ljohnston

Korsakov, Russia

Must book an excursion to be able to get off the ship. Had a tour, got taken to the central square and some souvenir shops and then watched a folk show.

Muroran (Sapporo), Japan

Not the port for Sapporo. Some people that we met went to a race course for the day and said they had a great time. We did the volcano tour excursion followed by visiting the port festival in the evening.

Aomori, Japan

Take the bus and short train ride to Hirosaki Castle. A great castle to visit and beautiful grounds and park to walk around. Then travel back to the ship and as you do, you will be following the float creators as they carry their floats towards Amaori for the Nebuta Festival.

Hakodate, Japan

Very much like San Francisco with tram and coastal city feel. There is a cable car trip - go on this if it is a clear day. You can walk around the hilly streets and visit various churches and ceremony. Good food places, lots of streets to explore. There was a firework display when it got dark. Try to do the cable car at night if it is a clear sky.

Otaru (Sapporo), Japan

Walk to the closest station from the port - there is one about 5 minutes away and a station a further walk away (don't take the bus as you will get stuck in traffic). Take the train to Sapporo- it is 20-30 mins away from memory. Here you can find the park, previous Olympic city, shops, great food places etc. In August last year there was a huge beer festival spread through the city's Central Park.