Port: Hakodate

Our first steps onto Japanese soil were on the northern island Hokkaido in the city Hakodate. Unlike the Mexican cruise ports we had visited that cater to cruisers, this was an industrial port with shipping containers and nothing tourist-y or easily walkable.

And it was drizzling when we stepped off the boat. But nothing could dampen our excitement. We were in Japan! Finally! 

We took a complimentary shuttle to a train station.

Our morning went from drizzling and overcast

to clear skies

We walked through the morning fish market

One kind shopkeeper pulled out a huge crab for us to touch

We tried some dried squid samples

Our purchases. I picked plum crackers that everyone either loved or hated

Our first 100 yen shop (similar to a dollar store but with the exchange rate, it’s more like 60 cents!). Coop took a picture by the Coop sign.

These decorated manhole covers are everywhere. 

Our first 7/11 experience. Lucas is eating the beloved “egg sando”

Found three geocaches together

Cooper is sad that we wouldn’t let him do this claw machine

General rule that we didn’t follow- you shouldn’t pose by a sign that you can’t read! (It’s probably fine, right?)

Things you don’t see in Kentucky: Tsunami evacuation route

First Japanese toilet experience (more on this later)

Cooper is always looking for birdies!

We took a ropeway up to the top of Mt. Hakodate. Gorgeous view!

We spotted our ship!

First Japanese vending machine experience. Lucas sats the Sprite tastes the same

First experience with a gachapon (capsule machine). It’s a coin purse with the Hokkaido mascot bird.

 

We walked along the harbor then took the shuttle back because the boys were tired. But Lucas and I wanted to explore more!

So we set off on foot and walked 3 miles to Goryokaku Fort, a star-shaped citadel.

We spotted this cool heron multiple times as we walked around

We found four geocaches at the points of the star.

Then we had our first restaurant experience in Japan—revolving sushi!

Since it was dark, we got an Uber ride (my first one ever!) back to the ship. This was a highlight for me because I talked in broken Japanese the whole time with the driver. And when I couldn’t think what else to say, I’d sing a Japanese song. So fun!