Japan Day 6 – Hiroshima Gift Shop Adventures on Our Celebrity Cruise

Siva McAteer • September 17, 2025

Hiroshima Gift Shop Adventures

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!

Collecting Hiroshima Stamps – The Eki Stamp Book

First up on my shopping list were three Hiroshima stamps to add to my Eki Stamp Book. If you’ve never heard of this before, Japan has an incredible tradition of collecting stamps (called eki stamps) at train stations, museums, landmarks, and attractions. Each stamp is beautifully designed and unique to its location, making it a fun (and free!) way to document your travels across Japan.

For cruise travelers like me, this is such a special way to take home memories that don’t take up space in your suitcase.

Meet Fuchiko on the Cup – The Quirky Japanese Capsule Toy

Next, my daughter discovered something adorable: a Fuchiko on the Cup figurine. These tiny toys, also known as gachapon, are wildly popular in Japan. They’re designed to sit, dangle, or hang off the rim of your cup in the cutest poses.

🌸 Fun Fact: Fuchiko was created in 2012 by cartoonist Katsuki Tanaka and toy maker Kitan Club. Since then, she’s become a collectible sensation with millions of figures sold and dozens of variations released. The one my daughter found in Hiroshima features Fuchiko holding a soft-serve ice cream—perfect for a foodie like her!

If you’re visiting Japan, definitely try a gachapon machine. For just a few hundred yen, you get a fun surprise every time.

Seventeen Ice Vending Machines – Ice Cream Anytime, Anywhere

Now let’s talk about something sweet… Seventeen Ice vending machines!

Japan is famous for its vending machines, but these are extra special because instead of drinks, they sell ice cream. As a foreign visitor, this blew my mind—because back home, you’d never find a vending machine serving frozen treats this way.

I tried the Chocolate Nut Vanilla Monaka, which comes wrapped in a crispy wafer with chocolate and roasted nuts inside. It was delicious and surprisingly satisfying. Olivia went for the Chocolate Mint, which happens to be the most popular Seventeen Ice flavor in Japan.

🍦 Fun Fact: Despite the name, Seventeen Ice wasn’t created because of 17 flavors. The name comes from its target audience—17-year-olds. Back in the 1980s, ice cream was seen as just a children’s treat. Seventeen Ice wanted to make it cool for teenagers and adults too. When sales were slow, they got creative and launched Japan’s first-ever ice cream vending machine in 1985. Needless to say, it was a hit—and the rest is history.

Final Thoughts – Shopping in Hiroshima

From Eki stamps to quirky gachapon toys to a vending machine ice cream break, this gift shop stop was such a fun slice of Japanese culture. What I love about Japan is that even the simplest things—like a figurine, a stamp, or a vending machine—have an amazing story behind them.

Next up, we’ll be heading toward Hiroshima Hondori Shopping Street in search of something delicious to eat. If you’re a foodie, stay tuned because we found an incredible spot that both locals and tourists love!

#HiroshimaTravel #JapanCruise #CelebrityCruises #EkiStampBook #FuchikoOnTheCup #Gachapon #SeventeenIce #JapanSouvenirs #CruiseLife #TravelJapan #HiroshimaShopping #UniqueJapan #JapaneseCulture #CruisePortAdventures

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Japan Day 6 – Exploring Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Our Celebrity Cruise

By Siva McAteer • September 16, 2025

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.

Day 6 in Japan: Arriving in Hiroshima by Celebrity Cruise 🚢

By Siva McAteer • September 15, 2025

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.

Celebrity Cruises Breakfast Experience: Make Your Own Noodle Bowl at Sea 🍜✨

By Siva McAteer • September 14, 2025

When you think of cruise ship breakfast, you probably picture pancakes, waffles, and maybe a classic omelet station. But on Day 6 of my Japan cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium, I discovered something a little different—and a whole lot more exciting: the Make Your Own Noodle Bowl station at the Oceanview Café. And let me tell you, this was not your average breakfast.

Elysium on Celebrity Cruises: A Fairytale at Sea

By Siva McAteer • September 13, 2025

If you thought cruise ship entertainment was just about lounge singers and game shows, think again. On Celebrity Cruises, they’re raising the curtain (literally!) on a full-blown fairytale brought to life at sea. Welcome to Elysium—a show that’s part Broadway spectacle, part Cirque du Soleil, and 100% unforgettable. What Is the Elysium Show? Elysium is one of Celebrity Cruises’ most talked-about productions, performed on Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Reflection. This is no ordinary cruise ship show—this is a whimsical, immersive experience where a magical kingdom comes alive before your eyes. Think: glittering costumes, jaw-dropping aerialists, high-energy dancers, powerhouse vocalists, and a storyline that sweeps you into an epic struggle between good and evil. With a dreamy, pop-infused soundtrack, the music is a showstopper in its own right. You might even recognize familiar tunes, like “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka, woven into the performance. Why Elysium Feels So Magical The Storyline: It’s a classic fairytale—complete with a kingdom under threat, forces of good versus evil, and a journey through the seasons. The Performers: Expect to see acrobats soaring overhead, singers belting out powerful notes, and dancers bringing the story to life. The Production Value: The sets, costumes, and lighting rival anything you’d see on land. According to Cruise Critic, Elysium is one of the most visually stunning productions at sea. Fun fact: Cruise ships like the Celebrity Equinox are equipped with theaters that seat nearly 1,000 people and feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems—so yes, you’re getting a full Vegas-style show…while sailing across the ocean.

