Day 1 – Saturday 8th April 2023

On Saturday, we arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Tokyo at 1:30 pm and met Denis and Jim. We went to a local restaurant that had an interesting robot for clearing things away.

Day 2 - Easter Sunday 9th April 2023

We went to a large conference room for breakfast, exclusively for Regent Seven Seas Cruises guests. We were able to meet our fellow guests and chat at big round tables. We met George, Linda, and Heidi at the first table we sat at. We got talking and discovered they knew someone from Sue's friend from Meyerhof in Austria, which led to us becoming cruise buddies. Heidi lives in Portsmouth, and the others live in Austria.

We went to the National Science Museum, and it was a hot day. We drove past the Tokyo Tower, which is 330 meters tall and was built in 1958, and the Tree Tower, built in 2012. We went to Ueno Park, where our museum was located, and then to Asaksa, which is where the oldest temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji Temple, is located. It was built in the 7th century and was amazing and crowded with people. We had street food and tried vending machines for the first time.

We then decided to do our own tour and went to YoYogi Park to see the Elvis impersonations and rock n roll dancers with Gill and Gail. It was like being in a Crufts show with dogs of all shapes and sizes, including poodles galore. We grabbed a cab and went to the Council building observatory for the view. The girls left us, and we went to Park Hyatt for cocktails. We watched the sun go down as we ate a few things and listened to the jazz band play. It was quite special, and we realized this was the bar from Lost in Translation where Bill Murray met Scarlett Johansson. We met Philip and Jamie, a great couple from the USA, and Rasputin and John, and we ended up doing Karaoke in the same booth from the film. It was quite hilarious, and we went to bed at 02:0am, wishing we could get rid of our sore throats and loss of voice from all the singing.

Day 3 - Monday 10th April 2023

We had COVID tests to get on the ship, and we were all clear. We went to Ginza, a typical huge shopping street, and managed to find a Starbucks. We visited the Imperial Palace grounds and two bridges. We bumped into Rasputin and John again. We then got a taxi to Tokyo Station to take the Bullet train to Yokohama, just two stops away, but it was fast at 200km/hr. We went to Shibaya Crossing, the busiest zebra crossing in the world, and stopped at a chemist for cough medicine. We returned to the hotel and had a sushi night with Jim and Denise under the advice of a charming retired Japanese ballet dancer who sat next to us.

Day 4 – Tuesday 11th April 2023

We packed our suitcases last night and so it was on to the coach this morning for a final tour of the city before boarding the ship. We had a fabulous guide, 81 years old, who took us to the amazing Meiji Jingu Temple. It was built for Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. They wanted to open up Japan after 200 years of closure to the world - the end of the feudal Edo era and start of the Meiji Era in 1863. The Shinto religion ran side by side with Buddhism, both with empathy for each other. Beautiful temple with a live ceremony taking place, quite moving!

Off to Fuji Tower on the quayside before getting on board - met lovely Brian and Robyn from the USA. We enjoyed the great views, over a coffee float before heading to the ship! Found a fabulous American diner to have coffee at, looking for a version of the Statue of Liberty.

We arrived at the cruise terminal, the biggest thing with everything so far of our Japan experience is that everything is so clean, spotless, and polite. Humble, beautiful people even in the busiest of places. Seven Seas Explorer and suite 634 awaits, the band plays us away and I was so excited I decided to have a beer and lunch on the La Veranda, al fresco dining at the back of the ship overlooking port, and all of the high rise of Tokyo, before we unpack.

Unpacked and ready to go and in great spirits. We were invited to a special ‘New to Regent Seven Seas’ cruisers Captains cocktail party, where we met Jim and Denise for drinks at the Observation Lounge, then off to Compass Rose. Bring on the champagne after dinner every night.  At 21:30 we headed to the Production Co Show which was pretty fantastic! Ended the in the Explorer Bar dancing the night away with George, Gail and Gill.

Day 5 - Wednesday 12th April 2023 - Nahoya

We stayed on board after such a heavy day the day before. We met up with Denise and Jim, but Jim went on a tour. Had a fab lunch at the Veranda Restaurant and met Gigi and Graham, who were living in London, and joined us for a long liquid lunch. I sat with Denise on her balcony for the afternoon and managed to down a bottle of Monopole champers! We ate in Prime 7, which was really good steak. The evening theatre was Paul Baker - just an incredible singer, who has won an Olivier award! Bought CD, how ridiculous, especially as we don’t have CD players anymore! He was brilliant.

