🎶 Japan Cruise Day 7 – A Sea Day with John Mayer (Well… Almost!)

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.

Beer, sake, oysters, rice balls… THIS is how you eat your way through Hiroshima! On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we stopped at a cozy spot called Holiday Shokudo—and it turned out to be one of our favorite meals of the trip. Now, the name Holiday Shokudo literally translates to Holiday Cafeteria, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t your standard cafeteria food—it’s a warm, inviting restaurant that serves up authentic Hiroshima delicacies, from fresh oysters to comforting rice balls.

One of my favorite parts of cruising through Japan is that every port offers a new surprise. On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise, we docked in Hiroshima—and after exploring the Peace Memorial Park, I couldn’t resist checking out the Hiroshima gift shop. And let me tell you… this stop was full of quirky, delicious, and uniquely Japanese treasures!

On Day 6 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we arrived in Hiroshima—a city that has become a global symbol of peace and resilience. Visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was one of the most moving experiences of the entire trip. The park itself is more than just a green space. It’s a living memorial—filled with monuments, memorials, and symbols—that quietly remind every visitor of Hiroshima’s hope for a world without war. Best of all? Entry to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is completely free, making it accessible for everyone to learn, reflect, and remember.

It’s Day 6 aboard Celebrity Cruises in Japan, and today’s stop is a city unlike any other—Hiroshima. This is a place where history and resilience intertwine, and I couldn’t wait to step ashore to experience it for myself. Imagine sailing into port with mountains in the distance and a bustling city skyline hugging the water. It’s breathtaking. There’s something so surreal about arriving in Hiroshima by ship—knowing you’re entering a city that’s turned unimaginable tragedy into an inspiring symbol of peace.