Celebrity Cruise Day 5: Pasta Paradise at the Oceanview Café

By Siva McAteer • September 12, 2025

One of the best parts of cruising on the Celebrity Millennium? The endless food options! On Day 5 in Kochi, Japan, after exploring the sights and working up an appetite, I knew exactly where I was heading once I got back onboard: the Make Your Own Pasta Station at the Oceanview Café. Pasta Station Perfection The hardest part of the pasta station? Honestly, choosing your toppings! You start with your pasta, then pick your sauce—creamy Alfredo, zesty marinara, rich Bolognese, or fresh pesto. Then the fun begins: veggies, meats, cheeses, and all the add-ons you could ever dream of. It’s like building your own pasta masterpiece at sea.

Celebrity Cruise Day 5: Dinner Buffet at the Oceanview Café

By Siva McAteer • September 11, 2025

After a full day exploring Kochi, Japan, nothing hits the spot quite like dinner aboard the Celebrity Millennium. And tonight, we’re heading straight to one of the most popular spots on the ship: the Oceanview Café on Deck 10. A Buffet with Endless Choices The Oceanview Café is the go-to casual dining venue for cruisers looking for variety. Dinner here is anything but boring—you’ll find everything from pasta and pizza to Mexican favorites, Indian curries, American classics, and even some Asian specialties to match our Japan itinerary. Whether you’re craving comfort food or want to try something new, this buffet delivers.

Celebrity Cruise Day 5: Wrapping Up Kochi with Culture, Food & Fun

By Siva McAteer • September 10, 2025

That’s a wrap on our day in Kochi, Japan, and what an adventure it has been! As we rode the shuttle bus back to the Celebrity Millennium cruise terminal, it was the perfect time to reflect on everything we experienced. Kochi was the perfect blend of history, culture, quirky fun, and of course—delicious food. A Day Full of Surprises Our day kicked off at the Harimaya Bridge, one of Kochi’s most famous landmarks. From there, we couldn’t resist a quick snack stop at Mister Donut, a Japanese favorite known for its creative donuts and fluffy “pon de ring.” Next up was pure joy for anime fans—Donguri Kyowakoku, the Ghibli Store. Packed with magical treasures from Studio Ghibli classics, it was impossible not to geek out. And yes, we couldn’t resist grabbing a blind box and doing a little unboxing surprise.

Japan 65 – Celebrity Cruise Day 5: Lou Pastry Shop in Kochi & the Curious Case of the Canelé

By Siva McAteer • September 9, 2025

When you’re on a Celebrity Cruise through Japan, every port promises new adventures, unique flavors, and little surprises. Day 5 brought us to Kochi, and with it—a bite-sized French treat I had been eager to try: the canelé. What Exactly Is a Canelé? A canelé (pronounced kah-nuh-lay) is a tiny pastry that hails from Bordeaux, France. It’s famous for its caramelized crust on the outside and soft custardy center on the inside. Flavored with just the right touch of vanilla and rum, it’s baked in special fluted copper molds to achieve its distinct look. Think of it as a pastry that’s equal parts rustic and refined. A Sweet Bit of History Here’s a fun foodie fact: canelés are tied to Bordeaux’s winemaking roots. Centuries ago, winemakers used egg whites to clarify wine. That left heaps of unused yolks, which were then passed to nuns. Waste not, want not! The nuns turned those yolks into these little pastries. Over time, rum and vanilla were added, the copper molds gave them their signature shape, and the canelé as we know it today was born.

Japan Cruise Adventure Day 5: Eating Our Way Through Hirome Market in Kochi

By Siva McAteer • September 8, 2025

Forget fancy restaurants—if you want the real taste of Japan, Hirome Market in Kochi is the place to be! This buzzing indoor market has earned the nickname “Kochi’s Kitchen” for a reason. With over 60 food stalls and restaurants, Hirome Market is a lively hub where locals and visitors come together to eat, drink, and celebrate Kochi’s rich food culture.

Kochi Castle: Turtles, Chickens, and Japan’s Only Original Edo Castle 🏯🐢🐓

By Siva McAteer • September 7, 2025

When you think of Japanese castles, Kyoto or Osaka might come to mind—but hidden on the island of Shikoku is one of the country’s most unique gems: Kochi Castle. On Day 5 of our Celebrity Cruise through Japan, we made a stop in Kochi and discovered that this castle isn’t just beautiful—it’s full of surprises, from turtles to chickens! Why Kochi Castle is So Special ✨ Here’s a fun fact for history buffs: Kochi Castle is the only castle in Japan that still has all of its original Edo period buildings. That includes the iconic castle tower and the Honmaru Palace, both dating back to the 1600s. Most Japanese castles were either destroyed in wars, earthquakes, or fires, and later rebuilt. Kochi Castle, however, survived the centuries—making it a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese history and architecture.