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| Sakata Port - Sakata, Japan - Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
WE LEARN something new on almost every cruise. This time it was: "don't believe everything you read," and "when in doubt, go ashore." Partly because of the last-minute re-scheduling by the cruise line, and partly because of our own lack of diligence in pre-cruise planning, we arrived at Sakata with zero plans. For only the second time ever, we did not get off the ship. We had tried but could not get on any of the ship-based excursions and were not able to find any independent ones. Others from our group were more successful, and reported that while not their best shore excursion, it was satisfactory.
When in doubt, go ashore
MY NEW friend, Frank, pointed out a site I wanted to go see and had tentatively decided to seek out and visit: The Ken Domon Museum of Photography. When I found it online, it was officially advertised to be closed on Mondays! Bummer. I also - after the fact - discovered a cool spot to have walked and photographed: The Sankyo-Soko Rice Storehouses. These are a series of old, weathered buildings that were at one time storehouses for rice. Today, at least one of them houses the historical Museum of Shonai Rice. From what I have seen they are very photogenic.
THIS IS why I say in not to do what we did. At the very least, we should have gotten off the ship and done a bit of walking/sightseeing. It was cool that day and the weather seemed unsettled. We had not found (at the time) anything we thought was compelling to see on shore (that was open). It turns out, however, that (maybe they do it specifically for cruise days) the Ken Domon Museum was open (Frank visited it on his ship-based tour and was kind enough to bring back some literature for me).
TO GET to either of these sites (museum and/or rice storehouses) would probably have meant more than some strolling. The storehouses were over 2 miles from the cruise port and the museum nearly 3 miles. A taxi would have worked, though. Still, at just around 100,000 inhabitants, it is not a large city. Should have. Could have. If you go, get off the ship. I will if there is a next time. In the great scheme of things, it was nice to have quiet, relaxing day aboard, with a small number of passengers.
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| Sakata Port - Sakata Japan - Copyright Andy Richards - All Rights Reserved |
I HAD to satisfy myself with pictures of the port. What makes this port unique from the others we had been into was the presence of the large, snow-covered mountain (Mt. Chokai) as a backdrop. It also has a much more rural and less developed look.
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| Mt. Chokai - From HAL Westerdam - Sakata, Japan Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
NOR WAS Sakata to be outdone with its welcome ceremonies down on the dock. Once again, we were treated to colorful dancers, drumming and chants from local performers - it appears - of all ages.
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| Welcoming Committee - Sakata, Japan - Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved |
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