HAKODATE – AKITA – KANAZAWA – 12-Day JAPAN Cruise Round-trip Tokyo, NCL Spirit, Japan travel Vlog
[Music] In this episode of Postcards from Stewie, we are in Hakodate, Akita, and Kanazawa, Japan for days 4, 5, and six of our NCL 12-day cruise on the spirit around Japan with a stop in South Korea. In Hakodate, we took a shore excursion and the first stop was the iconic Hakodate Morning Market. Their feature attraction is the live squid fishing pond. We ate a wonderful lunch at a humble restaurant. Later, we toured the Mount Hakodate Observation Center and enjoyed the incredible views. Last stop on the tour was the Modamachi District, which is known for its beautiful views of the port. Back on board, we sailed away after dark, enjoying the view and cocktails from the Spre Lounge. Next day found us in Akita, Japan. Our shore excursion took us to Kabuda Castle and the beautiful Senu Park. Next stop was the Akarena Redbrick Folk Museum. The museum showcases Akita’s history and culture through its exhibits from local artists. Lunch was at an amazing supermarket cafeteria. The ship sailed away in the early afternoon with a wonderful farewell show and fireworks. Kanazawa was the last port we visited in this episode. We saw three of its most definitive attractions. First was the Kenroin Garden, considered one of the three great gardens of Japan. Second was the Kanazawa Castle, once the seat of power for the wealthy Miata clan. Third, we visited the Omicho market, often called Knazawa’s kitchen. Lunch was delicious, and the miso soup had a big surprise for Emory. Did he eat it? Back on the ship, we had a wonderful sendoff with a concert as we sailed away. Tanyyaki for dinner was entertaining and delicious. Join Stewie and Emry as we experience Japan and South Korea, cruising the NCL Spirit on days four, five, and six of our adventure. [Music] Okay, here we are in Hakad. Hakkad Hakod Hakodote. Here we are in Hakadote. Hakadote. And later today on our shore excursion, we’re going to be going top of that hill. You see over Stewie over Stewie. Good observation. Yeah. Weather depending. So right now it’s a beautiful day, right? We’re supposed to take a tram up there, but they told us if the weather’s bad, we’re going to go up by bus. But looks like the weather’s pretty. You can’t see anything anyway. What difference does it make? My name is uh my family name is Suzuki. Suzuki. Suzuki. Okay. As somebody knows you because of yesterday I worked in auto. So you can call me Suzuki. But unfortunately I’m not related that automobile company and Suzuki is one of the most common name in Japan and you can call me Suzuki or S. We boarded the bus for a very short 2minute ride to the bus parking area. We walked from there to the market. We are still trying to figure it out. The Hakodate Morning Market is a bustling and iconic market in Hokkaido. The market dates back to 1945 and has grown to include about 250 shops. It’s a key destination for tourists and locals alike. Known for its incredible variety of fresh seafood, local produce, and other delicacies, the market spans several city blocks and is made up of streetside stalls and indoor facilities. Flounders. Yeah. Or halib. Not so fast. Uh live squid fishing. Uh in the middle there’s a small swimming pool and then you catch that the uh live squid. Then after they uh make the sashimi and then you can eat right away. When you fish the squid they squeaky make they make the squeaky noise like squid ink. Yeah. See like that right there. Oh yeah. Oh wow. Yeah. Smells good. Wow, these grapes are humongous. [Music] I guess I don’t know. So, they’re giving lives. They’re eating live squid right out of the fish tank. Bikini Market is the main attraction within the larger morning market. In the center of the store, you can catch and eat live squid. This is a must- do experience for many visitors. You catch a live squid from the tank yourself and then a staff member will immediately prepare it for you as sushimi. It doesn’t get any fresher. Okay, look at it’s turning into it’s turning into sushimi right now. Oh my gosh. Lunch was at an unassuming small restaurant nearby and Leslie and Jim said the oonie here was the best that they have ever had. Corn tempura. It’s like they took the corn off of the cob and they temp deep fried tempur onion. Yeah, there’s onion rings in there too. They’re delicious. Okay, so Stewie ordered udon noodles and the with corn. Gorgeous tempura which we just had and we’re thinking about ordering another one. Leslie is talking about this ooni. That’s the best she’s ever had now. Right. Where are we going? Dote. Echodote. But it’s Mongolian barbecue if anybody wants to