We did a back to back cruise in Japan (8+8 days) years ago before covid. It's a total different experience. The first half (south islands) were consisted of mainly western passengers, while the second half have over 500 local Japanese passengers.
The 7-Elevens have been in Japan since at least the 1990s. And I found them quite differently than the 7-Elevens in the United States, thankfully, very inexpensive Japanese budget food. The Starbucks, Burger King and McDonald’s. I don’t remember how long they’ve been there. I agree with you. I hope they don’t get entirely westernized and keep their traditions. I happily took off my shoes when required and enjoyed the Hot Springs washing myself properly before getting in the hot Springs like is required.
7-11 is a Japanese company and they have the BEST cheap food! In 2019 a bottle of Australian wine from Barefoot cost $3.99 for a whole bottle!! It was heaven. I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner there on the cheap - you have to try their egg salad sandwiches...the BEST!!
Gary I’m curious, you say at @08:20 how a cruise experience to Japan can be like visiting in a “bubble”. Are there other cruise destinations worldwide where one doesn’t get this feeling? I’ve only been on one cruise so far - 7 night Seattle - Alaska this summer. I got the bubble vibe even from this cruise, and I live relatively nearby in Washington state. I’ve been a land* explorer my whole life so I got the impression the bubble feeling was just a drawback of all cruises. Maybe I’m wrong? Such a great video as always, great overview, you packed so much in! 👏
Was kinda disappointed in Japan. Every antient monument was made of reinforced concrete. Hardly anything is real there (due to the Earthquakes probably.) Reminded me of HMS Victory -mostly faked for the tourists. The Nagasaki peace museum was a very humbling experience and I enjoyed Osaka more than Tokyo but as you say go once probably never go back.. The upside of Japan is they are lovely quiet calm people and it makes you realize how badly wrong the Western leaders have been by taking us down the wrong road to a peaceful cohesive society. On our final departure they laid on such a beautiful haunting genuine farewell I had real tears on my eyes.. It was surprisingly emotional.
Tips: Pre cruise hotel stay in a business or boutique hotel in Yokohama and not Tokyo will save you $$$ yet we found it easy to navigate to Tokyo by train. If you want a real Japanese experience, go to an real Onsen ♨️, Not a tourist one (Yes you will be naked in public, that's not a thing for them), hire a guide and a driver to self tour way off the beaten path. It really wasn't that expensive and we had so many heart experiences no one on the ship excursions had. Do your pre trip home work using NHK television or websites. NHK is Japanese public television dubbed in your language. Make and effort to learn a few words of Japanese. Smile and Bow.
Very interesting and informative, thank you Gary. We’re doing Japan in October with HAL, 10 stops, not including a few nights in Tokyo. We’ve booked ship excursions for four of them (costing over £1,000 for the two of us and they’re not long tours) and planning to do our own thing for the rest. It’s good to hear you saying that it’s so easy to get around on our own. Our S Korea stop is Sokcho.
We had a wonderful family holiday in Japan in December (from New Zealand). We caught trains all over the place for three weeks and it was brilliant. Lots of gardens, temples and great food (including convenience stores!). Highlights were Miyajima, Kurashiki and Takayama as well as the big cities. Kurashiki in particular is so pretty 🤩.
I actually lived in Yokosuka Japan for a couple of years while I was active duty US Navy. I loved the Japanese culture. The people there are so wonderfully considerate towards others. It was a nasty culture shock for me coming back to the US after two years in Japan. I absolutely loved traveling on the trains over there. The food at places like McDonalds, KFC, and even an A&W Root Beer stand in Tokyo had better food than in the US. The stores and malls over there were amazing. You can get just about anything via vending machines in Japan. I always enjoyed getting beer from the Japanese vending machines. So much fun and such a lovely culture. I highly recommend literally getting lost in one of the Japanese cities and experiencing the local food and culture. I had some of my best experiences getting lost in Japan. I would love to go back there and spend about a month reexpierencing things.
