Kamakura and Ramen Museum

NCL Jewel 21-Day Transpacific Cruise Tokyo to Seattle

May 7, 2018 (Monday) -- Yokohama

The original itinerary would have us docked at Shimizu this morning, but because of the change we had an overnight in port, giving us an extra day here in Yokohama.

The Garden Cafe (buffet) was very crowded already when we got there at 6:50, as most people also wanted to spend their valuable time in port. We met up with the others in our group after breakfast and ready for our day trip to Kamakura and the Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama. We did this same trip on our own in 2015 but this morning TC will be our guide. 

Waiting to go on our day tour.

Kamakura

There was a complimentary shuttle every 30 minutes to take passengers to "town", we were told. We were not sure where that "town" would be but soon found out that it was the Sakuragicho station in Yokohama. So, off we went on the free shuttle! It was quite crowded on the shuttle but we got to the station soon enough so it really did not matter. From the Sakuragicho station, we took the train to Kamakura then switched to the little train from Kamakura to Hase. 

It was cloudy but at least it was not raining, making our walk up to the Temple quite pleasant. To me, everything seemed so familiar comparing to our visit here three years ago. 

Kamakura station for the Enoshima Dentetsu Line.

It was about a 15-minute walk from the train station to the temple. There are many interesting shops along the street. 

A local bean shop.

Entrance to the temple.

I was just being lazy and did not feel like walking around so I just sat there and took these pictures using the zoom lens.

It felt calm and tranquil here.

Picture of a wooden fence as we walked back to the station.

Nobody was interested in going to the Kenon Temple so we just went inside the 100 yen store instead, which is right next to the train station in Hase before taking the little train back to Kamakura. From there we took the trains to Shin-Yokohama and headed over to our next stop, the Ramen Museum. 

A very long escalator up to the street level.

We were definitely hungry by then. It was almost two o'clock! This time, we made sure that we were paying senior rate to enter, which is 100 Yen each. 300 Yen for regular adult fee. First thing was to go down to the basement where the noodle shops are and find the one we wanted to have lunch at. Most of us ended up at the same one we ate at in 2015. I was happy with it then and did not think I need to try another one. Fortunately, everybody else agreed with me, we all enjoyed our bowls of ramen that afternoon! We found out later that CeC, Noel, Keith, and Emily also came here that day and ate at the same noodle shop. What a coincident!

Inside Station #6, it was not busy that afternoon.

Tickets

I am not a ramen person, but this was really good! I especially liked the crushed roast garlic pieces on top.

After the ramen noodle, we just walked around the museum. This is purposely designed as a replica of the night-market in the 50's era.

Information of all the noodle stations.

This guy was putting on a funny show but we did not understand what he was saying.

The audience seemed to be having a good time though.

Ticket machine at one of the stations.

After a brief visit to the museum upstairs and browsing through the shop, it was time for us to head back to the ship.

SC and CiC took the train back to Sakuragicho and taking the shuttle back to port. We, on the other hand, decided that we should just take the Minato Mirai line back to Nihon Odori and walk back to the pier from there. We were afraid that the shuttle maybe too crowded as everyone would be returning at the same time. Later on, SC told us that the shuttle was actually OK, not crowded at all.

Back at the Nihon Odori stop.

We noticed part of "The Lord's Prayer" was posted in front of the Yokohama Archives of History as we were walking back to port. Just curious why the word "kingdom" was upside down though.

Kaigandori, the street leading to Osanbashi Pier.

Almost there!

Yay!

Back on the ship looking down at the pier from our balcony.

Ah...so relaxing!

Forgot to take pictures of the menu that evening, don't remember what these dishes were called.

appetizer

fish

steak

duck, I think.

Took picture of the dessert menu but no dessert?!

While we were finishing dinner, our ship started sailing away from the pier at 8:00. We quickly went up to the top deck to get pictures of the ship going under the Yokohama Bay Bridge. Unfortunately it was raining so we couldn't really capture the image we wanted. We tried anyway. 

Looking back at Yokohama as we were sailing-away.

Yokohama Bay Bridge

Whoa!

The first of many towel animals waiting for us in our stateroom.

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."                                    Nehemiah 8:10