Day 1

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver puts mountains, ocean and a working harbour within easy reach of the city centre. From the cruise terminal at Canada Place, walk to Gastown’s brick lanes, the waterfront and the shops of Robson Street. Stanley Park offers seawall views and towering cedars, while Granville Island brings a lively public market and artisan studios. Beyond downtown, ferries cross to North Vancouver, where the Capilano Suspension Bridge and mountain trails reveal the region’s wilder side.

Day 3

Ketchikan, USA

Set on Revillagigedo Island in southeast Alaska, Ketchikan is a working fishing town framed by the Tongass National Forest. Its waterfront rises steeply above the Inside Passage, where fishing boats and floatplanes share the harbor. Walk Creek Street, a former red-light district built over Ketchikan Creek. At the Totem Heritage Center, see Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art. For wilderness, boat or fly to Misty Fjords National Monument.

Day 4

Klawock AK, USA

On Prince of Wales Island, Klawock offers a close look at Alaska’s Tlingit culture and island life. At Totem Park, carved poles recall clan histories and the community’s deep roots. Beyond town, forested roads lead through the Tongass to fishing coves, quiet beaches, and views across the Inside Passage. Come ashore ready to slow down, meet a small island community, and see Southeast Alaska beyond its best-known ports.

Day 5

Sitka, USA

Set between forested mountains and the Pacific, Sitka occupies the west coast of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Here, Tlingit history and Russian influence meet in a compact town reached chiefly by air or sea. Walk Sitka National Historical Park’s coastal trail among carved totem poles. The park interprets the 1804 conflict between Tlingit people and Russian forces. St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Sheldon Jackson Museum add depth, while nearby waters invite wildlife watching.

Day 6

Hubbard Glacier, USA

At Hubbard Glacier, your ship becomes a front-row seat to one of Alaska’s great natural spectacles. More than six miles wide at its face, this tidewater glacier descends from the Saint Elias Mountains into Disenchantment Bay. Listen for ice cracking, then watch bergs drift across the water. Unlike many glaciers, Hubbard has advanced in recent decades, at times constricting the entrance to Russell Fiord. Bring binoculars and a warm layer; the open deck offers the clearest views.

Day 8

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.

Day 10

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.

Day 18

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.

Day 19

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.

Day 20

Sendai, Japan

Sendai is Tohoku’s largest city, a welcoming gateway to northern Japan’s history, cuisine and Pacific coast. Explore Aoba Castle’s hilltop ruins and Zuihoden, the richly decorated mausoleum of the city’s founder, Date Masamune. Stroll leafy Jozenji-dori, then try gyutan, Sendai’s celebrated grilled beef tongue. Beyond the city, island-dotted Matsushima Bay offers an easy excursion and one of Japan’s most admired coastal panoramas.

Day 21

Hitachinaka, Japan

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.

Day 22

Shimizu, Japan

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.

Day 23

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.

Day 25

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.

Day 26

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.

Day 27

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.

Day 28

Akita City, Japan

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.

Day 29

Niigata City, Japan

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.

Day 30

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.

Day 32

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.

Day 34

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.

Day 35

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.

Cruise line	Seabourn Cruises
Ship	Seabourn Encore
Duration	34 nights
Port calls	21
From fare	$12,324 per person
Year built	2016
Guests	638
Cabins	266
Crew	330
Length	210 m
Beam	28 m
Cruising speed	19.0 kn

BC Canada Cruise from Vancouver to Osaka — 35 Days

Vancouver, Canada

Ketchikan, USA

Klawock AK, USA

Sitka, USA

Hubbard Glacier, USA

Kodiak Island, USA

Dutch Harbor Unalaska, USA

Kushiro City, Japan

Miyako-Iwate, Japan

Sendai, Japan

Hitachinaka, Japan

Shimizu, Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Miyako-Iwate, Japan

Hakodate, Japan

Aomori City, Japan

Akita City, Japan

Niigata City, Japan

Kanazawa, Japan

Sokcho, Korea

Kochi City, Japan

Kobe-Osaka, Japan

Seabourn Encore Cruises

Cruise Disclosure