Carnival Panorama 18-Day Transpacific Cruise Long Beach to Yokohama
Yokohama, Japan -- Wednesday , September 11, 2024
After a good night rest, we were up and ready to explore the part of Yokohama we have never been to. We have visited Yokohama quite a few times for cruises and have done most of the sights in the city but Sankeien Garden is one place that I wanted to see but never had a chance to go. With such good weather and a whole day in town, we decided it was the right time to check it off our list.
We bought some pastries from the market the night before for a simple breakfast this morning. With the coffee provided in our room, it made for a good simple breakfast to last us until lunch.
I was determined to seek out the one-day bus pass that would be perfect for the day but had no idea where to get them. We went looking for the ticket booth inside the train station, asking everywhere we could get an answer and finally, found the right place and purchased our tickets for the day. Unfortunately, I do not remember where we ended up buying these tickets after all. Possibly because of the stress looking for the place. We bought the tickets, we found the bus station for Bus #8 and we were on our way to Sankeien Garden!
Information about the one-day pass which can be used on all city transportation, including the red tour bus, blue bus, and other regular bus and metro run by the City of Yokohama.
We found bus #8, hopped on for our 45-minute ride to the garden. Since this was a weekday, not that many people were on the bus, except somewhere close to the hospital where many people were making their visits there. It was a nice bus ride especially that we had seats all the way.
On our way, we passed by the Sotetsu Hotel that we stayed a couple of times before/ Bringing back good memories!
About 45 minutes later, we arrived at the bus stop closest to the garden. We were aware of the distance that we had to walk but it was not bad at all, with such fine weather.
Finally arrived at the entrance of the garden.
Posters at the entrance announcing their programs.
Tickets purchased and we were ready to explore.
First sight, absolutely beautiful!
First building Kakushokaku, but it was not opened for public. I believe this is the resident where the owner used to live in. Now it's a venue that's available for weddings and special occasions.
A crane or egret standing gracefully by the pond.
Sankei Memorial building
Gomon Gate
Inside the Sankei Memorial there is a lounge area with comfortable seats to look outside.
Air conditioning making this a great stop on a hot day. There are also displays about the history of the garden and it's owner.
Very relaxing!
I believe this group of buildings is called Rinshunkaku.
Making our way over to the Rinshunkaku.
Again, we were not able to go inside.
but it's still very pretty!
With the 3-storey pagoda in the distance.
We then took the path uphill to the Gekkaden area.
Tenjuin
Gekkaden
Walking back down to Choshukaku.
Choshukaku
Sekkan
Shunsoro--a smaller hut type building.
After walking back down, I decided that I would just rest at the tea house, have an ice cold drink and just wait for husband and son to go on up to the 3-storey pagoda without me. That's why I don't have any photos of the 3-storey pagoda, but husband did capture that on the video.
We completed our visit to the Seinkeien Garden and pretty much enjoyed our time there. There were few visitors on the day we were there, making that a leisurely and enjoyably trip. From there we walked back to the bus stop and took the same bus (#8) back to downtown Yokohama, where we switched to the Bayside Blue bus to the World Porters Mall. We each found what we liked for lunch at the food court there. It seemed that the food court made some changes since our last time here. Many more eateries with much more decent food available this time around.
Son's grilled meat plate.
My Hainanese chicken rice, surprisingly delicious! Husband had the chicken laksa, which he enjoyed.
After lunch and shopping for souvenirs, we went back to the nearby bus stop and took the red tour trolley for a ride. We took the whole loop and really enjoyed it. This is also a HOHO trolley for those interested, but each ride will cost 100Y. With the one-day pass, it would be unlimited rides. With the loop, we got to see all the tourist spots in the city, except we did not want to get off because we were tired.
After the red trolley ride, we got on the Bayside Blue bus which took us back to the train station.
This bus brought us back right at the station entrance, making it easy for us to go back to our hotel.
A place to call 'home' for a couple of days.
After resting and freshen up a little, we went down to the train station to look for dinner. This time, we opted for sushi and there's a conveyer belt sushi place that we wanted to try.
I think it's called Sushi Katsu JOINUS Yokohamatan, which is a branch of our favorite full service sushi restaurant Midori. There was a line but after a little wait time, we got in and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Nothing from the conveyer belt. We ordered using the iPad and was delivered to us.
The freshest seafood!
Yep, we ate and ate...
What a great way to end our day in Yokohama.
Tomorrow, we will take the airport limousine to Narita for our flight to Taiwan!
For video of this day, please click here.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." -- II Corinthians 4:16
