Cruises around Japan

Every port of call on a Japan cruise is worth a visit, as each has its own unique flavor and sights to see.

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.

Hiroshima's recent past is known all over the world, so a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the perfect place to pay respects. Other than monuments and memorials, there's also a museum and several buildings left standing as a reminder of that fateful day.

We also recommend the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Fukuoka Castle and Canal City Hakata in Fukuoka, and Ninja-dera Temple and the famous seafood of Kanazawa.

The geography of Japan makes it a perfect destination to visit by cruise: with over 6,000 islands and over 18,000 miles of coastline, even the days between port calls are full of adventure. Every port has its own atmosphere, flavors to taste and sights to see; seeing several on a cruise offers an experience that a single location could never match up to.

The best time to cruise to Japan is generally either March to May and between September and November. The weather tends to be warm but still dry at these times. Those who in spring may also be lucky enough to witness the blooming of the iconic Japanese cherry blossoms.

Japan is known throughout the world for its combination of fascinating history and futuristic cities. There is something for every traveler to enjoy in this beautiful nation. From the iconic flowering cherry blossoms and mighty Mount Fiji to the bustling streets of Tokyo and unique Japanese culture, a cruise to Japan means the chance to experience a plethora of wonderful adventures.

Japanese culture is the perfect blend of old and new, so fashions vary a lot here. A cruise to Japan involves a lot of port calls, so if you're ready to explore, make sure you pack comfortable shoes for pounding the streets and seeing the sights - and pack your camera too.

Temperature can vary a lot, particularly when moving in and out of doors, so layers are key. Jeans are fine, though not often worn by older generations: darker colors are better, as they tend to look smarter. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle in the summer, and a light coat in June, when the rainclouds arrive.

Things to avoid:

• Wearing all black: in Japan, this is most associated with funeral wear
• Revealing shorts or tank tops: try to keep shoulders covered with a light blouse over the top

The prices shown are for Tokyo and can be used as a guide, however exact prices will vary.

• 50 oz bottle of water - 127.65¥ (approximately $1.15)
• Coffee (at a restaurant) - 387.20¥ (approximately $3.50)
• 16 oz domestic beer (draught) - 500.00¥ (approximately $4.52)
• 3-course meal for 2 in a mid-range restaurant - 5,000.00¥ (approximately $45.19)

Our current itineraries visit Japan between March and June. This is a stunning time to visit as it coincides with the beautiful cherry blossom season, but weather can vary.

Early spring is cooler than the latter half, with temperatures around 41 Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius); bring warm clothes and a waterproof jacket if you travel during March and April. By May the weather warms to around 74 Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius), but light layers are still recommended.

In the summer months, humidity rises. June is known as the rainy month, so sunscreen, hat and umbrella is recommended! Temperatures are around 77 Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) in June, and rise into the eighties in July and August.

Most of our Japan cruises depart from Yokohama, however we also offer itineraries departing from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. See our current itineraries for more details.