Day 11 (Tuesday 6th October 2026) Sea day to korea

Today was a delightful sea day as we continued our journey towards Japan.

Kanmon Strait

Kanmon Strait

Kanmon Strait

One of the highlights of the morning was passing through the spectacular Kanmon Strait, the narrow waterway separating the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu. The strait stretches for around 18 kilometres and narrows to just 1 kilometre wide for much of its length, before widening at either end. Watching the coastline glide past from our balcony was a fantastic experience but in comparison to New Zealand’s Milford Sounds, it was a poor second. 

Breakfast in the Kanmon Strait

Part 1 of 6 of breakfast

To celebrate both our cruise and our birthdays, we had arranged a special balcony breakfast. What arrived was nothing short of a feast! There was so much food that we ended up grazing on it throughout the day while relaxing on the balcony and enjoying the ever-changing views as we sailed through the strait. It was a wonderfully indulgent way to spend the morning.

The day wasn't completely without drama. At one point, a coffee machine in the buffet area started smoking, which triggered a minor emergency response from the crew. Passengers were evacuated from the immediate area while the situation was assessed. Although we were three decks below, we could hear announcements over the ship's public address system as the crew responded with great care and professionalism. By the end of the day, that section of the buffet remained closed, suggesting the incident had produced a significant amount of smoke. Thankfully, it appears everything was handled safely and efficiently.

After our enormous breakfast, we remained in our cabin for what felt like a well-earned morning nap. Recovering from such a feast is hard work! Later, we took advantage of the sea day to catch up on some laundry and ironing, always a satisfying task when travelling for an extended period.

During the afternoon, we treated ourselves to some speciality ice cream before heading back to the cabin to prepare for the evening's Captain's Circle Cocktail Party. As members of the cruise line's loyalty programme, we've recently reached Platinum status, earning us an invitation to this special event.

The gathering was fascinating, particularly when we learned about some of the most dedicated cruisers onboard. Several guests had accumulated between 1,100 and 1,700 days at sea with this cruise line alone. That's an astonishing amount of cruising experience! By comparison, we've completed around a dozen cruises and estimate that we've spent about 80 days at sea across four different cruise lines. It certainly put our own cruising adventures into perspective.

Invite to Captains’s cocktail party

Captains cocktail party

Following the cocktail party, we enjoyed dinner at a Brazilian-style pop-up restaurant onboard, where we sampled a seemingly endless parade of delicious cuts of meat. It was the perfect way to round off an enjoyable day at sea.

Brazilian-style pop-up restaurant 

Brazilian-style pop-up restaurant 

As has become our evening routine, we finished the night with a quick nightcap at the Wheelhouse Bar before heading back to our cabin.

Tomorrow brings an early start as we arrive in Busan, South Korea, and we're excited to begin our new adventure. 

The Wheelhouse bar

Day 10 ( Monday 5th October 2025) a visit to Hiroshima

Hiroshima was one of those destinations that leaves a lasting impression, balancing moments of reflection with the simple pleasures of travel. 

Cruise terminal Hiroshima

Shipping near Hiroshima

Google translate becomes useful again

We began the morning in the best possible way, with breakfast delivered directly to our cabin. After a leisurely start to the day, we got ready and headed ashore. As our ship was docked in a working port, a shuttle bus was required to reach the local train station. 

Downtown Hiroshima

Typical street 

Typical street 

From there, we boarded a tram for the journey into Hiroshima city centre, a trip that took around an hour. Our first impressions of Hiroshima were much like those of other Japanese cities we have visited. The architecture in the urban areas is practical and functional, with rows of modern buildings that prioritise efficiency over ornamentation. It is often only on the outskirts that Japanese architecture begins to reveal more traditional and visually distinctive styles.

Hiroshima peace Park

Hiroshima peace Park - bell for the children 

80 years of regrowth Hiroshima peace Park

Bell to peace Hiroshima peace Park

 Our main destination was Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, situated near the hypocentre of the atomic bomb that devastated the city on 6 August 1945. Today, the park is a beautiful and peaceful green space, yet it is impossible to stand there without reflecting on the unimaginable devastation that once occurred. It is difficult to comprehend that this tranquil setting was, for a brief and terrible moment, a vision of hell on earth. The Japanese people have created a deeply respectful and moving memorial dedicated to the victims and the pursuit of 

peace. 

Atomic dome

Memorial mound - 70000 victims ashes buried 

Throughout the park, monuments and memorials remind visitors of the horrors of nuclear warfare while encouraging hope for a more peaceful future. One of the most poignant sites is the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound, a large grass-covered knoll containing the cremated remains of approximately 70,000 unidentified victims. The location itself is significant, as the park occupies what was once Hiroshima's bustling commercial and residential heart. The area was completely destroyed by the blast and was later transformed into the Peace Memorial Park we see today, visited by more than a million people each year. Near the centre of the park stands the Memorial Cenotaph, an elegant arch-shaped monument sheltering a stone chest that contains the names of those who perished. The monument is carefully aligned so that visitors can see the Peace Flame and the A-Bomb Dome through its arch. Completed in 1952, the design symbolises protection and shelter for the souls of the victims. The Peace Flame burns nearby as a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope. It serves not only as a tribute to those who lost their lives but also as a reminder of humanity's ongoing desire for a world free from nuclear weapons. Another memorable feature of the park is the Peace Bell. 

