Japan Cruise from Tokyo to Sydney

Cruise line	Princess Cruises
Ship	Grand Princess
Duration	37 nights
Port calls	19
Departures	1 sailings
Year built	1998
Guests	3122
Cabins	1301
Crew	1150
Length	289 m
Beam	48 m
Cruising speed	24.0 kn

Day 1

Tokyo, Japan

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.

Day 3

Kagoshima City, Japan

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.

Day 4

Nagasaki City, Japan

Few Japanese cities combine harbor scenery and layered history as compellingly as Nagasaki. Its steep streets rise above a sheltered harbor that once linked Japan with Dutch and Chinese traders. At Dejima, the former Dutch trading post, exhibits trace the city’s unusual role during centuries of restricted foreign contact. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum offer a moving, carefully documented account of 1945. Come for the history; stay to see how a resilient port city lives beside its past.

Day 6

Ishigakijima Island, Japan

Ishigaki is the southern gateway to Japan’s Yaeyama Islands, where subtropical forests, coral reefs and clear seas set the pace. From the port, head to Kabira Bay for its jade-green water and glass-bottom boat rides; swimming is prohibited there. Explore Ishigaki Yaima Village for traditional Yaeyama houses, or seek out the island’s limestone cave. Return for grilled Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba, two local specialties worth making room for.

Day 7

Keelung, Taiwan

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.

Day 9

Hong Kong, China

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.

Day 12

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Hạ Long opens onto a singular seascape: thousands of limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Tonkin. From the modern cruise port, boat trips lead into sheltered coves and dramatic grottoes. Some itineraries visit a floating fishing village, where families once made their living from the bay. Back ashore, Bai Chay has cafés and seafood restaurants. Choose a longer cruise for the best perspective: the karsts are most striking from the water.

Day 14

Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang is Vietnam’s most appealing blend of city energy, broad beaches and easy access to remarkable heritage. The Museum of Cham Sculpture offers an exceptional introduction to the ancient kingdom of Champa. The Marble Mountains rise above the coast; Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is about 30 kilometres south. Choose a beach day, a museum visit or an outing into central Vietnam’s layered past.

Day 16

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s celebrated seaside city, set around a sweeping bay of turquoise water and pale sand. Beyond the beach, visit the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers. At Long Son Pagoda, a climb brings broad views across the city. Fresh seafood, lively markets and boat trips to nearby islands make an easy day here. Choose a swim, a bowl of noodle soup, or a quiet hour watching fishing boats cross the bay.

Day 17

Saigon, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City rewards curious travellers with a vivid collision of old Saigon and modern Vietnam. French-colonial landmarks, busy markets and motorbike-filled streets make the centre a study in contrasts. The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering account of the conflict, while local cafés invite a slower pause. For a deeper look at Vietnam’s wartime history, the Cu Chi tunnels make a memorable excursion beyond the city.

Day 19

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.

Day 23

Lembar, Indonesia

Lembar is Lombok’s working harbour, where ferries connect the island with Bali. The port lies about 25 kilometres south of Mataram, Lombok’s compact capital. Explore Sasak heritage in traditional villages, surf beaches in the south, and rice fields across the inland foothills. The island’s best experiences lie well beyond the waterfront, so plan to travel.

Day 24

Benoa, Indonesia

Benoa is Bali’s principal cruise gateway, set on the island’s sheltered southeast coast. From the pier, Bali’s contrasts are close at hand: Nusa Dua’s resorts and Sanur’s seafront. Denpasar offers markets, museums, and a glimpse of daily life beyond the resort belt. Allow time for traffic; journeys inland can take longer than the map suggests. For a deeper excursion, Ubud pairs galleries and rice terraces with a lively arts scene.

Day 28

Darwin, Australia

Darwin is Australia’s northern gateway, where the Timor Sea meets a city shaped by tropical heat and Asian influence. Its compact waterfront puts the harbour within easy reach. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers insight into Indigenous cultures and the region’s wartime past. Beyond town, Kakadu’s wetlands and Litchfield’s waterfalls reward a longer stay. Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clear, warm days.

Day 32

Cairns, Australia

Cairns puts two World Heritage landscapes within reach: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Boats leave the marina for coral reefs and islands. Inland, the scenic railway and Skyrail connect Cairns with Kuranda, a mountain village above the rainforest. The Esplanade’s waterfront lagoon offers a refreshing pause in the tropical city. Allow time for Cairns itself: its markets, cafés and relaxed waterfront reward a slower pace between excursions.

Day 33

Townsville QLD, Australia

Townsville puts tropical North Queensland within reach, with the Great Barrier Reef offshore and Magnetic Island just across the water. Take the ferry to Magnetic Island, where walking trails, quiet bays and koalas make a compelling day ashore. Back in town, The Strand follows the waterfront, while Castle Hill rewards a climb with broad views over the harbour. Allow time for the Museum of Tropical Queensland, whose exhibits explore the region’s maritime and natural history.

Day 34

Airlie Beach, Australia

Airlie Beach is the mainland gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, on Queensland’s Coral Sea coast. Boats leave its marina for island beaches, reef snorkelling and sailing, on day trips or overnight cruises. The foreshore lagoon offers a saltwater swim and bay views; cafés and shops line the town centre. Conway National Park’s rainforest trails provide a quieter inland counterpoint.

Day 36

Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane is a river city with a relaxed subtropical pace and a confident cultural scene. Ride a CityCat ferry for an easy view of its bridges, riverside parks and skyline. At South Bank, galleries, restaurants and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre sit close to a man-made beach. Two leading art museums anchor the Queensland Cultural Centre. Afterward, explore the city’s dining precincts, where Queensland produce and global influences share the menu.

Day 38

Sydney, Australia

From the water, Sydney’s harbour frames the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and ferries crossing between historic quays. Beyond the waterfront, central Sydney pairs nineteenth-century buildings with contemporary architecture and leafy streets. Walk the Royal Botanic Garden for harbour views, or take a ferry to Manly for a coastal perspective. Allow time to explore The Rocks, where the city’s colonial beginnings meet galleries, cafés and a lively weekend market.

Japan Cruise from Tokyo to Sydney — 38 Days