Ended up with the gang in the Explorer Bar - Brett travelling with his Dad, Michael, and lovely Peggy with her Mum! Paul Baker, the soloist, Jim, Denise, Gigi, Graham, John, is the spitting image of James Corden and he was a hoot, Harry is travelling with Harry senior his Dad, and Mum Jean. We went to bed far too late, at three in the morning.

Day 6 – Thursday 12the April 2023 - Kobe, Kyoto

We visited Osaka Castle which is a huge place but lots of stairs. We even found cherry blossom.

It was amazing inside, there was a museum full of the history of how feudal lords fought for the Castle and to control Osaka. Hideyoshi was the Shogun who ascended.

Back to the ship and we spent the evening in Kobe where we had sushi and sake. The show tonight was Japanese drummers!

Day 7 – Friday 14th April 2023

Today we were off to see more of Nada outside Kobe.  We travelled up the funicular and were rewarded with amazing views.

We had a visit to a Sake brewery to follow where we met up with Peggy as she was on the tour without Brett and Michael.

Sue went off to the gym and on the return to the ship I have been speaking with the general manager, a handsome Italian 6-foot-tall married man.

Unfortunately I had some problems with the toilet in my suite and he upgraded me to the Penthouse Suite 1406, with a butler. Happy days! The butler, Rohit, packed everything for me, and then unpacked everything in the new suite.  Such good service.

Breakfast in the suite was delivered and set out by our wonderful Butler. This is an absolute treat, to be looked after for the whole duration by this super-duper man. Butler service all the way from now on from Rohit - what a star!

Day 8 – Saturday 16th April 2023 - Beppu

Another tour to Beppu to the amazing hot springs of Tsurumi – unfortunately it started to rain but luckily I had brought a brolly. Onto Jigoku for more hot springs. We even put our feet in steaming warm water, which was quite amazing. We walked with Bob and Joy-Anne, who are lovely Texans.

Our guide explained that Girls' Day is celebrated March 3rd and Boys' Day May 5th. So there were lots of special colourful kites.

Day 9 - Sunday 16th April 2023

Fukuoka - cruising at sea day! Lovely day with Paul, our wonderful new friend (singer), chilling and then another dinner and fun.

Day 10 - Monday 17th April 2023 - Busan, South Korea

Today we visited great gardens and the sun is back out! We wandered around a sea fish market, which was quite hilarious as a squid jumped out of the water and covered Sue’s new trousers in black ink as it squirted all over the floor. We thought we might have to put it back in, but eventually, a guy with great big yellow marigolds ran over and threw it back into the water!

We did walk past an old-fashioned pet shop with the cutest little white puppies in the windows, which was quite bizarre to see. The market was fun, and the shellfish were quite incredible, huge, and full of dried fish too.

After this we went to the most amazing park where there were burial mounds. In fact, they had opened one of the mountains, and we went inside to see a bit like Tutankhamun‘s. The flying horse tomb.

We had lunch at a luxurious hotel, which was part of the day tour, and onto the most wonderful Buddha where there were separate temples for at least four orders, quite amazing. There were a lot of steps, so it was not that easy to navigate, and it certainly was a very special day with a lovely guide, Sharjah, who talked non-stop. On the journey home, she told us about her favourite actor, Harrison Ford, most famous film Raiders of the Lost Ark (of course). We even managed to find some amazing cherry blossom.

Day 11 - Tuesday 18th April 2023 - Jeju

We were supposed to dock in Jeju, but unfortunately there was a gale force 9, so it was too windy. We had an unexpected sea day spent around the pool. At dinner, just four of us, we met Ian Cooper, the fiddler, because Paul was leaving the next day.

Day 12 - Wednesday 19th April 2023 - Nagasaki

The museum was a moving experience, and we finished with an ice cream in the Nagasaki Peace Park. As we set sail from Nagasaki, we were joined by a small eagle which followed us as we left the dock. It was quite incredible. We enjoyed a fabulous meal in Pacific Rim, just the two of us, as Paul had left. We spent the evening watching the show and went to bed early.

Sitting in the memorial park for Nagasaki where the bomb dropped, is just so depressing and upsetting to see the monuments clearly. I'm struggled to take photographs.

In the morning tour, we saw the little film set they did for Shogun, which makes me feel I need to watch the film or series. Apparently, it starred Richard Chamberlain.

Day 13 - Thursday 20th April 2023 - Naha

We arrived in Naha after an extremely stormy night with 3 metre waves so we hardly slept. We used the shuttle bus as the mangroves trip Sue was hoping for had to be cancelled due to the stormy weather. The beach was amazing, and we decided to take the bus over the mountains to view and dip our toes in the southeast China Seas in the morning. We met Wendy and Ken from Wales, who had booked the cruise just six weeks before traveling. We then drove through a town which was like a very small village. We made it back to the ship and had another Pacific Rim supper, but this time with Denise and Jim. However, Sue was a bit below par with tummy issues, so we said our farewells and fell into bed early. We watched a film in bed and still didn't get to sleep until 1:30am.