You should go into the western places and see how not westernized they are Gary! 7/11 is nothing like western versions and combini's are an integral part of everyday life. Similarly McD's has existed in Japan for decades and caters to local taste so there are menu items you won't find at home. I'd never recommend cruising Japan tbh. Its really a country to explore with well priced domestic airlines and an extensive rail/bus network. Business hotels I've found to be the sweet spot for price to comfort - western hotel chains are a massive rip off.
Informative video - thank you! It’s interesting to note that 7-11s are owned by a Japanese company, even though they were founded in the USA, and are widely seen across Asia. I remember seeing many of them in Hong Kong in 2019.
Cruising is not the best way to see Japan. Or maybe it's just the best way to skim the surface of Japan. You can't get to know Japan without for instance using public transport, eating in local non-touristy restaurants, mixing a bit with Japanese people. Even that hardly gets you to the nitty-gritty of Japanese life and culture, but being led around by a tour guide doesn't do a great deal.
7 - Eleven is a Japanese company. Nothing like the American equivalent. Did you go in. It’s one of my favourite things about Japan. Their convenient stores are very convenient and cheap.
Cruises in Japan must call on a foreign port 1:05. Sill not as bad as in the U.S. where, because of the Jones Act, foreign-flagged ships cannot sail directly from one U.S. port to another, and most cruise ships aren't American flagged.
I'm a huge fan of your channel. Have always had in mind to cruise around Japan, but in light of what you said about the talks regarding Japan on your cruise and knowing you have travelled elsewhere on Viking and referred to it as an immersive experience, do you think Viking would be the best line to visit Japan?
The Novel “Shogun” is an easy and enjoyable method of learning a little history, a lot of customs and a verygood insight into Japanese way of thinking. The movie is a bit superficial.
Very interesting Gaz, your post confirms my thoughts of doing a 1 month land based tour staying in Tokyo (10 nights), Kyoto (10 nights'ish) and Hiroshima. Doing day trips from one place of stay will make it more relaxing. Cruising Japan s very hectic and takes away the ability to enjoy the local scene.
The foreign port rule affects non japanese flag ships which affects all cruise lines. One benefit is much like an australian law. Aussie domestic cruises(barrier reef etc) cant use casino or sell duty free. To work around it they drop anchor offshore at willis island which is outside ocean limits (200km) and pull anchor and continue. Its now a overseas cruise.
7-11 in Japan is nothing like North America. The food is very fresh and there is a wide variety of both western and Japanese meals as well as snacks. Also, and important if you are self touring, all of the big name kombini have spotlessly clean washrooms.
We have just come back from a cruise of Japan and would totallyan agree with your comments. Another suggestion is to ask customer services staff about how they got around. Often they can be very informative, particularly about using buses and metros
Wow what great timing. We'll be doing a 14 day around Japan cruise next year. I was surprised to hear you say that you can use your cards everywhere (but happy to hear it) I thought Japan was largely cash based. So you had no problems using western credit or debit cards?
The guides issue is only in english!!! In spanish it was amazing!! First because we are very open and talkative as hispan cultures!! So we mixed the hispanic vibes !! And that made good vibes!!!
As you noted, Japan is very easy to navigate for self-guided explorations. For that reason, I don't agree with your statement that Japan is a "once in a lifetime destination". In my opinion, Japan is such a wonderful and easy destination that people ought to go regularly.
I know your all about cruising but in this instance do you think it would have been more immersive and culturally enriching if you’d just booked on one of the luxurious organised tours across the entire country? That’s what I’m considering.
We cruised Japan on Viking just before the pandemic hit, and found it to be the best cruise we'd ever taken. You are right that the Japanese people are most welcoming, and the welcome upon arrival and sendoff upon departure at every port, that you mentioned, were most impressive, something we had not experienced in any other country. I was moved that they held no animosity against the Americans for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but emphasized that it was a learning experience for peace. Unlike your tour guides, ours were most knowledgeable and shared their personal lives and lifestyles, giving us more of a glimpse into their culture. We especially enjoyed the port town of Shimizumachi, a walking town with many historical sites, at each of which were native volunteer guides from the town to tell you about the site, involve you in any ceremonial ritual, take you on a tour. One old samurai house even had rooms where you could be taught various Japanese crafts. It was a wonderfully immersive cultural experience. Also, shopping/restaurants were within walking or easy shuttle distance in many places. The onboard experience was great also, with cultural enrichment lectures and stage performances from local Japanese entertainers. We would highly recommend this cruise.
