06_Otaru6.jpg=Otaru, Japan - on our way to the train station
07_Hakodate20.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Ekini Market  seafoods
07_Hakodate1.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - the weather had turned moderately rough
08_Aomori7.jpg=Aomori, Japan - the impressive Utoh Shrine with vines growing right to the top of very tall pine trees.
09_LastDay10.jpg=Tokyo - next, we revisited the Sensoji Temple and being Sunday it was very crowded with religious celebrations, tourists and local people dressed in the finery
07_Hakodate29.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - From the ropeway we walked to the waterfront back to the harbour
08_Aomori.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - by about 7.30pm, the fog was really thick. Wefelt sorry for the guasts that had paid for the night lights excursion up the mountain via the cable car
07_Hakodate12.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - our welcoming into Hakodate.
09_LastDay1.jpg=Tokyo - Wine and Sake barrels at the Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
08_AomoriPan17.JPG=Aomori, Japan - Nebuta Museum and Gallery where we took so many pictures of the expertly created parade floats that we decided it's best for a different slide show. Other slide show
07_Hakodate10.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - our welcoming into Hakodate.
08_Aomori14.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Diamond Princess; relaxing on our balcony with a Guiness and Brandy Alexander while watching a cargo vessel load
07_Hakodate37.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - back onboard Diamond Princess we went to the theatre to see a traditional Japanese performance - the Hakodate Folkloric Show Esashi Oiwake
06_Otaru8.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu Ropeway
09_LastDayPan02.JPG=Yokahama arrival
06_Otaru10.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu head statue
07_HakodatePan25.JPG=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway views
08_Aomori32.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  back at the harbour was this replica sail vessel moored not far from the Diamond Princess
07_Hakodate8.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - the "red brick" buildings near the harbour. Historic maritime buildings now converted to commercial ventures; and a beer hall
09_LastDay3.jpg=Tokyo city - After we cleared our disembarkation at Yokahama. We then opted for a shore excursion that ended at Narita airport for our flight home.
06_Otaru14.jpg=Otaru, Japan - our walk through the town back to the Diamond Princess
07_Hakodate19.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Ekini Market  seafoods
08_Aomori18.jpg=Aomori, Japan - the  ASPAM building with its' distinctive shape and glass elevators
08_Aomori5.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Aomori Prefectural Centre for Industy and Tourism (ASPAM)
06_Otaru4.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Pacific Gulls again, where I just happened to catch one lightening his load
07_Hakodate.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - after an overnight cruise from Otaru, we approach Hakodate
07_Hakodate22.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - our walk to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway station
07_Hakodate35.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - our walkfinished back near the railway station and the Smile Hotel. the fog was gradually rolling in and would eventually hide this crane.
Map.jpg=After Hakodate we left the issland of Hokkaido and returneed to the main island of Honshu, where our port is Aomori tucked deep into a large enclosed bay
DSC_0426.JPG=Hakodate, Japan - our walk to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway station
08_Aomori34.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  farewell party and Diamond Princess
06_Otaru12.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu,  Tengu-yama Shrine
DSC_0487.JPG=Aomori, Japan - Nebuta Museum and Gallery where we took so many pictures (like this one) of the expertly created parade floats that we decided it's best for a different slide show. Other slide show
07_Hakodate17.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Ekini Market  seafoods
08_Aomori2.jpg=Honshu, Japan - an early arrival at Aomori
06_Otaru1.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Otaru on the west coast of Hokkaido
08_Aomori29.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  a walk back along the harbour and bridge
07_Hakodate6.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - harbour and the Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship, Mashu-maru
09_LastDay15.jpg=Brisbane early morning arrival over Pelican Waters, Bribie Island and the final approach over Crib Island and near the Port of Brisbane
08_Aomori19.jpg=Aomori, Japan - harbouside near the Aomori bridge; we'd been warned to look out for many unique street lights and fire hydrants, but after seeing these first ones we completely forgot about it.
08_Aomori20.jpg=Aomori, Japan - harbouside near the Aomori bridge. The "boxy" small cars are very popular.
