| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Westerdam |
| Duration | 13 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Year built | 2004 |
| Guests | 2362 |
| Cabins | 984 |
| Crew | 817 |
| Length | 285 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Japan Cruise from Tokyo — 14 Days
13 nights · Japan · Departs Tokyo (Japan) · Visiting Omaezaki, Kobe-Osaka, Kochi City, Hakata-Fukuoka City, Sokcho, Kanazawa, Sakata, Hakodate, Miyako-Iwate · Aboard Holland America on the ms Westerdam

Image courtesy of Holland America ©
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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.
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Day 2
Omaezaki, Japan
Omaezaki faces the open Pacific at Shizuoka Prefecture’s southern tip, where surf, wind and broad horizons define the coast. Climb to Omaezaki Lighthouse, first lit in 1874, for sweeping sea views and a closer look at this rugged headland. Nearby tea fields reflect Shizuoka’s celebrated tea culture, while local seafood brings the Pacific to the table. Come ashore for a quieter side of Japan, shaped by coastal scenery rather than city spectacle.
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Day 3
Kobe-Osaka, Japan
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.
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Day 4
Kochi City, Japan
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.
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Day 6
Hakata-Fukuoka City, Japan
Fukuoka is Kyushu’s largest city, a compact gateway where old Hakata meets modern Japan. Hakata’s shrines, covered shopping arcades and lively yatai food stalls reveal its character. Try famed tonkotsu ramen, then visit Ohori Park, where a broad lake lies beside Fukuoka Castle’s ruins. Efficient buses and subway connections make it easy to balance heritage, waterfront walks and contemporary city life.
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Day 7
Sokcho, Korea
Sokcho sits between the East Sea and the granite peaks of Seoraksan National Park. Seoraksan’s trails, waterfalls and cable-car views lie a short drive inland. Along the waterfront, daily life still follows the catch. Fresh seafood is the obvious order. Abai Village adds a distinctive history, shaped by North Korean refugees who settled here after the Korean War. Come for the contrast: mountain air, working harbor and an East Coast town with a story beyond its scenery.
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Day 9
Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa rewards visitors who look beyond Japan’s best-known cities. On the Sea of Japan, it preserves a samurai quarter, historic castle and teahouse district. Stroll Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, then explore Omicho Market for seafood from nearby waters. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and gold-leaf workshops reveal a modern city with a rich craft tradition.
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Day 10
Sakata, Japan
On Yamagata’s Sea of Japan coast, Sakata rewards travelers drawn to history, gardens, and excellent seafood. The port’s mercantile past lives on at Sankyo Soko, rice storehouses shaded by towering zelkova trees. Explore the gardens of the Homma Museum, then sample seafood from local fishing grounds. Sakata also offers access to Shonai’s rice-growing landscapes and a quieter side of northern Japan.
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Day 11
Hakodate, 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.
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Day 12
Miyako-Iwate, Japan
Miyako brings you to Iwate’s Sanriku coast, where deep bays and forested headlands shape the journey. At Jodogahama, white volcanic rocks, pine trees and clear water frame one of Japan’s most striking beaches. In town, sample Sanriku seafood and explore the waterfront, rebuilt after the 2011 tsunami. Boat trips reveal the rugged coastline from the water; shore excursions reward travelers who prefer a quieter pace.
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Day 14
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.
ms Westerdam Cruises
- 15 Days One-Way from Auckland to Sydney
- 15 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Singapore
- 15 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Tokyo
- 15 Days One-Way from Singapore to Hong Kong
- 15 Days One-Way from Sydney to Auckland
- 15 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Vancouver
- 15 Days One-Way from Vancouver to Tokyo
- 15 Days Sydney, Australia Round Trip
- 15 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
- 15 Days Vancouver, Canada Round Trip
- 17 Days Sydney, Australia Round Trip
- 27 Days One-Way from Sydney to Auckland
- 29 Days Singapore, Singapore Round Trip
- 29 Days Tokyo, Japan Round Trip
- 30 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Hong Kong
- 31 Days One-Way from Auckland to Sydney
- 35 Days One-Way from Sydney to Seattle
- 36 Days One-Way from Seattle to Sydney
- 41 Days Sydney, Australia Round Trip
- 43 Days One-Way from Hong Kong to Singapore
- 43 Days One-Way from Sydney to Auckland
- 49 Days One-Way from Auckland to Seattle
- 50 Days One-Way from Seattle to Auckland
- 8 Days One-Way from Tokyo to Yokohama
- 8 Days One-Way from Vancouver to Seattle
- 8 Days One-Way from Vancouver to Whittier
- 8 Days One-Way from Whittier to Vancouver
- 8 Days One-Way from Yokohama to Tokyo
Published August 1, 2026
Last updated October 12, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Cruise Disclosure
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