14 nights · China · Departs Hong Kong (China) · Visiting Magong, Keelung, Miyakojima Island, Naha, Amami Oshima Island Japan, Yakushima Island Japan, Kagoshima City, Miyazaki City, Kochi City, Kobe-Osaka, Tokyo · Aboard Emerald Cruises on the Emerald Xara
Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Emerald Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Emerald Xara |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $11,624 per person |
| Year built | 2028 |
| Guests | 128 |
| Cabins | 64 |
| Crew | 92 |
| Length | 120 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Hong Kong is best approached from the water, where the Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour beneath a skyline of towers. Ride the Peak Tram for sweeping views of the harbour and surrounding islands. In Central, colonial landmarks stand beside glass towers; across the harbour, Kowloon’s markets and temples offer a different pace. Cantonese kitchens range from dim sum teahouses to polished dining rooms. Leave time for the harbour after dark, when the city’s lights come into focus.
Magong is Penghu’s principal port and the natural starting point for exploring Taiwan’s island archipelago. Its compact old quarter rewards a slow walk. Tianhou Temple, narrow lanes and the Four-Eyed Well lie close together. Beyond town, basalt cliffs, sea-carved coastlines and clear waters give the islands their distinctive character. Set aside time for both: Magong’s history is best met on foot, while Penghu’s scenery calls for a wider circuit.
Keelung is Taiwan’s northern gateway, a busy harbor city with an easy rail connection to Taipei. Taipei’s museums, temples and shopping districts make a rewarding day ashore; Keelung offers local life closer to port. At Miaokou Night Market, sample seafood and Taiwanese snacks beneath the lantern signs. Heping Island Geopark offers wave-shaped rocks and broad coastal views.
Miyakojima, in Okinawa’s southern island chain, offers a quieter Japan of sugarcane fields, coral shores and turquoise water. Hirara Port puts the island’s main town, beaches and coastal viewpoints within reach. Cross the 3.5-kilometre Irabu Bridge for sweeping sea views. Yonaha Maehama’s pale sand and clear shallows reward an unhurried stop. Try Miyako soba, then take in the limestone landscape that gives this reef-fringed island its distinctive character.
Naha is the gateway to Okinawa, where Japan’s subtropical south feels distinct from the mainland. Begin at Shuri Castle, former seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, now being rebuilt after the 2019 fire. Along Kokusai Street, browse local crafts and taste Okinawan specialties, including bitter melon and sweet-potato treats. For a quieter glimpse of island life, explore Shikinaen, a royal garden with ponds and traditional architecture. Naha rewards curiosity beyond the waterfront.
Amami Oshima lies between Kyushu and Okinawa, with coral beaches, mangrove channels and forested hills. The island’s forests form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and shelter the rare Amami rabbit. Explore mangroves by kayak, swim sheltered coves, or visit villages known for Oshima Tsumugi, its prized silk textile. Allow time for island roads; villages, forests and beaches are spread across this substantial island.
Miyakojima, in Okinawa’s southern island chain, offers a quieter Japan of sugarcane fields, coral shores and turquoise water. Hirara Port puts the island’s main town, beaches and coastal viewpoints within reach. Cross the 3.5-kilometre Irabu Bridge for sweeping sea views. Yonaha Maehama’s pale sand and clear shallows reward an unhurried stop. Try Miyako soba, then take in the limestone landscape that gives this reef-fringed island its distinctive character.
Kagoshima sits at the southern end of Kyushu, with Sakurajima rising across its sheltered bay. Ferries cross to the active volcano, where lava fields and walking trails reveal a landscape still shaped by fire. Sengan-en, a former Shimazu estate, combines traditional gardens with striking views of Sakurajima. Kagoshima’s food is equally distinctive: tender kurobuta pork and local sweet-potato shochu give the region its own character.
On Kyushu’s Pacific edge, Miyazaki pairs broad beaches and subtropical greenery with a distinctly unhurried city. Begin at Aoshima, where a small island shrine stands among wave-carved rocks known as the Devil’s Washboard. Further south, Udo Jingu occupies a sea cave above the Nichinan coast, a striking stop for its setting and views. In town, Miyazaki Shrine honors legendary Emperor Jimmu; try chicken nanban, the city’s crisp, tartar-topped specialty.
Kochi rewards curious visitors with Shikoku’s history and easygoing, open-air pleasures. At its heart, Kochi Castle is one of Japan’s twelve castles to retain its original keep. Nearby, the Sunday market and Hirome Market reveal local life through seasonal produce and katsuo no tataki, seared bonito. Follow the coast to Katsurahama, where a statue of samurai reformer Sakamoto Ryoma faces the sea.
Osaka rewards travellers who look beyond its famous appetite. Japan’s third-largest city blends merchant heritage, bold architecture and everyday energy. At Osaka Castle, stone walls and broad moats frame a defining chapter of the city’s past. Follow locals to Dotonbori, where neon reflects on the canal and takoyaki comes hot from the grill. Excellent rail links make Osaka a practical gateway to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
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 September 13, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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