Day 12- Kagoshima Japan Sunrise Views of Sakurajima: Up Close with Japan’s Fiery Giant

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Kagoshima greeted us bright and early—really early—with a 5:45 a.m. wake-up call to catch the sunrise as we cruised past the island. And there it was in the distance, the dramatic and still-active Sakurajima, a classic stratovolcano and the star of the show.

After docking, we made our way into town and hopped on the quick 15-minute ferry over to the island. A little tip if you go: the fare is 250¥ per person, but you don’t pay until you arrive on the island side—and on the way back, you pay before boarding. Cash only over there!

Once across, we grabbed a 500¥ day bus pass (totally worth it) right on board. You scratch off the date like a lottery ticket to activate it—kind of fun, actually. The bus loops around the island every 30 minutes, stopping at scenic viewpoints, with stops 5, 6, and 11 being the most popular.

We hopped off early, realized there wasn’t much going on, and decided to walk to the next stop instead. Lucky us—it turned into a beautiful, sunny stroll with incredible views. Stop 11 definitely delivered, with the most jaw-dropping vantage point of the volcano. Totally worth the effort.

After soaking it all in, we ferried back and found a small local spot for lunch. Armed with Google Lens, we confidently ordered tempura fish with miso soup… or so we thought. What arrived was what we ordered but also a little  something extra. A big fish head in broth, complete with an eyeball staring right back at us 😳 I just couldn't even try to eat, nor could I eat with it staring back at me. I had to tell them politely I couldn't eat it.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through town and popping into shops, but didn’t pick up any souvenirs until we got back to the cruise terminal. There, I found a baseball cap that looked like it said “Japan”… but the Japanese characters actually read “Samurai.” Close enough, right? I’m pretty sure no one back home will question it 😄

Another unforgettable day—sunrise views, volcanic landscapes, and a lunch story we won’t forget anytime soon!

Day 11 – A Beautiful Day in Nagasaki (and a Ring to Remember)

 

Day 11 in Nagasaki greeted us with clear skies and sunshine—finally, a day with no rain in sight! We set off early, excited for a hands-on experience we had booked through Tripadvisor: a “Make Your Own Ring” workshop.

Since we had some time before our reservation, we wandered around the area and—much to my excitement—stumbled upon one of my favorite unexpected finds: a local cemetery. I’ve always been fascinated by cemeteries in different countries. There’s something so meaningful about seeing how different cultures honor their loved ones. After snapping a few photos and soaking it all in, we headed to the ring-making studio.

We were the first ones there, so it felt like a private experience. We chose our ring styles—deciding on the width, texture, and finish—then got to work hammering and shaping them ourselves. It was such a fun, interactive experience. A silver ring cost around $60, while gold and platinum options were more. Now, every time we look at our hands, we’ll have a little piece of Nagasaki with us.

Afterward, we decided to explore a bit more and walked about 15 minutes to Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown. It turned out to be smaller than we expected, so we kept wandering and eventually found ourselves in a bustling shopping arcade. That’s where I made a beeline for Don Quijote for a skincare haul—always a full-on sensory experience in there!

Travel tip: If you’re shopping tax-free, they may direct you to a special “no tax” register. I waited in line, only to find out my total was 4,600¥ and the minimum for tax-free was 5,500¥. At that point, I wasn’t about to hunt for another 1,000¥ worth of items, so I just paid the tax. It’s only 10% anyway—just a few extra dollars—so for small purchases, it’s honestly not worth the hassle.

We headed back to Chinatown for a quick lunch at a cozy local Japanese spot. We’re still working on perfecting our chopstick skills, but we’re getting there! It was such a relaxed, easygoing afternoon that we decided to walk all the way back to the ship.

And what better way to end a sunny day than with a piña colada by the pool? 🍹

Day 10 – Discovering Busan with a Private Tour

 

Day 10 brought us to vibrant Busan, where we signed up for a Tripadvisor tour for the day—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. It ended up being just the four of us (only one other couple from the ship), which meant a more personalized experience.

Travel tip #1: If there’s something you really want to see, write it down ahead of time. These tours can be customized on the spot, and it’s easy to forget what was on your must-see list!

We asked for a mix of popular highlights and a few unique spots, and our guide delivered. Our morning started just outside the city with a peaceful stroll through a bamboo forest. We paid a small entrance fee (in Korean won—we had exchanged money beforehand), and since we were the first ones there, we had the entire place to ourselves. Quiet, serene, and a perfect way to start the day.

These are the burial grounds.

Next up was the stunning Haedong Yonggungsa, also known as the Korean Dragon Palace Temple. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple With Buddha's Birthday approaching, the temple was adorned with hundreds of colorful lanterns—it was absolutely breathtaking. We had fun finding our zodiac animals for photos (I’m Year of the Pig, Johnny is Year of the Horse), and everywhere you turned felt like a postcard moment. There were also plenty of spots to make wishes and offerings, adding to the peaceful energy of the place.

Lunch came a little early for our taste, but it turned into a fun cultural experience. Our guide ordered a variety of dishes for the table and showed us how to build lettuce wraps filled with spicy noodles, kimchi, and other local flavors. Delicious—but definitely more food than we could handle!

After lunch, we walked through the local fish market… which, honestly, wasn’t my favorite. Seeing fresh seafood up close—especially fish staring back at you or octopus being prepared—was a bit much for me. The nearby farmers market was similar; interesting to see, but not ideal when you can’t bring anything back on the ship. Also I hate to see the live crabs and fish in tanks.

From there, we headed to one of Busan’s most iconic neighborhoods: Gamcheon Culture Village, often called the “Santorini of Korea” or even the “Machu Picchu of Korea.” Once a struggling hillside community, it’s now a vibrant artistic village filled with colorful houses, murals, and winding alleyways. Despite the rain, we wandered through the maze of streets snapping photos of the bright, whimsical scenery. Gamcheon Culture Village

Our final stop was the Busan Air Cruise—a gondola ride over the ocean with incredible views of the coastline and city. You can choose between a regular cabin or one with a glass floor (our co- travelers were nervous about it so we opted out and got the non-see through). At the top, there are scenic viewpoints and fun photo spots, including the famous  The Little Prince statue that everyone lines up to see. Songdo Bay Station (Songdo Cable Car)

By the end of the day, we were so glad we booked this tour—there’s no way we could have covered all that ground on our own. It involved a lot of driving between locations, and at around $100 per person, it felt totally worth it.

Back on the ship, we met up with friends at the bar to swap stories from the day. Dinner was sushi (always a win), followed by an evening of music and entertainment with the talented Seabourn Six—the perfect way to wrap up another unforgettable day.