Japan: A Journey by Land & Sea

Japan had been on my mother’s wish list for years, so I finally planned the trip she kept putting off. We joined Celebrity Cruises for a twelve day journey around the country, starting and ending in Tokyo, with stops in Shimizu, Osaka, Kochi, Hiroshima, Busan in South Korea, Hakodate, and Aomori. Between ports, we took trains, buses, and taxis, and spent plenty of time on foot. Seeing Japan this way gave us a little bit of everything, cities, castles, mountains, and markets.

Tokyo

We arrived a few days early to settle in and see the city. I visited Meiji Shrine, walked through Tsukiji Fish Market, and had ramen in a small food court on the upper floor. Later, I walked to Tokyo Tower, its orange and white frame standing out against the clouds. From the top, the city stretched as far as I could see. We also stopped at Shibuya Crossing, where hundreds of people move through the intersection at once, mostly without colliding.

Shimizu

Our first port was Shimizu, known for its views of Mount Fuji. A local tour took us to Miho no Matsubara, a pine-lined beach where Fuji appears over the bay on clear days. It was a slower start to the trip, quiet and easygoing. The sky was overcast, so the mountain never showed itself, but I could imagine how striking the view must be when it does.

Osaka

Next came Osaka, a city bubbling with personality. On this visit, we stopped at Osaka Castle, rode the tram down the hill as its cheerful tune played, and later visited the Umeda Sky Building with its open-air observation deck connecting two towers high above the city. We also explored the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan from the outside, walked through the lively Dotonbori area, and saw Tsūtenkaku Tower in the Shinsekai district.

Kyoto

From the Osaka cruise port, we took a taxi to Osaka Station, then boarded the train to Kyoto. In the city, we visited Shitennoji Temple, the Gion district, and the Bamboo Forest.

Kochi

Kochi was smaller and felt more local. We visited Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original castles. It was a short bus ride from the port, then a climb up narrow wooden stairs worn smooth from use. The view from the top looked out across the city and the surrounding hills.

Hiroshima

In Hiroshima, we joined a guided tour through Peace Memorial Park, stopping at the Atomic Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace Monument, and the Peace Memorial Museum. The exhibits were simple but powerful, more reminders than displays. It is a place that makes you quiet.

Busan, South Korea

Our day in Busan showed how close and different two countries can be. We visited Yongdusan Park, Busan Tower, and Gamcheon Culture Village, where homes are painted every color imaginable. Vendors near the port sold tteokbokki, skewers, and sweet pastries. The city felt bright and spontaneous, a contrast to Japan’s precision.

Hakodate

Hakodate had an easy pace. We started at the Morning Market, where stalls sold crab, squid, and sea urchin, then went to Goryokaku Tower to see the star shaped fort from above. That night, we rode up Mount Hakodate for a clear view of the city lights curving along the water.

Aomori

The last stop was Aomori, known for its apples and the Nebuta Festival. At the Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE, we saw the huge illuminated floats used in the parades. Across the street, the A-Factory sold juices, ciders, and snacks made from local apples. Aomori is also famous for its tuna. In 2019, one sold for more than 200 million yen, something the city still talks about.

The Return

By the time we sailed back to Tokyo, we had seen Japan in motion by ship, train, taxi, bus, and on foot. Each way of getting around showed something different about how the country works. The cruise connected the ports, but what stayed with me were the moments in between, waiting on platforms, walking through neighborhoods, and seeing how smoothly everything runs.

You can find more about each stop in my detailed posts, including what I saw, how I got around, and what stood out.

Read the full series:

Tokyo • Shimizu • Osaka • Kyoto • Kochi • Hiroshima • Busan • Hakodate • Aomori