Japan Shiribeshi Cruise from Otaru to Anchorage — 20 Days

Sapporo-Otaru, Japan

Otaru rewards a slow walk, with a canal, old warehouses and sea air recalling Hokkaido’s trading past. Built in 1923, Otaru Canal once carried cargo; today, its stone storehouses frame one of Japan’s most atmospheric waterfronts. Nearby Sakaimachi Street offers glass studios, music-box shops and seafood restaurants, all within an easy stroll of the center. Come for the craftsmanship, then settle in for Hokkaido seafood and sushi.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Aomori City, Japan

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.

Muroran, Japan

Muroran rewards travelers who look beyond the harbor cranes. On Hokkaido’s southern coast, this working port pairs striking industrial views with cliffs, sea caves and open Pacific horizons. At Cape Chikyu, a lighthouse and observatory command one of the island’s most celebrated ocean panoramas. The sweeping Hakucho Bridge frames the bay, while nearby Noboribetsu offers famed hot-spring bathing. Come ashore for a revealing contrast: Japan at work, and nature at full scale.

Kushiro City, Japan

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.

At Sea (At Sea)

Aleutian Islands, USA

The Aleutian Islands arc west from Alaska toward Asia, dividing the North Pacific from the Bering Sea. Volcanic peaks rise through fog, while seabirds wheel above waters shaped by powerful currents. Unalaska, the chain’s principal community, offers a window on the region’s Russian-era history and enduring fishing culture. Expect changeable weather, immense horizons, and a sense of distance rare in modern travel. On a clear day, the islands’ stark beauty needs no introduction.

Dutch Harbor Unalaska, USA

Dutch Harbor sits on Unalaska Island, where the Aleutian chain meets the Bering Sea. It is one of America’s busiest commercial fishing ports, yet its appeal reaches beyond the waterfront. Explore the Museum of the Aleutians to learn about the region’s Indigenous history. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a landmark dating to the nineteenth century. World War II sites recall Unalaska’s strategic role in the Aleutian campaign. Expect steep green hills, working docks, and weather that can change quickly.

St Paul Island Alaska (Scenic Stop)

At Sea (At Sea)

Nome, USA

Nome sits on the Bering Sea, where Alaska feels vast, windswept and unmistakably remote. Gold brought prospectors here in 1898; traces of the rush remain in weathered dredges and historic buildings. At the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum, exhibits illuminate the region’s Indigenous cultures and mining past. Nome also marks the finish of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, celebrated each March. Beyond town, open tundra and gravel roads invite exploration, but distances and weather demand thoughtful planning.

Anchorage AK, USA

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, set between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Cruise ships generally dock at Seward or Whittier; Anchorage is the gateway inland. Explore the city’s Indigenous heritage, lively food scene and Alaska Native Heritage Center. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail pairs inlet views with the Chugach Mountains, and moose sometimes appear along its route. Then board the train or take the highway farther into Alaska.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• Flight (Flight)