The sun is not the only thing in ascendancy in Japan, with demand for cruise holidays in the country rising as more travellers discover what a brilliant way this is to explore the Pacific archipelago.
With such a diversity of sights – whether neon cities, historical towns, hot springs or fiery volcanoes – on or near the coast, cruisers can visit up to 10 ports on just one holiday, all while unpacking only once.
Those worried about understanding the local culture and language can explore unfamiliar sights, sounds and tastes on guided tours, reassured by the knowledge they’ll come “home” to their floating hotel at the end of each day.
Spring is popular for colourful blossom, summer for festivals and autumn for vibrant colours and fewer crowds. Whichever season appeals, booking now for 2027 is wise to secure the best prices and a cabin to suit.
Find by cruise type:
Best for value
Japan Explorer with Kumano Fireworks
Princess Cruises
Key stops: Kumano, Osaka, Busan (South Korea), Kochi, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Miyazaki
Departure port: Yokohama
Duration: 9 nights
Ship: Diamond Princess
This cruise is guaranteed to go with a bang. Literally. That’s because you’ll be in Kumano on the evening of day two for the annual firework festival, a colourful two-hour pyrotechnic display that lights up the night sky. And as it takes place over water, you don’t even have to leave the ship to watch.
The rest of the cruise is equally wow, with temples, shrines and sake tastings among excursion highlights. Adventurous sorts can take a sand bath on a tour from Kagoshima – apparently, being buried up to the neck in warm sand helps your circulation – or test their nerves on a suspension bridge strung 45ft above the Yoshino River on an outing from Kochi.
With its onsen (traditional Japanese bathhouse) and sushi restaurant, the 2,706-passenger Diamond Princess is the perfect match for cruising in Japan. Don’t fancy either? Take your pick from more than 14 places to eat and drink. Speaking of which, consider purchasing the Princess Plus fare – it may push the price up by £500, but it’s worth the splurge when you consider that unlimited drinks, tips, Wi-Fi, speciality coffees and more dining options are included.
How to do it
A Japan Explorer with Kumano Fireworks cruise departing August 16, 2027 costs from £1,029pp for an ocean-view cabin. Includes meals. Excludes flights.
Best for luxury
Sea of Japan & Plum Blossoms
Seabourn
Key stops: Osaka, Busan (South Korea), Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, Miyako, Sendai, Hitachinaka
Departure port: Tokyo
Duration: 13 nights
Ship: Seabourn Encore
Make a date with Osaka Castle on day two of this cruise, as that’s a plum spot (pun intended) to see trees in full bloom. Plum trees, of course. They come into flower in mid-February and, as it’s Japan, there are festivals to celebrate the sweet-smelling blossom (ume in Japanese), which signals that spring is on its way.
With just two sea days during the fortnight, this is not a cruise for anyone expecting a holiday at sea – shrines, hot springs, nature walks and plenty of sake await. In Hirosaki, sign up for the Hirosaki Castle Park and Neputa Festival Exhibition Hall tour. Yes, it’s another castle, but you’ll also see the spectacular floats used for the town’s Neputa festival in August.
As one of the world’s finest luxury cruise ships, Encore is a real spoil with all-balcony, all-suite accommodation for its 600 passengers, private cabanas and staff who really do remember your name and favourite drinks from the moment you step on board.
How to do it
A 13-night Sea of Japan & Plum Blossoms itinerary departing February 27, 2027, costs from £7,198pp for a veranda suite. Includes meals, drinks, tips and Wi-Fi. Excludes flights.
Best for explorers
East Asia Expedition: From the Wild North to Hiroshima’s Heritage
Swan Hellenic
Key stops: Hakodate, Sakata, Ogi, Wajima, Maizuru, Sakaiminato, Busan (South Korea), Shimonoseki, Beppu, Hiroshima
Departure port: Otaru
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Minerva
Polar expedition line Swan Hellenic is swapping chills for thrills as it goes in search of adventure in the Sea of Japan. Passengers can ride in tub boats (literally adapted from washing tubs), taste fugu (aka puffer fish), learn the art of drumming and follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on a Journey to Rebirth up 2,446 steps to the Sanjin Gosaiden shrine at the top of Mount Haguro. It’s a magnificent hike through towering cedar trees, but not for the faint-hearted, as once you start, the only way is up. After that, the Mount Daisen hike will feel easy – it’s just over three miles with steps and inclines along the way.
Instead of flying straight home when the cruise ends in Hiroshima, consider staying an extra few nights in the city so as to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.