07_Hakodate32.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - the old "red brick" maritime buildings near the harbour
09_LastDay4.jpg=Tokyo - Otori Gate at the Meiji (Shinto) Shrine. Largest Tori of the Myojin style in Japan. Height 12m, Width 17m, diameter of supports 1.2m and made from Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) 1500 years old
07_JoyMob2.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Ekini Market  seafoods
06_Otaru15.jpg=Otaru, Japan - our walk through the town back to the Diamond Princess. The Otaru canal
07_Hakodate24.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - our walk to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway station
08_Aomori27.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Aomori central railway station where they were celebrating a new tunnel opening
09_LastDay.jpg=Yokahama arrival
06_Otaru3.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu Ropeway
08_Aomori10.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Aomori central railway station and bicycle parking
08_Aomori36.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  Utoh Shrine, large Carp (Koi) in the ponds
07_Hakodate15.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - beside Hakodate railway station is the large Ekini Market (predominately seafoods); Most interesting
09_LastDay8.jpg=Tokyo - Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
08_Aomori9.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Shinmachi Street
09_LastDay13.jpg=Tokyo - Sensoji Temple; restaurants in a narrow street, and water mist spray in the seating area on a very hot day
DSC_0367.JPG=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu
07_Hakodate26.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway views
08_Aomori38.jpg=Aomori, Japan - the impressive Utoh Shrine
07_Hakodate13.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Hakodate railway station where there is obvious advertising for the upcoming Nebuta festival in August
07_Hakodate4.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway views
08_Aomori12.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  a walk back along the harbour and bridge
07_Hakodate30.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - some expensive looking homes near the harbour
09_LastDay6.jpg=Tokyo - Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
20160630_163921.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway views
07_Hakodate38.jpg=Readying for a late evening departure from Hakodate
DSC_0321.JPG=Hokkaido Island, Japan - the weather had turned moderately rough; too much for small boats but this ship isn't affected too much. Just a slight pitch and roll
08_Aomori15.jpg=Aomori, Japan - harbouside near the Aomori bridge
DSC_0542.JPG=Hakodate, Japan - harbourside motorway with very obvious curve
06_Otaru11.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu,  Tengu-yama Shrine
07_HakodatePan26.JPG=Hakodate, Japan - harbourside seafood restaurant
08_Aomori33.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  back at the harbour was this replica Viking vessel - don't quite understand why it is near the museum
08_Aomori31.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  back at the harbour was this replica sail vessel moored not far from the Diamond Princess
09_LastDay11.jpg=Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
08_Aomori8.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Shinmachi Street
06_Otaru7.jpg=Otaru, Japan - the train station for our trip into central Otaru
07_Hakodate2.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Hakodate harbour
09_LastDay9.jpg=Tokyo - Meiji (Shinto) Shrine, wedding ceremony decorations/ messages
07_Hakodate11.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Hakodate harbour, where we were docked, again because this ship is too large for the cruise terminal, we are beside the scrap metal pile
08_AomoriPan26.JPG=Honshu, Japan - an early arrival at Aomori
07_Hakodate28.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - our decent of Mt Hakodate Ropeway
07_Hakodate36.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - the Hakodate Folkloric Show Esashi Oiwake; interesting but Japanese music is certainly an aquired taste. The song Sukiyaki was recognisable though from the past hitparade version.
07_Hakodate23.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - our walk to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway station
08_Aomori4.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Views from the  ASPAM observation deck
08_Aomori35.jpg=Aomori, Japan - the impressive Utoh Shrine
07_Hakodate18.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - the street outside Ekini Market
06_Otaru13.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu,  Tengu-yama Shrine
07_Hakodate34.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - harbourside seafood restaurant
07_Hakodate21.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - near Ekini Market
08_Aomori6.jpg=Aomori, Japan - harbouside near the Aomori bridge
06_Otaru5.jpg=Otaru, Japan - the boats looked much like surf recue boats but with twice as many rowers
08_Aomori17.jpg=Aomori, Japan - More advertising for the impending Nebuta festival in the  ASPAM building
09_LastDay2.jpg=Tokyo - Traditional Sake barrels at the Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
07_Hakodate9.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - our welcoming into Hakodate.
07_Hakodate33.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - harbourside motorway with very obvious curves without any obvious reason - could it be just for visual appeal?
07_JoyMob.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Ekini Market  seafoods
08_Aomori37.jpg=Aomori, Japan - the impressive Utoh Shrine
07_Hakodate25.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway
07_JoyMob1.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Ekini Market  seafoods
08_Aomori11.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  a walk back along the harbour and bridge
09_LastDay5.jpg=Tokyo - Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
07_Hakodate16.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan -  Hakodate; most interesting Ekini Market ( seafoods)
08_Aomori28.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Nebuta Museum, more celebrations
08_Aomori3.jpg=Honshu, Japan - again docked beside the scrap metal wharf at Aomori
07_Hakodate7.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - a new hotel built through one of the old "red brick" maritime buildings
DSC_0327.JPG=Honshu, Japan - an early arrival at Aomori
07_Hakodate14.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Hakodate railway station
07_Hakodate3.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Hakodate railway station
07_JoyMob3.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - our walk to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway station
07_Hakodate27.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway views
08_Aomori39.jpg=Aomori, Japan - the impressive Utoh Shrine
09_LastDay12.jpg=Tokyo - Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate
08_Aomori26.jpg=Aomori, Japan - Aomori central railway station where they were celebrating a new tunnel opening
08_Aomori13.jpg=Honshu, Japan - an early arrival at Aomori. Top left picture is the empty cabin passageway disappearing in the distance
08_AomoriPan24.JPG=Leaving Aomori, Japan totravel to our final destination, Yokohama
06_Otaru9.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu Ropeway
07_Hakodate31.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Lucky Pierrot's is a popular tourist spot. When we looked back at the mountain top, the cloud/fogwas really starting to roll in.
DSC_0321cr.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - Otaru and Pacific Gulls again
08_JoyMob.jpg=Aomori, Japan - leaving ship for our walk around the city.
08_Aomori1.jpg=Honshu, Japan - where our port is Aomori
06_Otaru2.jpg=Otaru, Japan - Mt Tengu Ropeway
09_LastDay7.jpg=Tokyo - Meiji (Shinto) Shrine
06_Otaru.jpg=Hokkaido Island, Japan - after Korsakov, we arrive at Otaru on the west coast of Hokkaido
07_Hakodate5.jpg=Hakodate, Japan - Mt Hakodate Ropeway views
09_LastDay14.jpg=Tokyo - At Narita airport for our flight home
08_Aomori30.jpg=Aomori, Japan -  a walk back along the harbour and bridge
