Japan is one of my travel bucket lists, but getting a visa is the primary reason I don’t visit it yet. Fortunately, I found a way to visit this beautiful country without applying for a visa – and that is by booking a cruise with a Japan route.

Route 3 of Costa Serena made it happen for us. Me and my two sisters went to explore Fukuoka, Japan for two days – March 14 and 15, 2026.

Because we were visiting on a cruise excursion, we actually didn’t carry our physical passports around. Instead, we used a photocopy with our official Japan immigration arrival visa stamped right on the back. This single sheet of paper is your golden ticket, so keep this document safe! You’ll need it to get on and off the ship, and you must show it to shop owners to score those awesome tax-free refunds on your purchases!

Here’s a look at what we did during our stopover:

🌸 Sakura Hunting

Cherry blossom season wasn’t in full bloom yet while we were there, but we still managed to find a few spots with early-blooming trees. It was beautiful!

💇‍♀️ Getting Our Hair Done

Getting a hair color or perm in the Philippines can be so expensive. So, when we spotted a local Japanese salon offering the same services for way cheaper, we just had to grab the opportunity! My sister got her hair colored, and I got a perm. My perm only costs 4950 yen (1835 pesos).

The best part? The entire process took only two hours, and the treatment didn’t cause any scalp discomfort or stinging at all.

Our Tip: Stock up on your haircare maintenance while you’re there. My permed hair needs mousse to stay bouncy and healthy. I’m so glad I bought two bottles in Japan because the formulas there are honestly so much better than the ones available back home.

🛍️ Shopping Spree

Shopping in Japan is an absolute must. Uniqlo apparel, for instance, is way cheaper there than in the Philippines. Plus, they carry items we don’t usually get at home, like heavy winter jackets.

We also visited GU, which is Uniqlo’s sister brand. They have unique designs and amazing discounts that you won’t find anywhere else. Another great find was Honeys, an apparel store exclusively for women. We stocked up on dresses, socks, blouses, and insulated tops there.

Of course, a trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without buying Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. They have a massive selection of both classic and unique styles. Since we really wanted an authentic “Made in Japan” pair, we splurged on the handmade designs. They cost about two to three times more than the regular ones, but the quality is absolutely worth it.

Lastly, don’t miss Don Quixote and local discount shops. It’s the ultimate place to find affordable items, especially if you’re looking for the best pasalubong to bring home.

Other Highlights from the Trip

Trying out the vending machines: You can’t visit Japan without trying these! From hot canned coffee to unique drinks, they are everywhere and so fun to use.

Having fun at teamLab Forest Fukuoka: This was an absolute blast. The immersive digital art installations were stunning and made for some incredible memories.

💡 My Ultimate Japan Travel Hack?

How did I get the absolute most out of this trip? Simple: I brought two human interpreters with me!

My two sisters can speak and understand Japanese, which made communicating with the locals a total breeze. While most taxi drivers and shopkeepers in Japan speak decent English, nothing beats having fluent speakers by your side, especially when trying to explain exactly how I wanted my hair permed at the salon.