🇰🇷🇯🇵 Ovation of the Seas – Korea & Japan Travelogue

🛳️ From Seoul Streets to Japan’s Volcano Views 🌏✨

Day 3 – Seoul, South Korea 🇰🇷 (Incheon City Walk)
Today was a classic group tour kind of day. The ship arrived at Incheon port early in the morning, and after gathering at the set time, we took a bus into Seoul.
• First stop: Namsan Hanok Village 🏯, full of traditional charm.
• Second stop: a local Korean cosmetics store 💄.
• Third stop: a duty-free shop 🛍️.

After wandering around to pass the time, we headed to Myeongdong Shopping Street—a true birthplace of Korean fashion. I spotted a giant Hello Kitty that totally fulfilled my girlish heart 💖, and even found my favorite bubble tea shop 🧋.

Lunch was a bit rushed—we originally planned for authentic Korean BBQ but ended up with a quick Korean set meal: 3 sets for 41,000 KRW. Honestly, not the best value for money. Dinner was back on the ship, where the main restaurant served Italian cuisine—delicious! 😋

Day 6 – Kumamoto, Japan 🇯🇵
First impression: Kumamoto really lives up to its name with so many “bears” around 🐻! It’s one of Japan’s three great castles and also the oldest small city among them. The population is small, but the streets are clean, tidy, and beautifully organized with traffic signs and parking spaces perfectly marked.

For lunch, we had omelet rice at Kumamoto Castle 🍳—over 300 JPY per person, not cheap at all. After a short stroll through the old town, we returned to the ship early. The weather turned rainy in the afternoon 🌧️, so we stayed cozy in the cabin—napping, watching dramas, and gaming 🎮.

Dinner at the main restaurant was British-style: fish & chips 🐟🍟. We ordered two portions. At this point, every day feels like either eating or heading to the next meal—I wonder how many pounds I’ll gain after disembarking 😂

Day 7 – Kagoshima, Japan 🇯🇵
Kagoshima’s highlight is the iconic Sakurajima Volcano 🌋, one of the most active in the world, constantly releasing white smoke. At the base of the volcano, visitors can enjoy a unique footbath experience 🦶♨️—soaking your feet in warm spring water while breathing in the sea breeze.

In the morning, our tour bus took a ferry across to Sakurajima. The volcano was wrapped in mist and clouds, giving photos a mysterious, dreamlike vibe 🌫️. In the afternoon, the sun came out ☀️, and I managed to capture even more stunning shots of the volcano from the ship.

Since it was still early before dinner, we set up a little afternoon tea in the cabin 🫖🍰. Dinner at the main restaurant was a real treat—baked prawns 🦐 (so good I ordered three plates!) and Thai-style fried noodles.

✨ Each stop was filled with surprises—traditional culture, city walks, cozy downtime, and breathtaking natural beauty. The cruise really is a mix of relaxation and indulgence!

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