Suspended within a simple open-sided structure, the large bell invites visitors to strike it as a prayer for world peace. Throughout the day, its rich and resonant tone can be heard echoing across the grounds, adding to the park's contemplative atmosphere.

To the girls school that was vaporised 

Atomic Dome 

 Perhaps the most recognisable landmark is the Atomic Bomb Dome. This skeletal structure miraculously survived the explosion and remains standing today in a carefully preserved state of ruin. Once known as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the building was designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel and completed in 1915. Its distinctive dome made it a notable feature of the city long before it became one of the world's most powerful symbols of the consequences of war. 

Memorial mound

The Peace Park is beautifully maintained and thoughtfully presented. While educational, it is also deeply emotional. The other significant learning was the gifts of water left by visitors which represented the dying request for water by the victims of the atomic bomb. The visit brought tears to Cos's eyes as he reflected on the immense human tragedy behind the memorials and what they continue to represent. While at the park, we encountered a friend and former colleague (Trish Mc) of Melissa’s just near the Atomic dome. Amazing given that she’s not on the same cruise as us which would’ve been remarkable enough! What are the chances of this happening? Perhaps we should buy gold lotto ticket on our return. 

Hiroshima bank that became a bakery survived the bomb

After leaving the park, we made our way to Hondōri Shopping Street, the vibrant heart of downtown Hiroshima. Stretching beneath a covered arcade, Hondōri is filled with shops, cafés, restaurants and entertainment venues. Unlike some of the more tourist-oriented shopping districts we have visited elsewhere in Japan, Hondōri felt very much like a place where local people come to shop, meet friends and enjoy everyday life. 

today. 

Hobby shop

Ramen booth

Lunch was at Ichiran Ramen, the famous tonkotsu ramen chain originating from Fukuoka. Dining at Ichiran is an experience in itself. Customers are seated in individual "flavour concentration booths", separated by wooden dividers designed to eliminate distractions and allow diners to focus entirely on their meal. Orders are completed on customised forms where diners can select everything from broth richness and garlic levels to noodle firmness and spice intensity. Meals are delivered discreetly through a small curtained opening, creating a uniquely Japanese dining experience that has become popular with both locals and visitors. 

Under cover shopping arcade

Shopping street 

The former bank

Following lunch and a little souvenir shopping, we retraced our route by tram back to the port. Before rejoining the ship, we passed through Japanese immigration formalities as we would be departing Japan's main islands later that evening on our way to Busan, South Korea. 

Dinner was enjoyed in the ship's Pacific Moon dining room, which provided a pleasant and relaxing end to the day. As has become something of a tradition, we finished the evening with a couple of nightcaps in the Warehouse Bar before heading back to our cabin for an early night. 

Overall, Hiroshima was a memorable and deeply moving destination. The city seamlessly combines remembrance and resilience, offering visitors both an important lesson from history and a glimpse of the vibrant, modern community that has flourished there today.

Day 9 (Sunday 4th October 2026) Exploring Kochi Markets

 Yesterday we arrived at the port of Kochi, Japan. The weather was overcast, with a light drizzle that occasionally turned into gentle rain. As on previous port mornings, we were quick to get up, shower, have breakfast, and make our way down to the disembarkation area. At 10:00 am, we boarded a shuttle bus into the city, a journey that took around 25 minutes.

Rather than joining one of the ship's organised excursions, we decided to explore Kochi independently. Our day took us through a Japanese shopping centre and a lively Sunday morning market. While the market's goods were very much geared towards local residents rather than tourists, it was still a fascinating experience. What stood out most were the incredible aromas drifting from the various food stalls. The sights and smells combined to create a wonderfully authentic atmosphere.

Roads passing through shopping centres 

Local markets 

As always, we spent some time searching for gifts and souvenirs for friends and family back home. Before long, it was time to make our way back to the ship, ensuring we were on board before the all-aboard time of 2:30 pm. 

Dock performance to farewell shop

Another curious and thoroughly entertaining aspect of visiting Japanese ports is the farewell tradition organised by the host city. As ships depart, local performers often gather on the quayside to put on a display of singing, dancing, or a combination of both to bid passengers farewell.

Despite the rain, we were lucky enough to witness a small group of performers in Kochi giving our ship a warm send-off as we left the harbour. Equally heart-warming was watching the constant exchange of waves between those on shore and the passengers aboard the ship. Whether they were local residents, performers, or fellow Japanese passengers returning home, everyone seemed determined to keep waving until the ship disappeared from view.

It is a simple, charming custom that perfectly reflects the warmth and hospitality we have experienced throughout Japan, and it made for a memorable departure from Kochi.

Once back on board, we enjoyed lunch followed by a well-earned afternoon nap.

That evening was a special one, as we had booked dinner at the Crown Grill, the ship's speciality steakhouse. We chose it to celebrate our birthdays, as we both enjoy a good steak. True to form, Cos never learns and promptly ordered the largest steak on the menu! It was an excellent meal, but by the end we were both feeling very full, with Cos perhaps suffering the consequences a little more than Melissa.

Birthday cake 

Crown Grill

After dinner, we headed to the theatre for a musical performance that blended opera and popular music. It was an entertaining and enjoyable show that rounded off the evening nicely.

Following the performance, we retreated to the ship's Wheelhouse Bar for a few drinks before calling it a night.

One attraction we unfortunately didn't manage to visit was Kochi Castle. It's a shame we missed it, but it gives us a good reason to return to Kochi someday.