Heading home on Monday 2 September

Early rising for shuttle bus to airport. Thought I might have put it at risk by locking door key in our room - but no problem. Two full size buses doing the shuttle, and both almost full.
Despatched my portable WiFi unit into the post box at the airport Post Office (worked perfectly all over Japan, and up to about 3km off shore for much of our cruising time) and straight through check in, but quite a long queue for security as it did not open until 7.15am (seemed as though first international flight from Terminal 2 was 8.55am). Moved quickly once it opened, however, but then had to give up our sample soy sauce bottles from Obi (not sure they exceeded 100ml as no indication, but not worth the argument). I failed the screening, so it was full checkout, including my belt experiencing in-depth analysis and my shoes and wallet getting a second detection run. Then quickly through Immigration and into the Sakura Lounge (less than 40" after leaving Hotel).
Breakfast in the lounge (where there was a retired Sumo wrestler in his robe) and then relaxation before our flight.
What to say about Japan:
I loved it all, including the challenges of the rail systems and the huge Tokyo, Shinjuku & Yokohama stations (and the minimal english in some areas). Pat was more challenged by the crowds - and the severe heat and humidity in Tokyo caused me to wind back my ambitious program.
The cleanliness of everywhere was incredible, irrespective of time of day. No rubbish and graffiti anywhere.
The Oakwood Premier was first class accommodation, so we'll located beside Tokyo Station, such great reception desk staff and its "guest night" a great initiative . We loved the place - it was an oasis just when you needed it!
Politeness is always evidenced and you can pretty well get away with just three words - konnichiwa, arigato & sumimasen. In fact, a simple "arigato" will invite a lengthy Japanese discourse, particularly from shop assistants - at which time its best to just smile and nod your head!!
The people in the ports we visited were extremely welcoming, with either (and often both) welcome or farewell displays. In the smaller ports, particularly, there were many enthusiastic volunteer student "english" speakers ever willing to help and I really enjoyed interacting with them.
To be able to wear shorts day and night for all of 3.5 weeks in 22C - 39C temperatures was absolutely great. Despite some rain on 3 cruise days, it never had a massive impact - and we have never been able to spend as much time on our balcony as on this cruise. Otherwise, with the exception of the one night at the tail end of the typhoon, the seas were always flat and balmy.
The Diamond Princess, despite its age, is still an excellent ship and, of course, it's crew ensure a great cruise - and we seemed to have a very compatible passenger manifesto.
I absolutely loved the baseball, just so much spectator involvement, noise and colour - a great night, and I loved how everyone took their rubbish with them!!
Yes, Japan is expensive - hard to find anything that compares to Australian prices, but it's a holiday!
Would we come back - absolutely, and we would probably do it the same way ie a one week city stay (perhaps Osaka or Kyoto) and then another cruise (as more and more Japanese ports are opening to cruise ships).
On track for an on-time departure and 10 hour flight time to Tullamarine.