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The blossom season lies between late March and early May, and transforms every scene. If you’re an independent traveler, you’ll probably also enjoy the cruise more if you have got some more free-form exploration off your chest before you join the ship. One of Japan’s greatest draws for travelers is its rich culinary tapestry. Each port city has its own gastronomic legacy that tells a story of its history, climate, and culture.
Night Best Of Japan CruiseDetails
Plus, to actually do that itinerary and have as long in each port as you get on the ship is going to be pretty tiring. You can do it in 10 days, but you’d probably need at least to not be exhausted. The cost for doing this yourself – $2278 – a little bit less than the cruise BUT I haven’t factored in three days of relaxing on the ship or a side trip to South Korea. If you add all of that, the price is pretty similar to the early bird price.
Rich History and Culture
From December to March, warm clothing is recommended, as you can expect snow in all but the most southern parts of Japan. Don't forget to stop in the cosmopolitan metropolis of Tokyo for world-class sushi and sashimi. Take a cable car up Mt. Rokko in Kobe to find the steamy Arima Onsen town, famous for its medicinal properties.
Etiquette and Cultural Tips for Visitors to Japan
Each Japan cruise port offers a culinary adventure that ties into the heart of Japan’s regional identities. Trying these dishes not only tantalizes the taste buds but also provides a deeper connection to each city’s history and traditions. Japan’s extensive coastline boasts an array of cruise ports, each serving as a gateway to the country’s diverse regions and attractions.
If you’re looking for deeper exploration, consider cruise ship extensions, which are arranged by the cruise lines and feel similar to the experience you’ll have onboard. Itineraries for cruises to Japan run from eight days to as many as 30 days or more, depending on the cruise line you pick, so you’ll have many options. They also run seasonally around events, such as cherry blossom season, the Nebuta (summer) festivals or Kumano fireworks fests. This is especially true through ship-organized shore excursions, where you often spend more time on a bus than actually visiting Japan’s beautiful Shinto and Buddhist temples or historic castles.
Tokyo (tours from Yokohama)
I’ve traveled to Japan five times before- solo and with my partner – and I’ve just returned from trip six in June 2023. So, I think that’s everything you might want to know about deciding if a cruise around Japan is right for you. But if you do have any further questions about cruising in Japan, please head over to the Japlanease Facebook group and I’ll do my best to answer them. You can also get the train, but you do have to change lines so, it’s possibly not the most convenient option.
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From the ancient imperial courts of Kyoto and the samurai legacies in Sendai, to the Edo-era charm of Tokyo, cruising Japan ports allows travelers a front-row seat to its dynamic historical narrative. For people who want to explore the Land of the Rising Sun but want some level of measured hand-holding, cruising to Japan can provide a great entry into areas that otherwise might feel less accessible to people who don’t travel often. On our cruise, we had an excellent American lecturer, Howard Roitman, who spoke on a different topic every day, often covering the ports we were visiting.
Cruising offers the unique privilege of experiencing a symphony of flavors, with each Japan cruise port presenting its own gastronomic melody. Each region presents a different facet of the country’s natural splendor, from Hokkaido’s snowy vistas to Kyushu’s hot springs and volcanoes. Schedules on ships are closely adhered to, so we didn’t want to risk venturing out too far and potentially missing the cruise ship.
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Explore Our JapanCRUISE ITINERARIES
World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display. Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor. When you're exploring the city streets of Tokyo, be sure to grab some top-notch street food. Feel on top of the world as you explore the tallest mountain in Japan.
Venturing into these less common ports offers an intimate look into Japan’s regional diversity. Here, we’ll navigate the main ports, providing insights into what makes each one special and offering tips to help you maximize your onshore experiences. This juxtaposition, where traditional tea houses coexist with futuristic architecture, offers cruisers a dynamic and multifaceted experience.
Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage. Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.
Itineraries vary tremendously, though most cruise lines will focus on visiting Japan’s main island, Honshu. All cruises in Japan also will have a stop in another country -- most likely a quick jaunt to Busan, Korea. For legal reasons, cruise ships that leave from a Japanese port are required to visit another country before returning (this is similar to the Passenger Vessel Services Act in the U.S.).
From the tip of South Korea to the top of Japan, Silversea’s Japan luxury cruises show two very different sides of the country. So relax and enjoy the discovery and adventure that Japan offers, safe in the knowledge that there will be no salient price tag at the end of your cruise. And for our Japan Expedition cruisers, our knowledgeable and experienced Expedition Team will help your every tundra step or Zodiac trip of the way. From the Tokyo tower to Osaka neon lights, Japan’s cities all tip the scales in terms wow factor. But, scratch the surface and you’ll find peace and tranquility on every street corner. Nature too is placed at the forefront of Japanese culture; without mentioning the famous cherry blossom season, the country’s snow-capped soaring peaks and sun-drenched beaches are startling in their diversity, stunning in their beauty.
And that’s not to mention the green spaces, like the city’s ample national parks, gardens, shrines and temples. Some can’t-miss spots are Imperial Palace Plaza in the city center, Tokyo Tower — which tops even the Eiffel Tower — plus the imposing Mount Fuji is always happy to join the city’s skyline for a photo. Smaller ships will visit some smaller ports and off-the-beaten path destinations. Don’t discount the big ships, though, as they might spend more time in the Southern Islands, or shoot up to Hokkaido or over to Okinawa.
Around 80% of Japan is mountainous, making for dramatic landscapes at every port. Mt Fuji is perhaps the most famous, and provides a stunning backdrop to the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama. It's also one of over 100 active volcanoes in Japan, 10% of the world's total.
The reasons are as varied as the intricate patterns on a traditional kimono. Let’s dive into the allure that Japan offers to those who traverse its coasts by sea. If you visit Tokyo (from Yokohama), you won't miss Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak. This mountain is actually an active volcano, and dominates the skyline from over a hundred kilometers away. Within the city itself is the Imperial Palace, surrounded by parks, walls and moats. The palace is closed to the public, but the grounds are beautiful, particularly in the spring when the blossoms bloom.
