The Gurus: Countdown to the Japan Adventure!
We are just six weeks away from departing from Tokyo, Japan onboard the Celebrity Millennium. We will be on a 12-day voyage with iconic stops including Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Mt. Fuji, and the Jeju Islands. Follow along as we embark on one of our most exotic cruises to date. There will be loads of shore excursion highlights to share too!
- The Shore Excursion Gurus
7/6/20242 min read
The Shore Excursion Gurus are just six weeks away from an incredible journey from Orlando all the way to Tokyo, Japan! Our excitement is through the roof as we prepare for a 12-day cruise aboard the Celebrity Millennium.
Among the many highlights we are looking forward to sharing, one particular shore excursion visiting Kyoto's Top Sights has caught our attention. We are in Osaka for two days so we knew that we needed to find a "top vacation highlight " type of experience so we chose to visit the city of Kyoto.
This all-day bus tour promises to take us to some of Kyoto's most famous cultural sites on an active afternoon. The excursion departs about 20-minutes from the port with two meeting point locations to choose from. We are docked overnight so we knew this was the perfect opportunity to book an off-ship excursion. Booking this similar tour elsewhere would have cost us between $168-210 per person. We saved over 50% by researching alternatives and booking this shore excursion option instead! Featured stops and highlights to follow:
The Brilliant Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine
Our first stop on this amazing excursion will be the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, this shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Walking through the seemingly endless paths of torii gates is sure to be a surreal and unforgettable experience. The shrine's serene atmosphere and the beautiful surrounding forest make it a perfect spot for photography and quiet reflection.
The UNESCO-Listed Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Next on our itinerary is the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This iconic temple is famed for its wooden stage that juts out from the main hall, offering breathtaking views of the cherry and maple trees below. As we explore the temple grounds, we'll also have the chance to visit the Otowa Waterfall, where visitors can drink sacred water for health, longevity, and success. This stop will undoubtedly be a highlight of our day, allowing us to immerse ourselves in Japan's rich cultural heritage.
The Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji
Our final destination on this unforgettable tour is the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji. This Zen Buddhist temple is one of Kyoto's most famous landmarks, and its top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple's stunning reflection in the surrounding pond creates a picture-perfect scene. Strolling through the meticulously maintained gardens and taking in the beauty of the Golden Pavilion will be a fitting end to our day-long adventure.
We can't wait to share more about our journey to Japan and all the wonderful excursions we have planned. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from our upcoming travels!
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