Japan Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
46 ships from 22 cruise lines
Japan cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 558 upcoming sailings on 46 ships from 22 cruise lines visiting Japan, calling at 62 places. Cruises can start in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Naha, Otaru, Kumamoto and 1 more and end in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Otaru, Naha and Tomakomai. Of 559 upcoming sailings, 309 start in Japan and 321 end there. More Asia cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Japan cruise lines
See every Japan cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Japan
Japan is a safe, sophisticated, and visually stunning cruise destination that pairs ancient heritage with hyper-modern cities. Most itineraries marketed as river cruises are actually small-ship coastal voyages through the Seto Inland Sea and around Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa. The sweet spots are spring cherry-blossom season and autumn foliage; avoid midsummer heat and typhoon season.
Typical routes
- Classic Honshu & Seto Inland Sea
- Grand Japan Circumnavigation & Ryukyu Islands
Ports overview
Most large ships call at well-developed industrial or ferry ports rather than scenic town quays. Ports are usually 30 to 90 minutes from major sights, so plan carefully. Tendering is rare except at smaller islands or when ships are too large for local piers.
Cruise season
March to May for cherry blossoms; October to November for autumn foliage. June is rainy and July to October includes typhoon risk.
Find your Japan sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Japan, earliest departure first.
27 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Silver Whisper
11 Days One-Way from Yokohama to Kobe-Osaka
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Azamara Pursuit
23 Days One-Way from Yokohama to Tokyo
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Azamara Pursuit
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16 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Sapphire Princess
9 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Sapphire Princess
13 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Tokyo
Ends in Japan. Also visits Hong Kong, Taiwan
Viking Neptune
16 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Diamond Princess
15 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Silver Whisper
11 Days One-Way from Kobe-Osaka to Tokyo
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Azamara Pursuit
28 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Sapphire Princess
14 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Viking Neptune
13 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Kobe-Osaka
Starts and ends in Japan. Also visits South Korea
Azamara Pursuit
Where Japan cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (8)
Kochi (236) (cruises from) · Kumamoto (18) (cruises from) · Naha (121) (cruises from) · Osaka (342) (cruises from) · Otaru (32) (cruises from) · Tokyo (369) (cruises from) · Tomakomai (3) (cruises from) · Yokohama (124) (cruises from)
Ships by type: 42 ocean 2 river 4 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Japan cruise
Japan cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Japan cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about Japan cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Japan?
62 Japan places are visited by 46 ships from 22 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Japan cruise?
March to May for cherry blossoms; October to November for autumn foliage. June is rainy and July to October includes typhoon risk.
Sources and further reading
Background on Japan draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Japan
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Japan Official Travel Guide
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Japan
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Ports and Harbors in Japan
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 10, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 0 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 0 ships visiting 0 ports across 0 unique cruises, creating 0 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!