🌸 Japan Day 10: Fukuoka Adventures & an Unexpected Temple Visit aboard the Celebrity Millennium

Siva McAteer • October 10, 2025

Fukuoka Adventures & an Unexpected Temple Visit aboard the Celebrity Millennium

There’s something magical about waking up to ocean views and knowing you’re in Japan! Day 10 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan started a little differently — and it quickly became one of my favorite mornings yet.

☀️ Breakfast Goals: The AquaSpa Café on the Celebrity Millennium

Instead of joining the morning rush at the Oceanview Café, we decided to slow things down and head to the AquaSpa Café, tucked away inside the Solarium on the Resort Deck of the Celebrity Millennium.

Let me tell you — this spot is heavenly. It’s quiet, bright, and filled with the kind of calm that only comes when you can actually hear your own thoughts (and the gentle sound of the ship gliding through the water).

The menu is smaller than other dining areas onboard, but everything looked so fresh, colorful, and healthy. Think tropical fruits, smoothies, teas, and light breakfast bites — the perfect balance after days of indulging at the buffet.

I started my morning with a hot tea, some fresh fruit, and a light bite while gazing out at the port of Fukuoka. Every seat had a stunning view — honestly, you could sit here all morning just soaking it in.

(Travel tip: If you’re sailing on the Celebrity Millennium, make the AquaSpa Café your go-to breakfast spot for a peaceful start to your day!)

🎎 The Surprise Adventure: Fukuoka’s Nanzoin Temple

After breakfast, we were ready for our next Japanese adventure — but the day took an unexpected (and amazing) turn thanks to my daughter, Olivia.

She wanted to visit a temple.

Now, I’ll be honest… after visiting a few temples already, I wasn’t exactly bursting with excitement at the idea of another one. But then Olivia showed me photos of this place — and that changed everything.

Enter Nanzoin Temple — home to one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world!

Located just outside Fukuoka, Nanzoin isn’t just any temple. It’s famous for its massive reclining Buddha, measuring over 41 meters long and weighing an incredible 300 tons. (For context — that’s heavier than a Boeing 747 airplane! 😲)

The temple is surrounded by lush greenery, tranquil streams, and hundreds of smaller Buddha statues, making it a must-see destination for anyone visiting Fukuoka, Japan.

Even if you think you’ve “seen enough temples,” trust me — this one is different. It’s breathtaking in both scale and serenity.

And since we only scratched the surface of its beauty on this visit, I can’t wait to take you inside next time for a full exploration!

🧭 Fun Facts about Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu Island and known for its mix of modern city life and ancient temples.
It’s the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen — that rich, creamy pork broth noodle soup everyone loves! 🍜
The city’s subway system connects directly to the airport, making it one of the most traveler-friendly cities in Japan.

#CelebrityCruises #CelebrityMillennium #AquaSpaCafe #FukuokaJapan #NanzoinTemple #JapanTravelBlog #CruiseLife #TravelJapan #JapaneseCulture #ExploreFukuoka #TempleAdventures #CruiseVlog #FamilyTravelJapan #WanderlustJapan #CruiseVacation #KyushuIsland

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Crazy Horse Memorial Part 3:

By Siva McAteer • January 30, 2026

Did you know there’s a place in South Dakota where you can literally take home a piece of history? 👀 Yep—welcome back to Part 3 of our Crazy Horse Memorial adventure, where we dive into one of the most meaningful and fascinating areas of the entire complex: the Native American Educational and Cultural Center. Located in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota, Crazy Horse Memorial is already one of the most awe-inspiring monuments in the United States—but stepping into this center takes the experience to a whole new level.

Crazy Horse Memorial Part 2

By Siva McAteer • January 30, 2026

👀 “Would you believe me if I told you this mountain has had over ELEVEN MILLION tons of rock blasted away… and it’s still not finished? Let me show you why this $5 tour is one of the best travel deals in America.” Welcome to Part 2 of our Crazy Horse Memorial adventure — and today we’re hopping on the guided bus tour that takes you right up to the mountain itself. For just five dollars per person, this ride gets you shockingly close to the carving-in-progress — and trust me… hearing the story while standing beneath it hits completely different. Our guide, Allen, shared how this all began back in 1947, when sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski arrived in the Black Hills from Connecticut… to a place with no roads, no water, no electricity. He literally lived in a tent for seven months before clearing trees and building a log studio by hand. By the late 1950s, with ten kids to raise, the family even opened a dairy farm right on site — and today they still raise cattle here. Oh — and the very first admission to Crazy Horse in 1950? 👉 Just 50 cents per carload.

Crazy Horse Memorial Part 1

By Siva McAteer • January 27, 2026

“If you’re going to Mount Rushmore and NOT stopping here… you’re doing South Dakota wrong.” And honestly? I stand by that. 😏 Just 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, tucked into the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota, sits one of the most fascinating landmarks in the United States — the Crazy Horse Memorial. This isn’t just another quick roadside attraction. It’s one of the largest mountain carving projects in the world… and it’s still being built today. If you’re planning a Mount Rushmore road trip, a South Dakota vacation, or a national parks adventure, put this stop high on your list.

Mount Rushmore Tour Part 5

By Siva McAteer • January 26, 2026

Think the best views at Mount Rushmore are only at the beginning? 👀 Think again. Welcome to Part 5 — the grand finale of my Mount Rushmore tour series — where the Presidential Trail keeps delivering jaw-dropping scenery right up until the very end. If you’re planning a Mount Rushmore vacation, a South Dakota road trip, or a Black Hills adventure, this is your reminder that this iconic destination is so much more than a quick photo stop. It’s a full-on experience.

Mount Rushmore Tour Part 4:

By Siva McAteer • January 25, 2026

Another passport?! 👀✈️ Yes, please — and this one doesn’t even require airport security or a middle seat. Welcome back to Part 4 of my 5-part Mount Rushmore series, where we stop at one of the most fascinating (and underrated!) spots at Mount Rushmore National Memorial: the Sculptor’s Studio. If you’re planning a Mount Rushmore trip, a South Dakota road trip, or exploring the Black Hills, this is one stop you absolutely cannot skip.

Mount Rushmore Tour Part 3:

By Siva McAteer • January 24, 2026

This is as close as you can get to Mount Rushmore without climbing the mountain itself — and honestly? Most visitors have no idea this trail even exists. 👀 Welcome to Part 3 of my five‑part Mount Rushmore travel series, where I’m continuing along the legendary Presidential Trail and showing you why this scenic walk completely changes how you experience Mount Rushmore National Memorial. If Mount Rushmore is on your USA bucket list, keep reading — this is where the magic really happens.

Mount Rushmore Tour Part 2:

By Siva McAteer • January 24, 2026

Most visitors snap a photo from the viewing terrace and move on… but if you really want to experience Mount Rushmore National Memorial, you have to get on the Presidential Trail. Welcome to Part 2 of my five-part Mount Rushmore travel series, where I’m sharing insider tips, fun facts, and smart planning advice so your South Dakota adventure feels unforgettable — not rushed.

Mount Rushmore Tour Part 1:

By Siva McAteer • January 22, 2026

Think Mount Rushmore is just a quick photo stop you squeeze in between road trip snacks and your next destination? 👀 Think again. Welcome to Part 1 of my 5-part Mount Rushmore tour series, where I’m breaking down everything you need to know so you can visit like a pro, skip the rookie mistakes, and actually enjoy this iconic American landmark.

Celebrity Cruise & The Bittersweet Flight Home

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.

Celebrity Cruise Day 12: The Airport That Feels Like the Future

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!