Japan Cruise Day 3 – Osaka’s Namba Yasaka Jinja

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!

Welcome back to Day 7 aboard the Celebrity Millennium! If you caught Part 1 of the evening’s entertainment, you know the ship is packed with jaw-dropping performances. Tonight’s Part 2 brought even more wow-factor to this unforgettable sea day.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know that sea days are where the real magic happens. Don’t get me wrong—port days in Japan have been incredible, full of temples, shopping, and sightseeing. But sea days? That’s when you really get to experience everything your ship has to offer. And aboard the Celebrity Millennium, that means world-class dining, nonstop activities, and jaw-dropping evening shows.

What’s better than a sea day on a luxury cruise? A sea day with John Mayer. Okay… maybe not the real John Mayer, but an acoustic tribute that hit all the right notes! 😉 Sea days are some of my favorite parts of a cruise because they give you the chance to slow down, relax, and explore everything your ship has to offer. On the Celebrity Millennium, that means checking out the daily schedule (delivered to your stateroom every evening) or scrolling through the handy Celebrity Cruises app if you’re more of a tech traveler. On this particular day, we discovered something special: a talented acoustic singer performing a John Mayer tribute near Café al Bacio. Imagine sipping a cappuccino while listening to heartfelt versions of “Gravity” or “Your Body Is a Wonderland.” That’s the magic of sea days—unexpected moments that make the journey just as memorable as the destination. And it’s not just John Mayer covers. The Celebrity Millennium offers live music all around the ship—acoustic guitarists, high-energy bands, smooth jazz, and DJs spinning late into the night. Whether you’re lounging with a cocktail, enjoying a romantic evening, or dancing under the stars, music is always part of the vibe. 💡 Fun fact: Celebrity Cruises is known for its curated entertainment lineup, often bringing in guest performers and tribute acts. So, you never know who—or what kind of music—you might stumble across on your sea day! So next time you’re on a cruise, don’t just treat sea days as downtime. Check the schedule, wander the ship, and soak up the entertainment. Who knows—you might just find yourself on your own mini-concert tour at sea. 🎤🌊

There’s nothing quite like a sea day on a cruise—and on Day 7 of our Japan adventure aboard the Celebrity Millennium, we finally got to slow down, relax, and soak up some sunshine. After days of exploring ports, temples, and city streets, having a full day at sea to recharge felt like the ultimate luxury.

Imagine ending a full day of adventure in Hiroshima with a dining experience that feels like a 5-star restaurant—all while floating across the sea. That’s exactly what you get when sailing with Celebrity Cruises, and on Day 6 of my Japan journey, I experienced it firsthand at the Metropolitan Restaurant on board the Celebrity Millennium.

It’s showtime aboard the Celebrity Millennium! One of my favorite parts of cruising—aside from the incredible destinations—is the onboard entertainment. Every evening brings something new, and tonight’s show was extra special: Cello in Love featuring the amazing cellist Wendy Law.

✨ What a fun day exploring Hiroshima! Before boarding our Celebrity Cruise ship again, we made one last stop at the Silver Paradise Monument, also known as the Tower of Paradise. The Silver Paradise Monument – Tower of Paradise 🌸 Built in 1989 to mark the centenary of Ujina Port, this striking structure is more than just a monument. It’s a symbol of peace and hope, beautifully set against the backdrop of Hiroshima’s coastline. The Silver Paradise Monument is located in Minami Ward, a picturesque part of Hiroshima, and has become a quiet but meaningful tourist attraction. Surrounded by greenery and water, it’s a peaceful spot to pause, reflect, or snap a photo before heading back onboard your ship. 🌿 Fun fact: Ujina Port, now Hiroshima’s modern cruise terminal, played a vital role in Japan’s history as both a military port and later as a hub for international travel. Today, it welcomes cruise passengers from all over the world—like us!

Winning! Japanese arcades aren’t just games—they’re a whole cultural experience. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stepped off the ship and into the neon world of a Hiroshima arcade. And let me tell you—it was one of the highlights of the day! Japanese Arcades: More Than Just Games In Japan, arcades are called game centers, and they’re everywhere. While they’ve been declining in numbers since their 1980s peak, there are still around 4,000 arcades across Japan today. At their height, there were over 44,000 nationwide—yes, more arcades than convenience stores! What makes Japanese arcades so special is that they’re not just for kids—they’re fun for the whole family. You’ll find multi-story game centers filled with crane games, rhythm machines, retro classics, and even photo booths (purikura). Crane Games – The Ultimate Challenge 🐾 The most iconic part of any Japanese arcade? The crane games, also known as UFO catchers. These machines lure you in with cute prizes that look easy to grab… but are way trickier than they seem. After a few tries (and maybe some encouragement from bystanders), I managed to win not one but two Mofusand plush toys! 🎉 For those new to Japanese pop culture—Mofusand is an insanely popular series of cute, chubby cats often dressed in shark or animal costumes. They’ve become a favorite prize in gachapon machines and arcades across the country.