14 nights · China · Departs Shanghai (China) · Visiting Shimonoseki, Kochi City, Kobe-Osaka, Toba-Mie, Tokyo, Nagoya, Busan, Hakata-Fukuoka City, Nagasaki City, Shimizu · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 3
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 3 |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $11,435 per person |
| Year built | 2026 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 463 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 268 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Shanghai is a city of striking contrasts, where historic lanes meet a skyline that ranks among the world’s most recognizable. Walk the Bund for views across the Huangpu to Pudong’s soaring towers, then explore the former French Concession’s tree-lined streets. At Yu Garden, classical pavilions and rockeries offer a quieter counterpoint to the city’s pace. Allow time for a meal: Shanghai’s restaurants range from traditional xiaolongbao shops to contemporary kitchens.
At Honshu’s western edge, Shimonoseki faces Kitakyushu across the Kanmon Strait. Japan’s fugu capital serves delicately prepared pufferfish under strict licensing. At Karato Market, sushi counters showcase the day’s catch; arrive early for the liveliest scene. Akama Shrine honors Emperor Antoku, whose death followed the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura nearby. The strait’s strong currents and busy shipping lanes give the waterfront a distinctive energy.
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.
Toba brings Japan’s maritime traditions into focus on the coast of Mie Prefecture’s Shima Peninsula. At Mikimoto Pearl Island, learn how Kokichi Mikimoto pioneered cultured pearls, then watch ama divers demonstrate their centuries-old free-diving craft. Nearby, Toba Aquarium ranks among Japan’s largest, with dugongs among its notable residents. Ise Grand Shrine makes a rewarding inland excursion. Choose among pearl heritage, fresh seafood and sacred history, all close to the harbor.
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.
Nagoya rewards travelers who look beyond its industrial skyline. Nagoya Castle’s golden shachihoko and broad grounds recall the power of the city’s samurai lords. At Atsuta Jingu, one of Japan’s most revered Shinto shrines, ancient trees frame a quieter visit. Try miso katsu or grilled eel over rice, local specialties that give this hardworking city a distinct flavor.
Busan pairs the scale of a modern port city with easy access to temples, markets and broad beaches. Visit Gamcheon Culture Village, browse Jagalchi Fish Market or ride Songdo’s cable car over the sea. The city’s best-known sights are spread across several districts, so plan your day around one area. For a quieter pause, visit Beomeosa Temple on the forested slopes of Geumjeongsan.
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.
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.
Shimizu offers a memorable arrival: on clear days, Mount Fuji rises beyond the blue waters of Suruga Bay. Shimizu is a working harbor famed for tuna. Across the bay, Miho-no-Matsubara’s pines frame a celebrated view of Fuji. At Nihondaira, take in the panorama, then ride the ropeway to Kunozan Toshogu, a richly decorated shrine honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu.
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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