Japan Day 4 – Osaka Port Day Adventures: Family Mart, Buffet Lunch, & Laundry Life ๐Ÿšข๐Ÿ—๐Ÿงบ

Siva McAteer • August 30, 2025

Family Mart, Buffet Lunch, & Laundry Life ๐Ÿšข๐Ÿ—๐Ÿงบ

One of the best things about port days on a Celebrity Cruise is stepping off the ship and immediately finding a Family Mart (aka Japan’s most magical convenience store) just steps away. And in Osaka, we hit the jackpot—it was right next to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan! Perfect location, right?

And of course, the very first thing we had to grab? Famichiki. If you’ve never had Famichiki, it’s Family Mart’s famous fried chicken, served fresh and piping hot. Honestly, it’s addictive. Dare I say… even better than KFC? ๐Ÿ™Š Crispy, juicy, and full of flavor—it’s one of those simple must-try food finds in Japan.

Back on Board: Buffet Lunch on Celebrity Millennium ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

After our little konbini snack, it was time to head back aboard the Celebrity Millennium for lunch. And yes—we couldn’t resist stopping to snap some photos with the gorgeous Love Sculpture onboard first. ๐Ÿ’•๏ปฟ

The buffet is one of the best parts of cruising because there’s always something fresh and delicious waiting for you. On port days, buffet hours generally stay the same as sea days, which is great because you never have to worry about missing a meal:


  • Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Early Risers starts at 6:00 AM on port days!)
  • Lunch: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  • Dinner: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
  • Late-Night Buffet: 10:30 PM – 1:00 AM
  • Pizza, Pasta & Salad Bar: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM


The best part? 24/7 coffee, tea, and juice. โ˜• So whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, there’s always something to keep you fueled.


Tip: On port days, breakfast starts earlier (6:00 AM for Early Risers, 6:30 AM for the main breakfast) so you can grab a bite before heading out to explore.

The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Travel: Laundry Day ๐Ÿงบ

Yes, we’re in the middle of a dream vacation in Japan, but after 8 days of travel, laundry doesn’t do itself. Luckily, this Osaka port stop had everything we needed within walking distance.


Just two blocks off the main road, we found a small but convenient laundromat. Of course, we didn’t have change for the machines at first—but thanks to Japan’s trusty 7-Eleven, we were able to get cash quickly. (Fun fact: 7-Elevens in Japan are basically lifesavers—they offer ATMs that work with most international cards, and you can grab a quick snack or drink while you’re at it!)


It was honestly so convenient—Osaka has this way of giving you everything you need right where you need it. Between Family Mart snacks, laundry services, and a nearby aquarium, this port day really had it all.๏ปฟ

Final Thoughts โœจ

Port days are always full of little adventures—sometimes it’s bucket-list sightseeing, sometimes it’s finding the best fried chicken at a Family Mart, and sometimes it’s just making sure your socks are clean for the next week of exploring. That’s the beauty of travel—you get a mix of the magical and the practical, all in one day.


Next stop? More Osaka fun—stay tuned! ๐ŸŽ‰

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Fukuoka Adventures & Magical Tea at Umaya — Celebrity Cruise Day 10

By Siva McAteer • October 15, 2025
When you think of Japan, what comes to mind? Sushi? Temples? Cherry blossoms? Well, let me tell you — there’s so much more. On Day 10 of our Celebrity Cruise, we docked in Fukuoka, and wow, this city surprised us at every corner. From color-changing tea to ceiling-hanging gas pumps, Japan truly knows how to keep things interesting! ๐Ÿฑ The Art of Fake Food (Yes, Really!) Before you even sit down for a meal in Japan, you’ll probably stop in your tracks at the fake food displays. These hyper-realistic plastic dishes, known as “sampuru,” are an art form in themselves. They were invented in the 1920s to help customers visualize menu items — and honestly, they’re so realistic that I almost wanted to order everything. Fun Fact: Some sampuru displays cost as much as the real meal — and there are even workshops where you can make your own!

