Typhoon Trami caused severe damage in parts of Japan but luckily for us by the time it got to Tokyo it was just a nuisance. Yokohama port was closed by the port authority so we had to stay another night in Tokyo, at Celebrity’s expense. The typhoon passed Tokyo very quickly, really just strong wind during the night and we awoke to a beautiful calm, sunny day. On the way to Yokohama we could see Mt Fuji several times between buildings, then as we sailed out of the harbour the setting sun behind Mt Fuji was an amazing sight.

My Fuji creates its shadow in the sunset

Once we got out of Tokyo Harbour the sea became rough and stayed that way over night but by the next day it had calmed down. We sailed all day, missing out on Shimizu, from where most passengers had booked an excursion to see Mt Fuji. They were disappointed of course but we had already seen it with Kana and Gutti so we weren’t concerned.

Kobe was the first port we visited. Most passengers visited either Ōsaka or Kyoto but we stayed in Kobe and wandered around the city. It is about the same size as Adelaide but Ōsaka, with 3 million people is only 30 km away there are buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure for the whole distance along the coast.

After 2 nights in Kobe we sailed to Kochi, a small city of 300,000 people on the south coast of Shikoku Island. The main attraction here was the castle, one of Japan’s 12 remaining authentic castles.

The quite big swell in the harbour reminds us that Typoon Kong-rey was out in the Pacific Ocean and headed for Japan in a few days. Just as we were to leave Kochi we heard that Hiroshima port would be closed the next day and we can’t go there. We couldn’t stay in Kochi either because that port is too exposed so we have return to Kobe. Unfortunately it means that we can’t see the Peace Park at Hiroshima and the Red Gate on Miyajima Island. After 3 visits to Japan we still haven’t seen these places so we are very disappointed – but at least we are not out a sea during the typhoon.

As we sailed east along the Pacific coast we had another rough night, even rougher that the first night, because Kong-rey was getting close, but once we entered shelters waters near Kobe the sea settled down again. The weather is pleasant so this afternoon we will take another stroll around Kobe before we head out to sea again. The plan is to spend the next 2 days at sea, going to Busan, South Korea, hopefully in calm seas as we follow behind Kong-rey.

We will see!!!