Again we are docked right in Yokohama. We had originally planned to go to Tokyo until we realised how much there was to do in Yokohama and thought we would not waste hours travelling by bus. We will return to Japan in the future and do Tokyo then.

The Passenger terminal is amazing. It is shaped to resemble waves and has grassed areas on the top and wooden walkways that are curved for walking and to create an amphitheatre effect. There were a lot of Japanese waiting to welcome the Diamond Princess when we arrived about 7.00 am.

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We didn’t need to do the finger print check again as we already have our passport copies from Osaka.

We disembarked and found the wooden walkways very easy to walk on. We walked the Red Brick Warehouse to the right of the ship to find the hop on hop off bus terminal. We saw people using their phones and thought they were lined up accessing free internet from a cafe. But it was actually a queue to enter Bill Grainger’s restaurant for breakfast when it opened at 9am. (Bill is a chef from Sydney). We talked to some British ladies who live in Yokohama and they said it would be the best breakfast we would find – so we joined the queue. We had fantastic pancakes with flavoured butter. And we sat beside Japanese people who ordered the huge Aussie breakfast (eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomato, toast – just like home!!!). It seemed like quite a role reversal. But I guess it’s the same as us going to Japanese restaurants at home – they were just going to an Aussie one in Japan.

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Next we went to find the bus stop – no signs – just worked from our map. We waited about 20 minutes, then the tram arrived – already full and they just pushed more people on. We bought a ‘One day pass’ for $5US each. We were standing for the first few stops. There were lots of high school students. We didn’t realise it was Free Transport Day for students. We talked to them as they all study English to some extent. They were all from Tokyo and having a day in Yokohama. It was great to communicate with them. Most of the older people on the bus could speak no English.

We toured about half a circuit, then the tram stopped and we were all told to get off and catch Bus 4. This already had a long line waiting so we went walking. We went up an escalator that joined a moving walkway and by chance this took us to the Landmark Centre. We bought our $10 tickets and went to the 360 degree viewing area on the 69th floor (273 metres high). The elevator moved at 750m/minute – it took 40 seconds to reach to top. The views were spectacular. We would have missed this if we hadn’t been kicked off the bus – everything happens for a reason!

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We stayed for a while taking photos and enjoying a cool drink. As usual there was a souvenir shop but we resisted!

When we descended the lift went to Floor 5 where the restaurants are – very smart marketing strategy. We found a supermarket and got some supplies for our 8 days at sea. Paul bought a bottle of Bacardi gold for $12US to add to our stash for glacier viewing!!!

We found a bar called Jo’s Bar (very American) and Paul had a Kirrin Beer which is brewed locally. We also shared a curry and then made our way back via the moving walkway to see if we could catch the hop on hop off bus again. After waiting a while we gave up and got a taxi to the ship. The taxi doors are opened by the driver – quite an interesting concept. We had heard of this but it’s the first time we have experienced it.

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At the port there were Japanese girls playing classical music with a catchy rhythm, playing a violin and another stringed instrument. It was amazing to see the audience was mainly Japanese and not the ship passengers.

As we left port a group of drummers played portside to farewell the ship. A lot of Japanese also gathered along the terminal building to listen and wave us off. It was the best departure entertainment we have had at any port.

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