05 May 2024

Golden Week at Shimonoseki

It was an exciting morning as Heritage Adventurer navigated through the busy traffic and many islands leading into the Kanmon strait between Honshu and Kyushu islands. We arrived alongside at Shimonoseki as our Japan adventure continued.
 
Disembarking Heritage Adventurer, we walked along the shore to a busy shopping mall and the bustling Karato Fish Market. A huge variety of delicious food was available, including the local delicacy of fugu/pufferfish, for those brave enough to try it – pufferfish being deadly if not prepared by Takumi-level chefs.

Following lunch ashore or on board, we set off on our tour of Shimonoseki. We called into the Shiranoe Botanical Garden. The floral displays were just beginning due to the early season, and we enjoyed the walk to the lookout point through the serene landscape. The stop at Kokura Castle showed how this impressive citadel had been rebuilt in 1959 and was enlivened by the many characters dressed in period costumes. The locals had a chance to cosplay as costumes were available for hire, so there were young samurai everywhere. The final stop was at the top of the hill at Hinoyama Park, where another walk led to expansive views of the Sea of Japan behind us and the inland Seto Sea sprawling out in front of us.

After a fantastic day of exploring, we enjoyed a delicious barbeque dinner on the aft deck surrounded by this magical city in the setting sun.

Following dinner, we enjoyed a late excursion into Shimonoseki to experience families celebrating Golden Week, engaging in their evening entertainment during this lively holiday period.  

Images © C. Finch, Heritage Expeditions