Day 13 – Halloween in Hakodate: Sunrise, Star Forts and a Very Expensive Haircut! 🎃


Today we arrived bright and early in Hakodate, Japan, and what a lovely start to the day it was! I was fortunate enough to watch the sunrise as we sailed into port, and there is something so peaceful and magical about watching a new day begin from the deck of a ship.

It is moments like these that remind me just how much I love being at sea. Watching the colours change across the sky as we approach a new destination is such a beautiful way to start the morning.

And today there was an extra surprise waiting for us!

The Seabourn elves had clearly been very busy overnight, because we woke up to find the ship transformed for Halloween! 🎃

There were decorations everywhere, and it was lovely to see the effort the crew had put into making the occasion special. It certainly added a little extra fun to our day.

Gaby and I decided to have breakfast in The Restaurant this morning rather than our usual buffet in the Colonnade. It made a lovely change to sit down, be waited on and enjoy a more leisurely breakfast before heading off to explore.

Once we had finished, it was time to discover Hakodate.

Our first stop was Goryokaku Tower, so we jumped into a taxi and made our way across the city.



We headed up to the observation deck, where we were rewarded with absolutely fantastic views of Hakodate, the surrounding mountains and the remarkable star-shaped grounds of Goryokaku below.

What an impressive sight!

Seeing the perfectly shaped star from above really gives you an appreciation of the design and scale of this historic fortification. It was fascinating to look out across the city and take in the scenery from such a wonderful vantage point.

After enjoying the views and doing a little souvenir shopping, we headed down to explore the grounds themselves.

It was lovely walking around the star-shaped park, although the recent rain had made some of the pathways rather slippery, so we had to watch our footing.



Still, it was well worth exploring, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to appreciate the surroundings from ground level after seeing them from above.

Our next adventure took us back towards the waterfront, where we visited the famous Red Brick Warehouses.

We took a taxi back and then enjoyed wandering around the area, admiring the scenery and browsing the lovely little artisan shops.

I really enjoy these sorts of places, where you can take your time, explore the local shops and discover things that are a little different from what you would find back home.

By this point, we were getting hungry, so we decided to find somewhere local for lunch.

We came across a restaurant where Gaby was able to cook her own lunch on a grill at the table, which was great fun!

I love that she is so willing to try different experiences and embrace the local culture. Food is such an important part of travelling, and even the way a meal is prepared and served can become an adventure in itself.

After lunch, we enjoyed a walk back to the ship, taking in a little more of Hakodate along the way.

Meanwhile, back aboard the Seabourn Encore, Mr C was having quite the day of his own!

Thankfully, Joe was continuing to feel better, and he had decided to treat himself to a visit to the spa.

And what did he have done?

A haircut!

Although, from the price, I think it may well have been the most expensive haircut he has ever had! 😂

Still, after everything he has been through over the last week or so, I was just delighted that he was feeling well enough to venture out and enjoy a little pampering.

Of course, no day aboard the Seabourn Encore would be complete without Joe visiting his favourite restaurant.

Yes, he had headed to Sushi for lunch!

By now, he has become such a regular visitor that he has made friends with the chef and the staff, who all know him well.

I think he has officially become part of the Sushi family!

It is lovely to see how the crew have taken to him and how much he enjoys chatting with them. Those personal connections really do make a difference, especially when you are spending time away from home.

Back on board, Gaby and I decided to head to Seabourn Square for a coffee and hot chocolate.

Gaby wanted to continue working on the communal jigsaw puzzle, which has become one of her favourite little activities on board, whilst I was very happy to sit with my book and read a few more chapters.

There is something wonderful about these quiet moments on holiday. No rushing, no deadlines, just enjoying a drink, a good book and a little time to relax.

Afterwards, we headed back to our suites for a rest before the evening's entertainment.

Tonight, Gaby and I went to see The Ayoub Sisters, who performed a spectacular musical set.



What talented musicians they are! Their performance was absolutely wonderful, and we thoroughly enjoyed listening to them.

One of the things I have really appreciated about this cruise is the variety and quality of entertainment on board. There always seems to be something different to enjoy, from singers and magicians to musicians and theatrical performances.

After the show, Gaby headed off for yet another special dinner invitation.

Tonight, she had been invited to a table hosted by Sam Bailey, one of the Seabourn guest entertainers.

How lovely is that?

I think it is safe to say that Gaby has made the absolute most of the social opportunities on this cruise. She has met so many people and enjoyed some wonderful experiences, and it has been lovely watching her embrace it all.

Meanwhile, Joe and I had to make the very difficult decision about where to have dinner.

Well, actually, it wasn't difficult at all.

Sushi, of course! 🍣

Honestly, I am beginning to think we should have booked him a permanent table there for the entire cruise!

But seeing him enjoying his meals, chatting with the staff and feeling so much better is such a relief after the worrying start to our holiday.

We also managed to take a photograph of Joe beside the Halloween decorations, which was a lovely little memory of our day.



As I reflected on everything we had done, I realised what a wonderful mix of experiences today had brought us.

From watching the sunrise over Hakodate and admiring the incredible star-shaped fort to exploring the waterfront, enjoying local food, listening to beautiful music and celebrating Halloween at sea, it had been another memorable day.

And perhaps the best part of all was seeing Joe becoming more like himself again.

After so many days of pain, medical appointments and uncertainty, it is lovely to see him getting out, enjoying the ship and making the most of the time we have left.

Even if it does involve the world's most expensive haircut and yet another visit to Sushi!

Happy Halloween from the Seabourn Encore! 🎃❤️

🌿 Daily Reflection

The simplest moments can bring the greatest joy — a beautiful sunrise, time with loved ones and the relief of seeing someone you love feeling better.

✨ Highlight of the Day

The spectacular views from Goryokaku Tower and seeing Joe enjoying himself again, complete with his very expensive haircut and Halloween photograph!

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