27 nights · Japan · Departs Tokyo (Japan) · Visiting Miyako-Iwate, Hakodate, Aomori City, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato-Matsue, Busan, Nagasaki City, Kagoshima City, Kochi City, Nagoya, Tokushima, Kobe-Osaka, Tsuruga, Niigata City, Akita City, Ishinomaki, Hitachinaka · Aboard Princess Cruises on the Sapphire Princess
Image courtesy of Princess Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Princess Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Sapphire Princess |
| Duration | 27 nights |
| Port calls | 18 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $3,739 per person |
| Year built | 2004 |
| Guests | 3214 |
| Cabins | 1339 |
| Crew | 1100 |
| Length | 290 m |
| Beam | 48 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your arrival at Sakaiminato opens a quieter side of Japan, where fishing-town character meets samurai history. Follow Mizuki Shigeru Road past bronze figures from the manga artist’s supernatural world, then sample fresh crab and seafood. Matsue lies about 40 kilometres away, its original castle among Japan’s National Treasures, with canals and Lake Shinji nearby. A day ashore can move from lively local flavour to the measured elegance of old Japan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tokushima brings you to Shikoku, Japan’s smallest main island, where river plains meet forested hills. The city’s Awa Odori dance tradition comes alive each August, with performances at Awa Odori Kaikan year-round. Ride Mount Bizan’s ropeway for sweeping views over Tokushima and the Yoshino River. Beyond the city, Naruto’s tidal whirlpools reveal the force of the Seto Inland Sea’s currents.
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.
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.
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.
Tsuruga faces the Sea of Japan in Fukui Prefecture. Its working harbor and compact city bear the marks of centuries of trade. At Kehi Jingu, an 11-metre vermilion torii makes a striking first impression. The Tsuruga Red Brick Warehouse recalls the port’s shipping era. At Kehi no Matsubara, pine trees frame a quiet stretch of coast. Come ashore for shrine architecture, coastal walks and seafood from Fukui’s waters.
Niigata faces the Sea of Japan, where waterways and a fertile rice plain have shaped the city’s character. One of Japan’s leading rice-producing regions, it is celebrated for fine sake brewed with local grains and pristine water. Walk the waterfront, cross graceful Bandai Bridge, then explore Furumachi’s old merchant quarter. Nearby, the Northern Culture Museum reveals the elegance of a prosperous rural estate. At table, local rice, Sea of Japan seafood and sake make a persuasive case for staying awhile.
Akita offers a quieter, distinctly Japanese day ashore, with samurai-era history and celebrated regional food. Senshu Park occupies the former grounds of Kubota Castle. At the Akita Museum of Art, a striking mural by local-born painter Tsuguharu Foujita commands attention. Try kiritanpo, rice mashed, shaped around cedar skewers and grilled, alongside local sake. In August, the Kanto Festival brings towering lantern poles into the streets, carried with remarkable balance.
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.
On Miyagi’s Pacific coast, Ishinomaki is a working port where the sea shapes daily life. At the Ishinomori Manga Museum, discover the creations of celebrated manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori, born in nearby Tome. Seafood, including oysters and sardines, is a natural highlight of the local dining scene. Nearby Matsushima Bay is famed for its pine-covered islands and considered among Japan’s Three Great Views. The city’s rebuilt waterfront bears witness to its recovery after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Hitachinaka brings you to Japan’s Ibaraki coast, where beaches and working harbors sit within reach of historic Mito. At Hitachi Seaside Park, spring’s blue nemophila and autumn’s red kochia create a striking seasonal spectacle. Nearby Nakaminato offers a lively fish market, fresh seafood, and a glimpse of everyday life on the Pacific. Choose Hitachinaka for open-air scenery, local flavor, and an inviting alternative to Japan’s better-known urban ports.
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 14, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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