Celebrity Millennium Cruise – Day 8 in Kagoshima 🌸🚢

Siva McAteer • September 27, 2025

Day 8 in Kagoshima 🌸🚢

POV: You have no plans in Kagoshima… and it turns out even better than you imagined.

Day 8 of our Celebrity Millennium cruise through Japan brought us to Kagoshima—a city known as the “Naples of the East” thanks to its scenic bay and the ever-present backdrop of the Sakurajima volcano. With no official plans on our agenda, we decided to just wander and see where the day would take us. Spoiler alert: it ended up being one of the most memorable stops of the whole trip!

📝 First Find: An Eki Stamp Station

On the streets of Kagoshima, we stumbled across a stamp station for my Eki stamp book. Collecting stamps (called ekiben stamps) is such a fun part of traveling in Japan—it’s like a built-in scavenger hunt. Each one is unique to its location, making it a perfect keepsake and a creative way to track your adventures.

🍫 Quirky Japanese Products

One of my favorite things about wandering through Japanese cities is discovering all the little things you’d never find in America. From snacks with unexpected flavors to adorable packaging that makes you want to buy everything, shopping in Japan always feels like a treasure hunt. Even everyday items feel like souvenirs because of their unique designs and fun presentation.

🛒 Don Quijote: Japan’s Iconic Mega Store

When the rain finally caught up with us, we ducked into Don Quijote—or as locals call it, Donki. This place is a must-visit in Japan! Imagine two full levels packed floor-to-ceiling with just about anything you can think of:

Japanese snacks and candy
Cosmetics and skincare
Household goods and electronics
Clothing and accessories
Even luxury designer handbags!

✨ Fun fact: Some Don Quijote locations are open 24 hours a day, making them the ultimate late-night shopping adventure. And if you’ve ever been inside, you know about the store’s famous theme song, “Miracle Shopping”—it loops constantly and is guaranteed to get stuck in your head!

🍲 The Cutest Food Find Ever

But what really made Kagoshima stand out for us was the food. After shopping, it was time to eat—and we discovered a restaurant that quickly became one of my favorite meals of the entire 12-day cruise.

I won’t give away the full surprise just yet, but let’s just say it involves one of the cutest food experiences I’ve ever had in Japan. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, where I’ll reveal exactly what we found—you won’t want to miss it!

🌊 Final Thoughts

Sometimes the best travel days are the ones with no plans at all. Kagoshima surprised us with hidden gems, quirky shopping, and unforgettable food. This stop reminded me that sometimes, the magic of travel lies in simply wandering and letting the city reveal itself to you.

#CelebrityCruises #CelebrityMillennium #Kagoshima #CruiseJapan #CruiseLife #TravelJapan #JapanFoodie #EkiStampBook #DonQuijote #JapaneseSnacks #CruiseVacation #LuxuryCruise #CruiseTips #UGC

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Crazy Horse Memorial Part 3:

By Siva McAteer • January 30, 2026

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By Siva McAteer • January 30, 2026

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By Siva McAteer • January 24, 2026

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Mount Rushmore Tour Part 2:

By Siva McAteer • January 24, 2026

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By Siva McAteer • October 30, 2025

There’s that one moment every traveler knows too well — when you slip into your comfiest travel slippers, grab your airplane blanket, and realize… it’s time to head home. After sixteen incredible days exploring Japan and South Korea, I still can’t believe our journey has come to an end. This trip was everything — relaxing, inspiring, and filled with memories that will stay with us forever. From mouthwatering sushi in Tokyo to breathtaking temples in Busan, every single day felt like a new adventure.

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By Siva McAteer • October 29, 2025

Only in South Korea would a robot greet you the moment you step into the airport. Welcome to Incheon International Airport, where technology meets tranquility — and yes, your travel expectations will never be the same after this. The first thing that hit me wasn’t the size (though it’s massive) — it was how quiet and calm everything felt. No rushing crowds, no blaring announcements — just peaceful background music and mesmerizing floor-to-ceiling digital screens showing relaxing visuals. It honestly felt like I stepped into a luxury spa disguised as an airport. 🤖 Smart Travel at Its Finest Incheon Airport is one of the most advanced smart airports in the world, powered by big data, robotics, and biometric technology. From self-check-in kiosks and face-recognition immigration to helpful robots roaming around ready to assist, it’s clear that South Korea has travel innovation down to a science. Every detail here is designed to make travel effortless — even the seating areas have wireless charging stations built right in!