GET ON THE STRAIT AND NARROW

Cruisereise til Shimonoseki, Japan

Shimonoseki is picturesquely situated between rolling hills and the wide-open waters of the Kanmon Straits. Hike or take the cable car to the summit of Mount Hinoyama — you'll be welcome to a 360-degree view of the city nestled in this distinctive landscape. Then, visit Akima-jingu, a Shinto shrine with classic red pagodas and a statue of Hoichi the Earless, subject of one of Japan's oldest ghost stories. Cruise to Shimonoseki, Japan and explore two islands in the straits: Head to Ganryujima Island and see the statue commemorating the 1612 duel fought here by swordsmen Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, or take the Tsunoshima Giant Bridge over bright blue waters and relax on the white-sand beaches of Tsunoshima Island.

Nasjonalt språk Japanese

Valuta som godtas Japanese Yen (JPY)

Things To Do in Shimonoseki

Panoramic view fo the Kanmon bridge in Shimonoseki, Japan

Sea From Above

Take a gondola up Mount Hinoyama for panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea, the Sea of Japan and the Kanmonkyo suspension bridge over the Kanmon Straits. You can also hike to the summit in about an hour. Cherry blossoms and azaleas make this lush peak particularly beautiful in spring.

The Akama Shrine in Shimonoseki, Japan

Samurai Shrine

See the elegant white and red gate at Akama-jingu Shinto shrine. Inside, there's a tranquil pool surrounded by bright-red columns. The grounds also contain Nanamori-zuka (seven mounds) — memorials to the fallen Heike warriors, fronted by traditional stone lanterns — and a statue of Hoichi the Earless, a mythological character you may remember from the classic film "Kwaidan."

Make a Splash

Blowfish are a local specialty, and the Shimonoseki Kaikyokan aquarium has over 100 species from around the world. Other unique features include a pedestrian tunnel through the penguin enclosure and a large tank that reproduces the tides and whirlpools of the Kanmon Straits.

Local Cuisine

Karato fish market is a great spot for trying the local delicacy, blowfish (fugu). Famous for being poisonous, it's harmless when prepared by professionals here. Blowfish is served either as sashimi, in thin uncooked slices with black ponzu sauce or as deep-fried tempura. The stalls at the market also sell bento boxes of sushi and cooked fish.

Shopping

For a full range of blowfish goods, including fugu plush toys, fugu rice crackers and fugu ochazuke — blowfish flakes that go over a bowl of rice or mixed with green tea — head to Daimaru Department Store's outlet at Kamon Wharf. Check out the EDION megastore for Japanese electronics, Anime videos and other trinkets during your Japan cruise.

Innsidetips

1 The Karato fish market opens at 5 a.m., or 8 a.m. on Sundays and holidays; it closes at 3 p.m. daily.

2 Stop by the memorial to the Dan-no-ura Battle — a major sea battle that took place here between warring clans in 1185 — on your way to Mount Hinoyama.