Everyone's visiting Japan this year, but here's why a cruise is the best way to see it

Whenever anyone asked where in the world I have not been, I was always able to very quickly reply, 'Japan', but no longer.After years of dreaming, wishing and maybe even a little begging I finally made it.My ship came in - literally and figuratively, as I boarded the ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse for their 9-day Wonders of Japan cruise. READ MORE: The most in-demand cruise destinations for Aussies in 2024Kicking off in Sapporo I was in heaven - not only is it home to a chocolate theme park (so yum!) it also has what is called ramen alley: a tiny alley with 17 delicious ramen restaurants.It's probably best I put it out there now that I love Japanese food. I have not met a Japanese meal that I don't like, and ramen is up near the top of my list.From Sapporo we travelled to Otaru to board the ship for our cruise down Japan's west coast. I very happily checked into my spa suite with its double-size spa bath, unpacked just the once (one of the greatest joys of cruising) and settled into all the luxury trimmings that Scenic Eclipse has to offer. READ MORE: Getaway host Catriona Rowntree shares the $2 item she keeps in her carry-on at all timesThe food theme definitely continued into our next port of Aomori, where the cuisine is dominated by seafood.We headed to the local fish market where, for breakfast, you can buy a bowl of rice and some tickets for a few dollars and head to the various stalls and pick out whatever fresh sashimi you want.I was in heaven.One day I even tasted sushi from a vending machine, it was surprisingly fresh. READ MORE: Bark Air, a new airline designed specifically for dogs, takes off on its first flightIt wasn't just off the ship that I ate my weight in fish. One of the dining options aboard Scenic Eclipse is Koko's, an Asian fusion restaurant that houses an intimate 10-seat sushi and sake bar. Pretty sure there is now a chair there with my name permanently on it. I'm not usually a sake fan but one of our shore excursions was to Sado Island, home to several sake breweries and in particular, Hokusetsu, a favourite sake among Hollywood celebrities. Robert de Niro has a share in a Japanese restaurant in the States called Nobu and Hokusetsu sake is the only sake they have on their menu. It's that good. You'll be pleased to know that I did stop eating and drinking for a while. One of my favourite Scenic Freechoice excursions was a taiko drumming workshop. I felt like Animal from The Muppets as I let loose with the sticks. Next stop was Kanazawa and here we joined a cooking class, so now I can make my own Japanese meals at home!! After grabbing the ingredients at the market, where interestingly we were given strict instructions not to film anyone eating in public as this may encourage littering, my fellow Scenic guests and I headed into the kitchen to prepare a wonderful, warm bowl of Jibuni which, if I do say so myself, was oishi - which means delicious in Japanese. I remember saying to my producer before the trip departed that I wanted to interview a geisha, and lo and behold Scenic delivered. We spent an evening enjoying a show put on by these intriguing and beautiful women, known locally as geiko-sans.Our final port of call was Hagi Island and it was here I got to live out one of my fantasies - dressing in a full kimono.It took two helpers 20 minutes to get me into it and in the end it was actually quite comfy. They did ask me before the final strapping up if I needed the loo which I now understand was because there was no way I could have gone once I was in the outfit.In full regalia, we were taken to a historic merchant home and invited to attend a traditional tea ceremony. It was the perfect finale to what really was the trip of a lifetime and well worth the wait. Watch Getaway this Saturday at 5:30pm on 9 and 9Now to see Catriona's Scenic Eclipse Japan Cruise story.Catch up on Catriona's full Japan episodes:https://www.9now.com.au/getaway/2023/episode-28https://www.9now.com.au/getaway/2023/episode-29