Japanese garden – David Kotz

Japan, day 15 (September 17): Tokyo’s Hama-rikyu Gardens

Exploring Hama-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo.

Our final day was relaxed, a chance to pack before our evening non-stop flight to Boston. So we took the opportunity for a morning walk around the Hama-rikyu Gardens… one last chance to enjoy the art and beauty of Japan! Donated to the public in 1945, “it was remodeled as a public garden on the site of a villa belonging to the ruling Tokugawa family in the 17th century.” These gardens (which we also visited late the day before) are unusual in that they are “surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay” [Wikipedia]. Most of the original buildings are gone – destroyed by fire, earthquake, or war, but a 300 year-old black pine tree survives; likely planted by Tokugawa himself. Read on…

The large pond at Hama-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo, Japan.

Japan, day 14 (September 16): Tokyo, Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji temple, Geisha

We visit the Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji temple, then dinner with Geisha performers.

For our only full day in Tokyo we boarded buses to visit the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine meant to memorialize Meiji, who ended the Shogun period and became the architect of Japan’s modernization. He died in 1914, and the city built the Shrine in 1920. Unfortunately, it (and much of Tokyo) was destroyed in WWII, but quickly rebuilt after the war. Today, despite pouring rain, it was crowded with tourists, as well as many young families with babies; it is customary to bring a newborn (at 30 days of age) to pray for their good health. Read on to see where we went in the afternoon!

Japan, Day 12 (September 14): Kanazawa

Our final port, Kanazawa. Historic Samurai home, Geisha district, and Kenroku-en garden.

After an overnight cruise we arrived in the port of Kanazawa. Known across Japan for its gold leaf, Pam went with a group to learn about the production of gold leaf and its application to jewelry and other uses. I spent the morning visiting two historic districts. The first was a Samurai village, including a historic Samurai house; it was interesting to walk through the preserved home and through a small neighborhood with other homes that retain the architecture of that period. We then visited a historic district that had been a center for Geisha (though here they refer to them as geiko), including a tour of a historic 1820 Geisha tea house (Ochaya Shima), now a museum. We strolled through streets retaining the historic architecture (with buildings now occupied by restaurants and souvenir shops). For the afternoon… read on!

Street in preserved Geisha district in Kanazawa.

Japan, day 7 (September 9): Kagoshima, Sakurajima, and Sengan-en garden

Kagoshima, Sakurajima volcano, and the Sengan-en garden.

Jack, Katie, Pam, and David at Sakurajima Volcano, Kagoshima.

We sailed overnight back to the Japanese mainland, aiming for the city of Kagoshima, close to the southern tip. As usual, several of us were out on deck to enjoy the sunrise and our passage into port. Today, though, the ship paused as it arrived in port. Our berth in the port was taken by another ship, whose captain was missing! Several emergency vehicles were visible on the pier, leaving us mystified about the situation. Our bridge crew, and expedition team, pivoted remarkably quickly – and the ship moved around to the other side of the city and docked at the shiny new marine terminal (that is, a cruise-ship terminal). Although a beautiful location, it was farther from the center of town and thus farther from the ferry we were intending to catch. The expedition team did a fantastic job reshuffling all the schedules for the day, and soon we were on a bus to the ferry terminal. It all worked out… read on!

Japan, Day 2 (September 4): Uno, Naoshima

Koraku-en garden, Naoshima island, and Benesse House Museum.

This morning we docked in Uno, toured Koraku-en garden, “one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan”, and this afternoon we went ashore in Zodiac boats to visit two modern-art museums on the tiny island of Naoshima. Read on!

A pumpkin sculpture at Benesse museum, on the beach at Naoshima island, Japan.

Japan, Day 1 (September 3): Kobe

Himeji Castle, Koko-En garden, and lunch on shore before boarding our ship, the National Geographic Resolution.

Today we joined our expedition group, toured sights near Kobe, and boarded our ship – the National Geographic Resolution. Read on!