Our Day in Kobe

NCL Spirit Tokyo to Keelung -- November 2 to 15, 2025

Kobe, November 4, 2025 (Tuesday)

On this second port, we were visiting the city of Kobe. This could easily be one of my favorite cities in Japan. Transportation is easy with the complimentary shuttles between port and downtown. Then all we had to do was to purchase the one-day pass for the loop bus that can take visitors to most important sights in the city. The only problem that we had was not enough time! 

This was our second trip to Kobe. Unlike our last time here which was just the two of us a few years back, we had so many in our group coming along, which made it difficult to use public transportation that is available. We broke up into smaller groups, hoping to be easier but we ended up all going together anyway. While we were purchasing the loop bus passes at port, some even decided to join us for the day!

Enjoyed our full breakfast at the MDR. This parfait was a little lacking, but their muesli was a bomb. We ended up having our daily dose of muesli every morning. 

Approaching the port of Kobe.

There was a service counter inside this huge terminal that we were able to purchase the one-day ticket for the city loop bus. Then, from there we took the complimentary shuttles to downtown where they stopped right across from Chinatown. That was also the stop to pick up the shuttle back to port later in the day. The city loop bus stop is also right there, so it made it easy to catch the ride to points of interest. We were hoping to catch an earlier bus that may be coming by so we walked a block away and waited at another stop. Wrong move! When we finally got on the crowded bus, it was the same one we did not get on earlier by the shuttle stop. Which means we waited all that time for the same bus to come back after about 5 or 6 stops.

Our main goal was to get to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway and planning to spend a couple of hours there. We were all able to get off the bus without losing anyone and took the short walk to the entrance of the Ropeway station. Paid our admission for the ropeway and the gardens in the long line which moved pretty fast. 

Beautiful views as we 'climbed' up the hill.

With a waterfall on the way.

Reached the top of the hill.

Very western feel.

Looks like a garden in Europe.

Museum with various fragrances.

After we enjoyed the views up on top and a visit to the fragrance museum, we headed back down the gardens. It was a nice, gentle stroll downhill with pretty sights all the way.

I have never seen pumpkins on a tree. These are mini pumpkins that looked like tomato plants.

Absolutely beautiful!

We could see our ship as we went downhill.

Must have a lavender ice cream.

We walked down to the middle station, then took the cable car back down to the bottom. Caught the loop bus back to Chinatown hoping to find a Kobe beef restaurant that we can get in without reservations. By then, it was almost 2 o'clock and we went to one restaurant which has good ratings in the area but they only had two spots so we let our travel partners in to enjoy the food there as we continued to look for a restaurant.

Then we found this, a Kobe beef restaurant in Chinatown. Not as fancy as the one we went to a few years back but it worked. No reservations needed and the restaurant was practically empty at that hour.

Choices of different kind of beef.

Official Kobe beef supplier.

Here is the chef!

Our orders of beef.

Indeed a good Kobe beef meal!

After lunch we walked around Chinatown a little bit before taking the shuttle back to port.

Watch for the time of the last shuttle available.

Back to port.

Another nice dinner to end the day.

We were told that Kobe have a million-dollar night view. But to me, it can't compare to Hong Kong.

For video of this day, please click here.

"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid."  -- John 5:31

Back in Shimizu Port

NCL Spirit Tokyo to Keelung -- November 2 to 15, 2025

Shimzu, November 3, 2025 (Monday)

After a restful night on board the Spirit, we arrived at Shimizu, again. We were here in May with a huge celebration in port that whole day. It is a lot quieter this time around but they still had some vendors setting up in port. We are quite familiar with this port and intended to explore on our own without a chartered bus. For those who wanted to come with us for the day, they will have to follow closely so they won't miss a turn. This is a good time to try out if we have a group that is alert and cooperative. To make it easier, we divided the big group into smaller ones just so our group leaders can easily get them on and off the bus and train. It worked out really well and we had a good day in port.

