Hakodate

 We had a beautiful sail into Hakodate port. This boat was so close to our ship during arrival, not sure if it was a guide boat or what.

This was a very easy walkable port. Dave really wanted to hit the Morning Market and sample some type of fresh squid for breakfast, it was a short walk from the ship.

The escargot are trying to escape!

Many vendors were handing out dried squid snacks, smoked, or various flavors. We did try some and they were ok.

Huge apples

You can fish for your own squid, then they cut it up and serve it raw to you! They keep wiggling as people eat them!

Dave didn't want a whole meal, or to catch a squid, he just wanted to try some cooked fresh squid, he kept trying to communicate this to the poor gal, then he finally gave up, no fresh squid for him today.

We were amazed to see young children, like 2 years old eating bowls of salmon row with chopsticks! I wasn't comfortable taking their pictures but here is what the bowls looked like.

We then walked along the lovely coast to the historic red brick warehouse district. The converted warehouses now are charming shops and restaurants and opportunities to take rickshaws, we didn't but we did check out a few shops.

All towns in Japan, I believe, have their own special design on utility covers found on the sidewalks. I didn't realize this until a couple stops into our cruise, probably after a cruise port talk.

We then walked up to the Montomachi District where there are more of a western style architecture and churches.

A Catholic Church

A Russian Orthodox Church

Episcopal Church

We then made our way to find the Mt Hakodate Ropeway. It was not operating so we walked up the hill to see the views. We followed a group of adorable young children. We have noticed that groups of young children are always wearing the same colored hats, maybe a way to identify which group they belong to?

 

Zoomed in to see our ship.

Gokoku-jinja Shrine

We found a charming and wonderful little place for lunch serving tempera, we ordered the combination of veggies and seafood tempura. Dave enjoyed a beer and I had sake. It was all delicious.

The server set a little dish under the sake glass and poured until it over flowed filling the little saucer, not sure if that is the typical way? I may have let out a little gasp as it was over flowing!

We stopped for an ice cream cone that we shared.

We saw so many unusual and cute little cars.

Back on the ship, this night we had a dinner reservation in a specialty dining room, Pinnacle Grill. It was a perk with the all included package we purchased for this cruise, all drinks, specialty coffees, wifi, 2 excursions each, all onboard tips, and 2 specialty restaurant dining included, we find it to be a good deal for us, or at least an enjoyable way to cruise!

Even though there is not charge for us for this specialty dinner we told the waiter we wanted to split one filet tenderloin, cooking my 1/2 well, Dave's medium, then we the ordered separate side dishes. We may be the only people ever to request that, but they accommodated us and it was perfect!

Cheers to the end of an amazing day!

Sakata

 I had pre booked a cruise ship excursion for the day because we had a lot of on board credit to use. This day we would be on a 6.5 hour tour "Mt Haguro and Zempo-Ji Shrine". We would be taking a tour bus to and from. 

Fun to watch the guide boats helping guide the ship into port.

There were a lot of school kids at the cruise port, not sure what they were doing. At every port there has been some type of greeting and or farewell with children, music, entertainment. I don't think these ports see many cruise ships so they go all out for them.

Our bus approaches the Torii Gates, entrance to the sacred temples and shrines. We are entering the Haguro Shrine ground area. It is one of 3 Holy Mountains of Dewa and the easiest one to access.

Of course it starts to pour rain when we arrive!

We walk through the woods passing small ancient shines.

Finally reaching the 5 story pagoda, built in 1372 without nails, recognized as a national treasure in 1966.

I think we then got back on the bus and went to a different entrance to see the Dewa Sanzan Shrine.

Dewa  Sanzan Shrine:

Then we wandered around the forested mountain viewing many more little shines.

Then it was time to meet up for lunch. Since Buddhist Monks are vegan we were served a fun vegan lunch. We liked all of it except the unidentifiable square of tan that we all were saving thinking it was desert, it was not!

Lots of rules for using the toilets here, ha,ha!

Back on the bus, next stop was an odd little museum, Chido Museum, think it was a filler to make trip longer! Best part was the beautiful grounds and the funky little miniatures museum.

Next stop was the ancient 5 story pagoda, originally built in 937.

Then a stair climb up to the Zenpoji Temple.

The purification trough to wash hands and mouth before approaching temple.

Zenpoji Temple

Area to write and leave wishes.

We returned to a fun local farewell at the cruise port! It had been a great day and a good ship sponsored tour.