Information for a cruise on the Diamond Princess in late May - Japan

Hi, I’m taking a cruise in Japan on the Diamond Princess from May 23 to June 5 and would love to hear from anyone who’s done it. Also, can we pay on board with Euros? Is it easy to use Wi-Fi when we’re ashore? What’s the weather like—do we need warm clothes or not? Are the excursions essential, or can we manage on our own outside of Tokyo, where we have a guide? If not, which excursions would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your replies. Betty from the islands

Hello Bettydesiles, What a wonderful trip you're going to have... My little experience: we're in the same age group, we've traveled around the world like you and generally organized our trips ourselves (including in China, among others).. About "getting by on our own" without a guide, outside of a city agency that's listed and visible (and even then...), it'll be nearly impossible for you to make yourself understood and get information... in central China and the countryside, I managed a bit, but in Japan, not at all, and for a simple reason I verified with a relative who's been living there for 20 years: the Japanese, who practice "saving face" at a very high level, will avoid speaking a foreign language (especially English), even the students who learn it, because they consider (not entirely without reason, I must admit...) that their accent is terrible and that in the end, no one will understand anything (and that's largely true).... So, if they're not professionally required to express themselves in a foreign language... they won't do it, even with a big smile. They'd much rather walk an hour to accompany you! In restaurants, if they even let you in (including in Tokyo where menus are never translated), you'll just have to imitate the animal's cry to know what meat you're going to eat... or mime what you're looking for, and then... success is guaranteed because it's the country where the Art of mime is at its highest. On that note, if you like that, treat yourself to 2 unforgettable and not very touristy hours: ask your guide to take you to a Kabuki theater, Japanese opera with ancient costumes, instruments, and singing.... Since the show lasts several hours, take a 2-hour performance—you won't be many if you're not Japanese, but you'll see them, usually so taciturn, laughing and shouting with joy.... If the guide suggests seeing "Noh" theater instead... refuse, it's just as incomprehensible but much sadder and more "intimate".... TO SAVE THE DAY: buy a voice translation app for your phone, making sure the voice is provided by a Japanese company—again, for the accent.... With this kind of voice translator in China, it didn't work very well on the street because even they didn't understand.... That's my little experience regarding oral communication. Otherwise, apart from those moments, especially in Kyoto but not only... what wonders, what refinement, what calm ways of resolving even a simple act, even in the heart of Tokyo, in the middle of the city.... The top 5 of all the trips I've taken around the world in 50 years. Enjoy the wonder, have a great time. F.

Hi there,

For Wi-Fi on land, there are three options: - You can rent a pocket Wi-Fi, which lets you connect multiple devices (as long as you're close to the device) - You can buy a Japanese SIM card - If you have a recent and compatible phone, you can get an e-SIM

For the weather, here’s an article to help guide you: https://partir.ouest-france.fr/meteo/japon-idpaysmois-87-6.html