30 nights · Japan · Departs Tokyo (Japan) · Visiting Shimizu, Shingu, Kagoshima City, Nagasaki City, Busan, Karatsu, Hiroshima City, Takamatsu, Kobe-Osaka, Amami Oshima Island Japan, Naha, Ishigakijima Island, Keelung, Hong Kong, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Saigon, Sihanoukville, Koh Kut-Kood Island Thailand, Laem Chabang · Aboard Windstar Cruises on the Star Seeker
Image courtesy of Windstar Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Windstar Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Star Seeker |
| Duration | 30 nights |
| Port calls | 22 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $18,079 per person |
| Year built | 2025 |
| Guests | 224 |
| Cabins | 112 |
| Crew | 110 |
| Length | 126 m |
| Beam | 19 m |
| Cruising speed | 16.0 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.
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.
Shingu sits where the Kumano River meets the Pacific, on Japan’s rugged Kii Peninsula. It is a gateway to the Kumano Kodo, the ancient pilgrimage network inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Begin at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the region’s three grand shrines, set beside the river. Then follow pilgrims’ paths through cedar forests, stone trails and villages shaped by centuries of devotion. Shingu brings landscape and living spiritual tradition into clear focus.
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.
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.
Karatsu sits on Kyushu’s coast, where the Genkai Sea meets a town shaped by ceramics, fishing, and centuries of trade. At Karatsu Castle, rebuilt in 1966, broad views take in the harbor and pine-fringed shore. Nearby, Niji no Matsubara is a celebrated coastal pine grove stretching nearly five kilometres. Karatsu-yaki pottery rewards a closer look, with glazes shaped by a long local tradition. For a change of pace, Yobuko’s morning market serves the catch, including the region’s prized squid.
Hiroshima is a modern city with a history that reaches far beyond the events of 1945. At Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and museum offer a moving, carefully documented account of the bombing. Across the city, local trams make it easy to reach Shukkeien Garden, lively Hondori and the riverside. A short train and ferry journey reaches Miyajima, famed for Itsukushima Shrine and its great torii gate.
Takamatsu is the gateway to Shikoku, Japan’s smallest main island, and a city with an unexpectedly graceful pace. From the harbour, reach Ritsurin Garden, a celebrated landscape garden shaped over more than a century. Its ponds, pine groves and teahouses reward an unhurried visit. The city is also known for sanuki udon, the region’s springy wheat noodles. Take the ferry to Naoshima for contemporary art, or stay to explore the waterfront and castle ruins.
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.
Amami Oshima lies between Kyushu and Okinawa, with coral beaches, mangrove channels and forested hills. The island’s forests form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and shelter the rare Amami rabbit. Explore mangroves by kayak, swim sheltered coves, or visit villages known for Oshima Tsumugi, its prized silk textile. Allow time for island roads; villages, forests and beaches are spread across this substantial island.
Naha is the gateway to Okinawa, where Japan’s subtropical south feels distinct from the mainland. Begin at Shuri Castle, former seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, now being rebuilt after the 2019 fire. Along Kokusai Street, browse local crafts and taste Okinawan specialties, including bitter melon and sweet-potato treats. For a quieter glimpse of island life, explore Shikinaen, a royal garden with ponds and traditional architecture. Naha rewards curiosity beyond the waterfront.
Ishigaki is the southern gateway to Japan’s Yaeyama Islands, where subtropical forests, coral reefs and clear seas set the pace. From the port, head to Kabira Bay for its jade-green water and glass-bottom boat rides; swimming is prohibited there. Explore Ishigaki Yaima Village for traditional Yaeyama houses, or seek out the island’s limestone cave. Return for grilled Ishigaki beef and Yaeyama soba, two local specialties worth making room for.
Keelung is Taiwan’s northern gateway, a busy harbor city with an easy rail connection to Taipei. Taipei’s museums, temples and shopping districts make a rewarding day ashore; Keelung offers local life closer to port. At Miaokou Night Market, sample seafood and Taiwanese snacks beneath the lantern signs. Heping Island Geopark offers wave-shaped rocks and broad coastal views.
Hong Kong is best approached from the water, where the Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour beneath a skyline of towers. Ride the Peak Tram for sweeping views of the harbour and surrounding islands. In Central, colonial landmarks stand beside glass towers; across the harbour, Kowloon’s markets and temples offer a different pace. Cantonese kitchens range from dim sum teahouses to polished dining rooms. Leave time for the harbour after dark, when the city’s lights come into focus.
Hạ Long opens onto a singular seascape: thousands of limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Tonkin. From the modern cruise port, boat trips lead into sheltered coves and dramatic grottoes. Some itineraries visit a floating fishing village, where families once made their living from the bay. Back ashore, Bai Chay has cafés and seafood restaurants. Choose a longer cruise for the best perspective: the karsts are most striking from the water.
Da Nang is Vietnam’s most appealing blend of city energy, broad beaches and easy access to remarkable heritage. The Museum of Cham Sculpture offers an exceptional introduction to the ancient kingdom of Champa. The Marble Mountains rise above the coast; Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is about 30 kilometres south. Choose a beach day, a museum visit or an outing into central Vietnam’s layered past.
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s celebrated seaside city, set around a sweeping bay of turquoise water and pale sand. Beyond the beach, visit the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers. At Long Son Pagoda, a climb brings broad views across the city. Fresh seafood, lively markets and boat trips to nearby islands make an easy day here. Choose a swim, a bowl of noodle soup, or a quiet hour watching fishing boats cross the bay.
Ho Chi Minh City rewards curious travellers with a vivid collision of old Saigon and modern Vietnam. French-colonial landmarks, busy markets and motorbike-filled streets make the centre a study in contrasts. The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering account of the conflict, while local cafés invite a slower pause. For a deeper look at Vietnam’s wartime history, the Cu Chi tunnels make a memorable excursion beyond the city.
Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s principal seaport, set on the Gulf of Thailand beside a fast-changing coastal city. Its beaches, including Otres and Independence, offer a break from the busy port district. Nearby Ream National Park protects mangroves, river estuaries and coastal forest. Take a boat to offshore islands, or travel inland to Kampot for riverside scenery and colonial-era architecture.
Koh Kood is Thailand’s easternmost island, set in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian coast. Unlike busier resort islands, it keeps a quiet, lightly developed character, with coconut groves, fishing villages and long beaches. Swim in clear water, follow forest trails to Klong Chao Waterfall, or watch fishing boats return at dusk. Ferries from Trat province bring you to an island where days belong to sea and shade.
Bangkok makes its first impression in motion: river boats, temple roofs and traffic threading between modern towers. At the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and ceremonial halls reveal the city’s royal heritage. Nearby, Wat Pho holds the famous Reclining Buddha; a Chao Phraya boat ride offers a quieter view of old neighborhoods. Come hungry: markets and street kitchens serve fragrant curries, grilled seafood and mango with sticky rice. Allow time for heat and distance; Bangkok rewards an unhurried visit.
Published August 30, 2026
Last updated October 27, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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