Day 14 - Friday 21st April 2023 - Naha

Okinawa is very Chinese style in every way possible and the Shikinaen Royal Gardens was one of the best trips of all, as we went to one of the original Palaces in Shikina Park, Uden Palace. We took shoes off to walk round the wonderful 1800-year-old palace which is only one storey high and is exquisite.

Shurijo Castle Park which was under construction but interesting and still very beautiful.

We passed by the Oxford Street version of Okinawa. Then we found a traditional noodle Ramen bar after the traditional cake-making shop, which was so tasty!!!

We met Denise and Jim and went to the Pacific Rim, that actually rhymes. After dinner we went to the show which was again very, very good.

I insisted that Sue and Brett did karaoke, what a hoot! Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics - Brett took the floor and was fantastic – his second song was not so good, so less said the better.

I left Sue talking with Brett and James Corden and went to bed, and watched the rest of Lydia Tar, the film, Cate Blanchett. I had no voice by this time!

So far we had slept in the suite with all of the balcony doors open which was quite soothing, listening to the waves splashing against Explorer of the Seas as we go to sleep each evening. Tonight however we had to close the windows to the balcony because we are now at a gale force eight/nine!

Rocking through the night yet again as we cross the Philippine Sea.

Day 15 - Saturday 22nd April 2023

Our darling butler, I must say I will miss so much, came in the room at 9 o’clock to give us brekkie.

Still going on a force eight, we decided we better stay put for a while, which meant sadly we had to watch a film in bed. It’s a hard life. God only knows how we were going to pack with the ship swaying so much…. I decided to let the Butler do it.

At 13:00 hours and we braved it for just the two of us sitting on the back of the ship, the Sun Lounger a big double round thing, all tied up in case it flies off the back, ha ha. But the sea spray was cooling in the very, very warm humid climate and some sun!

We met Denise and Jim for supper in the Italian and then went to the show.

Day 16 - Sunday 23rd April 2023 - Kochi

We enjoyed breakfast on the balcony in the sunshine with no wind. Hooray! And then got all organized for our last but one tour to Kochi Temple and the Kochi Makino Botanical Garden.

I took so many pictures of the beautiful flowers and their blooming colours.

Our guide said same as Eleanor Roosevelt's:

“Yesterday is History

Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a present”

We return to the ship, for what turned into a very long alcoholic lunch, on the Veranda deck. This was our favourite spot back of the ship on Deck 11. We managed to do five bottles of rosé in a space of 2 hours between the group of us! Then it was time to run back to the suite to get changed for the finale party. We had a fantastic party on the ship with the staff, such fun, dancing the night away!

Day 17 – Monday 24th April 2023 - Fujisan

Today we enjoyed a leisurely brekkie and did a bit of packing before our tour.

We got on the seats at the front of the coach and said they seemed to be smaller, however maybe it was us, we got bigger, LOL.

Today’s tour was Mount Fuji Highlights - she is spectacular! The cloud broke, and there she was! We even saw a bride and groom! The tour finished at the black sandy beach and pines.

Fukoko was a great guide who sang us a song, and we sang along in Japanese.  She was a fab lady!

We had dinner with Gigi, Graham, Jim, Denise, and Heidi joined too! In Prime 7, our farewell dinner. We had too many cocktails, but such fun as they had to throw us out of the restaurant as we were the last to leave.

Day 18 - Tuesday 25th April 2023

We had a 6 o'clock breakfast on the balcony before we disembarked the ship, said our goodbyes to everybody, and boarded our onward non-stop 14-hour flight. Heidi came back to see us in coach as she is in business class, and we had the big hoot.

A TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Notes

The ship Seven Seas Explorer excelled, and the excellent service and the crew, the beautiful ship. Everything absolutely was 6-star. Regent didn’t disappoint!

Japan Facts and Figures

• 1858 saw a population of one million in Ado.
• The subway in Tokyo reportedly moves three million people a day and offers great views from the observatory at the top floor of the Tokyo government office.
• The city was formerly known as Edo and had been the capital for 150 years before Kyoto, which was the capital for over 1000 years.
• In fact, the Edo period ended in 1868 when the last shogun gave the city to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shokken. They wanted to open Japan to the world after 200 years of being isolated.
• Cedar trees release so much pollen that 90% of the population is allergic and wears masks.