Toba

Our final cruise stop in Japan was Toba. Toba is in a bay with several islands around it, so there are no easy docking solutions. Instead, we used a water shuttle to get to and from the ship.

Our shore excursion in Toba was a leisurely one. We were going to the local aquarium and then on a boat ride in the area where they cultivate pearls. There was a beautiful fish tank display when we first walked into the aquarium.

Unfortunately, it was close to lunch time, and the girls insisted that they were starving, so we left them admiring the fish and the giant tortoise while we scoured the gift shop trying to find some food that was simple and transportable.

I ended up finding some butter cookies with fish pictures imprinted on them. We made quick work of the gift box, and the girls had a few cookies each.

After that, they were ready to fully enjoy the aquarium. It was medium sized and busy but not overly crowded, and so they were able to get right up to the tanks and admire the aquatic life.

One of our favorites was a very rotund seal that kept swimming in circles upside down. We watched it for quite a while, and it never flipped over, just kept going round and round with its belly to the sky.

We were also fascinated by the electric blue lobsters.

We found a walrus enclosure where we could walk above the huge animal and then hang out next to it one floor down.

The aquarium was a big hit, and we had enough time to explore it. Then we got back on the bus for our next stop, the boat ride. We had some time once we arrived at the waterfront area, so Jeff got Elena ice cream, and Vivian and I walked around and looked at the shops that were selling everything pearl.

We were just coming out of a shop when our boat pulled up. I'm not sure what exactly we had been expecting, but it wasn't this.

It said it was modelled after a Spanish explorer ship. There's also a Spain themed amusement park in the area. We decided to just go with it.

It made one stop where we could get off and see the pearl process. Only Vivi and I got off. Jeff and Elena were happy to stay in the air conditioning.

We got back to the ship in time for our final dinner and sunset on our cruise. We all agreed that it had been a fabulous way to see all different parts of Japan.