๐Ÿš† Japan Adventure Day 10: Canal City Hakata — Trains, Tech Toilets & Travel Surprises in Fukuoka!

By Siva McAteer • October 14, 2025
You know those travel days when everything goes off-script but somehow still turns out amazing? That was today in Fukuoka, Japan — our 100th Japan vlog from our Celebrity Cruise adventure! ๐Ÿ’จ The Great Uber Escape (and the Sneaky Couple!) We started the day at Nanzoin Temple, home of the incredible reclining Buddha, and when it was time to head back, we thought we’d grab an Uber — easy, right? Wrong. ๐Ÿ˜‚ The moment we stepped out of our Uber, a couple with two little kids slid right in before we could even close the door. They knew exactly what they were doing! I couldn’t even be mad — it was smooth. So, when it came time to leave… surprise! No Ubers. No taxis. Nada. We were stranded. Luckily, Japan came to the rescue — in the form of its famously reliable train system. ๐Ÿš†

Japan Adventure Day 10: The Magical Xylophone Bridge in Fukuoka!

By Siva McAteer • October 13, 2025
If there’s one thing I’ve learned while exploring Japan, it’s that you can never predict what amazing surprise is waiting around the corner — and today’s adventure was music to my ears! After our awe-inspiring visit to the Nanzoin Temple (you know, the one with the giant reclining bronze Buddha and those famously lucky feet ๐Ÿฆถ๐Ÿ€), we thought the excitement for the day was over. But Fukuoka had one more little wonder to share — a xylophone bridge!

Japan Adventure Day 10: The Giant Buddha of Nanzoin Temple — Big Feet, Big Luck!

By Siva McAteer • October 13, 2025
Today’s adventure takes us deep into the heart of Fukuoka, Japan, where ancient legends, peaceful temples, and some seriously big feet await! If you’ve ever dreamed of standing beside one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, this stop on our Celebrity Cruise is going to blow your mind. ๐Ÿ›• Discovering Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka Here we are, right where we left off — climbing those final temple stairs and bam! there it is — the reclining bronze Buddha of Nanzoin Temple in all its breathtaking glory. This statue stretches an incredible 134 feet long and weighs over 300 tons! That’s roughly the weight of 200 cars. It’s officially one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world, and let me tell you — photos just can’t do it justice.

Celebrity Cruise Day 10: Exploring Fukuoka’s Nanzoin Temple (Part 1)

By Siva McAteer • October 11, 2025
If you’re ever cruising through Japan on a Celebrity Cruise, make sure you don’t miss a stop in Fukuoka — home to one of Japan’s most jaw-dropping hidden gems: Nanzoin Temple. This place isn’t just any temple… it’s where you’ll find one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world! And let me tell you — this Buddha is HUGE! Nestled in the lush Fukuoka mountains, Nanzoin Temple feels like stepping into a peaceful, green paradise. But fair warning — bring your walking shoes, because it’s all uphill from here! (And yes, your legs will feel it… but in the best way.)

๐ŸŒธ Japan Day 10: Fukuoka Adventures & an Unexpected Temple Visit aboard the Celebrity Millennium

By Siva McAteer • October 10, 2025
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.

Celebrity Cruise Day 9: Nagasaki Nights

By Siva McAteer • October 9, 2025
Can we just take a moment for this view? ๐Ÿ˜ 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.

Stepping Into Ghibli Magic in Nagasaki

By Siva McAteer • October 9, 2025
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 ๐Ÿ’› 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.

๐Ÿฎ Japan Day 9: Exploring Nagasaki’s Colorful Chinatown & Delicious Food Finds!

By Siva McAteer • October 7, 2025
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.

๐ŸŒธ Japan Day 9: Exploring Nagasaki with Celebrity Cruises — A Day to Remember!

By Siva McAteer • October 6, 2025
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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