My Cruises Customer Reflections: Chris and Gill’s Bucket List Tour of Japan

Here at My Cruises, there’s nothing we love more than swapping travel stories, especially when they come from our own customers. Two of our travellers, Chris and Gill, recently returned from a touring holiday to Japan and were kind enough to share their journey with us.

Keep reading to learn what they got up to on their bucket list trip to Japan!  

Day One: Arriving in Osaka

Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport in Osaka, we were met by our local guide, Yoko. We were ushered into a coach with our fellow travellers to be transferred to our amazing accommodation, Hotel Vischio Osaka. This hotel was within walking distance of two shopping malls and a great selection of restaurants.

Osaka is Japan’s third largest city on the island of Honshu – it’s a vibrant destination with a beautiful river cutting through its centre and is popular for its unique neighbourhoods, sophisticated architecture, electric nightlife and hearty street food. We couldn’t believe the price of Japanese whiskey – we never paid more than $20 AUD for a bottle of smooth whiskey. The same bottle in Australia costs $225!

Day Two: Nara Park and Osaka

We began today’s adventure with a visit to the massive Nara Park, known for its incredible cultural heritage in a natural setting of unspoiled woods. On arrival, we had our first sighting of the breathtakingly beautiful cherry blossom trees – one of our main reasons for visiting Japan. Here, we also got up close and personal with the free-roaming Sika deer that call Nara Park home. When walking through Nara Park, we also visited the Todaiji Temple, a Buddhist temple complex once part of the powerful Seven Great Temples of Nara. Within the temple is the Great Buddha Hall, which houses one of the world’s largest bronze Buddhas – we were amazed by the sheer size of this statue!

Back in Osaka, we visited the colourful Dotonbori district, famous for its extravagant signage glittering off its canal waterways and boasting an overwhelming variety of restaurants. Next up was our chance to explore the five-story Osaka Castle, perfectly situated in the heart of the city. Admiring the views over Osaka from the top storey was a memorable way to cap off our day.

Day Three: Himeji Castle and Travelling to Hiroshima

Today, a half day was set aside for us to tour Himeji Castle, considered the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese architecture. Himeji Castle is sometimes known as ‘White Heron Castle’, for its soaring keep and white plaster walls. Near the castle, we had time for a leisurely stroll at Kokoen Gardens, a traditional Japanese garden featuring themed ponds and lovely bridges.

Late in the afternoon, we experienced a dramatic change in pace as we glided smoothly on the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima. High-speed trains are a popular mode of long-distance travel in Japan, thanks to the Shinkansen’s reputation for extreme punctuality, supreme convenience and superior comfort over flying.

Day Four: Miyajima Island

After a leisurely breakfast, we boarded the ferry across to Miyajima Island. The star attraction here is the Itsukushima Shrine and its ‘floating’ torii gate, easily one of the most photographed wonders in Japan. We spent some time exploring the shrine, which consists of a complex of buildings connected by boardwalks supported by pillars above the sea. After a comprehensive tour, we enjoyed some free time to soak up the sights before returning to our accommodation at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima.

Day Five: Hiroshima and Travelling to Kyoto

Our time in Hiroshima was not complete without visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome, the only structure left standing at the site where the first atomic bomb went off in 1945. Today, the dome stands as a powerful symbol of world peace and the quest for denuclearisation. We were then taken to the Peace Memorial Museum, devoted to exhibiting the events of the calamity, displaying historic photographs and the belongings of victims. In the afternoon, we were transferred to the classical city of Kyoto, checking in to our accommodation at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto.

Day Six: Kyoto

Today was a full day spent exploring the ancient city of Kyoto. Our first stop was the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where a seemingly unending path of bright red torii gates winds through the hills. Before long, we were immersed in gold at the famous Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion. Later, we took a stroll through the atmospheric streets of Gion, known as Kyoto’s entertainment and geisha district. Here, we had our first sighting of two genuine geisha girls in all their splendour.

Tonight, we indulged in a special Japanese kaiseki dinner, a much-hyped and must-try culinary experience. To an outsider, kaiseki appears to simply be a traditional multi-course meal but in reality, it is a meticulously prepared and exquisitely served banquet in a private setting. We were then treated to maiko entertainment, performed by a trainee geisha. After her performance, she visited each table to chat and be photographed with us. This was a truly authentic and unforgettable experience.

Day Seven: Toyota Museum and Japanese Ryokan Stay

Saying goodbye to Kyoto, today we were taken to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nagoya. This visit provided a fascinating insight into the company that transformed from humble beginnings as a textile manufacturer to the modern-day industrial superpower that helped shape Japan’s history and culture.

Later, we were transferred to the Mount Fuji region to enjoy an overnight ryokan experience at the Isawa View Hotel in Kawanakajima. Ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese hotel that typically features tatami-matted rooms with soft futon mattresses, communal baths or onsen hot springs, and other public areas where visitors may wear a casual version of the kimono, known as yukata. More than just a place to sleep, this ryokan stay offered a unique opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality.

Day Eight: Mount Fuji Views and Travelling to Tokyo

This morning, we set out to catch views of Mount Fuji from the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, known to offer one of the best vantage points in the region. Luck was on our side today, as we had a clear view of this sacred Japanese mountain – as soon as we left, clouds began to form!

Heading two hours east, the electric city of Tokyo awaited us. We were first taken to the trendy neighbourhood of Asakusa to check out the city’s oldest temple, Sensoji Temple, followed by some free time to wander the traditional Nakamise Shopping Street for souvenirs and snacks. En route to our final stop at Shibuya, we drove by Jingu Gaien for a glimpse at the new National Stadium, the main venue of the Olympic Games.

We finished our day at the famous Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest intersection. Here, pedestrians cross from all directions, giving it a chaotic, Times Square feel. Our accommodation for our final two nights in Japan was at the Sunshine City Prince Hotel, located within the Sunshine City Shopping Mall and with easy access to countless restaurants.

Day Nine: Tokyo

On our final day in Japan, we were free to explore Tokyo at our own pace. We checked out some of the izakaya, ramen and sushi bars tucked away in the alleyways of Harajuku, along with Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho district, which has plenty more street food eateries and hidden bars to discover. The abundance of beautiful scenery, quirky activities, indulgent food and vibrant nightlife in Tokyo meant that there was something for everyone in our group to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

All in all, we would say that Japan is a country well worth visiting. We travelled in late March, which is often considered the best time of year to visit, thanks to the moderate weather, vibrant cherry blossoms and ideal Mount Fuji viewing opportunities.

Our tour guide, Yoko, was simply excellent, managing to keep an unruly group of Aussies and Kiwis entertained and safe for the entire trip. Plus, her knowledge of Japanese history and culture was unmatched. We highly recommend booking a touring holiday with My Cruises.

Want to explore Japan for yourself?

Have a little holiday envy after hearing about Chris and Gill’s trip? Discover your own Japan adventure with our exclusive range of cruise and touring holidays, perfectly packaged with bonus extras you won’t find anywhere else.