2024-03-19 Naha, Okinawa, Japan

Detailed description of Naha

Okinawa is the only subtropical area in Japan, and with its geographical location and background of once being an independent State called the Ryukyu Kingdom between the 14th and the 19th centuries, it has developed a unique culture (influenced mostly by China, Japan and Korea), rich history and natural diversity for all to enjoy.

Naha (300 000h.), the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, is a vibrant city with a rich history and culture. There are many interesting things to see and do in Naha, from exploring its historical sites to enjoying its beautiful beaches.

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (Okinawa Kenritsu Hakubutsukan Bijutsukan) is the largest museum in the prefecture and houses a collection of artifacts and artworks that tell the story of Okinawa from its ancient past to the present day.



Shuri Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most important historical and cultural landmarks in Okinawa. The castle complex includes a number of buildings and structures, including the main hall (seiden), the north and south halls (hokudin and nandin), the royal residence (naha), and the Shurijo Gate.



Shikinaen garden was completely destroyed during World War II, but it was painstakingly restored in the postwar years. In 2000, the garden was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

Sefa-Utaki is a sacred site located in the town of Nanjō on the Okinawa main island. It is considered to be the most sacred place in the Ryukyu Islands, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Detailed description of Naha.

Other ports in the Japan trip.

 

2024-05-15 Juneau, Alaska

Detailed description of Juneau

Juneau

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is a beautiful city located in the southeastern part of the state. It is known for its stunning scenery, rich history, and abundance of outdoor activities. 

Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, which is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. 

Juneau is a great place to go whale watching. Humpback whales, orcas, and gray whales are all commonly seen in the waters around Juneau.

Juneau has a number of cultural attractions, including the Alaska State Museum, 

and the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.

Detailed description of Juneau

Other ports in the Japan trip

2024-05-14 Sitka

 Detailed description of Sitka

Sitka

Plan to be on deck when your ship sails into Sitka Sound, particularly if it's a sunny day: The views of the town from the ship are beautiful.

Sitka is an Alaskan city (8,500 h.) and borough near Juneau, the state capital. It was part of Russia until 1867 and St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral is topped with an onion dome. The 1842 Russian Bishop’s House is nearby. Sitka National Historical Park is the site of Russia’s defeat of the indigenous Tlingit people and has a trail dotted with totem poles.

St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, is Gothic Revival structure, built of stone and wood, with a modest bell tower topped by a pyramidal roof.

The Alaska Raptor Center is a raptor rehabilitation center in Sitka. The mission of the Alaska Raptor Center is to promote and enhance wild populations of raptors and other avian species through rehabilitation, education and research.

Detailed description of Sitka

Other ports in the Japan trip

2024-05-18 Vancouver, British-Columbia, Vancouver

Detailed description of Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver

Stanley Park is a 1,000-acre urban park that is one of Vancouver's most popular tourist destinations.  Stanley Park is known for its beautiful scenery, including its towering cedars, fir, and hemlock trees, its pristine beaches, and its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and water. 

 

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a replica of a Ming Dynasty garden. It is located in the heart of Vancouver's Chinatown. The garden is designed to follow the principles of Taoism, with water, plants, and rocks arranged in a harmonious way to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

South Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver is a civic history museum is the largest civic museum in Canada. The museum is focused on city issues and history, with a strong collection of First Nations art and artifacts. The museum's collection includes over 180,000 objects, including First Nations art and artifacts, photographs, maps, and documents.

The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre (22 hectare) oasis in the heart of Vancouver. It features over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world.

It's home to a unique Sino-Himalayan Garden featuring a wide variety of plants from the Sino-Himalayan region, including rhododendrons, magnolias, and bamboo. It has a stunning Elizabethan hedge maze made up of over 3,000 cedars and is one of the largest hedge mazes in North America.

Explore the quarry garden created in one of the former basalt quarries and features a variety of plants and flowers, as well as a waterfall.

North Vancouver

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is a 50 meters (160 feet) high and spans the Lynn Creek canyon, offering stunning views of the surrounding rainforest and river below. The Twin Falls are two beautiful waterfalls located just a short walk from the suspension bridge. You can hike down to the bottom of the falls for a closer look, or even go for a swim in the pool at the base.

The Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most scenic highways in the world, winding its way along the coast of British Columbia from Vancouver to Whistler. It is known for its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls.

Detailed description of Vancouver

Other ports in the Japan trip

2024-05-11 Whittier cruise port and Anchorage, Alaska

Detailed description of Whittier and Anchorage 

Whittier

Whittier (273 h.) is a city at the head of the Passage Canal in the U.S. state of Alaska, about 58 miles southeast of Anchorage. Whittier was built during World War II as a military base, and many of the original buildings remain today. The town is also home to the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America.

Boat tours

A Glacier Cruise takes you from the quaint seaside town of Whittier to glacier-filled Blackstone Bay.

Anchorage

Anchorage is the largest city in the U.S. state of Alaska (300 000 h.), located on the Cook Inlet in Southcentral 60 miles (90 min) from Whittier. It is a major transportation hub and economic center for the state, and is known for its proximity to wilderness areas and its abundant wildlife.

It's known for its cultural sites, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which displays traditional crafts, stages dances, and presents replicas of dwellings from the area’s indigenous groups. The city is also a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains including the Chugach, Kenai and Talkeetna.

Detailed description of Whittier and Anchorage 

Other ports in the Japan trip

2024-05-11,12 Cruising in Alaska Glacier

Detailed description of Alaska’s glacier

Alaska is home to more than 100,000 glaciers, which cover about 5% of the state's land area. This makes it one of the most heavily glaciated regions in the world outside of the polar ice caps.

Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America and one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Alaska. It is located in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve in eastern Alaska and Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon, Canada. 

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, is a 3.3-million-acre wilderness of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords. It is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage and part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site—one of the world's largest international protected areas.

Detailed description of Alaska’s glacier

Other ports in the Japan trip

2024-05-02 Muroran

Detailed description of Muroran.

Description of a car ride in Muroran.

According to many tourist guide and by the admission of some people of Muroran, the city does not present any interests for the tourists.

There is a site that describes a car ride around the peninsula. I have reformatted the document to make it easier to read. 

Outside Muroran

The Lake Toya, 55 km from Muroran, is in an area that offers hot springs and spa, a cruise on this beautiful lake and a little entertainment. 

Lake Toya (洞爺湖) is a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Abuta District, Hokkaido, Japan. It is part of the Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark. The stratovolcano of Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the caldera. The lake is nearly circular, being 10 kilometers in diameter from the east-west and 9 kilometers from the north-south.

Lake Toya is one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist destinations, known for its stunning scenery, hot springs, and active volcano. The lake is surrounded by lush forests, snow-capped mountains, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities on and around the lake, including boating, swimming, hiking, and camping.

The Tōya Lake Forest Museum on Nakajima Island to learn about the flora and fauna of the lake.

There are fireworks show at the Toya Long Run Fireworks Festival, which takes place every night from April 28 to October 31.

Other ports in Japan.

Detailed description of Muroran.