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Elegant and refined, stop by for a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail. Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared. Admire the delicate work of 19th century "ukiyo-e," traditional woodblock prints, with a tour of Shimizu's Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum. Continue your artistic journey as modern bronze statues depicting the spirit monsters known as "yokai,' greet you along the streets of Sakaiminato.
You’ll Have Onboard Lectures, Food and Opportunities to Learn: Pro
In autumn, head up Kobe's Mt. Rokko for a view of fiery orange-yellow treetops, and in winter, soak in the natural onsen of Beppu, Arima or Niigata. No matter where you end up, be sure to take in the eclectic architecture along the way, as temples and shrines give way to apartment blocks and izakaya pubs specializing in sushi rolls and sake rice wine. These fabulous Japan cruises will take you to ports like Kyoto, where you spend the night, with plenty of time to explore the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll also sail to Hakodate, a port famous for its fresh seafood, hot springs, and stunning mountain views. Marvel at the majesty of Mt. Fuji and enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kochi. On your next vacation, cruise to Japan with Celebrity for cultural immersion in luxury and style.
Tokyo Shore Excursions
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Japan offers an unforgettable experience, no matter how you visit.
Explore Tokyo's Gardens on a Cruise to Japan
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) is the only structure that survived the first atomic bomb (8/6/45), it has been preserved in the same state as immediately after the bombing. Nara (30 minutes from downtown Osaka) is home to 8 UNESCO sites, many conveniently located in the city center. There’s probably no other city on earth that embraces the future while honoring its beloved past the way Tokyo does. From its captivating architecture to its meticulously maintained gardens, shrines and temples, Tokyo never fails to delight and inspire.
Night Circle JapanDetails
Enjoy “forest bathing,” enhanced by spectacular views of snow-capped Mt. Fuji. And discover traditional crafts at Hirosaki Castle on your Japan cruise. Japan has one of the deepest, best-preserved cultures anywhere on earth, and you'll get to experience this first-hand on cruises to Japan.
In Kochi, don a helmet and headlamp and explore the cavernous natural wonder known as the Ryugado Cave, a National Natural Monument. Stroll through a 17th-century garden and survey 700 years of history at a museum devoted to Satsuma’s Shimazu clan in Kagoshima. The best time to cruise to Japan is during the fall, spring and summer months, when temperatures are mild (leaf peeping and cherry blossoms are a big fall and spring draw, respectively). Cruise lines that sail to and operate in Japan include Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line (HAL), Royal Caribbean and Oceania Cruises. West Coast, you can find transpacific cruises to Japan that depart from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Schedules on ships are closely adhered to, so we didn’t want to risk venturing out too far and potentially missing the cruise ship.
Step into Japan’s ancient past with a tour of Aomori’s Sannai-Maruyama ruins, which date back 5,500 years and are designated a Special National Historical Site. Get a bird’s-eye view of Tokyo and Mount Fuji from the special observatory atop Tokyo Tower. Wander through the narrow, winding streets of Kanazawa’s samurai district known as Nagamachi Samurai House Row, which sits at the foot of Kanazawa Castle. Embark on a magical voyage that leads you along the shores of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Visit Nara’s impressive Todaiji Temple and the breathtaking Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Signature Suite
Holland America Details Asia Season With Over 50 Ports - Cruise Hive
Holland America Details Asia Season With Over 50 Ports.
Posted: Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
In Tokyo, with its skyscrapers and Shinto shrines side-by-side, you'll feel the intricate balance of old and new Japanese culture. A casual, modern marketplace, Lido Market offers the widest range of food options on board for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late-night snack. Chefs on our sailing taught classes on sushi making, and menus routinely reflected specialities of the ports we were visiting. (Each one had its own famous dish.) This made for a safe introduction into the sometimes challenging but always thrilling Japanese food scene. We know the destinations you'll be visiting and what there is to see, do and experience. We offer a variety of pre-planned excursions to choose from to give you the most relaxing but engaging vacation experience possible.
HEAD TO THE ISLANDS OKI-NOW-A
Lectures were well-attended daily, and we spoke with other guests who talked about how much richer the experience felt because of the lectures. 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. Whether on small luxury vessels or large, mainstream ships, Japan cruises visit the biggest and most-historic cities the country has to offer as well as some smaller, culturally fascinating towns.
Catch a performance at the World Stage or spend your evening on the dance floor at Rolling Stone Lounge. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.
Like so many important port towns, Edo started off as a sleepy fishing village. But with all the upgrades installed, Tokyo’s traditional culture hasn’t been replaced, best seen through the residential neighborhoods of narrow streets lined with traditional homes. 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. Explore unfrequented ports for a rare insight into the layers of Japanese culture. Soak up the sun in Southern Japan, an area blessed by blue waters and powdery beaches, or head further east where big cities and old wooden temples sit side by side.
These lines are the ones on which you’ll find more budget-friendly options, with some itineraries starting around $1,000 per person. 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. Fukuoka is a lively port city with a friendly feel, streets lined with cherry blossoms and intimate zen temples. Enter Japan with a cruise through this southern city, exploring the world-famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and slurping up tonkotsu-broth ramen noodles along the way. Delight in a traditional Bunraku puppet show, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Osaka.
The markets, where residents and businesses do their shopping most days, are truly a sight to see. For shore excursions, cruise lines ensure guests have access to fluent English-speaking guides, who are trained (and certified) in giving tours. With a country that is in such high demand, you have so many options for crafting the perfect visit, which might have you wondering whether a cruise to Japan is the best way for you to see it.
Ahead of our Japan cruise, we had dreamed of the amazing food we were going to try. I told people I planned to eat my weight in ramen and sushi, and try everything I was offered. We took a Japan cruise and fell in love with pretty much every port we visited, yet we found ourselves feeling a bit like we had only scratched the surface at each one. We often felt rushed and unable to spend enough time lingering and learning. Meander white sand beaches and islands in Ishigaki, and taste the real Kobe beef in Kobe.
In the heart of the city, a dense forest glade shrouds visitors from the bustle and houses the Meiji Shrine, its setting symbolizing the separation of the spiritual from the worldly. Nearby, surrounded by stone walls, park area and moats, stands the Imperial Palace. With the Tokyo Tower and Mt. Fuji in view, experience the harmony of modern and ancient on a cruisetour of Japan.
With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.