Purpose-built for exploring the polar regions and with room for just 152 passengers, Minerva is more boutique hotel than cruise ship. Expect a friendly atmosphere, a light, bright Scandi-chic look, and comfy cabins and suites, most with balconies.
How to do it
An East Asia Expedition: From the Wild North to Hiroshima’s Heritage cruise departing October 2, 2027, costs from £7,875pp for an ocean-view cabin. Includes drinks, tips, Wi-Fi and one excursion per port. Excludes flights.
Best adults-only cruise
The Shogun’s Path
Oceania Cruises
Key stops: Shimizu, Kyoto, Kochi, Hiroshima, Busan (South Korea), Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Beppu
Departure port: Tokyo
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Oceania Riviera
With Mount Fuji, volcanoes, tea ceremonies, temples and shrines among the things to see and do each day, this port-hopping journey around Japan’s hero cities is a perfect introduction to the country.
Passengers can also go to Hell – in the nicest way possible, of course – in Beppu, where the air is filled with steam, and hot springs reach temperatures of 99C. If you fancy a dip, a tour of the ones in Kobe are a better bet.
As the self-styled world’s leading culinary cruise line, there’s no surprise that food figures large on the excursion trail. Expect sushi-making classes, chef-led market tours and a master chef dismantling a whole tuna for a lunch-time sashimi.
Food also takes centre stage onboard Riviera, a stylish 1,250-passenger ship reserved for adults only (as are all Oceania ships). Expect a culinary centre offering hands-on cooking classes and four complimentary speciality restaurants – Jacques for fine French cuisine is my favourite. Note that pre-bookings for speciality restaurants are limited by cabin category but once on board, passengers can make additional reservations, still complimentary, if there is space.
How to do it
A 10-night Shogun’s Path cruise departing October 25, 2027 costs from £3,419pp for an inside cabin. Includes meals, tips, Wi-Fi, speciality dining and either complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner or $600 (£448) per cabin shore excursion credit. Excludes flights.
Best for free spirits
Japan Mystery Cruise
Windstar Cruises
Key stops: It’s a mystery!
Departure port: Otaru
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Star Seeker
Get ready for an exciting journey into the unknown. Well, sort of. Passengers do know the start and end dates of this cruise, and that it’s from Otaru on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, to Osaka on the southern end of Honshu island.
It’s what happens in the middle that’s the mystery, but as this is Japan, there’s a good chance it will involve castles, samurai, hot springs and sake. Each port will be revealed 36 hours before arrival to give guests time to book excursions. For now, the only thing you can be sure of is a call into South Korea (Japanese maritime laws require all foreign shipping companies to visit a third country).
There’s no mystery about the ship, Star Seeker. An intimate yacht-like vessel that was only launched at the end of 2025, it holds 224 passengers in all-suite accommodations, most with private balconies, and has two restaurants and a grill by the pool – all at no extra charge. For a light breakfast and casual lunch, head to the Yacht Club lounge on deck seven. It’s a good perch for the best views, too.
How to do it
An 11-night Japan Mystery cruise departing Sept 14, 2027 costs from £6,839pp for an ocean-view suite. Includes all meals and soft drinks. Excludes flights.
Best for families
Asia
MSC Cruises
Key stops: Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Jeju Island (South Korea), Sasebo, Kobe
Departure port: Tokyo
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: MSC Bellissima
Numerous cruises with my then-young daughter taught me one important lesson: always keep things fun.
On this cruise, that might mean tasting the local okonomiyaki in Hiroshima (think savoury pancakes filled with cabbage and pork or seafood), going inside a lava cave on South Korea’s Jeju Island or taking a ferry to see the exploding Sakurajima volcano. The latter is in Kagoshima, where children can also get up close to squirmy eels, giant crabs and sea otters in the city’s aquarium.
Kobe is a dream for families, with water parks, ferris wheels and a mountain (Mount Rokko) to climb. Kudos to MSC for scheduling two days in port to pack it all in.
MSC Bellissima is a dream for families. There are water slides, ropes courses and free clubs for babies, children and teenagers aged from six months to 17, a Balinese spa and loads of places to eat and drink for adults.
For a real treat, book your brood into a duplex suite in the exclusive Yacht Club. The room sleeps four and comes with a butler, premium drinks, Wi-Fi and complimentary access to the thermal suite.
How to do it
An Asia cruise departing on April 10, 2027 costs from £1,499pp for an inside cabin. Includes meals and tips. Excludes flights.