@Oregon_Pacifist the thing I liked the most is just talking to people, even if most dialogue does not progress story it's still a lot of fun hearing what people have to say, more often than not it's unique dialogue to whatever is the most recent diary entry.
If anything it makes you wish they did even more! I want to play soccer with that one kid, and buy them gacha, and play pool with sailors more often, and maybe work different jobs at the harbor, buy a hot dog from Tom!
Man, Shenmue is fun.