Waking up to the sight of Mt. Fuji even when we were still on the ship.

We had an early start, so instead of breakfast at the buffet, we had a full breakfast at the 24-hour eatery Local.

With a good cup of coffee!

Getting closer to Shimizu port.

We were ones of the first to get off the ship.

Waiting for the rest of our group to get off.

Most members in our group got off and ready to explore.

To avoid the crowds, we went straight to the shuttle bus stop which was to the left of the terminal building. A bus was already waiting there so there was no problem getting on. I was told that the city provides free shuttle buses to the Shimizu JR train station and the New Shimizu local train station when the ship has 2000+ passengers. I was a little worried that they won't provide the service on this day because Spirit is right around that number. Fortunately, they did and had the shuttle runs right when we got off. (In the past, their shuttles did not start until after 10:00). I was ready to take everyone on the 20-minute walk in case shuttles were not available. 

It was just a short ride because we needed to get off at the first stop, Shin-Shimizu local train station. Some people may miss this stop because it stopped before the tiny train station. It's like just a stop by the roadside, but we managed to get off and cross the street to the train station. Those of us who have the Suica cards were able to just scan the pass to get on but some had to purchase tickets to take this local train. The staff was very helpful though. He was able to get everybody their needed tickets.

If I remember correctly, this local train stopped at every stop and took about thirty minutes or a little longer. It was fun because it wasn't crowded and we could see the small towns along the way. We rode from the start of the route to the very end, which was Shin Shizuoka. Easy ride.

Colorfully decorated train.

Comfortable ride with views of local towns along the way.

Arrived at Shin Shizuoka station.

After we waited for everybody (some had to use the restrooms at the train station, some came on the next train because they had to get tickets delaying their boarding of our train), we walked to the Sumpu Castle Park which is about 10-minute away. We were fortunate to have good weather on this day, very pleasant for a short walk.

Tokugawa Ieyasu Model Kit Monument on our way to the Castle.

Shizuoka is famous for making toy model kits, this is one of their samples.

Beautiful Sumpu Castle

It was quite busy at Sumpu Castle with a special activity inside the park. There were many vendors setting up for the day and seemed like they are expecting a lot of people.

One of the vendors.

We let everyone went on their own exploration around the interesting park and gathered back together before we continued with our visits.

The ruins is still being excavated but this was closed on this day.

The moat outside the castle.

The Shizuoka Prefecture Government Building behind us was our next destination.

Visitors can get in and go up to the 21st floor for the view of Mt. Fuji and the city.

Painting of Mt. Fuji.

Here at the observation deck, one can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

We were definitely lucky to be able to see this view. We had been here twice before and both times the top of the mountain was covered by thick clouds.

After the observation deck, we walked back to the train station...

and took the train back to Shimizu.

From Shin Shimizu station, we walked to the Kashi-no-Ichi Fish Market for a wonderful lunch.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from which feature their local tuna and sakura shrimp. 

Several meat sets to choose from and they were all good!

After lunch, we separated into small groups to get back to port. Some decided on taking the free shuttles back from the JR Train Station which is near the fish market. Some decided to take the stroll back to port. 

Walking on the well-paved path back to port.

There is an old shrine half way in between.

Back to Dream Plaza, where they have a mall with many entertainment and activities for all ages.

They also have many eateries here for those who want to stay near the port and shop for the day.

There are some famous department stores like UNIQLO in here.

Looking at the port from Dream Plaza.

Another model kit near the cruise terminal.

Interesting man holes.

Vendors were still at port.

The long line getting back on board.

The gangway had been lifted, ready to set sail!

Not as many people as our last time here, but there were still some locals there to see us off.

This is the best port that planned and organized all the activities well for all the ships coming into port.

Gorgeous!

My pork chop for dinner, delicious!

A more complete record of our day in video, please click here.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  -- John 15:5