15 nights · Alaska · Departs Seward (USA) · Visiting Homer AK, Kodiak Island, Kushiro City, Hakodate, Aomori City, Sendai, Hitachinaka, Tokyo · Aboard Crystal Cruises on the Crystal Symphony
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Crystal Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Crystal Symphony |
| Duration | 15 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $5,100 per person |
| Year built | 1995 |
| Guests | 606 |
| Cabins | 310 |
| Crew | 530 |
| Length | 238 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
Set between the Kenai Mountains and Resurrection Bay, Seward brings Alaska’s wild coast within easy reach. Tour boats reach Kenai Fjords National Park, where glaciers meet the sea and whales, otters, and seabirds thrive. The Alaska SeaLife Center brings marine life into view; nearby, Exit Glacier shows the forces shaping this landscape. Seward rewards a day outdoors, with time left to explore its historic waterfront.
Homer rewards travelers who look beyond the harbor. At the end of the Sterling Highway, this lively Kenai Peninsula town faces Kachemak Bay and the mountains beyond. Walk the Homer Spit, a narrow gravel bar lined with fishing boats, shops, and seafood restaurants. Across the water, Kachemak Bay State Park protects a landscape of glaciers, coves, and trails. In town, galleries and the Pratt Museum tell stories of local art, history, and fishing.
Kodiak sits on the island of the same name, where the Gulf of Alaska meets a working fishing town. Fishing boats fill the harbor, and seafood remains central to the local economy. Russian America left its mark at Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church and the Baranov Museum. Beyond town, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge protects wilderness famed for brown bears, often reached by guided air or boat trips.
Kushiro is eastern Hokkaido’s working port city, known for the broad marshlands that begin just beyond its streets. At Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, boardwalks and viewpoints open onto Japan’s largest wetland, where red-crowned cranes may be seen. Back in town, browse Washo Market for crab and salmon, then cross the waterfront to Nusamai Bridge at dusk. This is a rewarding stop for wildlife, fresh seafood and a less-polished side of Japan.
Hakodate rewards travellers who look beyond the waterfront. At the morning market, vendors serve Hokkaido crab, sea urchin and squid caught in local waters. The star-shaped ramparts of Goryokaku tell a sharper story: Japan’s final years of samurai rule. Ride the ropeway up Mount Hakodate for a celebrated view of the city and its twin bays. Below, Motomachi’s churches and former consulates reflect the port’s opening to foreign trade in 1859.
Aomori brings Japan’s northern frontier within easy reach, with the Tsugaru Strait beyond its harbor and mountains on the horizon. The city is known for crisp apples, fresh seafood and Nebuta, its dramatic summer festival of illuminated warrior floats. At Wa Rasse museum, the floats command attention year-round. Travelers can visit the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site or journey to Hirosaki for its castle and celebrated cherry trees.
Sendai is Tohoku’s largest city, a welcoming gateway to northern Japan’s history, cuisine and Pacific coast. Explore Aoba Castle’s hilltop ruins and Zuihoden, the richly decorated mausoleum of the city’s founder, Date Masamune. Stroll leafy Jozenji-dori, then try gyutan, Sendai’s celebrated grilled beef tongue. Beyond the city, island-dotted Matsushima Bay offers an easy excursion and one of Japan’s most admired coastal panoramas.
Hitachinaka brings you to Japan’s Ibaraki coast, where beaches and working harbors sit within reach of historic Mito. At Hitachi Seaside Park, spring’s blue nemophila and autumn’s red kochia create a striking seasonal spectacle. Nearby Nakaminato offers a lively fish market, fresh seafood, and a glimpse of everyday life on the Pacific. Choose Hitachinaka for open-air scenery, local flavor, and an inviting alternative to Japan’s better-known urban ports.
Tokyo is a city of contrasts best explored one neighborhood at a time. In Asakusa, Senso-ji’s lantern gates lead to a centuries-old Buddhist temple; nearby, the Sumida River frames the skyline. Ride the efficient rail network to sleek Ginza, quiet Meiji Shrine, or the high-rise streets of Shinjuku. Come hungry: sushi counters, ramen shops, and department-store food halls make eating well remarkably easy. Tokyo’s scale is immense, but its details reward curiosity.
Published August 10, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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