try any. Wonderful that. And now it looks great. like stir fry. [Music] After lunch and a short bus ride later, we were at the Mount Hakodate observation center. Located on the summit of an inactive volcano, Mount Hakodate stands 1,096 ft or 334 m tall. The observation center itself is a four-story building with various amenities for visitors. [Music] The views were spectacular with the clear blue skies of autumn and the panoramic views of the city. The breathtaking scenery has been awarded a three-star rating, the highest rank in the Michelin Green Guy Japan. Where are we? The gift shop. Of course. Gift shop. Yeah, everyone’s got to have a gift shop. They really like their anime style. I got I hope I have to buy one. So, this bird they were saying is second smallest in the world next to the hummingbird. Look how cute it is. All right, here it goes. Oh. Oh. Oh. Even goes on the floor. What did you get? Oh, how perfect. What is this? No way. Oh, that’s those birds. That’s nice. Those little birds we were talking about. Leslie and Emory savored our last Saporro classic beers which are produced and sold exclusively in Okaido, Japan. The Motomachi district is a charming and historic neighborhood at the base of Mount Hakodate. It is a must- visit area for its unique blend of Japanese and westernstyle architecture, reflecting its history as one of Japan’s first ports to open to foreign trade. As a result, many foreign traders, diplomats, and missionaries from Russia, China, the UK, and other western countries settled in the Modami area. This is why you see a mix of traditional Japanese buildings alongside westernstyle churches, consulates, and public halls. [Music] We said goodbye to Sue, our local guide. Back on the ship, we had dinner and headed up to the Spre Lounge for the sail away. What a great day. [Music] We were up bright and early to catch the bus for our highlights of Aikita shore excursion today. [Music] My name is Taka. P T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T A A K A Taka. So, three places we visit park, art museum and uh food market. [Music] First stop was Senu Park, a beautifully landscaped green space with Kubota Castle at its heart. Stewie, where are we? We are in Senu Park in Akita, Japan. And there’s castle ruins in here. And our tour guide, Taka Suzuki, was explaining to us about in the past the feudal system. There was the merchants, the um samurai, the artisans, and the farmers. There were four classes. And uh interesting how they all kept separately, and there’s like moes dividing the different areas. So, it’ll be interesting to see what he has else he has to say. Yeah. And we’re lucky because we’re start we’re seeing the fall color changes because as we head further south, we’re not going to probably uh cuz it’s getting warmer and warmer every day. So, we started up in the north in Saporro and Hokkaido as far north as possible. And uh here we are out of breath already. That’s really sad. Oh, here’s the old map. Okay, finally we get to see this map. Although much of the 17th century castle is in ruins, what remains is an enlightening look into the past. Kobota Castle was recognized as one of the 100 fine castles of Japan. The castle was built in6003 by Sataki Yoshobu and served as the seat of power for the Satake clan for over 260 years. The castle suffered several fires over its history. The final fire in 1880 destroyed almost all of the remaining structures. [Music] Kobota Castle was known for its distinct lack of stone walls and a main tower. Instead, it relied heavily on earthen embankments and a system of moes and watchtowers for its defense. [Music] The Osumi Yagura was one of the eight corner watchtowers that existed at Kabota Castle. These turrets were used for both defense and as storehouses for weapons and other supplies. The current turret is a modern reconstruction built in 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Akita City. Okay. Well, it’s very peaceful here. It’s gorgeous here. And he was saying that there’s only 12 castles remaining remaining in Japan. They tore them all down after all the wars and uh because they look like military facilities. So glad I got pictures of Nikita. I know cuz he said, you know, maybe in the park you’ll see some of them. We didn’t until then. Yeah. Right. Well, that was in the park. Guy walking his Aikita dog. Okay. So, we got lucky. We saw Nikita dog. Yay. And uh posed for a picture with us. It was really nice. We’re on our way back to the bus. Yep. And we’re gonna walk through these uh gates. We better head back, honey. I don’t think we have time. It’s just It’s right to there. [Music] So, we’re just going to walk