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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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!