We have acruise with Cunard starting in Tokyo in May. Unfortunately not a lit of tie there before we board but then we go to 2 ialnds - Aomori and Otaru before heading across the Pacific to Alaska. Hoping the islands will be a bit calmer than the big city - will be interesting to see the contrast.
Japan is the last place on earth i'd ever visit by cruise. Being totally immersed in the very unique culture that is Japan is amazing and highly recommended!!
We just returned from a month in Japan including a twelve day cruise in the middle of it. Truthfully I added in a cruise component because my husband is not very adventurous and it was a way to increase his comfort level. Even with the cruise we did mostly self-touring… Japan is simply so “easy” with pocket wifi, google maps and a bit of advanced planning. We did a lot of bullet trains and in addition to the cruise changed hotels six times! I am very happy with what we did and it was a treat to wake up in a new port on the ship. Having the land-based component allowed us to see other cities as well. A perfect combination!
We did a tour with a company called All Japan Tours. They offer a wide variety of bus tours all over Japan. It is great for first time visitors to Japan. Tour guide speaks perfect English and everything is included. Then the 2nd visit you feel more. comfortable with doing it yourself.
Even though I have never been to Japan, I have interacted with a few through some of the jobs that I have had and absolutely admire their culture because of those reasons, being polite, respectful and rules-based is extremely important to me.
Thanks Gary. I really enjoyed this video and your information (& tips) about Japan. I'm cruising Japan next year with Holland America Line, and your guidance on Japan will be very beneficial to my planning. All the best to you.
Good effort here. To add, bring a small plastic bag to put your wrappers and other small trash into to take back to your hotel or ship to dispose of, especially if self touring. There are almost zero public trash cans. Google Maps on your smart phone is your best friend. People are helpful but remember that a lot of people are often on their way to or from work, school, appointments and I try not to interrupt them unless they seem to be not busy and your phone will provide you with endless details. Yes, there are lots of stairs and remember shrines are active spiritual places for the Japanese and not a theme park. Lastly, in some large cities be mindful of people on bicycles as they are trying to get to places and are not expecting you to suddenly take a big step into their path.
Explore japan by cruise to me is not a good ideas . For 3 weeks holiday in japan about the same money or less as you paying for your cruise and excursions you can explore much more and learn more about japan cultures and enjoy foods in many different places if you are travel inland . One thing you need to keep in mind is you must be fit and lots of walking .
Why cruise around Japan at all? There are much better ways of seeing the country (as the video menions). The transport system is fantastic, and you can choose to travel at a less busy time.
We did a land based tour of Japan with Riviera and it avoided most of the problems Gary mentions. Also riding the bullet train is a must (we went on them three times) and I don't see how you can do that on a cruise. Our land based tour had good guides and lots of opportunity for cultural enrichment.
7-11 in Japan is nothing like those in the west. It’s actually well worth a visit for good, cheap food, Japanese snacks, and even a dress shirt and tie if you need one!
I have connections in Japan sort of, I study history and I do research before I go. Not every place is American. I did rather do my own land tour with the cruiseship. I did use the cruiseship as a floating hotel and at ports I did make my own vacation and tour guide translator if I need one.
I have been to Japan twice, both land-based tours with specific focuses. I would highly recommend the Ino-cho Paper Museum if your cruise goes to Kochi; the prefecture is a major papermaking center. And anyone with an interest in ceramics should go to the Kawai Kanjiro's House in Kyoto.
We're going on a taste of Japan cruise with celebrity next august and just wanted to do our own thing wandering around ports and checking out local sights, you think this is doable?
