๐ธ 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.
โ๏ธ 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!)
๐ 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.๏ปฟ
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! ๐ฒ)
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!
๐งญ 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! ๐
- The city’s subway system connects directly to the airport, making it one of the most traveler-friendly cities in Japan.
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Can we just take a moment for this view? ๐ Calm blue waters, lush green mountains, and picture-perfect white clouds floating above — Nagasaki gifted us the dreamiest backdrop for happy hour aboard the Celebrity Millennium. We settled into the Rendezvous Lounge, where the live music played softly in the background and the cocktails flowed just right. There’s something magical about sipping a drink at sea — the gentle sway of the ship, the hum of happy conversation, and that golden-hour glow over the ocean. It’s one of those “I never want to leave” moments that cruises do so well.
If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, get ready — Day 9 of our cruise adventure took us straight into Ghibli heaven in Nagasaki. Our stop? Renka, a tiny but utterly enchanting Studio Ghibli store tucked into Shinchi Chinatown. Why Renka Will Steal Your Heart ๐ Renka may be small, but inside it feels like you’ve stepped into a frame from a Ghibli film. Think Totoro plushies, Howl’s Moving Castle trinkets, puzzles, stationery, and whimsical home goods. Everything is official merchandise, beautifully made, yet surprisingly affordable — perfect for souvenirs that are meaningful, not overpriced. Inside, the lighting is soft, the shelves are cozy, and wandering through feels like a gentle stroll through your favorite childhood movies. Fans online say it’s one of the few places in Nagasaki open even in the evenings. Yelp One standout find for us was the No Face piggy bank from Spirited Away. If you know your Ghibli lore, you’ll get why that’s a holy grail item. (We even compared it to the red cup No Face holds — a “same cup” moment!) Fun Fact: Did you know that Ghibli is derived from an Italian word for a “hot desert wind”? The idea was that the studio’s films would blow a fresh wind through the world of animation. Also: Studio Ghibli was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, two giants of anime. Their films have shaped entire generations of dreamers and art lovers.
Our Celebrity Cruise adventure continues, and today we’re diving into one of Nagasaki’s most fascinating (and flavorful!) neighborhoods — Nagasaki Chinatown, also known as Shinchi Chinatown.
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the soft sea breeze, the sound of gulls, and the city of Nagasaki slowly coming to life. This was Day 9 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, and honestly — I think this stop might be one of my favorites yet.
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If you’re looking for the ultimate bucket-list dining experience while sailing the high seas, Le Petit Chef on Celebrity Cruises is an absolute must. Trust me—you’ll want to add this to your itinerary the moment you book your cruise! โจ In this episode of the animated dining adventure, the magical fairy grants Le Petit Chef his second wish. All his life, Le Petit Chef has felt overlooked in the culinary world. I mean, let’s face it—it’s not easy to be taken seriously when you’re literally the world’s smallest chef. ๐จ๐ณ But with the fairy’s help, he decides to flip the script and wishes to become… the world’s largest chef! ๐ And voilà—with just a sip of the fairy’s sparkling potion, he grows to astronomical size. Towering over the dining room, our tiny chef-turned-giant sets out to create the biggest dish the world has ever seen. ๐ฒ๐ This whimsical storyline is projected in 3D animation right onto your table, blending theater, storytelling, and gourmet dining into one unforgettable night. The best part? While Le Petit Chef is busy working his culinary magic in the animation, you’re savoring a perfectly curated meal that matches the story unfolding before your eyes. It’s dinner and a show like no other.
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