Japan Cruise from Tokyo to Whittier — 16 Days

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.

At Sea (At Sea)

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.

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.

At Sea (At Sea)

Kodiak Island, USA

Kodiak sits on the island of the same name, where the Gulf of Alaska meets a working fishing town. Fishing boats fill the harbor, and seafood remains central to the local economy. Russian America left its mark at Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church and the Baranov Museum. Beyond town, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge protects wilderness famed for brown bears, often reached by guided air or boat trips.

Homer AK, USA

Homer rewards travelers who look beyond the harbor. At the end of the Sterling Highway, this lively Kenai Peninsula town faces Kachemak Bay and the mountains beyond. Walk the Homer Spit, a narrow gravel bar lined with fishing boats, shops, and seafood restaurants. Across the water, Kachemak Bay State Park protects a landscape of glaciers, coves, and trails. In town, galleries and the Pratt Museum tell stories of local art, history, and fishing.

At Sea (At Sea)

Whittier, USA

Whittier sits between the steep Chugach Mountains and the sheltered waters of Prince William Sound. Most visitors arrive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a 2.5-mile passage shared by cars and trains. From the harbor, boats venture among tidewater glaciers, forested islands and waters frequented by sea otters, whales and seabirds. Spend time on the water, and Alaska’s scale becomes unmistakable.