through really fast. Hurry, Ste. Oh, yeah. Look how pretty. I know. Let’s go. Well, we’re just going to walk through real fast. You ready? Yep. Okay. Here we go. Oh, this is very cool. We’re in Zenshu Park in Aikita. And look at there. And they’re getting smaller and smaller. Yeah. Watch. They’re shorter and shorter. Yeah. Wonder what that signifies. Oh my god. Are you having to crouch, too? Well, I am. Just in case. Just in case. I’ve hit my head enough on the top of the bus. Okay, here we are. That was great. Looks like we go down this little path right here. All right, back to the bus. We would have loved to stay longer at the park, but we had a short time in port today. All aboard time was 2:30 p.m. and we had to stay on schedule. And the next stop was the Aarena Red Brick Folk Museum. The museum building itself is the main attraction which was completed in 1912. It is a prime example of westernstyle architecture from the late Mei period, which is the 1890s to 1912. It was designed by a local architect, Yamaguchi Naoki. The museum showcases Akita’s history and culture through its exhibits while allowing visitors to appreciate the building’s stunning design. [Music] Our last stop was a local supermarket. We bought lots of goodies to take back to the ship and had a delicious lunch in the cafeteria area of the market. There’s Look, there’s the pointy spicy kind we like. Get some ribs. Look at those with a little bit of nori on them. Oh, look at those. Where all righty pack? What are those? This one. Yeah. And here’s some sweet little cookie things. Why don’t we get one of these, too? Okay. Like this one. Srira, what does that say? Srirachi. This cute little set right here. I love these displays. Look at that. Everything has like wax displays. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Wow, look how delicious these things look. Oh my god, look at that one. Good deal. Do you sell here? No. No. Okay. Ohia allowed to bring liquor on the ship and I don’t understand. Usually they take it away, give it back to you the last day. So I’m not sure what’s going on with that. They did that on the last They said the fried chicken here was really good. So let’s get a table and get something. Yeah, let’s get something. We got time. Yeah, that’s kind of tight. Oh, like whole box of it. Yeah, that’s right. [Music] So Jim, you have to recreate the rice popping out of the sushi. Our our tour guide doing a great job. We like your English is very good. Thank you very much. And helping us order. Oh yeah. And we have tonkatsu, which is cutlets, pork, pork cutlets with Japanese Korean rice. And you guys had sushi. The ship sailed away early in the afternoon with a wonderful farewell show and fireworks. You know, they’ve never had two cruise ships here. That’s why they’re so excited. Dinner was at and biscarpetta featuring Italian cuisine. [Music] [Music] We are here in Kanasawa, Japan. It is our first inclement weather day today. We’ve had beautiful weather until now, but that’s okay. Can’t be perfect all the time. So, we’re at the cruise terminal right now. We made it off the ship and they have this like walkway covered walkway which is really nice cuz it’s coming down pretty hard right now. Okay. Here [Music] [Music] we are in Knosawa, Japan. Kanazawa. Kazawa with Jim and Lesie and Stewie and Emory. So, thank you for joining us today. So, my name is Yumi Suzuki. Nice to meet you. Uh, please call me Yumi. Okay, if you forgot my name, please remember you. Wow, what a difference 24 hours makes. Today it’s cold and rainy as we venture off to Kenokoan Gardens and Knazawa Castle. Listed as one of the country’s three great gardens, it’s a prime example of a strolling styles landscape garden from the feudal era from the early 1100s to the mid 1800s. This period is often referred to as the age of the samurai where the feudal lords and their samurai warriors held power. The garden’s history spans several centuries, beginning in the 17th century as a private garden for the powerful Miata family who ruled from nearby Knazawa Castle. The garden was developed and expanded over generations, reflecting the family’s immense wealth and commitment to the arts. It was finally open to the public in 1874. Heat. Heat. [Music] Emory was having a great time taking photos. There were so many wonderful postcards from Stewie moments. Crossing the Ishikawa Bridge, we entered Kanazawa Castle grounds and the beautiful castle park. This historic bridge crosses a road that was once the outer moat of the castle. The Ishikawaman Gate is one of the castle’s most famous and best preserved original structures. Built in 1788, it is a designated important