Day 9 – Samurai Houses, Japanese Traditions and a Tuk-Tuk Adventure!

Today we arrived in Kanazawa, Japan, and what a wonderful day of exploring we had ahead of us!

As this was our first port back in Japan after visiting South Korea, immigration procedures meant that every passenger had to leave the ship to complete the necessary checks, even those who weren't planning to go ashore.

So, poor Joe had no choice but to get himself up and organised. Thankfully, he was feeling well enough to join Gaby and me for breakfast, which was lovely, before we headed off the ship just after 9am.

Once we had completed immigration, we took Joe straight back aboard so that he could rest and continue recovering. Although he is making progress, he is still not feeling well enough to spend a whole day exploring, and we certainly don't want him overdoing things.

After making sure he was settled and comfortable, Gaby and I headed back into the port terminal to see what adventures we could find.

We visited the information services desk and discovered that we could take a tour of the local port area in an electric tuk-tuk. Well, that sounded like a fun way to explore, so off we went!



It turned out to be a lovely experience, giving us the opportunity to see some of the surrounding area without having to walk everywhere.

One of our stops was the Ohno Karakuri Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to the fascinating world of traditional Japanese mechanical puppets, known as karakuri.



These intricate wind-up and mechanical creations date back to the Edo period, and the museum honours the legacy of Ohno Benkichi, who was renowned for his remarkable mechanical inventions.

It was fascinating to learn about the craftsmanship and ingenuity involved in creating these extraordinary little figures. I love discovering these unexpected pieces of history when travelling, especially things that are so different from anything we would normally encounter at home.

On our way back, we stopped at Yamato Koji Park, where we had the opportunity to look around the miso factory.

It was another interesting glimpse into Japanese food traditions and the craftsmanship behind products that have been made for generations.

We also discovered that they serve a rather unusual speciality — soy sauce and miso soft-serve ice cream!

Now, that certainly sounds like an interesting combination!

Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to sample it, which was a shame, as I would have loved to find out what it tasted like. Perhaps that's one for another visit!

After finishing our tuk-tuk adventure, we decided it was time to explore a little more of Kanazawa itself.

We caught the shuttle bus into the town centre and enjoyed walking around the shops, taking in the sights and getting a feel for the city.

We then made our way towards the market area, which is always one of my favourite things to explore when visiting somewhere new. I love seeing the different foods, local products and everyday life unfolding around us.

But we weren't finished yet!

Next, we jumped into a taxi and headed to Kanazawa's historic Samurai District.

This was something I was particularly looking forward to, as it offered the opportunity to step back in time and learn a little more about Japan's fascinating history.

We visited a couple of traditional samurai house museums, where we could see how these families once lived and gain an insight into their homes, traditions and way of life.



There is something quite special about walking through historic houses and imagining the lives of the people who lived there so many years ago.

The traditional architecture, the simplicity of the interiors and the sense of history made it a really interesting experience.

I have always believed that travelling is one of the greatest forms of education. You can read about a country's history, but actually standing in the places where that history unfolded brings it to life in a completely different way.

Before we knew it, the afternoon had disappeared, and it was time to make our way back to the ship.

We had certainly packed a lot into our day!

Once back aboard, Gaby headed off to get ready for yet another dinner invitation. I really don't know how she manages to keep up with her social calendar, but she is certainly making the most of every opportunity!

Meanwhile, I decided to enjoy a little music before dinner and headed along to listen to the Club Quartet, who were performing a selection of songs made famous by some of the great divas.

It was a lovely way to relax after a busy day of sightseeing.

Later, Joe and I went for dinner in The Restaurant. It was good to spend some quiet time together and catch up on our day, particularly as he hadn't been able to join us for our adventures ashore.

Although I would love him to be out exploring with us, I am grateful that he is gradually improving and that we can still enjoy these moments together on board. 



After such a full day, we decided to give the evening entertainment a miss and have a quieter night.

Sometimes, even on holiday, you need to recognise when you've done enough for one day!

As I reflected on everything we had seen, I realised just how varied our experiences had been — from mechanical puppets and traditional food production to historic samurai homes and modern-day Japanese city life.

Kanazawa had certainly given us a wonderful glimpse into the rich culture and history of Japan.

Another day, another collection of beautiful memories, and another reminder of just how much there is to discover in this incredible world. ❤️

🌿 Daily Reflection

Travelling opens our minds to different cultures and traditions, reminding us that there is always something new to learn and appreciate.

✨ Highlight of the Day

Exploring Kanazawa with Gaby, especially our electric tuk-tuk adventure and the fascinating traditional samurai houses.

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