Travel Blog Series Part 4: Shimizu
Boarding the Norwegian Spirit
We boarded the Norwegian Spirit around 2 p.m. Normally, there’s that rush of excitement when you step onto a cruise ship and start exploring what will be your floating home for the next week. But since we’d already been on the Spirit (and its sister ship, the Jewel, just last year), the novelty wasn’t quite the same. That said, it did look like it had been recently refurbished—it’s still a very nice mid-sized ship. Still, nothing compares to the thrill of my very first cruise in 7th grade on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.
Next time, I think I’m ready for one of the fun giant ships again—maybe one of Norwegian’s Epic-class ones. I’ll admit I’m a little loyal to NCL, especially since I’m one cruise day away from hitting Platinum status (!!!).
Would I recommend cruising in Japan? Probably not. The public transportation is just that good—efficient, fast, and way more immersive. But cruising works well for my family’s vibe, and it has its perks. For one, it’s actually pretty cheap. We crammed all four of us into one stateroom, and thanks to NCL’s ongoing promos, the 3rd and 4th guests were technically “free” (plus taxes, gratuities, and fees, which still ended up being a few hundred bucks total). Still, not bad considering you get to wake up in a new city each day without having to pack and repack.
Of course, the tradeoff is you don’t get to deeply explore any place. Cruises give you a taste of a destination—a low-commitment intro. If you hate it, no problem, you’re gone in a few hours. If you love it, now you know you have to come back.
Departure
The ship left Yokohama around 4 p.m. We watched it pull away, then followed the usual evening cruise routine: sit-down dinner followed by a show. Unfortunately, the entertainment was underwhelming. But honestly? I kind of enjoyed just taking a solo lap around the ship, scrolling through photos from the day, journaling, and watching my downloaded episodes of How I Met Your Mother back in the room.
May 25 – Cruise Day 1: Shimizu
Our first stop was Shimizu, known as the gateway to Mt. Fuji. My parents had booked a ship excursion to a nearby temple and Fuji viewpoint, but Kayla and I were on our own. Before the trip, I worked with my running coach to create a sustainable plan that would let me stay active without being overly rigid or inconveniencing my family. This port was perfect for a longer run—I had done my research and knew there was a famous pine grove and beach known for its Fuji views just a few miles from the dock.
Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see Mt. Fuji in the morning—but I went for it anyway. I ran 15 miles and had an amazing time, beating the tourist crowds to the grove and cruising along the beach. A group of local boys was out running too, probably at soccer practice, and I got a lot of stares. As a solo American female running in a crop top, I definitely stood out. In my head, the older folks were judging me for being a “slutty American,” and the younger ones were staring because, well, I’m hot. That’s what I told myself, anyway—confidence is key.
The culture here is fascinating. For example, I saw what looked like a neighborhood volunteer group sweeping pine needles off the forest floor. Totally unnecessary in my opinion—but the Japanese clearly love a tidy forest. I also saw multiple people walking their cats—some on leashes, some not. I was low-key jealous. Luna (my cat) would never.
My route also passed through peaceful neighborhoods and farms, winding along narrow roads that felt more like bike trails through backyards and gardens. I wasn’t heat acclimated at all, and the humidity was brutal. I had only packed a few konjac jelly packets as my “running fuel,” so I made a pit stop at a vending machine (they’re literally everywhere in Japan) for a bottle of "Liquid Sweat"—Japan’s version of Gatorade. Not the most appetizing name, but it’s basically citrusy electrolytes. They probably should’ve tested that branding with Americans first.
When I returned to the port, I looked soaked and ridiculous. Because Japan requires tourists to carry their passports at all times, I’d had mine in my pocket—and now it was drenched. Thank god for Bandit shorts and their huge pockets. I’m honestly excited to get a new passport next year anyway. That photo needs an update.
After a quick shower and buffet second breakfast, I headed back out to explore.
Fish Market & Fuji Views
I walked about 20 minutes to the local fish market, which was fully indoors and filled with some of the wildest seafood I’ve ever seen. My post-run stomach wasn’t feeling adventurous, so I was just hunting for something simple—ideally sushi with soy sauce to replenish my salt. It took longer than expected to find something that looked appetizing, but once I ate, I felt so much better and wandered the city solo, people-watching and browsing shops.
And then... Mt. Fuji came out. The clouds cleared, the sun peeked through, and there it was.
Eventually, I headed toward Dream Plaza, the big shopping complex near the port. The top level was basically a Japanese version of Dave & Buster’s—an enormous arcade with hundreds of claw machines. It seemed to be the local hangout for families and schoolkids. I met up with Kayla inside GU (essentially Uniqlo’s twin sister), and we started heading back to the ship. On the walk, Fuji was still visible, so we snagged our photo op after all.
Naturally, we cut it close getting back—just a few minutes to spare. Classic. We’re always pushing the limit and giving our parents a mini heart attack that we’ll miss the boat.
Recapping the Day
That night at dinner, we all compared our itineraries. Turns out, we all hit the same landmarks—but via very different means. My legs were my free transportation, Kayla used public buses, and my parents opted for the cushy (and pricey) NCL tour buses. But at the end of the day, we all had fun and made it back on board in time—tired, happy, and ready to explore Nagoya the next morning.