cultural property and serves as the main entrance for visitors coming from Kenro and garden. The castle is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Knazawa, holding a central place in the city’s identity dating back to the mid6th century. Since the 1990s, a major restoration project has been underway. Modern architects and builders have meticulously recreated key structures using traditional techniques and materials, allowing visitors to see the castle as it once was during the Edo period. [Music] Next stop was the huge Omicho Market, the most famous fresh food market in Knazawa, Japan. Often called Knazawa’s Kitchen, it has a history of over 300 years and is a bustling, vibrant destination for both locals and tourists. We found a wonderful restaurant. Even though they had menus, we still had to use the kiosk to order. Pictures are the universal language. Okay, so this is a bowl of beer made only here in Panisawa, she said. And so we’re going to give it a try cuz when else am I ever going to be back with Panisawa having a local beer? So here it goes. Ready? [Music] That’s really good. [Music] Yeah. The pictures did not prepare Emory for the sensation of sharp teeth on his lips when he was drinking his soup. Surprise. Well, we did it in record time because we have to get back to the bus. [Music] We had another wonderful sendoff from Kanazawa as we sailed away. Thank you very much and to say a few words of thanks on behalf of all of us here at Konisaw. First and foremost, we would like to thank Norwegian Cruise Line for choosing Panazawa as a travel destination. Thank you for making this call possible. [Applause] [Music] We’re just having a great time. Tomorrow is Busan, Korea. So, we actually had to clear immigration today to win the country. So, they did that down in the terminal, but we were coming back from the short excursion. They gave us a nice send off. They have a band playing a concert while we pulled away. It was really nice. So, the spirit is hitting ports that cruise ships don’t go to or haven’t been to or are just starting to go to. So, they’re really appreciative. I love them coming in. We relaxed and warmed up before a tanyaki dinner at Silk. [Music] We love the experience of freshly prepared dishes and the cooks can be quite entertaining. My name is Chef Jesse all the way from South Ph. South Philippines. All right. And I will be your Japanese hand for tonight. And my Japanese karate all the way from China. Same on Javan, my favorite actor. Yeah. And my Japanese helicopter. Who do you want to try it? Any volunteer? Volunteer. Nobody. Okay. Thank you. Because I love my job. And my Japanese ending. All right. Okay. Ready? One, two. I’m just joking. All right. and our dancing egg. Dancing queen and jumping. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 and three. And did you know guys in our country in Philippines they called it love? Okay. And in Amazon River they called it Anna. All right everybody say hi to Anna. Anna wake up. Hello. It was me you’re looking for. I can see that in your eyes. I’m sexy and I know it. I like your movement. Move it. I like your movement movement. Your yellow banana all the way from Banana Republic and your orange papaya. delicious. [Music] Thanks for watching. Click one of the thumbnails to enjoy another episode of Postcards from Stewie. [Music] Bye-bye. Bye.
In this episode of Postcards from Stewy, we are in HAKODATE, AKITA and KANAZAWA, Japan for days 4, 5 and 6 of our NCL Spirit 12-day cruise around Japan with a stop in Korea.
We saw Hakodate Morning Market, Mt Hakodate observation center, The Motomachi district, Kubota Castle and Senshu Park, Akarenga Red Brick Folk Museum, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, Omicho Market.
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Chapters:
00:00 INTRO
02:22 Day 4 – In Port Hakodate
03:07 On the bus with local guide Sue
03:41 Hakodate Morning Market
05:22 Live Squid fishing
06:13 Lunchtime
07:09 Mt Hakodate Observation Center
09:11 *Postcard from Stewy
09:15 Motomachi District
10:23 Back on the Spirit
10:38 Sail Away from Hakodate
10:47 Day 5 – In Port Akita
11:34 Senshu Park and Kubota Castle
14:49 Akita Dog
16:07 *Postcard from Stewy
16:12 Akarenga Red Brick Folk Museum
16:54 Amazing Local Supermarket
18:34 Lunchtime
19:28 Sail Away from Akita
19:43 Dinner at Onda
20:10 *Postcard from Stewy
20:17 Day 5 – In Port Kanazawa
21:45 Kenrokuen Garden
23:32 *Postcard from Stewy
23:38 Kanazawa Castle
25:22 Lunchtime Omicho Market
26:52 Sail Away from Kanazawa
27:33 Relaxing with music
28:19 Teppanyaki Dinner
30:02 Thanks for Watching!
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