Japan: Tokyo

Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Tokyo, Japan

We arrived at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal and left the ship at 9:45 am. This was a major restocking stop, and we always enjoyed watching the loading process.

Provisions ready to be brought on board

We had signed up for a tour of the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens. The gardens were magnificent. We lost the guide right away and toured them on our own. Gorgeous full moon stone arch bridge from the 17th century, one of the oldest in Japan. A stream with ponds full of turtles and koi, large wisteria vines. Waterfalls. Lovely stairways up hills. Very lush and beautifully maintained, smack dab in the middle of the city. Amidst all this beauty, we got lost and barely made the meet-up time at the entry with our tour group. 

As you can see, these gardens are an oasis in the middle of Tokyo

Lots of water features

Turtles

The next destination on our tour was the famous Tokyo Tower. Built in 1958, it’s a communications and observation tower that resembles the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It’s also the 2nd tallest structure in Japan. We took in the views from both observation decks.

View from the Tokyo Tower

Waiting for the elevator to the top

After visiting the tower, we declined returning to the ship and ventured out to find a city bus to the Tokyo National Museum. This outstanding museum is spread out over several buildings and contains many national treasures, including scrolls, art work, ancient kimonos, a palanquin (one of those hand-carried conveyances the emperor rode around in). Also samurai armor and weapons and armor for their horses. Many very ancient artifacts also. Incredible works of art. We saw shipmates (a couple and their teenage daughter) also on their own.

Banner at the entrance

Samurai gear

Palanquin

Next was a train ride back to the cruise terminal, and a lovely sunset once on board.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Tokyo (day 2)

Charlie felt it was his destiny to go to Tokyo Disneyland. It wasn’t all that far from the cruise terminal. As we exited the terminal this morning, we had the good luck to speak to a woman who told us exactly which train to take.

Excitement mounted as we approached Tokyo Disneyland. Pretty much everyone on the train was headed there.  It was a half hour past opening and the lines were long. It was already obvious that the Japanese people love Disney. The crunch seemed endless but it moved quickly as we were directed around and split into sections. We got in! 

Yay! We got there.

Visitors go through the shops area to get to the rides.

The line was way too long for the castle

The park is smaller so more manageable—and much less expensive—than Anaheim.  Charlie kept a diary of the rides and attractions we experienced. Star Tours, It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Mickey’s Filharmagic, lunch at the Hungry Bear restaurant, The Country Bear Theater (life-sized robotic bears singing cowboy songs), Jungle Cruise, and Thunder Mountain. 

Star Tours with 3-D glasses!

Skull Island on the Peter Pan ride.

Haunted Mansion “lived” up to its name.
                             

It’s a Small World after all!

Roger Rabbit’s ride had funny signs and gags galore..

Outside Roger Rabbit.

We did as many rides as we could in Toontown.

Jungle Cruise was a hit even if we didn’t get the jokes (our Japanese is a little rusty).   

                         The Japanese people especially loved the live action dance show with Disney Characters.

We survived the wild ride at Thunder Mountain.  

We made it back to the ship before it sailed at 7 pm, feeling like we understood the Japanese people better after seeing them let their hair down at Disneyland. Charlie was a little sad to leave.