We are circumnavigating Japan onboard the Crystal Symphony cruise ship. In selecting cruises, I pick the itinerary first, then see which cruise company has the best match. In this case, Crystal had the best schedule: 21 nights onboard, 18 April to May 9. It is a small company currently with only two ships but an excellent reputation and devoted passengers. Most people we talk to have been on previous cruises with Crystal.
First stop was Kobe with a bus excursion to a castle near there. Second stop, Kochi, was a smaller port on a smaller island; we were told 84% forested and a mainly agricultural economy. Many rice fields; also, vegetables, and paper products. The visit was less formal; they didn’t bother checking passports. We visited a cave, a castle, and a beach, all close by with less time spent on a bus and more active walking.
Next up was a visit to Hiroshima on a day of steady all-day rain. At ground zero of the atomic bomb blast, the remain of one building has been let stand, and nearby is a peace museum. We visited a garden area and a hillside Buddhist complex until the substantial rain finally won out and we returned to our ship.
A smaller town, Moji, is located on the island of Kyushu. There our excursion took us to a railway museum and an observatory on a nearby low mountain (about 2100’ altitude). Trains are not one of my interests; Dawn and I left early. We had lunch at the observatory after riding a cable car to the top. Great view of the city and across the ocean channel to Honshu Island.
(more to be added)
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