The second leg of our trip took us on a cruise from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Originally the cruise ended in Manila, which is why we decided to take this cruise instead of flying from Tokyo to Manila. But shortly before we left for Seoul South Korea Norwegian changed the itinerary to end in Hong Kong. It's one of the reasons I try to avoid Norwegian cruises from now on.
Click here to see some of the best pictures from this trip.
Below is the map showing where we took photos on the second leg of our trip. Click the picture below to see an interactive map. Click any of the pins in the interactive map to see when and where the picture was taken and a link. Click that link to go to the picture in the blog post below.
Click one of the pictures below to see more pictures for that day.
November 24, 2025 - Sumo Wrestling Tour Tokyo Japan
We took a Sumo Wrestling tour in Ryogoku, the historic heart of Japanese sumo wrestling, famous for the Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium, which hosts major tournaments. The area hosts many sumo stables where wrestlers live and train, often seen walking around in yukatas. Unfortunately while we were there the team was out of town so we didn't see any wrestlers.
The district sports special manhole covers sporting the sumo wrestler mascot characters Hiyonoyama and Akawashi.
We weren't allowed to view the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena the day of our tour, so instead we visited this nearby food hall located near the arena. It sports a full sized dohyo, the sumo wrestling ring.
Nov 25, 2024 - Tokyo Skytree
We did a self guided tour to the Tokyo Skytree which has a viewing area 350 floors up.
Nov 27, 2024 - Shimizu Japan
We had boarded the ship in Tokyo but our first stop was not far away in the Shimizu Port, which is near Mount Fuji. Local farmers raise trout and horseradish for wasabi all with fresh clear water from Mount Fuji. We lucked out again with beautiful views of Mount Fuji both during the tour and from the dock in Shimizu Port.
One more Mount Fuji Shot!
Nov 28, 2024 - Osaka Japan
In Osaka we took a private walking tour of Osaka Castle and Shinsekai, Dotonboriand surrounding areas. The manhole cover below was to commemorate an upcoming expo.
At this cruise ship stop we took the Ultimate Osaka Walking Tour.
This hotel in Osaka offered hourly rates and two entrances and exits. Why two? So no one could photograph you leaving from the same entrances as some strange (not your wife/gf) woman.
Nov. 29, 2024 - Kochi Japan
In Kochi we took the Kochi Highlights tour.
Dec 1, 2024 - Amami Oshima Highlights, Oshima Japan
Dec 2, 2024 - Okinawa Japan
Dec 3, 2024 - Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan
Our tour this day took us to Yangmingshan Natl Park and nearby Cal La Young Garden Resort Hot Springs. Unfortunately bad weather kept us from seeing much at Yangmingshan, the only park in Taiwan that has volcanic geography and hot springs.
Dec 4, 2024 - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
We'd been to Taiwan before but never to Kaohsiung. There were a lot of interesting sights and places to visit. We first went to Ten Drum Creative Park, a former Sugar Mill.
Dec 6, 2024 - Boracay, Philippines
This day we were on our own but managed to find a ride for a reasonable price just outside the port.
Dec 7, 2024 - Coron, Philippines
For our day in Coron we had a private all day tour that included snorkeling. Click the picture below to see more underwater photos.
Dec 9, 2024 - Hong Kong
Because the cruise ended in Hong Kong instead of Manila, we had an overnight in Hong Kong. That allowed us to take a private half day tour of Hong Kong highlights.
Click one of the pictures above to see more pictures for that day.
