Wednesday 21st we went to Aoshima Island and visited a temple. The coastline was interesting as it was all long terraced rocks they called Devils Washboard. The trip to the distillery was interesting and the liquor was made from wheat or barley or rice. The alcohol content was around 40-50% and there was plenty of free tasting.

Thursday was an at sea day and we went and watched as much as we could fit in. Some of the things you want to do or see clash in timing.

At dinner it was the last night for that leg of our cruises and the dining staff did the Baked Alaska parade.

This morning, Friday we left at 8am for Hakone National Park and Mt Fuji. The weather was damp, foggy and the mountain not visible. That was disappointing. We eventually did get to have the boat ride on the Viking Boat in the afternoon as it had also been cancelled in the morning due to the wind. The rope ride in the gondola was later than scheduled due to high wind but the guide kept in touch and we did do it. Sadly, no view at all of Mt Fuji, it was totally in the fog. The Japanese say she is a very shy mountain that hides behind the clouds a lot.

We are back on board now and sailing for Toba to arrive tomorrow. We have cancelled our booked excursion as John and Cecille were booked on a Japanese speaking one in error, so we decided just to take the day as it comes, maybe a shuttle up town.